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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381654
Research Project: Systematics of Hyper-Diverse Moth Superfamilies, with an Emphasis on Agricultural Pests, Invasive Species, Biological Control Agents, and Food Security

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Diatraea postlineella Schaus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from Guatemala; molecular identity and host plant

Author
item Solis, M Alma
item Scheffer, Sonja
item Lewis, Matthew
item RENDON, PEDRO - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2021
Publication Date: 11/1/2021
Citation: Solis, M.A., Scheffer, S.J., Lewis, M.L., Rendon, P. 2021. Diatraea postlineella Schaus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from Guatemala; molecular identity and host plant. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 123(3):638-651. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.3.637.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.123.3.637

Interpretive Summary: The southern cornstalk borer (SCB) feeds on corn, sorghum, Johnsongrass, and sugarcane in the southern United States. Recently, it was reported to be feeding on sugarcane in Guatemala. Based on recent specimens, a morphological and molecular analysis confirmed it as a separate species, and distinct from SCB and another U.S. species. For over a hundred years, this Guatemalan species was known only from a single male type specimen and another specimen intercepted at a U.S. port, and its host plant was unknown. Photographs of the adults and their genitalia are provided, and a table with male genitalia characters to separate the three species are provided. The host association with sugarcane is reported for the first time. These results will be useful to biological control workers, farmers, and conservationists.

Technical Abstract: Diatraea postlineella Schaus, 1922, was described from Quirigua, Guatemala, based on one male specimen and the host was unknown. Recently, more specimens of D. postlineella from Guatemala were discovered and reared on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Based on these specimens, morphological and molecular characters support the status of D. postlineella as a separate species. Its relationship to D. crambidoides (Grote) and D. mitteri Solis is discussed. Its molecular identity and host plant are reported for the first time. Photographs of the adults and their genitalia, a comparison of external characters, and a table with male genitalia characters to separate the three species are provided.