A synopsis of the genus Ethmia Huebner in Costa Rica: biology, distribution, and description of 22 new species (Lepidoptera, Gelechioidea, Depressariidae, Ethmiinae), with emphasis on the 42 species known from Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
Author
Phillips-Rodriguez, Eugenie
Author
Powell, Jerry A.
Author
Hallwachs, Winnie
Author
Janzen, Daniel H.
text
ZooKeys
2014
461
1
86
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.461.8377
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.461.8377
1313-2970-461-1
350663FDE2024E61968548B2109EDFF8
Taxon classification Animalia Lepidoptera Depressariidae
Ethmia petersterlingi Phillips
sp. n.
Figures 31, 76, 121, 162
Diagnosis.
This species is most similar to
Ethmia catapeltica
and can be discriminated by thin FW markings, and sacculus without emargination distally in the male genitalia. The female genitalia with signum deeply notched.
Description.
Male: FW length 9-9.4 mm (n = 3). Head: Labial palpus elongated, exceeding base of antenna; proboscis brown, front and crown whitish, occipital tuft black at mid-dorsum. Thorax: Ground color whitish, four large black spots near apices of tegula and at sides of scutellum. FW ground color whitish, markings blackish, one distinct spot at base. An oblique, thin, dark mark from before mid costa connecting with a longitudinal blotch from middle to termen. HW ground color whitish, darker at margins, narrow costal fold with blackish long fringe at ventral, with a thin white pencil. Abdomen: Dorsal and ventral pale brownish, genital scaling pale. Genitalia (Fig. 76) with uncus membranous; basal processes narrow; distal margin of valva with a small projection, adjunct to a group of three or four flat spines.
Female: FW length 9.3-9.5 mm (n = 3). Head and thorax: As described for male except HW unmodified. Abdomen: Genitalia (Fig. 121) with sterigma narrow; antrum sclerotized; signum notched.
Holotype.
Male: 09-SRNP-109881, DNA Barcoded, Costa Rica: Guanacaste: ACG: Mundo Nuevo, Manta Canon 700 m, 18.x.2009 H. Cambronero & F. Quesada. Deposited in INBio. Paratypes: Costa Rica: Guanacaste: ACG: Sector Mundo Nuevo, Pozo #3, 634 m, 1M 16.x.2009, H. Cambronero & F. Quesada, Punta Plancha 420 m, 1F 16.vi.2010, M. Pereira; Sector Pailas, Manta
Rio
Blanco 790 m, 1F 10.viii.2010, H. Cambronero & S.
Rios
; Sector Horizontes, Bajo Sombra 181 m, 1M 24.x.2011, H. Cambronero & S.
Rios
(INBio, EME, USNM).
Distribution and biology.
This species has been collected in Costa Rica (Fig. 162) on both sides of Cordillera
Volcanica
de Guanacaste (180-790 m) in ACG rain forest.
Food
plant records.
Ethmia petersterlingi
has been reared from larvae feeding on
Boraginaceae
:
Cordia alliodora
.
Etymology.
Ethmia petersterlingi
is named in honor of Peter Sterling, professor emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania and resident of
Panama
, for his coaching and encouragement of the early days of ACG growth, and for his support of the blossoming of school children biodiversity education in
Panama
.