Additions to the plume moth fauna of The Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) with description of four new species
Author
Matthews, Deborah L.
Author
Miller, Jacqueline Y.
Author
Simon, Mark J.
Author
Goss, Gary J.
text
Insecta Mundi
2019
2019-06-07
708
708
1
35
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.3673602
a6c229ee-b814-4e3f-b836-a9209628f6b6
1942-1354
3673602
1A8C637A-412B-41E9-8395-EA92FA40A239
Exelastis pumilio
(Zeller, 1873)
Fig. 11
,
31a, b
,
46
Diagnosis.
Forewing cleft extending to about one-third from wing apex to base; with a small fuscous discal spot and diffuse spot at cleft (
Fig. 11
). Ground color variable, ranging from pale caramel brown to drab with scattered white overscaling. Small fuscous scale tufts present in fringes of forewing, absent on hindwing. Posterior third of mesothorax, metathorax, and first abdominal segment dorsally pale buff or pale yellow. Valvae of male genitalia symmetrical, with curved tong-like tips bearing stout spines (
Fig. 31a
). Female genitalia with small sclerotized cup-like antrum, narrow ductus bursae, and round to oblong corpus bursae without signa (
Fig. 46
).
Pinned material examined.
BAHAMAS
:
Abaco
:
Central Abaco
, E side of
S.C. Bolle Hwy.
,
3 mi.
S of Treasure Cay Rd.
, 26.656294°, −77.306661°,
2.x.2014
, DLM, JYM, MJS, RMR (
1 ♂
)
;
New Providence Island
:
W
Bay St.
&
Indigo Dr.
, Orange Hill Inn, 25.065479°, −77.457172°,
21.vii.2015
, DLM (
4 ♂
, slide DM 2163,
2 ♀
)
;
same data except 25.065248°, −77.457152°,
9.vi.2018
, DLM (
1 ♂
,
3 ♀
)
;
North Andros
Island:
Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, 24.742046°, −77.862031°,
13.vi.2012
, MJS, GJG, RMR, Michael Simon (
1 ♀
)
;
San Salvador Island
:
Gerace Research Centre, vic. library, 24.118742°, −74.465230°,
13.vi.2018
, DLM (
1 ♂
,
1 ♀
);
Gerace Research Centre, vic. Water Tanks, 24.117589°, −74.465207°,
11.vi.2018
, DLM, JYM (
2 ♀
, slide DM 2149)
;
same data except,
14.vi.2018
(
1 ♂
,
1 ♀
)
.
Life history.
Recorded larval hostplants are various
Fabaceae
, especially species of
Desmodium
Desv. (
Matthews and Lott 2005
)
. Adults from New Providence and San Salvador islands were collected in association with
Desmodium
growing in mowed lawns.
Distribution.
This species occurs throughout the new and old world tropics and subtropics. In the West Indies it is known from
The Bahamas
,
Cuba
,
Guadeloupe
,
Jamaica
,
Puerto Rico
, and the
Virgin Islands
. In
The Bahamas
, the species has been collected from
Abaco
, New Providence,
North Andros
, and San Salvador islands. Previously recorded from
North Andros
(
Matthews et al. 2012
).