ARS | Publication request: Records of Tortricidae from the Afrotropical region, with descriptions of new taxa (Lepidoptera)

Submitted to: SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: September 20, 2009
Publication Date: September 30, 2009
Citation: Razowski, J., Brown, J.W. 2009. Records of Tortricidae from the Afrotropical region, with descriptions of new taxa (Lepidoptera). SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia. 37:371-384.

Interpretive Summary: The caterpillars of moths of the family known as leaf-rollers are responsible for millions of dollars of damage annually to forest, ornamental, and crop plants. Exclusion, detection, and management of these pests can be facilitated by their accurate identification. In this paper we present details on four genera and six species that are new to science and present descriptions and illustrations intended to assist in their identification. We also present new information on seven additional species. The 13 species treated in this paper are all native to Africa. This information will be useful to scientists interested in the leafroller fauna of Africa and to action agencies such as APHIS whose role is the exclusion of foreign pests.

Technical Abstract: Four new genera (Bichrompotamia Razowski & Brown, gen. n., Nkandla Razowski & Brown, gen. n., Vacanara Razowski & Brown, gen. n., Birutia Razowski & Brown, gen. n.) and six new species (Bichrompotamia rhodesiae Razowski & Brown, sp. n., Vacanara caravanica Razowski & Brown, sp. n., Birutia meridafricana Razowski & Brown, sp. n., Herpystis capeana Razowski & Brown, sp. n., Cosmetra neka Razowski & Brown, sp. n., and Cydia ibadena Razowski & Brown, sp. n.) are described and illustrated from the Afrotropical region. The female genitalia of Eccopsis ptilonota (Meyrick) are described and illustrated for the first time. New records are provided for the following: Accra viridis (Walsingham), Brachiolia amblopis (Meyrick), Lozotaenia capensana (Walker), Metamesia episema Diakonoff, Eccopsis ptilonota (Meyrick), Lobesia vanillana (Joannis), and Xenosocia paracremna (Meyrick).