Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2024
Publication Date: 6/19/2024
Citation: Solis, M.A., Cock, M.W., Janzen, D., Hallwachs, W. 2024. New World Orphanostigma Guenée including a new species from Costa Rica (Lepidoptera Crambidae Spilomelinae). Zootaxa. 5471 (3):383-390. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5471.3.8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5471.3.8

Interpretive Summary: Lantana is considered a major weed in over 60 countries and is considered one of the 100 worst invasive species on the planet. It is a noxious weed that displaces native plants in forests, orchards, and pastures, provides understory fuel during forest fires, and is toxic to animals. The Lantana leaftier has been introduced worldwide for the natural biological control of lantana. We studied the identity of the lantana leaftier and related species in the Western Hemisphere and describe a cryptic, new species from Costa Rica that was discovered using DNA. Biological control of lantana with the lantana leaftier has remained inadequate and failed in some countries. This is a preliminary step to reanalyze and utilize new technology to study the identity and distribution of a lantana control agent. Application of this knowledge to the selection of biological agents may offer some improvement in the overall biocontrol of lantana.

Technical Abstract: Orphanostigma haemorrhoidalis Guenée, 1854, was described from Brazil and has been introduced worldwide for the biological control of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). Orphanostigma futilalis (Barnes & McDunnough, 1914), rev. stat., described from south Texas, United States, is removed from synonymy with O. haemorrhoidalis. We designate lectotypes for O. futilalis, new lectotype, and O. haemorrhoidalis, new lectotype, to stabilize the names of these species. We describe Orphanostigma eugeniephillipsia Solis, new species, from Costa Rica and provide adult and genitalia images for all three New World species.