A new species of Lactura is described from Texas: Lactura
rubritegula
sp. n. Identity of the new species can be reliably determined by both larval and adult characters, CO1 haplotypes, and its late-spring period of flight activity. Male genitalic features overlap with those of L.
basistriga (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913), whereas female structures differ markedly between the pair. The new Sideroxylon-feeding species, rare in collections, is found principally in limestone areas in the vicinity San Antonio, Texas, westward through the southern Hill Country. We illustrate the adult and larval stages and male and female genitalia, review available DNA barcode data that support the recognition of the new Lactura, and briefly characterize its life history.
The Lactura Walker, 1854 fauna north of Mexico is revised. Six species are documented, one new species Lacturanalli Matson & Wagner, sp. n. is described, and two new synonymies are proposed: Lacturapsammitis (Zeller, 1872), syn. n. and L.rhodocentra (Meyrick, 1913), syn. n. One new subspecies Lacturasubfervenssapeloensis Matson & Wagner, ssp. n. is also described. Adult and larval stages, male and female genitalia, are illustrated, a preliminary phylogeny is presented based on nuclear and mitochondrial data, distribution records provided for verified specimens, and the biology and life history for each species is briefly characterized. Phylogenetic analyses, larval phenotypes, and life history information reveal that much of the historic taxonomic confusion rampant across this group in North America traces to the phenotypic variation in just one species, L.subfervens (Walker, 1854).
Biodiversity is in crisis, and insects are no exception. To understand insect population and community trends globally, it is necessary to identify and synthesize diverse datasets representing different taxa, regions, and habitats. The relevant literature is, however, vast and challenging to aggregate. The Entomological Global Evidence Map (EntoGEM) project is a systematic effort to search for and catalogue studies with long-term data that can be used to understand changes in insect abundance and diversity. Here, we present the overall EntoGEM framework and results of the first completed subproject of the systematic map, which compiled sources of information about changes in dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata) occurrence, abundance, biomass, distribution, and diversity. We identified 45 multi-year odonate datasets, including 10 studies with data that span more than 10 years. If data from each study could be gathered or extracted, these studies could contribute to analyses of long-term population trends of this important group of indicator insects. The methods † Deceased prior to final manuscript completion (September, 2021) but made significant intellectual contributions to the project with expectation of co-authorship.
Stamnodes fergusonisp. nov. occurs from extreme southeastern Arizona through southern New Mexico east into western Texas, USA. Identity of the new species can be reliably determined by external features, genitalic characters, and COI haplotypes. Larvae are believed to be specialists on Salvia pinguifolia and S. ballotiflora. The adult and larval stages and male and female genitalia are illustrated, available DNA barcode data that support the recognition of the new Stamnodes are reviewed, and its life history briefly characterized.
The monotypic Metrica new genus is described for Metrica kuschea (Guedet, 1939) new combination. The genus is placed in the tribe Ennomini Duponchel and hypothesized to be most closely related to a Neotropical species of “Isochromodes” Warren. Adult morphology, including male and female genitalia are illustrated, and molecular data supporting the transfer of “Semiothisa” kuschea (Macariini Guenée) to the Ennomini are presented.
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