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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Systematic Entomology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #402891
Research Project: Systematics of Beetles, Flies, Moths and Wasps with an Emphasis on Agricultural Pests, Invasive Species, Biological Control Agents, and Food Security

Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory

Title: Phycitinae (Pyralidae) of the Sierra Tarahumara region in northwestern Mexico

Author
item Solis, Maria
item NEUNZIG, HERB - North Carolina State University
item BALCAZAR LARA, MANUEL - University Of Colima

Submitted to: Journal of Lepidopterists Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/11/2023
Publication Date: 9/22/2023
Citation: Solis, M.A., Neunzig, H., Balcazar Lara, M.A. 2023. Phycitinae (Pyralidae) of the Sierra Tarahumara region in northwestern Mexico. Journal of Lepidopterists Society. 77(3):143-158. https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.77i3.a2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18473/lepi.77i3.a2

Interpretive Summary: The snout moths of the subfamily Phycitinae south of the U. S. border in Mexico are almost unknown. It is an economically important group that includes many stored-product pests, and other major pests, such as sugarcane borers, the navel orangeworm, and the cactus moth that is a major pest of cactus pads grown in Mexico for food. This study is a survey of the Tarahumara region of northwestern Mexico in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua. We found 35 species and 3 new species. The new species are described, and images of the adults and genitalia are provided for identification. An annotated list and images of the Phycitinae collected during this study, and a list of species previously described from Mexico, are also provided. Six species are northernmost records, and nine are southernmost records for U.S. species; the latter are also new records for Mexico. This study will be of interest to biologists and entomologists interested in diversity and conservation, and U.S. international trade organizations, and U.S. quarantine personnel at the southern U.S. ports.

Technical Abstract: A survey of the Phycitinae (Pyralidae) of the Sierra Tarahumara region of northwestern Mexico recorded 35 species, including 32 previously described species and three new species in the genera Cuniberta Heinrich, Sciota Hulst, and Caristanius Heinrich. The new species are described, and images of the genitalia and antenna of one species, are provided. An annotated list and images of the Phycitinae collected during this study, and a list of species previously described from Mexico, are also provided. In our study, we found five species that are endemic to Mexico, and 10 that are new, previously unpublished records for Mexico. Six species are northernmost records, and nine are southernmost records. Of the latter, all are new records for Mexico. All species except one are new, previously unpublished, records for Sonora and Chihuahua. A table of the species collected by locality and their general vegetation is provided with a brief discussion about the species richness between localities in comparison to their habitat or vegetation.