ARS | Publication request: A review of the Paectes arcigera (Guenée) (Lepidoptera, Eutellidae) species complex

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 11, 2012
Publication Date: February 6, 2013
Citation: Pogue, M.G. 2013. A review of the Paectes arcigera (Guenée) (Lepidoptera, Eutellidae) species complex. ZooKeys. 264:125-163.

Interpretive Summary: Owlet moth caterpillars can be used as biological control agents for invasive plants. A species of interest for the biological control of the Brazilian peppertree was submitted for identification. It was discovered to be part of a complex of eight species that are very difficult to distinguish from each other externally and can only be identified using internal reproductive structures. This study resolved the identity of the species, five new species were described, and illustrations and keys for identification using the reproductive structures are provided. This paper will be important to scientists working on the biological control of weeds and agriculturally important moths.

Technical Abstract: Five new species of Paectes Hübner [1818] related to Paectes arcigera (Guenée) (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Donimica, St. Lucia, Trinidad) and P. longiformis Pogue (Brazil) are described: P. asper n.sp. (Florida, Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica, Colombia), P. medialba n. sp. (Argentina), P. similis n. sp. (Brazil), P. sinuosa n. sp. (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay), and P. tumida n. sp. (Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana). Adults and genitalia are illustrated for all species. Taxonomic changes include the rev. stat. of P. nana (Walker) (Florida, Greater Antilles, Mexico, Guatemala, Galapagos) as a valid species and synonyms P. indefatigabilis Schaus and P. isabel Schaus as junior synonyms of P. nana instead of P. arcigera. New host records for P. sinuosa and P. nana reared on Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, Anacardiaceae) are presented. The holotype and female genitalia of P. obrotunda (Guenée) are illustrated.