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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291797
Title: A revision of the Schinia Volupia (Fitch) species complex Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae)

Author
item Pogue, Michael
item Ouellette, Gary
item HARP, CHARLES - University Of Colorado

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2013
Publication Date: 9/23/2013
Citation: Pogue, M.G., Ouellette, G.D., Harp, C.E. 2013. A revision of the Schinia Volupia (Fitch) species complex Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae). Zootaxa. 3716:157-191.

Interpretive Summary: Flower moths are related to the corn earworm and tobacco budworm moths, which are the most destructive agricultural pests in North America. A complex of five species of flower moths could not be differentiated using mitochondria DNA (COI) or internal morphological structures, so alternative hypotheses were proposed using wing pattern, distribution, and host plant use by the caterpillars. Results concluded that there were four species in this complex and that one species was just a darker form of another. This paper will be important to scientists working in the fields of molecular biology, ecology, and systematics.

Technical Abstract: DNA barcode analysis of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) could not differentiate between the species of the Schinia volupia (Fitch) complex including, S. volupia, S. masoni Smith, S. fulleri (McElvare), S. sanrafaeli (Opler), S. miniana (Grote), and S. biforma Smith. Genitalic characters could only differentiate S. biforma from the S. volupia complex. Based on forewing color and pattern, larval host plant utilization, and geographic distribution, S. volupia, S. sanrafaeli, S. fulleri, and S. miniana were recognized as valid species and S. masoni is considered a new synonym of S. volupia. Schinia volupia, S. fulleri, S. sanrafaeli, S. miniana, and S. biforma are diagnosed and described. A variety of adult images are presented to show the incredible range in variation among these species. Male and female genitalia are illustrated. Host plant utilization is discussed and illustrated. Distribution maps for examined specimens are provided.