Author
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Pogue, Michael |
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Submitted to: Neotropical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2013 Publication Date: 1/23/2014 Citation: Pogue, M.G. 2014. A review of the Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) species complex with a description of a new species of Copitarsia (Hampson) from Chile (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Neotropical Entomology. 43(2):142-153. Interpretive Summary: The family Noctuidae, commonly called Owlet moths, represents the largest family of moths and contains more agriculturally important species than any other family of moths. Many owlet moths, such as armyworms, cutworms, corn earworms, and bud worms, do billions of dollars damage to crops worldwide. This report describes a new pest species of owlet moth from Chile that has been misidentified in the literature for over 50 years. This species is a pest on numerous crops in Chile including corn, wheat, asparagus, cut flowers, apple, tobacco, and cabbage. This paper reviews past literature and corrects the identifications so host plant information can be made more reliable. Illustrations of adults, male and female genitalia, and distribution maps are given so species in this pest complex can be accurately identified. This information will be useful to all entomological researchers, APHIS scientists and identifiers, forest service scientists, and other agricultural specialists from the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. Technical Abstract: A new species, Copitarsia gibberosa n. sp. from Chile and Argentina is described and illustrated. Morphological characters are discussed to differentiate it from C. decolora (Guenée), C. incommoda (Walker), and C. corruda (Pogue and Simmons). Copitarsia corruda has its status revised based on CO1 and morphological characters incorrectly interpreted by Angulo and Olivares (2009) and Quimbayo et al. (2010). Copitarsia paraturbata Castillo and Angulo is a new synonym of C. incommoda based on morphology Copitarsia uncilata Burgos and Leiva is a new synonym of C. decolora based on morphology. A review of recent literature showed a complete misunderstanding of the complex of species related to C. decolora and these papers are evaluated and species are identified. Host plant utilization is discussed between C. decolora and C. corruda. Adults and male and female genitalia are illustrated to differentiate between the species in the C. decolora species complex. Keys to male and females based on gentialic morphology are given. Distribution maps of collected specimens are provided. |
