Shared but overlooked: 30 species of Holarctic Microlepidoptera revealed by DNA barcodes and morphology

Abstract

This study reports 30 species of Lepidoptera previously known from either the Palearctic or the Nearctic that are newly recorded as Holarctic. For 28 of these species, their intercontinental distributions were initially detected through DNA barcode analysis and subsequently confirmed by morphological examination; two Palearctic species were first detected in North America through morphology and then barcoded. When possible, the origin and status of each species (introduced, overlooked Holarctic species, or unknowingly re-described) is discussed, and its morphology is diagnosed and illustrated. The species involved include Tineidae: Scardia amurensis Zagulajev, Triaxomera parasitella (Hübner), Nemapogon cloacella (Haworth), Elatobia montelliella (Schantz), Tinea svenssoni Opheim; Gracillariidae: Caloptilia suberinella (Tengström), Parornix betulae (Stainton); Phyllonorycter maestingella (Müller); Yponomeutidae: Paraswammerdamia albicapitella (Scharfenberg), P. conspersella (Tengström); Plutellidae: Plutella hyperboreella Strand; Lyonetiidae: Lyonetia pulverulentella Zeller; Autostichidae: Oegoconia deauratella (Herrich-Schäffer), O. novimundi (Busck); Blastobasidae: Blastobasis glandulella (Riley), B. maroccanella (Amsel), B. tarda Meyrick; Depressariidae: Agonopterix conterminella (Zeller), Depressaria depressana (F.); Coleophoridae: Coleophora atriplicis Meyrick, C. glitzella Hofmann, C. granulatella Zeller, C. texanella Chambers, C. vitisella Gregson; Scythrididae: Scythris sinensis (Felder & Rogenhofer); Gelechiidae: Altenia perspersella (Wocke), Gnorimoschema jalavai Povolný, Scrobipalpa acuminatella (Sircom), Sophronia gelidella Nordman; Choreutidae: Anthophila fabriciana (L.); and Tortricidae: Phiaris bipunctana (F.). These cases of previously unrecognized faunal overlap have led to their redescription in several instances. Five new synonyms are proposed: Blastobasis glandulella (Riley, 1871) = B. huemeri Sinev, 1993, syn. nov.; B. tarda Meyrick, 1902 = Neoblastobasis ligurica Nel & Varenne, 2004, syn. nov.; Coleophora atriplicis Meyrick, 1928 = C. cervinella McDunnough, 1946, syn. nov.; C. texanella Chambers, 1878 = C. coxi Baldizzone & van der Wolf, 2007, syn. nov., and = C. vagans Walsingham, 1907, syn. nov. Lectotypes are designated for Blastobasis tarda Meyrick and Coleophora texanella Chambers. Type specimens were examined where pertinent to establish new synonymies. We identify 12 previously overlooked cases of species introductions, highlighting the power of DNA barcoding as a tool for biosurveillance.

Systematics and biology of some species of Micrurapteryx Spuler (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) from the Holarctic Region, with re-description of M. caraganella (Hering) from Siberia

“…In conclusion, our study documents another example of how DNA barcoding can help to reveal overlooked species and clarify taxonomic issues (Jin et al 2013; Landry et al 2013; Lees et al 2013; Mutanen et al 2013; Huemer et al 2014). Moreover, our analysis highlights the need for a careful revision of Parectopa and Micrurapteryx in the Nearctic and Palearctic Regions, particularly in the context of a broader phylogenetic analysis of the Gracillariidae.…”

Stigmella multispicata Rociene. & Stonis, an Asian leafminer on Siberian elm, now widespread in eastern North America (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae)

“…Since nepticulids are able to spin their cocoons on many substrates, including tree trunks, branches or other objects, we assume that an introduction of larvae or pupae inside cocoons with plants of Siberian elm, or even another plant or object, is most likely; transport of insect invaders with live plant material is considered a major pathway for exotic herbivores (Liebhold et al 2012, Brockerhoff and Liebhold 2017). Current global traffic has resulted in several recent examples of introductions of leafminers from North America into Europe and vice versa (van Nieukerken et al 2012b, 2012d, Landry et al 2013). As far as we know this is only the second instance of a leafmining moth from Asia introduced into North America, the other instance being Caloptiliatriadicae Davis, 2013 on the Chinese Tallow Tree Triadicasebifera (L.) (Davis et al 2013).…”

“…While the number and proportion of non-native Lepidoptera is not as large as in some other insect groups, around 250 of the 5431 named Canadian and Alaskan species (4.6%) are thought to be introduced (Pohl et al 2018). Thanks to DNA barcoding, previously overlooked introductions have been recognized, particularly in taxonomically poorly studied groups (Landry et al 2013). Here we report another case of a lepidopterous insect introduced from Asia, where DNA barcoding played an essential role in the identification.…”

Target and Non-Target Moth Species Captured by Pheromone Traps for Some Fruit Tortricid Moths (Lepidoptera)

“…Oegoconia novimundi is described from North America, but it is apparently of the European origin, known from several countries of western, central and southern Europe (e.g. Huemer, 1998, Landry et al, 2013. Only two specimens were so far recorded in the Czech Republic, in Zlín (2005) and in the environs of Lanžhot (2009) (Šumpich et al, 2010).…”