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55th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
LEPIDOPTERISTS' SOCIETY 15-18 July 2004 University of Maryland College Park, Maryland, USA ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Astrid Caldas, Robert Robbins, John Brown
SPONSORS: Department of Entomology, NMNH, Smithsonian
SPONSORS OF RECEPTION: BioQuip Products, Inc.
Wednesday, 13 July 2004
6:00 - 12:00 midnight Field trip for moth collectors to Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Meet at Regents Drive Parking Garage. Thursday, 15 July 2004
8:30 am - 10:00 pm Registration and campus housing check-in at Annapolis Hall. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Executive Council Meeting in the Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural History, 10th and Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Informal Open House in the Lepidoptera Collection, National Museum of Natural History, 10th and Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 5:30 pm Buses leave from Annapolis Hall, University of Maryland, to National Museum of Natural History 6:30 - 8:30 pm Reception in the O. Orkin Insect Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, 10th and Constitution Ave., Washington, DC, sponsored by BioQuip Products, Inc.; Department of Entomology, NMNH; and Office of the Senior Biodiversity Advisor, NMNH. Tour of USNM Lepidoptera Collection. 8:30 pm First bus leaves from National Museum to Annapolis Hall Friday, 16 July 2004
Saturday, 17 July 2004
8:30 - 8:45 am Call to Order and Announcements
Sunday, 18 July 2004
Friday, 9:00-9:15 am
I will present a series of interesting vignettes about caterpillar discoveries that I have made during the preparation of my caterpillar guides. The first will be about Comachara and the utility of larval characters in determining a new phylogenetic home for this waif taxon. The second will examine the natural history of Bomolocha edictalis and its exceptional escape behavior. Other phenomena that will be touched upon include two seldom-mentioned types of feculae hygiene, larval heterochromatism, and larval mimicry. Friday, 9:15-9:30 am
For a quarter of a century, with the aid of a team of resident parataxonomists, Dan Janzen has been inventorying the macrolepidopteran fauna of the Area de Conservación Gaunacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica. Because the ACG is ecologically diverse (dry forest, rainforest, and cloud forest), it supports a diversity of plants and Lepidoptera. Wild-caught caterpillars are reared in isolation, each is fed the species of plant on which it was found, and series of reared adults are accumulated as vouchers. Among reared ACG pyrgine hesperiids, both the common and widespread neotropical skipper Astraptes fulgerator and the supposedly monotypic genus Venada comprise a number of cryptic species. In these contrasting cases, the cryptic species are variously revealed by characters involving genitalia, caterpillar color pattern, larval foodplants, ecosystem preferences, and DNA sequences or barcodes--as well as subtle aspects of adult facies. Friday, 9:30-9:45 am
Friday, 9:45-10:00 am
A pre-requisite for the conservation of our biodiversity is a sound understanding of the biology of the organisms concerned. This is highly problematic for complex relationships such as those found among the many different myrmecophilous lycaenids of southern Africa. In order to observe interactions between caterpillars, ants, plants, and (often) Homoptera as well, it is usually necessary to study them in the laboratory, which is not only difficult but also imposes artificial constraints on their micro-ecology. As knowledge is accumulated, it becomes clear there is a great number of different behavior patterns and morphological traits among caterpillars. From these discoveries many new questions arise, requiring an understanding of the phylogeny in order to appreciate how the behavior and morphology of caterpillars might have evolved. To do this we need to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Lycaenidae on a global basis, including the Riodininae. Hence, we are scoring the morphological characters of adults, and when completed, these data will be combined with molecular data from the Pierce Laboratory to infer a phylogeny supported by both. Against this phylogeny, it will be possible to map various caterpillar morphologies and behaviors and hopefully to deduce some of the evolutionary paths being followed. Over half the characters used in the morphological analysis are taken from the male genitalia, but venation, head, and leg structures make up most of the rest. These characters are continually being reassessed in the search for the most parsimonious tree(s). Friday, 10:00-10:15 am
Friday, 10:15-10:30 am
The Musotiminae is comprised of 18 genera and about 200 species worldwide. The only published record of a fern-feeding musotimine in the Western Hemisphere is for Undulambia polystichalis. It was reared and considered a pest on Rumoha adiantifolis, commonly known as leather-leaf fern by florists in Florida, U.S.A. Recent fieldwork indicates that Musotiminae may harbor more undiscovered fern-feeders worldwide. During exploration for natural enemies of Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, in Australia and southeastern Asia, new musotimine taxa were discovered. In January 1998, Don Davis discovered a new genus and species of Musotiminae at Cerro de la Muerte in the San José Province of Costa Rica mining the fern Elaphoglossum conspersum. Friday, 10:45-11:00 am
Friday, 11:00-11:15 am
Dioryctria Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a diverse genus of coniferous pests. With 79 described species exhibiting wide morphological variation and diversity in larval host-plant use, 11 species groups have been recognized in various studies intended to resolve the taxonomy of the genus.Though an important genus of forest pests, phylogenetic relationships within and among the species groups have not been examined. We surveyed 30 species of Dioryctria from 9 species groups throughout the Holarctic region using molecular and morphological characters. Species groups were largely supported by both data sets, though relationships among species groups were poorly resolved. Combined analysis of sequence and morphological data provided the best resolution. Molecular sequence data provided additional characters for separating closely related species, while morphological characters provided resolution of higher-level relationships among species groups. The phylogeny of species groups provides insight into the diversification of this speciose genus and demonstrates the importance of combining molecular and morphological data. Friday, 11:15-11:30 am
Friday, 11:30-11:45 am
Trifine noctuid moths are among the most economically important Lepidoptera because many of their members are pests of agricultural commodities. The phylogeny and membership of the trifine subfamilies is unstable, often based on pleisomorphic characters. Study and identification of noctuid pest species is hampered by conflicting taxonomies and by inconsistent and plesiomorphic morphological characters used in keys. Recently, Mitchell et al. (2000) provided a phylogenetic hypothesis for the trifine noctuids based on nuclear DNA. We performed a study using larval and adult morphological characters with the same taxon sampling as Mitchell et al. (2000). Here we present a preliminary phylogeny based on these data and discuss how our results compare with previous phylogenetic hypotheses of the trifine noctuids. Friday, 11:45-12:00 noon
Recently discovered populations of the Mitchell=s Satyr, Neonympha mitchellii
complex (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae), warrant revisitation of subspecific epithets,
conservation status, and biogeographic history. Preliminary molecular data,
comprising direct sequencing of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase I
(COI) and cytochrome oxidase II (COII), serve to complement and contextualize
morphological characterizations within the mitchellii complex and indeed Neonympha
as a whole. Contrary to expectations based on overall wing pattern similarity,
populations recently discovered from Virginia, Alabama, and Mississippi are
not unambiguously placed within the recognized subspecies francisci, an endemic
of North Carolina. Rather, francisci appears genetically distinct from these
and other apparently nominate populations, and may indeed represent an entity
worthy of species recognition. The pitfalls of subspecies recognition are acknowledged
with respect to scientific progress and biological conservation.
Friday, 1:00-1:15 pm
The acoustic interaction between insectivorous bats and tiger moths (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is a classical model of predator-prey interaction and an evolutionary arms race. When approached by echolocating bats, tiger moths answer with a series of intense ultrasound clicks that stimulate the bat to abort its attack. The specific mechanism of the interaction, however, has puzzled behavioral biologists for four decades. Three hypotheses, (1) jamming, (2) startle, and (3) acoustic aposematism, have been proposed as possible explanations for the interaction. We have tried a fresh approach to the problem B a learning approach. We have looked at how naïve big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) approach clicking tiger moths and how they learn to handle with them. We pitted the bats against Cycnia tenera, Utetheisa ornatrix, Euchaetes egle, and Apantesis nais. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that tiger moths are warning bats that they are noxious. Friday, 1:15-1:30 pm
The Callimorphini includes some of the most spectacular and well-studied pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) sequestering moth species (Utetheisa Hübner). The tribe as currently defined is paraphyletic with respect to the Pericopini and Phaegopterini. This phylogenetic study examined 94 species and 38 genera to test tribe monophyly. Outgroups were selected from Arctiini, Pericopini and Phaegopterini. From whole body dissections 112 characters (270 states) were scored. Data were analyzed using maximum parsimony implemented with PAUP* (1000 random reps), and taxon jackknifing was used to examine the stability of tree topology. Major findings include the placement of the Old World genus Nyctemera Hübner in a clade of New World Pericopini. The Callimorphini (including Utetheisa) is redefined based on these results. Friday, 1:30-1:45 pm
Members of the family Arctiidae possess many intriguing life history traits, including the use of ultrasonic signals or pheromones for communication during courtship. Most arctiid genera exhibit one of these behaviors, but both of these signals can be found in the same genus, Syntomeida Harris, making it useful for studying the evolution of these traits. Historically, the monophyly of Syntomeida has been questionable. Sixty-six Syntomeida and twenty-four outgroup specimens were examined. We scored 23 morphological characters from the head, thorax, and genitalia from these preparations. We then used this information to perform parsimony analyses, examining the monophyly and composition of Syntomeida. Our results suggest that Syntomeida is not monophyletic, containing members of the sister group Phoenicoprocta and two other unrelated lineages. We revised the current taxonomy of Syntomeida to reflect this phylogenetic information. Additionally, our data suggest that the use of ultrasound during courtship differs from current evolutionary hypotheses. Friday, 1:30-1:45 pm
Larval Estigmene acrea, salt marsh caterpillars, are generalist feeders that include and even prefer plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in their diet. I have studied the effects of ingested PAs on the development of the large coremata of adult males and on the use of these impressive organs. Males that consume PAs as larvae produce larger coremata that those deprived of PAs. PA consumers are also more likely to inflate their coremata. The lekking behavior of males also will be discussed. Friday, 1:45-2:00 pm
Friday, 2:15-2:30 pm
The tiger moth genera Holomelina Herrich-Schäffer, 1855 and Virbia Walker, 1854 (Arctiinae: Arctiini) are distributed throughout the New World, and their generic limits have been defined by geography and color pattern rather than on the basis of unique characteristics. Holomelina and Virbia were united by Ferguson into the Holomelina generic group, and he commented that the genera might be congeners. A phylogeny for Holomelina and Virbia was constructed based on 59 characters (172 states) derived from adult morphology. This study included 42 of the 70 recognized species in Holomelina and Virbia and was rooted with 6 arctiine species. Jackknifing and tree constraint tests confirmed that the genera were not reciprocally monophyletic. We place Holomelina as a junior generic synonym of Virbia. A faunal review of North America north of Mexico resulted in two new species and the redescription of ten others. Locality information from over 12,000 specimens was obtained and stored in an electronic database. Additional taxonomic products include a taxonomic key to the North American species north of Mexico, illustrated species= descriptions, and distribution maps. Friday, 2:30-2:45 pm
3:00-3:15 pm
The riodinid subtribe Napaeina consists of 42 extant species in 6 genera, that are widely distributed across the mainland Neotropics. Distributional data and a phylogenetic hypothesis for the group are used to examine patterns of regional and community species richness and speciation. Peaks in elevational range edges at 750-1000 m and 1500-1750 m indicate the presence of distinct lowland, premontane and montane Napaeina faunas. 77% of Napaeina species are geographically and elevationally, allo- or parapatrically distributed with respect to their closest relatives, and probable modes of speciation in the group are discussed. Friday, 3:15-3:30 pm
Gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar (L.), are polyphagous insects and major forest defoliators in the United States and Canada. To better understand the underlying behavioral and neural mechanisms in this insect, we examined the feeding preferences of L. dispar larvae to several tree species and the role of phytochemicals in the feeding behavior of these larvae. Specifically, we tested the feeding responses to selected host and non-host plant allelochemicals and mixtures thereof, using natural and artificial substrates. Our results demonstrate that some alkaloids play important roles in regulating feeding and act as feeding deterrents. Moreover, we investigated the sensory basis underlying feeding by recording from gustatory neurons housed in the maxillary galeal styloconic sensilla, the primary taste organs in this insect. Using a panel of selected allelochemicals, we identified those that elicited robust electrophysiological responses, which correlated with the feeding deterrent effect of these compounds. Friday, 3:30-3:45 pm
A method has been developed for clearing, staining, and slide-mounting whole bodies of pinned specimens of microlepidoptera. This method reveals traditional characters of wing pattern and wing venation by mounting one pair of intact wings and one pair of cleared and stained wings under two coverslips of the same slide. The remaining body is separated into head (with appendages detached), thoracic segments, abdomen and genitalia and mounted in essence of Euparal under two coverslips of a second slide. This method has revealed many non-traditional characters of morphology for systematic research, and examples of these in Gelechiidae will be discussed and illustrated. Friday, 3:45-4:00 pm
Although essentially cosmopolitan in distribution, the monotrysian family Opostegidae has been poorly surveyed and studied largely due to inherent difficulties in collecting both larvae and adults. Recent studies involving mostly the Oriental and Neotropical Regions over the past five years have nearly doubled the known species. Currently 7 genera and 187 species are recognized worldwide. Monophyly of the Nepticuloidea (Nepticulidae + Opostegidae) is well supported by 9 morphological synapomorphies. The Opostegidae comprise an isolated, monophyletic derivative of Nepticulidae as indicated by more than 18 larval and adult synapomorphies. Only 10 species in 4 opostegid genera have been reared, 6 of these within the endemic Hawaiian leaf-mining genus Paralopostega. Plant hosts of 5 additional species have been tentatively associated. All records demonstrate a broad range of host utilization involving possibly 8 plant families dispersed among 7 dicotyledonous orders. The univoltine life cycle for Opostegidae typically consists of: a) egg deposited on host leaf, b) a brief initial linear leaf-mining phase leading to c) an extended period of stem-mining followed eventually by d) pupation in a silken cocoon in the soil. Restricted leaf-mining, as observed in Paralopostega, represents a derivation from the norm. Friday, 4:00-4:20 pm
With 85 described species, Brenthia is the second largest choreutid genus (Lepidoptera: Choreutidae). Members of this genus exhibit interesting behavior both as larvae and adults, as is documented with video footage. Larvae employ an unusual predator/parasitoid avoidance mechanism: if disturbed, they dash through a previously chewed out hole to the other side of the leaf. They detect disturbance with the help of long SD1 setae on A9 working in conjunction with a web shelter they spun. As adults they appear to have evolved a form of protective mimicry in which they mimic their potential predators, jumping spiders (Aranea: Salticidae). Jumping spiders from two genera (Corythalia, Phiale) were presented with live moths belonging to two categories: presumed mimics (Brenthia) and non-mimics (other choreutids). This study shows that Brenthia have more than twice the survivorship of other choreutids when placed in an arena with a jumping spider for five minutes (G=14.165, P<0.005). Friday, 4:20-4:35 pm
The moderately sized Tortricidae provide a model for analysis of forewing patterns and their evolution in microlepidoptera. Our study has allowed the homologizing of pattern elements throughout the family, including Atterini and other taxa with highly derived patterns. Basic elements of the wing pattern include 10 pairs of costal strigulae from wing base to R5, striae arising from within some pairs of strigulae, and six transverse fasciae delimited by alternating pairs of strigulae. Striae and fasciae are modified by confluence, fracture, and dislocation, as well as interference from longitudinal stripes and changes in shape of the wing. Strigulae and resulting patterns in Tortricidae are vein dependent except in basal areas of wings, which lack some veins that are present in Micropterygidae. A new ancestral venation for Lepidoptera is hypothesized based on vein dependence of pattern elements in Tortricidae. Friday, 4:35-4:50 pm
Rapid circular movement, or Adancing,@ has been reported for numerous adult microlepidoptera, namely species in the Gelechioidea and Tineoidea. In this study, we investigate dancing behavior of a new species of Gelechiidae, Beltheca oni, from a low elevation rainforest Costa Rica. We discuss the natural history of this species, and examine this unusual behavior in detail by presenting video of adult movement. We examine the hypothesis that dancing is an anti-predator behavior. Friday, 4:50-5:05 pm
The 2004 Karl Jordan Medal winner, Eugene Munroe, is unable to attend the meeting, but he sends his greetings from Canada via a video. Saturday, 8:45-9:00 am
Three Presidential decrees since 1980 have failed to provide adequate protection of the high altitude Oyamel fir forests (Abies religiosa) in Mexico that provide the winter refuge for overwintering monarchs of the eastern North American migratory population. Geographic Information System analyses are quantifying the alarming acceleration in illegal cutting that the Mexican government seems unable to control. Prognosis for the overwintering sites in the states of Michoacan and Mexico is poor. The need for international pressure to conserve this endangered biological phenomenon is more urgent than ever. Saturday, 9:00-9:15 am
Moths in the genus Omiodes have been a focus of controversy in Hawai>i with regards to biological control. Two endemic species of Omiodes are agricultural pests, and were targeted by biocontrol programs in the early 1900=s. Subsequently, many non-pest species in the genus have shown dramatic declines, and 14 of the 23 Hawaiian species of Omiodes have been listed as extinct, although some of these recognized species may actually represent subspecies or variants. I have recently rediscovered at least of these 5 Aextinct@ taxa. Some of these are widespread and abundant, while others may be rare. Non-native parasitoids are often reared from field-collected larvae, but controlled-exposure experiments will more accurately quantify parasitism rates. Despite these rediscoveries, several species of Omiodes have not been recorded for decades, and may truly be endangered or extinct. Future assessments of a taxon=s conservation status should involve thorough field surveys and rigorous systematic evaluation. Saturday, 9:15-9:30 am
The Karner Blue Butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis Nabokov; KBB) Federal Recovery Plan was approved August 25, 2003 by the USFWS. Historic distribution is compared with current status showing the greatest numbers of the butterflies are in Michigan and Wisconsin. The paper overviews KBB natural history, limiting factors, and recovery criteria for 27 metapopulations that target 19 metapopulations to support 3,000 butterflies and 8 metapopulations to support to 6000 each. Michigan=s recovery units are described with habitat structure and management overview. Lupine density, preferred nectar sources, ant presence, exotics, human threats, and associated conservation measures are described. The management plan has KBB as a keystone species benefiting other species of concern. Management initiatives for public, commercial, and private land partnerships are in the building process. The KBB working group involves a variety of conservation groups. Recovery timelines are established. Saturday, 9:30-9:45 am
The cosmopterigid moth genus Hyposmocoma may rival or exceed Drosophila in terms of endemic Hawaiian species diversity. The current number of species is already over 400, though relatively little research has been conducted. As one of the greatest radiations in the Hawaiian Islands, Hyposmocoma could provide a powerful source of information for the prioritization of regions and habitats on which conservation attention should be focused. I present the first systematic analysis, based on mtDNA sequence, for one small, unusual group of Hyposmocoma, which has evolved a semi-aquatic lifestyle. Analysis includes assessment of relatedness of populations within and between watersheds on four of the high islands. Aquatic Lepidoptera are a global evolutionary anomaly, making Hawaii=s radiation especially worthy of preservation. Riparian degradation appears to have limited the range of many populations, and aquatic Hyposmocoma may serve as indicator species for assessments of riparian habitat or water quality, though habitat requirements are poorly understood. Saturday, 9:45-10:00 am
In Mesoamerica, Saturniidae are among the best known groups of Lepidoptera and Insecta in general from the point of view of their taxonomy. The family is especially rich in endemics in Mexico, with about 8% of all the taxa described for the world. Distribution maps for 213 Saturniidae of Mexico were generated by means of GARP (Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Production) in order to identify and evaluate hotspots of richness and endemism. These figures are among the most frequently used in biodiversity conservation for choosing conservation areas in situ. Species richness was scored on 10 minute grid cells in Mexico, and analyzed using the software WorldMap ver. 4.19. Main results from applying the hotspots of richness approach identified five mountain areas for conservation and research priorities: Highlands of Chiapas, Sierra de Juárez, Oriental and Southern Sierra Madre, and the Transvolcanic Axe in central Mexico. Saturday, 10:00-10:15 am
A central Maryland strain of unbanded red-spotted purple butterflies, L. (B.) arthemis astyanax (Fabricius) was maintained in a greenhouse at UMBC between the fall 2000 and the fall 2003. The strain was begun using several females collected from two localities. Adults chose their own mates. Inbreeding resulted from founder effects and small effective population sizes. The partially banded from "proserpina" Edwards first appeared, followed by the narrow fully banded form "albofasciata" (Newcomb). These results demonstrate that the ancestral medial white wing banding alleles of L. a. arthemis (Drury) have not been eliminated from the genome as the unbanded form has evolved, but rather that these banded alleles have ceased to be fully expressed. They have become "covered up" (or recessive) by the effects of unlinked modifying loci through the Evolution of Dominance, as the more southern unbanded astyanax form arose to effectively mimic the pipevine swallowtail. Saturday, 10:15-10:30 am
The Eumaeini currently comprise about 1,150 species, of which 50 are Palearctic and 1,100 are found in the New World. Although the alfa-taxonomy of Eumaeini is becoming better known and a major revision will soon be available through the Checklist of the Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera, the lack of a phylogenetic hypothesis for the tribe has seriously hindered the study of neotropical Lycaenidae evolution and systematics. The primary goal of our research is to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Eumaeini using molecular characters, and we propose to sample at least two exemplars for all 81 proposed genera. A preliminary tree of 30 taxa estimated from approximately 3124 bp of the mitochondrial genes Cytochrome Oxidase I & II, and the nuclear gene Elongation Factor 1-alpha supports most of the section groupings proposed in the Checklist. Once completed, the phylogeny will provide a framework to analyze the evolution of sexually selected traits.
This study examined the importance of leaf pubescence for an assemblage of generalist late-season slug caterpillars (Limacodidae) attacking oaks and a variety of other tree species in the eastern U.S. A literature survey of herbivore communities sampled throughout the New World revealed that Limacodidae never comprise more than 2% of larval Lepidoptera. Ten years (1993-2003) of intensive sampling of larval densities on canopy and understory oaks in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, revealed 14 species of Limacodidae, representing 1.9% of all Lepidoptera larvae sampled. In general, larval density was higher on glabrous sun leaves of Q. velutina than on pubescent shade leaves. By contrast there was no effect of stratum on density for Q. alba, which is glabrous in both microenvironments, supporting the glabrous host hypothesis. Additional censusing of larvae on a wide range of understory tree species varying in leaf pubescence also supported this finding. Considerable among-year variation in larval densities was detected, and population dynamics were consistent with the action of density-dependent regulation. Saturday, 11:00-11:15 am
The Antillean Polyommatinae in conjunction with their closely aligned continental counterparts present some interesting systematic and biogeographic problems. Most of these species have been generally considered as part of the ancient omnibus genus, Hemiargus Hûbner, that was subsequently subdivided into four genera by Nabokov in 1943. The historical and the current systematics of the Antillean representatives will be presented. The ranges of these blues along with the plasticity of their phenotypes will be elaborated upon in light of their current classification. The pros and cons of various taxonomic arrangements for these butterflies are discussed, and new combinations are proposed. 11:15-11:30 am
Saturday, 11:30-11:45 am
A series of capture-mark-recapture experiments was undertaken from November 2002 to January 2003 to trace the migration route of the overwintering Danaids (family Danaidae) in Hong Kong and investigate the population dynamics of an important local overwintering Danaid population. The secondary woodland in a protected Country Park was confirmed as a transitional stop for the migratory butterflies. Six species of Danaid butterflies were recorded in the overwintering population in which 95% was Euploea core and E. midamus. Most butterflies arrived at the overwintering site within a week=s time and stayed for about 6 weeks. The peak number of individuals recorded was about 45,000. This study forms a basis for the future study and conservation of the overwintering Danaids in Hong Kong. Saturday, 11:45-12:00 noon
Skippers are often a "last frontier" for butterfly enthusiasts, especially for people interested in life histories. After finding and identifying all the local species (which can be a hard-won achievement in itself), lepidopterists may wish to rear them. This can be quite challenging, because there is little readily available information about the early stages, and larvae of many species hibernate partly grown. Skipper caterpillars also develop slowly, are not particularly showy, and may require constant care over several months. But intimate knowledge of their life histories brings special rewards. This photographic gallery depicts familiar but rather poorly known northeastern North American skippers in the wild, with brief notes on their larval foodplants, caterpillars, and chrysalids. Erynnis lucilius, Pyrgus communis, Pholisora catullus, Ancyloxypha numitor, Hesperia leonardus, Polites peckius, Pompeius verna, Atalopedes campestris, Anatrytone logan, Poanes hobomok, Poanes viator, and Euphyes dion are among the species included. Saturday, 1:05-1:20 pm
Lepidoptera surveys in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) sponsored by Discover Life in America (DLIA) commenced in the fall of 1999. In 2000 and 2002 Lepidoptera BioBlitzes were conducted to document the number of species of Lepidoptera within a 24 hour period. Grants from DLIA supported research in 2000, 2003, and 2004. In 2001 a grant from the Smithsonian Biodiversity Program supported Lepidoptera collecting in the park. These collections formed the database for the Noctuidae of GSMNP. A total of 152 collecting sites were sampled and approximately 8,300 specimens were collected. Currently there are 483 vouchered species of Nocutidae. Species richness estimators predict that 98% of the Noctuidae species have been collected. Saturday, 1:20-1:35 pm
A study of the olethreutine fauna in Thailand is in progress to inventory the species and describe new species and genera. A survey of the fauna in various habitats of Thong Pha Phum National Park was conducted on 145 nights during 2001-2003 and has resulted in 86 described species in 57 genera and 114 morpho-species, many of which represent undescribed species and genera. Examples of habitats and distinctive species will be provided. The genus Eucoenogenes with six new species will be discussed in more detail. Saturday, 1:35-1:50 pm
A list of microlepidoptera belonging to the superfamily Gelechioidea was produced from June trap samples from two locations over several years in Lawrence County, an Appalachian region in southern Ohio. The composition and diversity of this area is compared to lists of gelechioids of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, an Ohio faunal study, and unpublished data from Connecticut. This project used seasonal sampling Asnapshots@ to compare diversity of a once greatly distributed forest that has since re-established over nearly 100 years, to second growth forest of similar floral and faunal composition. Data suggest the gelechioid fauna from re-established forest compares favorably to less disturbed areas. Saturday, 1:50-2:15 pm
The small size of Santa Barbara Island (1 mi2), its remote situation 24 miles
from the nearest other island, and extreme reduction of its native vegetation,
create a model for study of dispersal, endemism, and biogeography. Endemic taxa,
including plants, a bird, and evidently at least 2 or 3 moths, persist in spite
of human disturbance, feral browsers, and fires, which should interest conservation
biologists. I attempted to confirm the identity of all Lepidoptera species reported
from the island by study of museum specimens, and I made collections on 20 dates
in February, May, and September. In view of its size and relatively uniform
topography, considerable effort has been devoted to survey of the island=s Lepidoptera.
These insects have been collected on about 108 dates (1939-2004). Eight species
of butterflies and about 152 of moths have been recorded, ranking the fauna
well above totals expected from island size and plant species numbers among
the 8 California Channel Islands. Even so, species accumulation in collection
records are not asymptotic, and a perplexing 31% are unique specimens (38 %
recorded in a single sample), an unknowable proportion of which may be vagrants.
The endemic species and the relative species richness of Lepidoptera, with many
specialist plant feeders, suggest SBI was not submerged during late Pleistocene
times, as has been generally supposed..
The California County Moth List has reached almost 30,000 entries. Patterns of ranges are beginning to emerge with more complete data. Several Aadopted@ counties have impressive gains in numbers of species. Surveying California museums continues. Saturday, 2:30-2:45 pm
The butterfly richness was estimated from east flank range based on field collected data and collections. Four altitude gradients were defined to collect the data, separated two latitudinal degrees among them, with five to eight study sites in each gradient. An inverse correlation was found between altitude and richness and diversity. On the other hand, a direct correlation was found between altitude and dominance. An increase in the number of species was found when the latitude was decreased but having similar altitude levels. This shows an important influence of the altitude and the latitude in our studies (inverse relation between latitude and richness and diversity). This pattern was corroborated by the analysis of species stored in collections, adding up to 1300 species in an area occupying only 6% of the Colombian territory. Saturday, 3:00-3:15 pm
An analysis of locality data from eastern tallgrass prairie-dependent Lepidoptera revealed four distributional patterns. One pattern links the distribution of several lepidopteran species to their larval hosts. Absence of larval host plant data, which is the case for most species of moths, requires inference from habitat data of known specimens, or capture data for a limited number of specimens. A fourth pattern, distribution in tallgrass prairies and the coastal plain, can be explained by migration of native grassland species northward into the Midwest and East Coast from Florida and the Gulf Coast following the last glacial maximum. The distributional patterns can be used to predict the occurrence of yet-to-be discovered populations as well as explain their absence in other seemingly nearby localities. The widely disjunct distribution, i.e. East Coast and Midwest, of many species, including those not found in prairies, is easily explained by the hypotheses presented here. Saturday, 3:15-3:30 pm
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation=s Division of Natural Heritage is the first comprehensive program for the conservation of the state=s biological diversity. During the past decade natural heritage zoologists have engaged in a variety of inventory, research, and conservation projects pertaining to the Lepidoptera of Virginia, including focused studies on globally rare species such as the federally endangered Mitchell=s satyr (Neonympha mitchellii), state threatened Appalachian grizzled skipper (Pyrgus centureae wyandot), the declining regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia), and the rare skipper (Problema bulenta), as well as a statewide macro-moth survey. At least 60 new state moth records have been documented, some representing significant range extensions. The Division maintains a reference collection of 1,000 macro-moth and several hundred micro-moth species from Virginia. A database has been developed that contains records for approximately 27,000 voucher specimens collected by staff biologists. A draft checklist of the known and possible macro-moths of Virginia contains 1,400 species. Saturday, 3:30-3:45 pm
Six Townes-style Malaise traps obtained 596 butterflies in 28 species in five families from April through September, 1992B1993 in three shale-barrens subhabitats in the Green Ridge State Forest in western Maryland. The sample=s median was 3 and the mean was 21 specimens (s.d. = 64, range = 1B340) per species. The more common species were Erynnis brizo (40 specimens), E. juvenalis (59), Hesperia sassacus (39), and Megisto cymela (340). These species had more trapped males than females. Monthly samples varied in the number and species of individuals collected, which may be attributed to their life histories. The number of butterflies varied among habitats with 17 total and five unique species in the forest, 16 total and three unique species in the ecotone, and 21 total and six unique species in the openings. We assess the role of these subhabitats in the butterfly conservation of Green Ridge State Forest. Saturday, 3:45-4:00 pm
An account is given of the Kentucky Lepidoptera Survey, and the history of the Society of Kentucky Lepidopterists is presented. People, places, and interesting experiences are described, along with information on some of the more interesting of the 2,435 species recorded during the period. Saturday, 4:00-4:15 pm
In order to characterize the butterfly communities in a disturbance gradient, Tropical forest, Gallery forest, advance succesional stage forest, savanna (scattered low shrubs in rocky ground), and grassland (North of Colombian Amazon); two methods were used observation and capture transects and trap transects, each one used in all landscapes during rainy and dry periods. We found 6106 records of individuals in 303 species. With the decrease of vegetal heterogeneity the degree of richness and diversity was lessened, the higher and closer values were obtained in arboreal landscapes. The abundance distribution was coherent with a normal logarithmic model in the majority of sites. The species composition was quite different between the studied landscapes, revealed by the low values in similitude index; however, two groups can be defined depending on its coverage. Each l |