Author
 |
Brown, John |
|
Submitted to: Tropical Lepidoptera
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/1998 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: The larvae of many tortricid moths are pests of agricultural, ornamental, and forest plants; some cause considerable economic loss through feeding damage. While most species in the Nearctic and Palaeartic Regions are well known, our knowledge of this family in the Neotropics is poor. This paper provides a description and illustration of a new species from Costa Rica, presents details that distinguish it from related species, and discusses the global diversity of the tortricid tribe Chlidanotini. This information will be useful to regulatory personnel charged with identifying insects and scientists trying to control tortricid pests on crops. Technical Abstract: Pseudocomotis nortena, new species, is described and illustrated from Costa Rica, bringing to six the number of described species in the genus. The new species is the only member of the genus documented from Central America thus far; Pseudocomotis Brown previously was known from Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia. A female of the genus is described and illustrated for the first time. The unusual shape of the papillae anales are reminiscent of Monortha Razowsksi and some species of Auratonota Razowski; the short, stout ductus bursa is unique among Neoptropical members of the tribe. Pseudocomotis appears to represent the sister group to Monortha. The monophyly of Pseudocomotis is demonstrated convincingly by several characters of the male and female genitalia. |
