Three new species in the Rejectaria niciasalis Walker group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae)

Authors: Goldstein, Paul

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/2021
Publication Date: 4/1/2021
Citation: Goldstein, P.Z. 2021. Three new species in the Rejectaria niciasalis Walker group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123(2):300-313. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.2.300.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.2.300

Interpretive Summary: This paper solves taxonomic problems in a complex group of litter moths from the tropical Americas, and describes three species new to science. These descriptions are based on specimens from the national museums in Washington, DC, London, and Paris, as well as specimens collected by the international team at Area Conservacion de Guanacaste (ACG), Costa Rica, and use a combination of morphology and DNA sequence data. This work is of interest to entomologists, plant-insect biologists, and insect identifiers.

Technical Abstract: Three news species in the Neotropical Rejectaria niciasalis Walker group are described: Rejectaria sixola Goldstein, n. sp., R. barbuti Goldstein, n. sp., and R. olivenca Goldstein, n. sp. All four species possess male androconia associated with wings, palpi, and legs, including a subcostal fold in the forewing. A taxonomic key is provided. The polyphyly of Rejectaria is discussed and the generic placement of the niciasalis group is considered provisional.