Lepidoptera genitalia

About: Lepidoptera genitalia is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10114 publications have been published within this topic receiving 78876 citations. The topic is also known as: Uncus.

Pollination of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid-containing Plants by Male Lepidoptera

Abstract: Certain plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids attract numerous Lepidoptera (Danainae, Ithomiinae, Ctenuchidae, Arctiidae) which congregate on dead shoots and inflorescences to feed. In many species, visitors are nearly all males. It is established that male Ithomiinae and Danainae ingest alkaloidal precursors for sex pheromones. Various parts of the live plants Heliotropium indicum L. and Eupatorium xestolepis Robinson are also attractive to these Lepidoptera and form the basis of an unusual relationship. H. indicum has a number of pollinators that visit the plant primarily for the purpose of obtaining pheromone precursors, spending much of their time at ripe seeds. In E. xestolepis , the floral fragrance may contain some of the volatile compounds typical of dead plant tissue which attract male Ithomiinae and Ctenuchidae. These insects constitute nearly 100% of the pollinators. In addition, this plant shows ecological specialization for subsisting in the habitat of its pollinators.

Lepidoptera: Moths, Butterflies

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the order Lepidoptera that includes moths and butterfly. The Lepidoptera is defined as a monophyletic lineage by a suite of more than 20 derived features, the most obvious of which are the scales and proboscis. The scales are modified, flattened hairs that cover the body and wings, shingle-like, and are the source of the extraordinary variety of color patterns typical of these insects. In all but the most primitive forms, feeding by adults is accomplished by pumping in liquid via a tubular proboscis (haustellum), which usually is elongate and coiled under the head. The sister group of Lepidoptera, the Trichoptera (caddisflies), lack this development of mouthparts and the covering of scales and possess caudal cerci on the abdomen, which are not present in Lepidoptera. A widely accepted phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships among lepidopteran evolutionary lineages is based on morphological characteristics in living forms, primarily of the adults. The problem in such analysis is that we do not know what kinds of species might have preceded and interceded with the primitive extant lineages, each of which is now represented by one or a few relict genera that have divergent larval features not shared with other Lepidoptera. Moreover, the fossil record is of little use in revealing clues to “missing links,” and the preservation usually fails to provide information on critical characteristics, particularly those of the larvae and pupae.

Evidence of Cryptic Species Within the Pest Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract: Copitarsia decolora (Guenee) is a widely distributed, highly polyphagous pest found throughout Central and South America. We examined multiple populations of C. decolora with the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). We also investigated morphological variation in adult males sampled from these populations. COI evidence suggests that C. decolora is comprised of two cryptic lineages and is paraphyletic with respect to the Chilean C. naenoides (Butler). These two lineages, which are not completely geographically isolated, display high divergence in COI sequences compared with other members of Copitarsia and other insect pest species in general. Furthermore, these lineages also possess slight morphological differences in male genitalia; however, supporting information is necessary before the taxonomy of this species is revised.