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Article

Review of the Neotropical Species of the Elachista praelineata Species Group (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae, Elachistinae) with Identification Keys and Description of a New Species from Bolivia

by
Virginijus Sruoga
* and
Jekaterina Havelka
Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio Ave. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Insects 2023, 14(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010062
Submission received: 20 December 2022 / Revised: 5 January 2023 / Accepted: 6 January 2023 / Published: 9 January 2023
(This article belongs to the Section Insect Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)
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Abstract

:

Simple Summary

We studied small, dully coloured grass-miner moths (Elachistidae, Elachistinae). This is a large subfamily widely distributed throughout the world, but only a few species are known in the Neotropics. To facilitate further exploration, we reviewed one of nineteen species group within the largest genus, Elachista, along with identification keys of species. The E. praelineata species group now comprises of 37 described species, which are distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Neotropical species of the group are still underexplored, especially compared with that of Palearctic and Nearctic regions. So far only five species are known to belong to this group, mainly from the Ecuadorian Andes. In this study, we aimed to review and update information on the E. praelineata species group in the Neotropics. Here, we describe in detail a new species Elachista stonisi sp. nov. from western Bolivia. The female of E. albisquamella Zeller, 1877 is described for the first time and the female of E. lata Sruoga, 2010 is associated with the male. The description of new species and the association of females with males are supported morphologically and are confirmed by analysis of partial sequences of mitochondrial COI.

Abstract

Neotropical species of the Elachista praelineata species group are reviewed. Five species are recognized in the Neotropics. A new species, Elachista stonisi sp. nov., and female of E. albisquamella Zeller, 1877 are described and illustrated with photographs of the adults, some of the immature stages, female genitalia, and leaf mines. The female of E. lata Sruoga, 2010 is associated with the male based on morphology and the comparison of partial mitochondrial COI sequences. Identification keys to the Neotropical species of E. praelineata species group, based on male and female genitalia, are provided.

1. Introduction

Elachista Treitschke, 1833 is the most species-rich, worldwide genus of the subfamily Elachistinae Bruand, 1850 (family Elachistidae Bruand, 1850). The moths are small with wingspans ranging from 4 to 20 mm [1]. Larvae are obligate leaf miners on monocots (almost solely grasses or sedges) [2,3]. The genus is represented by 14 described species in the Neotropical region [4]. The current concept of Elachista is based on the phylogenetic studies by Kaila [5] and Kaila and Sugisima [6]. The genus is now considered to comprise of four subgenera and 19 species groups [4].
The E. praelineata species group was established by Kaila [7,8]. Most members of the group are dark in appearance, with a pale transverse fascia near the middle of the forewing and a pair of pale spots on the distal part of the wing. Some species have also a small discal spot. The male genitalia are characterized mainly by prolonged cucullus, an indistinct hump at the distal fold of costa, and reduced valval process. A large tuft of hair-like scales in the female tergum 7 is characteristic [1]. The E. praelineata species group now comprises of 37 described species, which are distributed in Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia (Table 1). Neotropical species of the group are still underexplored, especially compared with that of Palearctic and Nearctic regions. So far, only five species are known to belong to this group, mainly from the Ecuadorian Andes [9].
Recent collecting efforts by J. R. Stonis and A. Diškus in Bolivia have resulted in the discovery of two species belonging to the E. praelineata species group. One of them is new to science and one species is a new record to Bolivia.
This study was undertaken to review and update information on the species of E. praelineata species group in the Neotropics. The description of a new species is supported morphologically and is confirmed by the analysis of partial sequences of mitochondrial COI genes (318 bp or 685 bp fragments). The comparison of COI fragments was also used to clarify the taxonomic status of an earlier unnamed female (species VS307) from Ecuador [9] and to confirm the association of sexes of E. albisquamella Zeller, 1877. For the taxonomic keys, all known Neotropical species of the E. praelineata species group are included.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Morphological Study

Specimens examined in the present study were swept from low vegetation during the daytime and reared from leaf mines. A lectotype of Elachista albisquamella was examined at the Natural History Museum, London, UK (NHMUK).
Adult external morphology was examined with MBS-10 and Euromex Stereo Blue stereomicroscopes. The width of the head was measured between the inner edges of the antennal bases. Genitalia preparations followed standard techniques described by Robinson [42], adapted for the Elachistinae as described by Traugott-Olsen and Nielsen [2]. The female genitalia were stained with Chlorazol Black (Direct Black 38/Azo Black) and mounted on slides with Euparal. The photographs of the adults were taken with a Canon EOS 80D camera fitted with a MP-E 65 mm Canon macro lens, attached to a macro rail (MJKZZ Qool Rail). Images of the genitalia were taken with a Novex B microscope and a E3ISPM12000KPA digital camera. The morphological nomenclature follows Kaila [1,5] and Kristensen [43].
The descriptions of Elachista stonisi sp. nov. and E. albisquamella are based on the material deposited in the collection of the Museum für Naturkunde (MfN), Berlin, Germany. The other material mentioned in this study is housed in the Insect Collection of Life Sciences Center of Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania (VU) and the Natural History Museum, London, UK (NHMUK).

2.2. DNA Extraction, Amplification, Sequencing and Data Analysis

Total genomic DNA was extracted from hind legs or thoraces removed from the dry adult specimens (Table 2) using a GeneJet Genomic DNA purification kit (Thermo Scientific). Samples were incubated with proteinase K overnight at 56 °C. For the amplification of partial COI sequences, the following primer pairs were used: LepF/MH-R1 and MF1/LepR [44]. PCR amplification was carried out in a thermal cycler (Eppendorf) in 25 μL of reaction mixture [45], containing 2 μL genomic DNA, 2.5 μL of 10 xTaq polymerase buffer with KCl, 2.5 μL of dNTP mix (2 mM), 2.5 μL of MgCl2 (2.5 mM), 2.5 μL of each primer (1 μM), 0.2 μL of Taq polymerase (recombinant, 5 u/μL) (Thermo Scientific), and nuclease-free water to 25 μL (Thermo Scientific). The cycling parameters were as follows: initial denaturation at 95 °C for 5 min (1 cycle), denaturation at 95 °C for 30 s, annealing at 45 °C for 30 s, extension at 72 °C for 30 s (40 cycles in total), and final extension at 72 °C for 5 min (1 cycle). PCR products were visualized on 1.5% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide, purified using Gene Jet PCR purification kit (Thermo Scientific), and then sequenced at Macrogen Europe (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). The amplification primers were also used as sequencing primers.
DNA sequences for each specimen were confirmed with both sense and anti-sense strands and aligned in the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor [46]. If both fragments were amplified successfully for a particular sample, the sequences were concatenated. Otherwise, PCR products obtained with primers LepF and MH-R1 were used for further analysis. GenBank accession numbers and BOLD Process IDs are given in Table 2. Partial COI sequences were tested for stop codons, and none were found. To evaluate sequence diversity between samples, uncorrected p-distances were calculated, and a Neighbour-Joining tree was constructed with MEGA11 [47].

3. Results

3.1. Taxonomy

Key to the Neotropical species of the Elachista praelineata species group, based on male genitalia (male of E. stonisi sp. nov. is unknown and not included in the key).
  • Valva straight, not curved towards cucullus ([9]: Figure 24) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… E. lata
-
Valva strongly curved and broadened towards cucullus …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
2.
Sclerotized phallic tube straight ([8]: Figure 14B) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… E. albisquamella
-
Sclerotized phallic tube curved …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
3.
Sclerotized phallic tube gradually bent, s-shaped, apex blunt ([9]: Figures 11, 15 and 16) ……………………………………………………………………… E. adunca
-
Sclerotized phallic tube curved at basal 1/2 and 4/5, apex tapered ([9]: Figures 18 and 21) ……………………………………………………………………………… E. laxa
Key to the Neotropical species of the Elachista praelineata species group, based on female genitalia (females of E. adunca and E. laxa are unknown and not included in the key).
  • Corpus bursae densely covered with distinct internal spines (this paper, Figure 1E) ……………………………………………………………………………… E. albisquamella
-
Corpus bursae without internal spines …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2
2.
Ostium bursae occupying 1/2 width between apophyses anteriores; signum angulate ([9]: Figures 38 and 40) ………………………………………………………… E. lata
-
Ostium bursae occupying 3/5 width between apophyses anteriores; signum straight (this paper, Figure 1D,E) ……………………………………………… E. stonisi sp. nov.
Elachista adunca Sruoga, 2010
Elachista adunca Sruoga, 2010: 36 (Figures 5, 6, and 10–16, male) [9].
Material examined. 1 ♂ (holotype), Ecuador, Pichincha Province, 11 km NW Aloag, 24.II.2007, V. Sruoga leg.; gen. slide VS310 (VU); BOLD Process ID: EPRAE006-23.
Diagnosis.Elachista adunca is a medium-sized and dark-coloured species. In wing pattern and male genitalia, this species is rather close to E. albisquamella Zeller, 1877, known from Colombia (for illustrations refer to [8]) and E. laxa Sruoga, 2010, known from Ecuador (for illustrations refer to [9]). The male of E. adunca differs by the absence of visible cilia in the flagellum of the antenna, while in E. albisquamella and E. laxa the flagellum is densely ciliated. The main differences between these three species are found in the morphology of the sclerotized phallic tube (see the key). In addition, the median ridge of the vinculum in E. adunca is narrow, while in E. albisquamella and E. laxa it is broad. The saccus in E. adunca is short and narrow, whereas in E. laxa it is short and wide.
Biology. Unknown.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality in northern Ecuador.
Remarks. The comparison of holotype partial COI sequences (318 bp) well support the original description of E. adunca based on morphological characters and its distinctness from morphologically similar E. laxa (7.23%) and E. albisquamella (5.97% from male or 6.29% from female) (Table 3). The differences of COI fragments between E. adunca and other Neotropical representatives of E. prealineata species group analysed in this study range from 11.32% to 11.95% (Table 3).
Elachista albisquamella Zeller, 1877
Elachista albisquamella Zeller, 1877: 447 [10]; Kaila, 2000: 181 (Figure 14, male) [8].
(Figure 1A–E and Figure 2A–L)
Insects 14 00062 g001 550
Figure 1. Elachista albisquamella, female: (A) adult; (B) head, fronto-lateral view; (C) abdomen, lateral view; (D) caudal part of genitalia; and (E) ductus and corpus bursae. Scale bars: (A–C) = 1 mm; (D,E) = 0.1 mm.
Figure 1. Elachista albisquamella, female: (A) adult; (B) head, fronto-lateral view; (C) abdomen, lateral view; (D) caudal part of genitalia; and (E) ductus and corpus bursae. Scale bars: (A–C) = 1 mm; (D,E) = 0.1 mm.
Insects 14 00062 g001
Material examined. 1 ♂ (lectotype), Colombia, Bogota; gen. slide 28538 (NHMUK); 8 ♂, 4 ♀, Bolivia, Yungas Province, Coroico (Cascada), mining larvae 10.VI.2018, ex pupae 14.VI.–5.VII.2018, J. R. Stonis & A. Diškus leg.; gen. slides VS476, VS474 (MfN); BOLD process IDs: EPRAE007-23 ♂, EPRAE008-23 ♀.
Diagnosis.Elachista albisquamella is a small and dark-coloured species with indistinct wing markings. In wing pattern and male genitalia, this species is rather close to E. adunca Sruoga, 2010 and E. laxa Sruoga, 2010, known from Ecuador (for illustrations refer to [9]). The male of E. albisquamella differs by the length of cilia in the flagellum of the antenna which is about 1/3 of diameter of the shaft, while in E. laxa it is 2/3 of the diameter of the shaft and in E. adunca the flagellum is without visible cilia. In male genitalia E. albisquamella can be distinguished most easily by the sclerotized phallic tube being straight and longer than the valva, whereas in E. adunca and E. laxa it is variously curved and shorter than the valva. Female genitalia differ from other Neotropical species of E. praelineata species group with known females by having a corpus bursae with dense internal spines, large triangularly-shaped teeth, and by a dorsal wall with few very small spines.
Description of female (Figure 1A–C). Forewing length 2.75–3.25 mm; wingspan 6.0–7.1 mm (n = 4). Head: frons—shining white; vertex and neck tuft—greyish brown, mottled by paler bases of scales; labial palpus—2 times as long as the width of the head, slightly recurved in apical part, shining white above except the apex of the second segment and base, middle and apex of the third segment—greyish brown; antenna—greyish brown, basal articles are weakly annulated with paler rings, and the underside—greyish white in basal 1/3. Thorax and tegula—greyish brown, slightly mottled with white. Forewing: ground colour formed from basally whitish and distally greyish brown scales making a mottled appearance; indistinct transverse whitish fascia at 1/3 of the wing; a small spot consisting of raised brownish black scales on a fold just beyond the fascia, slightly below the fold; indistinct whitish spot at 2/3 length of costa and a similar one on the dorsum just before it; fringe scales—brownish grey, and fringe line—blackish brown. Hindwing—grey-brown, with fringe concolorous. Abdomen—above greyish brown, white below; the tergum 7 with small, greyish brown tuft of hair-like scales.
Female genitalia (Figure 1D,E). The papilla analis is longer than it is wide, distally rounded, with small setose swelling latero-basally. The apophysis posterioris is longer than the apophysis anterioris. The ostium bursae are situated in the intersegmental membrane between sternites seven and eight, occupying about 1/2 width between apophyses anteriores, and a dorsal wall covered with tiny spines. The antrum is wide and very short, weakly sclerotized, and abruptly tapered towards short colliculum. This colliculum is sclerotized anteriorly, leaving a short membranous zone between the sclerotization and the antrum, and the length of the colliculum is about 1/2 length of the apophysis anterioris. The ductus bursae is almost equally wide for the whole length, about 7.5 times longer than the apophysis anterioris, without internal spines. The corpus bursae is rounded, and densely covered with distinct internal spines; The signum is large, bluntly boomerang-shaped, and with stout triangular teeth.
Biology. The mines in Bolivia were found in the leaves of unidentified bamboo growing at an altitude of about 1700 m (Figure 2J–L). The egg is laid singularly on the upper side of the leaf, as an elongated oval, flattened dorsolaterally, showing up as a white translucent ‘shell’ at start of the mine, apparently with rather coarsely sculptured chorion (Figure 2D). The mine begins as a narrow elongate track (Figure 2A–C) which enlarges to an elongated, large irregular blotch. Frass is deposited in two irregular lines in the narrow part of the mine (Figure 2E); in the widened part, frass is arranged along margins of the mine leaving an unfilled central part of the blotch. The final length of the mine is about 35–40 mm, occasionally up to 50 mm. The full-grown larva pupates on the leaf in a flimsy cocoon (Figure 2F–I). The cocoon varies in density and orientation of silk filaments covering the pupa. The pupa is highly modified; a thorax and abdomen with lateral ridges produced into short, curved spines and with dark brown dorsolateral lines.
Distribution. Colombia [8,10]; Bolivia, Yungas Province, 16°13′18″ S, 67°41′33″ W (new record).
Flight period. Probably two generations per year. Moths in Colombia were captured in mid-February and mid-March [10]. In Bolivia, adults occur from mid-June to early July.
Remarks. The female paralectotype of E. albisquamella was designated by Kaila [8], however, its genitalia were not examined. The association of sexes here is based on simultaneous finding of females’ and males’ larvae mining the same host plant in the same sample. Additionally, the association of sexes is supported by molecular data. COI fragments of male and female analysed in this study (685 bp) differed by 3 substitutions (0.44%) (Table 3). The differences of COI fragments between E. albisquamella and other Neotropical representatives of the E. prealineata species group analysed in this study range from 5.97% with E. adunca to 11.68% with E. stonisi sp. nov. (Table 3).
Elachista lata Sruoga, 2010
Elachista lata Sruoga, 2010: 39 (Figures 22–31, male; 32–34, 37–40, female) [9].
Material examined. 1 ♂ (holotype), Ecuador, Tungurahua Province, Banos env., 10.II.2007, V. Sruoga leg.; gen. slide VS475 (VU); 1 ♀, same label as holotype; gen. slide VS307 (VU); BOLD Process IDs: EPRAE002-23 ♀, EPRAE003-23 and EPRAE004-23 ♂.
Diagnosis.Elachista lata is a small and dark-coloured species with inconspicuous white wing markings. Among all Neoptropical species of the E. praelineata species group, E. lata is the only one with a straight valva, a large oval spinose knob of gnathos, and a very short digitate process.
Biology. Unknown.
Distribution. Only known from type locality in central Ecuador.
Flight period. Based upon the two specimens available, adults fly in early February.
Remarks. Prior to this study, E. lata was known as male only. This species was originally described from the Tungurahua Province of Ecuador on the basis of the male holotype [9]. Besides, Sruoga [9] described a female as species VS307 (not named) from the same locality, belonging to the same species group, while noting that it could be conspecific with E. lata. Externally, the female of VS307 slightly differs from male of E. lata by more expanded white markings of the forewing. However, the partial COI sequences (318 bp) of the holotype of E. lata and of the single known specimen of VS307 differ by only one base substitution (0.31%) (Table 3). Therefore, these two specimens are here considered as conspecific. The differences of COI fragments between E. lata and other Neotropical representatives of the E. prealineata species group analysed in this study range from 9.43% with E. stonisi sp. nov. to 12.26% with E. laxa (Table 3).
Elachista laxa Sruoga, 2010
Elachista laxa Sruoga, 2010: 36 (Figures 7–9, 17–21, male) [9].
Material examined. 1 ♂ (holotype), Ecuador, Pichincha Province, 11 km NW Aloag, 24.II.2007, V. Sruoga leg.; gen. slide VS312 (VU); BOLD Process ID: EPRAE005-23.
Diagnosis.Elachista laxa is a medium-sized and dark-coloured species with inconspicuous wing markings. In wing pattern and male genitalia, this species is rather close to E. albisquamella Zeller, 1877, known from Colombia and Bolivia (for illustrations refer to [8]) and E. lata Sruoga, 2010, known from Ecuador (for illustrations refer to [9]). The male of E. laxa differs by the length of cilia in the flagellum of the antenna, which is about 2/3 the of diameter of the shaft, while in E. albisquamella it is about 1/3 of the diameter of the shaft, and in E. adunca the flagellum is without visible cilia. The main differences between these three species are found in the morphology of the sclerotized phallic tube (see the key).
Biology. Unknown.
Distribution. Only known from type locality in northern Ecuador.
Flight period. The only one specimen was captured in late February.
Remarks. The comparison of holotype partial COI sequences (318 bp) well support the original description of E. laxa based on morphological characters and its distinctness from the morphologically similar E. adunca (7.23%) and E. albisquamella (8.18%) (Table 3). The differences of COI fragments between E. laxa and other Neotropical representatives of the E. prealineata species group analysed in this study range from 11.95% with E. lata to 12.58% with E. stonisi sp. nov. (Table 3).
Elachista stonisi sp. nov.
(Figure 3A–E and Figure 4A–G)
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:0D2E35DC-2131-4B63-9545-CDE3DC96DF80
Material examined. Holotype: ♀ Bolivia, Yungas Province, W. Coroico, Yolosa, Death Road, mining larvae 16.VI.2018, ex pupa 5–8.VII.2018, J. R. Stonis & A. Diškus leg.; gen. slide VS475 (MfN). Paratypes: 3 ♀, same label as holotype (MfN); BOLD Process ID: EPRAE001-23.
Diagnosis. In wing pattern and female genitalia, this species closely resembles Elachista lata Sruoga, 2010, known from Ecuador (for external characters and female genitalia refer to [9]). However, the forewing in the new species is without a white patch basally and with a white discal spot. The main differences in female genitalia between E. stonisi and E. lata are (1) the ostium bursae in E. stonisi occupying 3/5 of the width between the apophyses anteriores, in E. lata it is about 1/2; (2) the signum in E. stonisi is straight, whereas in E. lata it is angulate.
Description of female (Figure 3A–C). Forewing length 3.1–3.4 mm; wingspan 6.8–7.3 mm (n = 4). Head: Frons and vertex—whitish grey; neck tuft—grey-brown; the labial palpus is 1.2 times as long as the width of head, whitish grey above, and grey-brown below; antenna—grey-brown, and weakly annulated with paler rings basally. Thorax and tegula—grey-brown. Forewing: ground colour—grey-brown; white transverse fascia from the costa to the dorsal margin before the middle; a triangular white spot at 5/7 of costa, with another similar spot just before it in the dorsal margin; small discal spot elongated, white, at 4/5 of wing length in the middle; all white markings with weak metallic lustre; fringe scales—brownish grey, broad fringe scales along the termen basally—greyish white and distally—blackish brown, forming a fringe line. Hindwing—brownish grey, its fringe scales are somewhat paler. The abdomen is grey-brown above, and whitish below; the tergum 7 has very large and dense, brownish grey tufts of hair-like scales.
Female genitalia (Figure 3D,E). The papilla analis is longer than it is wide, distally rounded. The Tergum 7 reniform and is 1.5 times longer than it is wide. The apophysis posterioris is slightly longer than the apophysis anterioris and curved in the apical part. The ostium bursae is situated in the intersegmental membrane between sternites seven and eight, occupying 3/5 of the width between the apophyses anteriores, and the dorsal wall is strongly spinosed. The antrum is cup-shaped, inwardly spinosed, weakly sclerotized, and abruptly tapered towards the short colliculum. The colliculum is sclerotized, anteriorly leaving a short membranous zone between the sclerotization and antrum, the length of the colliculum being about 1/4 the length of the apophysis anterioris. The ductus bursae and corpus bursae are without internal spines; the signum is straight and narrow, with short teeth.
Biology. The mines were found in the leaves of unidentified Poaceae growing at an altitude of about 1390 m (Figure 4G). The mine begins as a narrow elongate track (Figure 4 A–D) which enlarges to an elongated, large irregular blotch. Frass is deposited in slender lines in the narrow part of the mine; in the widened part, frass is arranged irregularly. Pupation takes place on the leaf, where it is attached to the surface by cremaster and a silken girdle. The pupa has a dorsal ridge and a pair of more distinct dorso-lateral ridges on the abdomen (Figure 4E,F).
Distribution. So far, this species is known only from western Bolivia, Yungas Province, 16°13′8″ S, 67°44′54″ W.
Flight period. Based on the specimens available, adults fly in July.
Etymology. The new species is named in honour of well-known Lithuanian entomologists, Professor Jonas Rimantas Stonis.
Remarks. The comparison of paratype partial COI sequences (685 bp) well supports the description of E. stonisi sp. nov. based on morphological characters and its distinctness from the morphologically similar E. lata (9.43% from male or 9.75% from female) (Table 3). The differences of COI fragments between E. stonisi sp. nov. and other Neotropical representatives of the E. prealineata species group analysed in this study range from 11.39% with E. albisquamella to 12.58% with E. laxa (Table 3).

3.2. COI Fragment Analysis

Partial COI sequences were obtained for all known Neotropical species of the Elachista praelineata species group (Table 2). In this study, 685 bp COI fragment of E. albisquamella and E. stonisi sp. nov., and 318 bp partial COI sequences of E. adunca, E. lata and E. laxa, were analysed. Pairwise, uncorrected p-distances between samples are given in Table 3. The lowest values were between samples representing the same species: 0.00–0.31% for E. lata and 0.43% for E. albisquamella. The distances between samples representing different species ranged from 5.97% between E. adunca and E. albisquamella, to 12.58% between E. laxa and E. stonisi sp. nov. (Table 3).
Neotropical species of the E. praelineata species group formed two major clusters in a Neighbour-Joining tree based on partial COI sequences (Figure 5). One cluster consists of sequences belonging to two species, E. lata and E. stonisi sp. nov., and the other one is made up of sequences representing samples of E. albisquamella, E. laxa, and E. adunca. Sequence distances corresponded well with morphological data: morphologically similar species showed lower values of uncorrected p-distances.

4. Discussion

The Elachista praelineata species group is distributed in all major biogeographical regions worldwide, including the Neotropics. With the description of E. stonisi sp. nov., the E. praelineata species group now has 5 species from the Neotropical region. The majority of species, i.e., 4, are known only from the type localities in Ecuador. However, their status as endemics will be confirmed when more extensive regional studies have been conducted. Only E. albisquamella has a wider range, as it is now known to occur in Colombia and Bolivia.
The biological knowledge of the E. praelineata species group is scarce. The host plants are indicated for only 40% of species worldwide [4], and none of them feed on bamboo. The host plants of Neotropical species of the E. praelineata species group were completely unknown prior to this study. Here we report E. albisquamella larvae feeding on bamboo. In the Neotropics, the diversity of bamboo is huge, with hundreds of species [48]. If species of E. praelineata group specializing in them, even marginally match this diversity, one may assume that a vast diversity of elachistines is awaiting discovery.
The Nearctic region, while vast and with a hugely diverse biota, is virtually unexplored with respect to the collection and study of the E. praelineata species group. The number of species undoubtedly is expected to be much higher. The main reason for our limited understanding of this group of moths in the Nearctic region is a lack of adequate fieldwork. A great amount of work still needs to be done—from collecting, to the description of new taxa and the natural history of species.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, V.S. and J.H.; methodology, V.S. and J.H.; investigation, V.S. and J.H.; resources, V.S. and J.H.; specimen curation, V.S.; data curation, V.S. and J.H.; writing—original draft preparation, V.S. and J.H.; writing—review and editing, V.S. and J.H.; visualization, V.S. and J.H.; funding acquisition, V.S. and J.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was partially funded by the Institute of Biosciences of Life Sciences Center (Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania).

Data Availability Statement

All data are contained within the article.

Acknowledgments

For the material provided for our studies we thank the collectors, as well as Julia Puplesyte-Chambers and the Environmental Programme at the Andes Office of NGO DAR Peru for permission to provide training courses and fieldwork within the project ‘Rapid assessment of biodiversity plots of critical value in the provinces Chanchamayo and Satipo, Peru, and Bolivia’, in cooperation with the Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute in 2017–2018.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Insects 14 00062 g002 550
Figure 2. Immature stages and habitat of Elachista albisquamella: (A–C) leaf-mines; (D) egg; (E) frass in the mine; (F–I) pupa; and (J–L) habitat where the leaf mines were found, Yungas Province, Bolivia.
Figure 2. Immature stages and habitat of Elachista albisquamella: (A–C) leaf-mines; (D) egg; (E) frass in the mine; (F–I) pupa; and (J–L) habitat where the leaf mines were found, Yungas Province, Bolivia.
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Figure 3. Elachista stonisi sp. nov., female, holotype: (A) adult; (B) head, fronto-lateral view; (C) abdomen, lateral view; (D) caudal part of genitalia; and (E) ductus and corpus bursae. Scale bars: (A–C) = 1 mm; (D,E) = 0.1 mm.
Figure 3. Elachista stonisi sp. nov., female, holotype: (A) adult; (B) head, fronto-lateral view; (C) abdomen, lateral view; (D) caudal part of genitalia; and (E) ductus and corpus bursae. Scale bars: (A–C) = 1 mm; (D,E) = 0.1 mm.
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Insects 14 00062 g004 550
Figure 4. Immature stages and habitat of Elachista stonisi sp. nov.: (A) host plant, Poaceae sp.; (B–D) leaf-mines; (E,F) pupa; (G) habitat where the leaf mines were found, Yungas Province, Bolivia.
Figure 4. Immature stages and habitat of Elachista stonisi sp. nov.: (A) host plant, Poaceae sp.; (B–D) leaf-mines; (E,F) pupa; (G) habitat where the leaf mines were found, Yungas Province, Bolivia.
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Insects 14 00062 g005 550
Figure 5. A Neighbour-Joining tree showing relationships among partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) in samples of 5 species of Neotropical species of Elachista praelineata species group. The percentage of replicate trees in which the associated samples clustered together in the bootstrap test (1000 replicates) are shown next to the branches.
Figure 5. A Neighbour-Joining tree showing relationships among partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) in samples of 5 species of Neotropical species of Elachista praelineata species group. The percentage of replicate trees in which the associated samples clustered together in the bootstrap test (1000 replicates) are shown next to the branches.
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Table
Table 1. Species, distribution, and host plants of the Elachista praelineata species group.
Table 1. Species, distribution, and host plants of the Elachista praelineata species group.
Elachista SpeciesHost PlantDistributionReferences
Neotropical Region
adunca Sruoga, 2010UnknownEcuador[9]
albisquamella Zeller, 1877Bambusoideae sp.Colombia; Bolivia[8,10], present study
lata Sruoga, 2010UnknownEcuador[9]
laxa Sruoga, 2010UnknownEcuador[9]
stonisi sp. nov.Poaceae sp.BoliviaPresent study
Nearctic Region
aranella Kaila, 1999UnknownCanada[7]
aristoteliella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
eilinella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
guilinella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
ibunella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
miriella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
nienorella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
praelineata Braun, 1915Hystrix patula MoenchUSA[7,11,12,13]
radiantella Braun, 1922Panicum clandestinum (L.), P. dichotomum (L.)USA[7,12,14]
serindella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
solitaria Braun, 1922Panicum sp.USA[7,12,14]
staintonella Chambers, 1878UnknownUSA[7,12,15]
turinella Kaila, 1999UnknownUSA[7]
Palearctic Region
amamii Parenti, 1983Digitaria timorensis (Kunth) Balansa, D. adscendens (H. B. K.) Henr., Thuerea involuta (Forst.) R. Br.Japan; Taiwan; Thailand[16,17,18]
bromella Chrétien, 1915Bromus madritensis L.Algeria; Morocco[4,19,20]
caliginosa Parenti, 1983Eccoilopus cotulifer A. Camus, Spodiopogon sibiricus Trin.Russia; Japan[16,17,21]
canariella Nielsen & Traugott-Olsen, 1987Bromus sp.Canary Islands[22,23]
encumeadae Kaila & Karsholt, 2002Festuca donax LoweMadeira[24]
fasciocaliginosa Sugisima, 2005Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.Japan[17]
kurokoi Parenti, 1983Oplismenus undatifolius (Ard.) P. Beauv.Japan; Korea; Nepal[16,17,25,26]
minor Sruoga, 2022UnknownNepal[26]
miscanthi Parenti, 1983Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.Japan; Taiwan[16,17]
nepalensis Traugott-Olsen, 1999UnknownNepal[27]
sicula Parenti, 1978Briza maxima L., Bromus erectus Hudson, Lagurus ovatus L.Italy[28,29]
simulans Sruoga, 2022UnknownNepal[26]
tabghaella Amsel, 1935UnknownIsrael[30,31]
Afrotropical Region
kakamegensis Sruoga & De Prins, 2009UnknownKenya[32]
merimnaea Meyrick, 1920UnknownSouth Africa[33,34]
semophanta Meyrick, 1914UnknownMalawi[35,36]
trifasciata (Wollaston, 1879)UnknownSaint-Helena[37,38,39]
Oriental Region
brachyplectra Meyrick, 1921UnknownSri Lanka; Indonesia[40,41]
Australasian Region
aurita Kaila, 2011Oplismenus sp.Australia[1]
Table
Table 2. Specimens used for molecular analysis of Neotropical species of Elachista praelineata species group.
Table 2. Specimens used for molecular analysis of Neotropical species of Elachista praelineata species group.
SpeciesDNA IsolateGenBank Accession/BOLD Process ID/Length (bp)
Elachista stonisi; female; paratypeB1OP955854/EPRAE001-23/685
Elachista sp. VS307; femaleB3OP955855/EPRAE002-23/318
Elachista lata; male; holotypeB4-1OP955856/EPRAE003-23/318
Elachista lata; male; holotypeB4-2OP955857/EPRAE004-23/318
Elachista laxa; male; holotypeB5OP955858/EPRAE005-23/318
Elachista adunca; male; holotypeB6OP955859/EPRAE006-23/318
Elachista albisquamella; maleB7OP955860/EPRAE007-23/685
Elachista albisquamella; femaleB8OP955861/EPRAE008-23/685
Table
Table 3. Uncorrected pairwise p-distances (%) between partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) from samples of 6 species of Neotropical species of Elachista praelineata species group.
Table 3. Uncorrected pairwise p-distances (%) between partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) from samples of 6 species of Neotropical species of Elachista praelineata species group.
B1B3B4-1B4-2B5B6B7B8
E. stonisi; B1
Elachista sp. VS307; B39.75
E. lata; B4-19.430.31
E. lata; B4-29.430.310.00
E. laxa; B512.5812.2611.9511.95
E. adunca; B611.9511.6411.3211.327.23
E. albisquamella; B711.6811.0110.6910.698.185.97
E. albisquamella; B811.3910.6910.3810.388.186.290.44
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Sruoga, V.; Havelka, J. Review of the Neotropical Species of the Elachista praelineata Species Group (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae, Elachistinae) with Identification Keys and Description of a New Species from Bolivia. Insects 2023, 14, 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010062

AMA Style

Sruoga V, Havelka J. Review of the Neotropical Species of the Elachista praelineata Species Group (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae, Elachistinae) with Identification Keys and Description of a New Species from Bolivia. Insects. 2023; 14(1):62. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010062

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Sruoga, Virginijus, and Jekaterina Havelka. 2023. "Review of the Neotropical Species of the Elachista praelineata Species Group (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae, Elachistinae) with Identification Keys and Description of a New Species from Bolivia" Insects 14, no. 1: 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010062

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