Accurate classification of the species formerly combined in Teuchophanes Meyrick with the description of new species of Helcystogramma Zeller and Dichomeris Hübner (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae Dichomeridinae)

Authors: Metz, Mark

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/13/2024
Publication Date: 12/30/2024
Citation: Metz, M. 2024. Accurate classification of the species formerly combined in Teuchophanes Meyrick with the description of new species of Helcystogramma Zeller and Dichomeris Hübner (Lepidoptera Gelechiidae Dichomeridinae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 126(3):317-336. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.126.3.317.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.126.3.317

Interpretive Summary: The correct classification of species into supraspecific groups is crucial to understanding their biology, evolution, and ecology and forms the basis for predictive systematics. There are some species, however, that have been known to science for decades, but are incorrectly classified. In the course of correcting these classifications, we sometimes find new, closely related species with known biologies and new data that help our understanding of how all the included species may impact US natural resources. This study corrects the classification of four known leaf-folding moth species from the Neotropical Region that have been known for one hundred years, records biological information about newly collected specimens of the same species, and includes the description of three related species. The the favored host plants are known for the newly collected specimens and two of the newly described species. These include the plant family with yams, and there is already a sweet potato leaf folder in this supraspecific group, so this study informs our knowledge of the host plant breadth for the supraspecific groupings. The study also provides illustrations and a diagnostic tool for identifying the species. The results will be useful to regulatory agencies as well as to systematists and scientists from other disciplines.

Technical Abstract: I provide the correct generic combinations for the four species that at one time were combined with Teuchophanes Meyrick, now considered to be a junior subjective synonym of Helcystogramma Zeller: Teuchophanes leucopleura Meyrick, Dichomeris luminosa Busck, Dichomeris perceptella Busck, and Dichomeris cornuta Busck. I remove Teuchophanes leucopleura Meyrick revised status from synonomy with Dichomeris luminosa Busck. All species are accurately placed in Helcystogramma except Dichomeris cornuta Busck revised status, which should be moved back to Dichomeris Hübner. I provide a brief review of the history of the specimens involved with the classification and interpretation of the Teuchophanes combinations including designating lectotypes for D. luminosa Busck and D. cornuta Busck. During the course of reviewing similar specimens, I discovered and describe three species: H. robinsoni new species, H. salonenae new species, and D. adamskii new species, and provide illustrations, diagnostic characters to differentiate the taxa, and a key to the included species of Helcystogramma. I include new records for the named species and biology where known for the new species including a number of host plant records.