THE AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGIST

ABN#: 15 875 103 670

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COVER

Tellervo zoilus (Fabricius), mating in rainforest understory at Mission Beach, northern

Queensland. This species is one of a handful of true understory dwelling butterflies in

Australia. Males form leks, mating dances of several individuals, in sunny patches in

the morning. Females approach, then are led by a male to the underside of a nearby

leaf where copulation ensues. Sometimes the female leads and initiates genital contact.

As in many butterflies, the male, right, enters a catatonic state during ejaculation. Pen

and ink drawing by Caloundra ESQ member, Dr Albert Orr, whose illustrated books on

butterflies and dragonflies have won awards in Australia and overseas. His second book

on New Guinea Odonata has just appeared (see Australian Entomologist 43 (1): 38).

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 109-112 109

RE-IDENTIFICATION OF AN EXOTIC BEE INTRODUCED TO

THE HUNTER VALLEY REGION, NEW SOUTH WALES -

SELADONIA HOTONI (VACHAL, 1903) (HYMENOPTERA:

HALICTIDAE)

MICHAEL BATLEY!, ALAIN PAULY?, JOHN R. GOLLAN?, MICHAEL

B. ASHCROFT‘ and GONTRAN SONET?

! Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW

2010 (Author for correspondence — Email: michael.batley@ gmail.com)

^OD Taxonomy and Phylogeny, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Rue Vautier 29,

B-1000 Brussels, Belgium

?School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007

^Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522

Abstract

In 2004 and 2006, well-established populations of an exotic halictine bee were found in the

Upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, Australia. On the basis of morphology, the

species was identified as Halictus (Seladonia) smaragdulus Vachal, 1895 by an expert familiar

with that genus. Subsequently, it was discovered that there are six species in the S. smaragdula

complex, but none of the six had the same mitochondrial DNA barcode as the species found in

Australia. The introduced bee has been shown to be conspecific with an African species by

mitochondrial COI DNA sequences and identified as Seladonia hotoni (Vachal, 1903) by

morphology.

Introduction

The initial report of a small, metallic green exotic bee in the Hunter Valley

(Gollan et al. 2008) identified it as belonging to the western Palaearctic

species Halictus (Seladonia) smaragdulus Vachal, 1895. Accepting the

raising of Seladonia Robertson to generic level (Pesenko 1999), the name

became Seladonia smaragdula (Vachal) Identification was based on the

external morphology of specimens sent to A. W. Ebmer, an expert in

Seladonia taxonomy.

Other features of the male genitalia, however, indicated that S. smaragdula

was in fact a species complex (Pauly and Rassel 1982), which led the present

authors to exchange images, comparison of which suggested that the bees in

Australia might belong to one of the other species in the complex.

Subsequently, molecular evidence was shown to support the idea of a species

complex (Schmidt et al. 2015), which now includes S. smaragdula and five

additional cryptic species (Pauly et al. 2015).

Comparison of DNA barcoding sequences of Australian specimens with

those of a member of the S. smaragdula complex with similar male genitalia

(S. orientana Pauly & Devalez, 2015), showed that the species were different

(vide infra). Indeed, the species introduced to Australia was none of the six in

the S. smaragdula complex. We report here that the introduced species has

been shown by morphological and molecular evidence to be the southern

African species Seladonia hotoni (Vachal, 1903).

110 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

DNA barcoding

DNA was extracted from an African S. hotoni specimen and sequenced as

described previously (Pauly et al. 2015). Australian material was treated

similarly, but using the DNeasy Blood and Tissue Extraction kit distributed

by QIAGEN Pty Ltd and the ExoSAP-IT PCR purification system (USB

Corporation). Partial mitochondrial COI sequences (658 bp) were obtained

from 36 Australian specimens collected at twelve different locations and a

South African specimen collected at Knersvlakte, along Gemsbokrivier Pad,

in Western Cape Province (/eg. M. Kuhlmann).

The COI sequences for the Australian specimens contained two haplotypes

with a divergence of 0.5% in roughly equal proportions (20 type 1, 16 type

2). All but one of the differences between the sequences were in the third

codon position. Both haplotypes differed from that of S. hotoni from Africa

by less than 1% (Table 1), whereas they differed from those of the S.

smaragdula complex by more than 796. Interspecific differences between

species in the S. smaragdula complex are between 3% and 6%, while

intraspecific variation ranges from 0.2% to 2.7% (Pauly et al. 2015).

Table 1. Divergences (number of substitutions/length of sequence) between

haplotypes of Seladonia hotoni from Africa and Australia (GenBank accession

numbers KX360229-31) and other Seladonia species available in GenBank

(KT601640-K T601 694).

S. hotoni (Africa) S. orientana S. smaragdula

species complex

S. hotoni 0.006-0.008 0.084-0.096 0.073-0.135

(Australia)

There was one non-synonymous difference between the two main Australian

haplotypes, which corresponds to interchange of valine and isoleucine in the

translated protein. Exchange of these hydrophobic amino acids is expected to

have a relatively small effect on the protein, but was nevertheless unexpected.

Both the Australian haplotypes were found at 6 of 8 places where more than

one specimen was collected. The uniform distribution of the haplotypes and

the divergence between them is evidence that the introduction involved more

than one individual. Seladonia hotoni is known to nest in the ground and

nests have been found at Muswellbrook and Sans Souci. One possibility,

therefore, is that the bees might have arrived in nesting tunnels in soil.

Morphology

Seladonia hotoni 1s very similar to S. smaragdula sens. lat. and the two can

be easily confused when their geographic origin is unknown. The holotype of

S. hotoni has been examined (by AP) and, while the species cannot be

distinguished from S. submediterranea Pauly, 2015 or S. orientana using the

male genitalia, it does differ in other subtle characters. Seladonia hotoni has

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 111

a shorter head (length/width: female = 0.91, s.d. 0.02, n 25; male = 0.98, s.d.

0.02, n 14) and small differences in surface sculpture. The African species of

Seladonia have been catalogued by Pauly (2008). They are now illustrated

and mapped on the website Atlas Hymenoptera (Pauly 2016).

Predicted distribution of Seladonia hotoni in Australia

The introduced species was surveyed between October 2008 and February

2010. In order to determine the potential extent of the incursion and guide

further surveys, predicted distributions were calculated using various

combinations of Worldclim predictors and the known distribution of S.

smaragdula sens. lat. (Ashcroft et al. 2012). Irrespective of the merits of any

particular model, it was of interest to know whether the re-identification

altered the predicted distribution of the introduced species. Figure 1 compares

predictions for the two groups calculated with Maxent version 3.3.3k with

default values for regularisation parameters (Phillips et al. 2006) using four

commonly used Worldclim parameters: annual mean temperature; annual

precipitation; maximum temperature of warmest month and minimum

temperature of coldest month. It showed that S. hotoni has a higher

probability than S. smaragdula of colonising southern areas of Australia.

MS ooa E oao PALEMEM — DELE

EX o2-08 EX 0.5-0.8

Goo 77010304 Doe? EHE 0225 i

Fig. 1. Logistic output from Maxent using four commonly used predictors for (a) S.

smaragdula sens. lat. and (b) S. hotoni.

New survey and conclusion

A brief survey was conducted on 5 and 6 December 2015 to determine

whether the bee was still present in the Hunter region. Ten sites from which

the bee had previously been collected were visited and S. hotoni specimens

were taken at 7 of those sites. Few flowers of any kind is one reason for its

absence at the other three sites. Perhaps unsurprisingly, high densities of

flowers, especially the introduced species Galenia pubescens (Aizoaceae),

were associated with many of the collections when sweeping. While there are

no specific flower visiting records for S. hotoni in Africa, small Seladonia

species are frequently found on Galenia sarcophylla (M. Kuhlmann pers.

comm.), which is widespread in the southwestern corner of the continent, an

112 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

area that covers about half the known range of S. hotoni. No reports have

been received of the species spreading to new areas but, equally, no

systematic surveys have been performed.

The genus Seladonia contains a number of species that can be difficult to

distinguish. Correct identification of the species introduced to Australia has

required detailed morphological study of species within the genus (Pauly et

al. 2015), supported by molecular barcoding. The revised identity is

consistent with a higher predicted suitability of the Hunter Valley region.

Nevertheless, our previous conclusion (Ashcroft et al. 2012) that suitable

nesting sites may be just as important as climatic variables remains. The

presence of two distinct mitochondrial haplotypes throughout the introduced

population means that the introduction included more than one individual.

Acknowledgements

We thank Natalie Sullivan and Dr Rebecca Johnson for valuable assistance

and advice with the processing of DNA from Australian specimens and M.

Kuhlmann for the specimen collected in South Africa.

References

ASHCROFT, M.B., GOLLAN, J.R. and BATLEY, M. 2012. Combining citizen science,

bioclimatic envelope models and observed habitat preferences to determine the distribution of an

inconspicuous, recently detected introduced bee (Halictus smaragdulus Vachal Hymenoptera:

Halictidae) in Australia. Biological Invasions 14: 515-527.

GOLLAN, J.R., BATLEY, M. and REID, C.A.M. 2008. The exotic bee Halictus smaragdulus

Vachal, 1895 (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales: a new genus

in Australia. Australian Entomologist 35: 21-26.

PAULY, A. 2008. Catalogue of the Subsaharan species of the genus Seladonia Robertson, 1918,

with description of two new species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae). Zoologische

Mededelingen, Leiden 82: 391-400.

PAULY, A. 2016. Atlas Hymenoptera: Genus Seladonia Robertson, 1918. http://www.

atlashymenoptera.net/page.asp ?ID=67

PAULY, A. and RASSEL, A. 1982. Une étude au microscope électronique a balayage des

gonostyli de Halictus (Seladonia) smaragdula Vachal (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Halictidae).

Annales de la Société royale zoologique de Belgique 112: 137-146.

PAULY, A., DEVALEZ, J., SONET, G., NAGY, T.G. and BOEVE, J.-L. 2015. DNA barcoding

and male genital morphology reveal five new cryptic species in the West Palearctic bee

Seladonia smaragdula (Vachal, 1895) (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae). Zootaxa 4034: 257-

290.

PESENKO, Y.A. 1999. Phylogeny and classification of the family Halictidae revised

(Hymenoptera: Apoidea). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 72: 104-123.

PHILLIPS, S.J. and DUDÍK, M. 2008. Modeling of species distributions with Maxent: new

extensions and a comprehensive evaluation. Ecography 31:161-175.

SCHMIDT, S., SCHMID-EGGER, C., MORINIERE, J., HASZPRUNAR, G. and HEBERT,

P.D.N. 2015. DNA barcoding largely supports 250 years of classical taxonomy: identifications

for Central European bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea partim). Molecular Ecology Resources 15:

985-1000.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 113-118 113

FIRST AUSTRALIAN RECORD OF PARTHENOS TIGRINA (M.

SNELLEN VAN VOLLENHOVEN, 1886) (LEPIDOPTERA:

NYMPHALIDAE: NYMPHALINAE)

C.E. MEYER!, C.G. MILLER’, S.S. BROWN? and R.P. WEIR*

129 Silky Oak Avenue, Moggill, Qld 4070 (Email:cmameyer Q bigpond.com)

?PO Box 336, Lennox Head, NSW 2478 (Email: Icgrantmiller gmail.com)

319 Kimberley Drive, Bowral, NSW 2576 (Email:stnac@ bigpond.com)

190 Horne Road, Bees Creek, NT 0822 (Email:richard.weir@nt. gov au)

Abstract

Parthenos tigrina cynailurus Fruhstorfer, 1915 is recorded from Saibai, Dauan and Mer

(Murray) Islands, Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia for the first time. The circumstances of

this event are described and its significance as a random dispersal rather than a true migration is

discussed.

Introduction

The genus Parthenos Hiibner, 1819 contains three species occurring

throughout the Indo-Australian Region from Sri Lanka and India to New

Guinea and the Solomon Islands, with all three species occurring on the

island of New Guinea (Parsons 1998). Parthenos sylvia (Cramer, 1775) is

widespread, its range extending from Sri Lanka and India to the Solomons

(Parsons 1998). D'Abrera (1978) recognised 16 subspecies, with P. s.

guineensis Fruhstorfer, 1898; P. s. couppei Ribbe, 1898; P. s. admiralia

Rothschild, 1915; and P. s. thesaurus Matthew, 1887 occurring in New

Guinea. The subspecies P. s. guineensis occurrs on mainland Papua New

Guinea (Parsons 1998). Parthenos aspila Honrath, 1888 is confined to

northern New Guinea and P. tigrina (M. Snellen van Vollenhoven, 1886) is

confined to New Guinea (Parsons 1998). D'Abrera (1978) recognised three

subspecies of P. tigrina, of which only P. t. cynailurus Fruhstorfer, 1915

occurs in southern Papua New Guinea.

Little is known of the life history of P. tigrina but Parsons (1998) noted that

the exuvium of a final instar larva attached to a pupa found at Brown River

near Port Moresby by H. Rouber was similar to that of P. sylvia. Parsons

(1998) noted that Adenia and Modecca (Passifloraceae) were recorded as

larval food plants for Parthenos; however, he considered that these records

needed confirmation. Parsons (1998) suggested that the woody climbers

Tinospora dissitiflora Diels and T. glabra (Burm.f.) Merr. (Menispermaceae)

were the most likely foodplants for P. sylvia in lowland Papua New Guinea.

In January and February 2016, numerous adults of P. t. cynailurus (Figs 1-2)

were observed and collected on Saibai, Dauan and Mer (Murray) Islands,

Torres Strait, Queensland, representing a new butterfly record for Australia

and Torres Strait. Here we illustrate the butterfly, provide field observations

and discuss the dispersal of the butterfly from neighbouring Papua New

Guinea.

114 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Abbreviations for specimen repositories: ANIC — Australian National Insect

Collection, Canberra; CEMC - C.E. Meyer Collection, Brisbane; CGMC —

C.G. Miller Collection, Lennox Head; DALC - D.A. Lane Collection,

Atherton; RPWC — R.P. Weir Collection, Bees Creek; SSBC — S.S. Brown

Collection, Bowral; TLIKC - Joint collection of T.A. Lambkin and

A.I. Knight, Brisbane.

Abbreviations for collectors: CEM — C.E. Meyer; CGM — C.G. Miller; DAL

— D.A. Lane; EJLH - EJ.L. Hallstrom; RPW - R.P. Weir; SSB -

S.S. Brown; TAL - T.A. Lambkin; WWB - W.W. Brandt.

Material examined

Parthenos tigrina cynailurus Fruhstorfer, 1915

(Figs 1-4)

QUEENSLAND: 1 ĝ, Saibai Island, Torres Strait, 22.1.2016, CEM, SSB, RPW &

CGM; 8 $6, Dauan Island, Torres Strait, 22-29.1.2016, CEM, SSB, RPW & CGM (in

CEMC); 13 $6, Dauan Island, Torres Strait, 22-29.1.2016, SSB, CEM, RPW & CGM

(12 in SSBC, 1 in TLIKC); 13 có, Dauan Island, Torres Strait, 22-29.1.2016, CGM

(in CGMC); 11 có, Dauan Island, Torres Strait, 22-29.1.2016, RPW, SSB, CEM &

CGM (in RPWC); 1 ĝ, Mer Island, Torres Strait, 29.1.2016, TAL (in TLIKC); 1 3,

Dauan Island, Torres Strait, 2.11.2016, DAL (in DALC).

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1 ĝ, Kiunga, Fly River, 2.vii-31.x.1957, WWB, 10.x.1957

(ANIC Database No. 31 029643); 2 ££, same data except 9.ix.1957 (ANIC Database

Nos. 31 029642, 31 029644); 1 c, same data except 20.vii.1957 (ANIC Database No.

31 029645); 1 ĝ, same data except 15.vii.1957 (ANIC Database No. 31 029647); 1 d,

Subitana (Central District), 1800 ft, 7.v11.1949, WWB & EJLH (ANIC Database No.

31 029646); 1 9, same data except 4.xii.1949 (ANIC Database No. 31 029649); 1 9,

same data except 24.1.1950 (ANIC Database No. 31 029648); 1 9, same data except

9.1.1950 (ANIC Database No. 31 029650).

Observations

On 22 January 2016, the authors observed several specimens of P. tigrina

flying along tracks and in gardens in the village on Saibai Island, northern

Torres Strait. A single specimen was captured by one of us (CEM). Over the

following eight days, on nearby Dauan Island, 46 males were examined and

many others observed, with numbers estimated to total over 100.

Subsequently, on Mer (Murray) Island, eastern Torres Strait, four specimens

of P. tigrina were observed on 29 January 2016, with one captured. Another

was observed on 30 January 2016 but not captured. (T.A. Lambkin and

A.I. Knight pers. comm.).

All butterflies examined were newly emerged, although many had wing

damage that might have been from bird attack. They flew rapidly, settling

briefly to draw nectar from the blossom of various trees growing in the

village, predominantly mango, Mangifera indica L. and fiddlewood,

Citharexylum spinosum L. They were observed all over the island in various

habitats, from mangroves to open grassy areas, village streets and gardens

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 115

and semi-deciduous vine thicket. One was captured on the summit of Mount

Cornwallis on Dauan Island at an altitude of 300 m. Their flight was random

and generally lacking in purposeful direction. Some were observed flying

with the prevailing wind from the Papua New Guinea mainland to the north.

Others flew into the wind out to sea and, on a tour around the island by boat,

we followed a number for approximately 500 m over water. Others were seen

to return to a position several times over about 30 mins after being disturbed.

No females were observed or captured.

Figs 1-2. Parthenos tigrina cynailurus, male [forewing length 47 mm, wingspan 78

mm], Dauan Island, Torres Strait, 22-29.1.2016, CEM, SSB, RPW & CGM: (1)

upperside; (2) underside.

116 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Figs 3-4. Parthenos tigrina cynailurus, female [forewing length 45 mm, wingspan 80

mm], Subitana (Central District), 1800 ft, 4.x11.1949, WWB & EJLH (ANIC Database

No. 31 029649): (3) upperside; (4) underside.

Also present in larger numbers than recorded in previous years was Libythea

geoffroyi Godart, 1820 (Nymphalidae: Libytheinae), which was known

previously from the Torres Strait islands from only a handful of specimens.

Both males and females were encountered in the first three days on Dauan

Island, with no more observed for the remainder of the survey.

Unusually for late January, the wet season had not yet begun and conditions

were dry with a moderate to strong northerly wind.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 117

Discussion

The butterfly fauna of the Torres Strait islands has been studied intensively

over the past 30 years or so and, as P. tigrina is a large and conspicuous

insect, it is unlikely to have been overlooked previously. There have been no

recorded instances of migration in any of the three Parthenos species and the

non-purposeful flight behaviour of P. tigrina observed in the Torres Strait in

January 2016 does not agree with the concept of a migration according to

Williams (1930).

Parsons (1998) noted that during several days in March 1983 he witnessed

numerous adults of Papilio fuscus Goeze, 1779, Catopsilia pomona

(Fabricius, 1775), Libythea geoffroyi, Euploea stephensii C. & R. Felder,

1865, Cyrestris achates (Godart, 1819) and Yoma sabina (Stoll, 1780) all

purposely moving in a single direction across open town areas of Port

Moresby. This seasonal migration at the end of the dry season could explain

the increased numbers of Libythea geoffroyi encountered by us on Dauan

Island.

Parsons (1998) referred to the appearance of large numbers of male P. tigrina

near Port Moresby after overnight rain, this presumably being a mass

emergence. It is highly probable that our observations are the result of

dispersal following a similar event on the mainland of Papua New Guinea.

The size of the specimens observed in this survey varied considerably

(forewing length 39-50 mm (n = 46)), and this might have been caused by a

larger than usual number of larvae competing for a limited supply of the food

plant. The apparent mass population movement of P. tigrina into Torres

Strait recorded here supports the suggestion put forward by Kikkawa et al.

(1981) that occasional records of some New Guinea species in Cape York

Peninsula may be the result of such sporadic dispersals, or even temporary

establishment, of New Guinea butterfly species at intervals of many years.

The distances involved, approximately 10 km for Dauan and Saibai Islands

and 120 km for Mer Island, would not be prohibitive for a powerful flyer

with a following wind.

Parthenos tigrina was not observed on Horn or Thursday Islands, 150 km

south of Papua New Guinea during our stay from 29-31 January 2016. A

further specimen of P. tigrina was captured by David Lane on Dauan Island

on 2 February 2016, with adults still being observed in lower numbers on

Dauan Island and flying over water around and between Dauan and Saibai

Islands, up until mid-February 2016 (D. Lane and E. and W. Phillips, pers.

comms). No specimens were recorded by Ian Johnson and Peter Wilson

during a further survey of Dauan Island in March 2016.

Tinospora smilacina Benth. and Hypserpa laurina (F.Muell.) Diels (both

Menispermaceae) and Passiflora foetida L. (Passifloraceae) are recorded

from Dauan Island (Torres Strait Regional Authority 2013) and could be

118 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

used, if females were present, by P. tigrina as food plants in order to establish

a permanent presence on Dauan Island.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the local community councils and the Elders of Dauan and

Saibai Islands for permission to conduct our activities on the islands. We are

especially grateful to Liz and Wayne Phillips, Dauan Island State School for

their hospitality and assistance. Thanks also to Trevor Lambkin, Ian Knight,

David Lane, Ian Johnson and Peter Wilson for permission to include their

observations and records of P. tigrina from Torres Strait in this paper and to

Ted Edwards and You Ning Su, ANIC, for access to the W.W. Brandt

collection and provision of the female images respectively.

References

D'ABRERA, B. 1978. Butterflies of the Australian Region. 2" Revised Edition. Landsdowne

Press, Melbourne, Australia; 415 pp.

KIKKAWA, J., MONTEITH, G.B. and INGRAM, G. 1981. Cape York Peninsula — the major

region of faunal interchange. Pp 1695-1742, in: Keast, A. (ed.), Ecological biogeography in

Australia. Junk, The Hague.

PARSONS, M.J. 1998. The butterflies of Papua New Guinea: their systematics and biology.

Academic Press, London; xvi + 736pp, xxvi + 136 pls.

TORRES STRAIT REGIONAL AUTHORITY. 2013. Profile for management of the habitats

and related ecological and cultural resource values of Dauan Island, January 2013. Prepared by

3D Environmental® for Torres Strait Regional Authority Land & Sea Management Unit; vi + pp

7-123.

WILLIAMS, C.B. 1930. The migration of butterflies. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh and London; xi

+ 473 pp.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 119-134 119

A NEW SPECIES OF SYNEMON DOUBLEDAY (LEPIDOPTERA:

CASTNIIDAE) FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ANDREW A. E. WILLIAMS! and MATTHEW R. WILLIAMS?

! Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA Wildlife Research Centre, PO Box 51,

Wanneroo, WA 6065

^Department of Parks and Wildlife, Keiran McNamara Conservation Science Centre,

17 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, WA 6151

Abstract

The spring-flying sun-moth Synemon edwardsi sp. n. is described from southwestern Western

Australia, where it occurs in small isolated colonies in the central and southern wheatbelt. Adults

and the male and female genitalia are illustrated. The sun-moth's habitat, larval food plant and

flight times are recorded. Synemon edwardsi sp. n. is compared with its Western Australian

autumn-flying relatives Synemon gratiosa Westwood and Synemon jcaria R. Felder and with

Synemon laeta Walker from eastern Australia.

Introduction

In 1948, A.M. Douglas collected the first three specimens of a small sun-

moth, with orange and black hind wings, in bushland near the small

wheatbelt town of Kukerin in southwestern Western Australia; the specimens

were deposited in the Western Australian Museum. No further individuals

were seen until Dr Terry Houston obtained a female at Charles Gardner

Nature Reserve, 15 km south of Tammin, in 1996. These specimens were

subsequently examined by E.D. Edwards, who considered them to be an

undescribed species related to Synemon gratiosa Westwood and Synemon

jcaria R. Felder. Genetic analysis has since confirmed that it is a distinct

species (Williams et al. 2012).

The descriptions of Lepidoptera species published in the mid to late

nineteenth Century were often limited to a single paragraph written in Latin,

with hand drawn illustrations showing the insect's wing pattern and wing

venation. This was the case for the three Castniidae species related to the new

species, namely S. laeta Walker, S. jcaria and S. gratiosa (Westwood 1879).

Even though these early descriptions are minimal, they offer some help in

differentiating the species.

In 2010, surveys were undertaken by the Western Australian Department of

Environment and Conservation (now Department of Parks and Wildlife) to

determine the distribution and conservation status of the Graceful Sun-moth,

S. gratiosa (Bishop et al. 2010a, b, Gamblin et al. 2011, Williams 2012,

Williams et al. 2012). In conjunction with the Graceful Sun-moth surveys,

the distribution of another closely related inland species, Synemon jcaria, was

also examined. While conducting inland habitat surveys, the undescribed

‘Kukerin Sun-moth' was found at several new localities in the Western

Australian wheatbelt (Williams and Williams 2013b).

120 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Institutional and private collections in which specimens are located are

abbreviated as follows: AKC — Axel Kallies collection, Melbourne; ANIC —

CSIRO Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra; WAM — Western

Australian Museum, Perth; DPaW — Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Synemon edwardsi sp. n.

(Figs 1-10)

Types. Holotype 6, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: DPaW Database No. C 2011, labelled

‘Kukerin Bushland, 21xi.2011, open mallee woodland, sparse shrubs & sedges,

33?10'36.5"S 118?04'20.9"E, A.A.E. Williams, Reg. No. E89245' (in WAM).

Paratypes: 99 33, 36 99: 1 9, DPaW Database No. C 2856, North Tarin Rock

Nature Reserve, 8.xi.2012, tammar heath, sedges and Chamaexeros fimbriata,

32°58’52.6”S 118?16'01.5"E., A.A.E. Williams, Reg. No. E89250 (in WAM); 1 d,

[label data 48:2950 refers to WAM Specimen Register entry on 24. xi.1948], Kukerin,

A.M. Douglas, collection date not recorded (in ANIC on loan from WAM); 1 9,

Charles Gardner Nat. Res. 15 km S. of Tammin, 21.x1.1996, T.F. Houston 919.6 (in

ANIC on loan from WAM); 10 có, 5 99, Charles Gardner Nature Reserve,

5.xi.2010, 31?47727.1"S 117?27'51.4"E, tammar shrubland over sparse low shrubs

and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (1 ĝ, 1 9 in ANIC, 1 9 in AKC, remainder in WAM);

2 dd, 2 99, Charles Gardner Nature Reserve, 11.xi2010, 31?47'27.1"S

117?27751.4"E, tammar shrubland over sparse low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E.

Williams (in WAM); 1 3, 1 9, Charles Gardner Nature Reserve, 11.xi.2011,

31?47'25.5"S 117?28'00.7"E, open tammar heath over sparse low shrub sedges,

A.A.E. Williams (in WAM), 2 Gd, 1 9, Charles Gardner Nature Reserve, 12.xi.2011,

31?47'25.5"S 117?28'00.7"E, open tammar heath over sparse low shrub sedges,

A.A.E. Williams (in WAM), 1 4, 2 99, Charles Gardner Nature Reserve, 10.xi.2012,

31?47'25.5"S 117?28'00.7"E, open tammar heath over sparse low shrub sedges,

A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 5 cd, 6 99, Charles Gardner Nature Reserve,

12.xi.2013, 31°47°26.0°S 117?27'51.0"E, Allocasuarina campestris over

Chamaexeros fimbriata, E.D. Edwards and M.R. Williams (in ANIC); 3 ZG, Corrigin

Bushland Go-cart Track, 8.x1.2010, 32?21'10.6"S 117?51'38.3"E, mallee tammar

shrubland over open heath and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 3 3, Corrigin

Bushland Go-cart Track, 8.xi.2010, 32°21°08.1°S 117?51'51.1"E, open

Allocasuarina, sparse low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (2 in WAM, 1 in

ANIC); 1 3, 1 9$, Corrigin Bushland Wildflower Trail, 1.xi.2010, 32?20'18.7"S

117?49'55.6"E, tammar shrubland open low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (15

in WAM, 1 9 in ANIC); 2 Gd, 1 9, Corrigin Bushland Wildflower Trail, 1.xi.2010,

32?20'19.8"S 117?49'57.2"E, tammar shrubland open low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E.

Williams (in WAM); 1 d, Corrigin Bushland Wildflower Trail, 1.xi.2010,

32?20'20.3"S 117?49'54.7"E, tammar shrubland male on gravel road, A.A.E.

Williams (in WAM); 1 9, Corrigin Bushland Wildflower Trail, 1.xi.2010,

32?20'18.7"S 117?49'55.6"E, tammar shrubland open low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E.

Williams (in WAM); 1 3, 1 9, Corrigin Bushland, 20.xi.2011, 32?20'18.7"S

117?49'55.5"E, tammar shrubland and open low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams

(in WAM); 2 3, 1 9, Corrigin Bushland, 13.xi.2012, 32?20'23.5"S 117?49'46.2"E,

tammar shrubland and open low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM);

4 ő, Corrigin Bushland, 13.xi2012, 32°20°18.7’S 117?49'55.6"E, tammar

shrubland: flying along gravel track, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 9, Frank Hann

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 121

National Park, 22.xi.2011, 33?04'48.3"S 120?01'36.7"E, near C. fimbriata sedge on

western park boundary, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 d, Kukerin Bushland,

1.xi.2010, 33?10'26.6"S 118?04'39.7"E, open mallee and tammar, small shrubs and

sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 9, Kukerin Bushland, 21.xi.2011,

33?10'36.5"S 118?04'20.9"E, open mallee woodland sparse shrubs and sedges,

A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 3 4, Kukerin Bushland, 8.xi.2012, 33?10'35.4"S

118?04' 17.4"E, open mallee / shrubland, Chamaexeros fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams

(in WAM); 7 £ ĝ, Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 1.xi.2010, 32?39'47.8"S

118?08'27.3"E, mallee / Allocasuarina over low shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams

(in WAM); 2 £ ĝ, Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 8.xi.2010, 32?39'49.4"S

118?08'28.6"E, mallee / Allocasuarina over low shrubs sedges, A.A.E. Williams (1 in

WAM, 1 in ANIC); 2 §ĝĝ, 1 9, Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 8.xi.2010,

32?39'47.8"S 118?08'27.3"E, mallee and Allocasuarina over low shrubs and sedges,

A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 2 cd, Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive Trail,

8.xi.2010, 32?39'56.0"S 118?08'32.5"E, mallee and Allocasuarina over low shrubs

and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 3 £ĝ, Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive

Trail, 20.xi.2011, 32?39'49.8"S 118?08'30.2"E, mallee and Allocasuarina mixed

shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 2 do, 1 9, Kulin Bushland,

Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 20.xi.2011, 32?39'52.6"S 118?08'34.4"E, Euc macrocarpa |

tammar shrubs and sparse sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 ĝ, Kulin Bushland,

Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 23.xi.2011, 32?39'49.8"S 118?08'30.2"E, mallee and

Allocasuarina mixed shrubs and sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 3, 3 99,

Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 23.xi.2011, 32?39'52.6"S 118?08'34.4"E,

Euc macrocarpa / tammar shrubs and sparse sedges, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM);

3 dd, Kulin Bushland, Macrocarpa Drive Trail, 7.xi.2012, 32?39'49.8"S

118?08'30.2"E, mallee and Allocasuarina mixed shrubs and sedges, A. A.E. Williams

(in WAM); 6 Gd, 1 9, Kunjin Bushland, 12 km WSW of Corrigin, 7.xi.2012,

32?20'56.0"S 117?46'15.0"E, mallee, tammar, Melaleuca over Chamaexeros

fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM, one aberrant male, cream hind wings); 1 3,

Kunjin Bushland, 12 km WSW of Corrigin, 13.xi.2012, 32?21'06.0"S 117?46'12.8"E,

mallee, tammar, Melaleuca over Chamaexeros fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (in

WAM); 4 33, 2 99, Kunjin Bushland, 12 km WSW of Corrigin, 13.xi.2012,

32?21'06.0"$ 117?46'12.8"E, mallee, tammar, Melaleuca over Chamaexeros

fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (3 33,2 9°, in WAM, 1 d in AKC); 1 d, North Lomos

Road, 25 km west of Corrigin, 13.xi.2012, 32°21°26.2”S 117?36'37.2"E, tammar

shrubland over Chamaexeros fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM), 14 3d, 2 99,

North Tarin Rock Nature Reserve, 8.xi.2012, 32?58'52.6"S 118?16'01.5"E, tammar

heath, sedges and Chamaexeros fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 £, Overhue

Nature Reserve, 7.xi.2012, 32?22'18.8"S 117?34'50.9"E, tammar shrubland over

Chamaexeros fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 5 £ ĝ, Overhue Nature Reserve,

13.x1.2012, 32?22723.4"S 117?34'58.3"E, tammar shrubland over Chamaexeros

fimbriata, A.A.E. Williams (in WAM); 1 ĝ, Tarin Rock Nature Reserve, 8.xi.2012,

33?06'26.5"S 118?12'25.5"E, open mallee heath, sedges, Chamaexeros fimbriata,

A.A.E. Williams (in WAM).

Description. Holotype male (Figs 1-2). Head prominent; eyes large and

rounded, eye surface very finely faceted, eye colour olive brown evenly

spotted dull black in fresh specimen. Top of head densely scaled from

between antennae and eyes to frons; each scale grey-brown with whitish

122 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

serrated ends or bifurcate tips. A line of long white vertical piliform hair-

scales is located immediately behind the eyes and antennal bases. Antennae

clubbed, antennal length 8.5 to 9 mm, extending less than half way along the

forewing costa. Antennal shaft slender, evenly scaled black with seventeen

evenly spaced narrow white segmental bands; white bands narrow above,

more diffuse on underside of shaft. Antennal tip clubbed, club with short

finely pointed tip. Scales on upperside of antennal club black, scales on

underside of club predominantly white from base towards tip. Nudum narrow

8-10 flagellomeres. Labial palps densely covered in white scales that partially

obscure a very short rudimentary proboscis; proboscis length <2.0 mm. De-

scaled labial palp reveals a bulbous basal segment and a long tapered mid

segment attached at right angles and pointing anteriorly; the apical segment is

small and short. [Proboscis and labial palps preserved in alcohol vial V518 —

ex specimen # C 1091]. Thorax large, central portion of mesothorax dark

grey, almost bare, but with some flattened scales and short white scale hairs.

Prothorax and dorsolateral region of mesothorax above wing bases densely

covered with a crescent-shaped shield of slightly raised overlapping scales,

each scale grey-brown tipped whitish grey. A cluster of semi-erect

dorsolateral elongate blackish-grey scales is located just above the base of the

forewing. [These erect scales form the settled posture 'shoulder tufts' so

characteristic of this sun-moth species group (Williams and Williams

2013a)]. Metathorax scales at junction with the abdomen are overlain with

tufted long brown hairs emanating from the pleuron immediately behind the

hindwing bases. Sternum covered with long whitish scales and hairs. Legs

with white scales; tarsi on each leg with numerous short and acute posteriorly

facing spines. Epiphysis short, with rounded tip, covered in short spines not

nearly reaching the end of the foretibia. Abdomen above orange-brown

covered in small round scales; anal tuft conspicuous, composed of narrow

elongate orange-brown scales tipped whitish. Underside of abdomen grey-

brown, banded with whitish scales at abdominal segment joints. Forewing:

moderately slender, base to apex 14.5 mm, costa almost straight, slightly

curved inwards near tip, apex pointed. Termen gently curved outwards,

dorsum initially straight, angled inwards at midpoint to wing base

attachment; upper surface entirely covered with slightly elongate serrated

edged scales. Venation with accessory cell formed by anastomosis of the

stem of R4+5 and R3 (Fig. 5). Upperside ground colour grey, paler in central

subterminal to median area between two parallel indistinct broken black

lines. The inner line of indistinct black markings runs from above the angled

dorsum and culminates in three elongate postmedian black markings along

Mi, M, and M; near the costa. The outer line of indistinct black subtornal-

subterminal spots runs parallel to the termen. The forewing termen is

narrowly edged grey-brown, with fringing scales whitish grey, tipped grey-

brown. Hindwing: comparatively small and rounded; upper surface covered

with small rounded scales, scale edges smooth, occasionally minutely

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 123

serrated. Hindwing upperside ground colour black, with broad deep bright

orange postmedian band from 1A+2A to M,. Large deep bright orange discal

patch located between CuA, and M,. Orange hindwing patches separated by

an irregular but unbroken black crossband. Outer border black, termen fringe

scales whitish grey tipped grey-brown except for small patch of white fringe

scales towards apex. Underside of wings: forewing scales variable, both

rounded and serrated; ground colour brownish grey merging to pale grey in

subtornal-dorsum area; prominent black subapical spot from which three

smaller elongate white markings extend towards apex; subcostal area from

wing base to subterminal line and median area dull orange, enclosing two

almost confluent median-subcostal black spots. Hindwing underside scales

usually serrated; ground colour black, apex grey; underside orange markings

similar to above but extending to the basal area and inner dorsum alongside

the abdomen; lower subbasal area and inner margin above dorsum overlain

with long golden hair-scales arising from hindwing base. Frenulum long,

pointed, dark brown (Fig. 6).

1 Huron 2 ppn pgn

lem 1 2 js 1 2

fiom rp up] [s nup]

mis 2 mida

3 4

Figs 1-4. Synemon edwardsi sp. n.: (1-2) male upper and undersides, Kukerin

Bushland, C 2011 (WAM); (3-4) female upper and undersides, North Tarin Rock

Nature Reserve, C 2856 (WAM).

124 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Female (Figs 3-4) similar to male but usually larger. Forewing broad and

rounded, hind wing also rounded and proportionately larger than that of the

male. Forewing upperside pattern similar to male but black markings often

more distinct (Fig. 3). Hindwing upperside pattern more pronounced, the

deep bright orange postmedian band extending into the inner dorsum margin

alongside the abdomen (Fig. 3). This postmedian band is separated more

clearly from the deep orange discal patch by a broad black crossband that

joins the heavy black outer border. The female underside resembles the male,

but the deep orange colouration is brighter and far more extensive.

Variation. There is considerable variation in the black markings on the

upperside of the forewing in this species. In some individuals the markings

are indistinct; in others the inner line markings may be almost confluent,

forming a more distinct line. The outer line of spots parallel to the termen

may also be bold and more pronounced, especially in females. One aberrant

male from Kunjin Bushland, west-south-west of Corrigin, has cream rather

than deep bright orange hindwing colouration. Male wingspan varies from

26-32 mm, female wingspan from 30-35 mm.

Male genitalia (Figs 7-9). Uncus short, broadly rounded with a few short

setae; gnathos arms broad flat plates fused below; anal tube well sclerotised;

tegumen broad, expanding to very broad where it joins the vinculum;

vinculum sharply angled and poorly sclerotised above angle; saccus with

broadly bifurcated arms; juxta well developed, bent sharply backwards to a

point; valva compact, almost quadrate with prominent upturned spine at tip

with numerous short setae and costa with stout setae; aegeagus moderately

long, well sclerotised, broad and broadening anteriorly with phallobase

sharply recurved, with flattened tip; ductus ejaculatorius much longer than

aedeagus, with numerous coils.

Female genitalia (Fig. 10). Papillae anales short-pointed, sclerotised;

ovipositor long, fairly narrow, extensible, sclerotised, with stout lateral hairs

towards tip, numerous fine setae near base; apophyses long, heavily

sclerotised; sinus vaginalis with sclerotised thickening; ostium bursae at

posterior edge of sternum 7; ductus bursae long, narrow, tightly coiled;

corpus bursae spherical without signum.

Etymology. This species is named in honour of E.D. (Ted) Edwards, a world

authority on the Australian Castniidae, in recognition of his significant

contribution to our present knowledge of the Australian sun-moth fauna.

Proposed English name. Splendid Sun-moth.

Larval food plant. 'The larval food plant is Chamaexeros fimbriata (F. Muell.)

Benth. (Asparagaceae), a species very closely related to the matt-rush genus

Lomandra (Asparagaceae), which is utilised by members of the same species

group, S. gratiosa, S. jcaria and S. laeta (see Table 1).

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 125

Figs 5-6. Synemon edwardsi sp. n., male wing venation, Corrigin (Slide M-18641

(ANIC)): (5) forewing; (6) hind wing and frenulum.

0.5 mm

9 0.5 mm

10 100m

Figs 7-10. Synemon edwardsi sp. n.: (7) male genitalia showing aedeagus, Charles

Gardner Nat. Res. (Slide M-13638 (ANIC)); (8) male genitalia, aedeagus removed,

right valva removed and placed on left of photo, remainder viewed from right side,

Charles Gardner Nat. Res. (Slide M-13638 (ANIC)); (9) male genitalia, cut laterally

on right side, spread and flattened, Charles Gardner Nat. Res. (Slide M-13639

(ANIC)); (10) female genitalia, Charles Gardner Nat. Res. (Slide M18640 (ANIC)).

126

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Table 1. Diagnostic features and flight times for Synemon edwardsi, S. gratiosa, S.

jcaria and S. laeta.

SPECIES

AVERAGE

WING

SPAN

S. 3 30mm

edwardsi O 32mm

S. Ó 24 mm

gratiosa Q 30mm

g 32mm

9 38mm

ĝ 35 mm

O 42mm

FOREWING

UPPERSIDE

Uniform grey

above with

two oblique

parallel

broken black

lines

Variably

patterned

above with

cryptic grey,

black and

whitish

forewing

markings

Variably

patterned

above with

cryptic grey,

black and

whitish

forewing

markings

Ground

colour grey to

grey-brown,

with three

black to

blackish

patches

forming

distinct

partial bands

across the

forewing.

HINDWING

UPPERSIDE

Deep bright

orange with a

broad black

border, solid

black central

band

Orange with

blackish

border, centre

unmarked or

with variable

blackish

markings,

sometimes

with a curved

black

crossband.

Blackish

subbasal spot

usually

absent.

Orange with

blackish

border, partial

or complete

curved black

central band,

blackish

subbasal spot

almost always

present.

Orange with

broad black

border and

solid black

crossband.

Distinct

blackish spot

at base of

hindwing.

PROBOSCIS

Very short

rudimentary

proboscis

Very short

rudimentary

proboscis

Very short

rudimentary

proboscis

Short coiled

but

apparently

functional

proboscis

FLIGHT

PERIOD

November

Feb - April

Note: Synemon edwardsi and S. gratiosa are Western Australian species; S. jcaria is

found in eastern and Western Australia, while S. laeta occurs in eastern Australia.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 127

No detailed life history information is available for S. edwardsi apart from

the fact that mid stage and mature larvae were found in the rhizomes of

C. fimbriata plants at Charles Gardner Nature Reserve in November 2010.

This suggests the life cycle may take two or more years to complete.

Synemon edwardsi

| eo

Kununurra

Newman

Wiluna Warburton

. .

Mount Magnet

Wubin

Kalgoorlie

LÀ

Norseman

400 Keometers

Fig. 11. Map of Western Australia showing distribution of Synemon edwardsi.

Distribution. The species is currently known from ten localities in the central

and southern wheatbelt (Fig. 11): Charles Gardner Nature Reserve, Corrigin

Bushland (now a Nature Reserve), Kunjin Bushland, native bushland

alongside North Lomos Road near Corrigin, Kulin Bushland, Tarin Rock

Nature Reserve, Overhue Nature Reserve, North Tarin Rock Nature Reserve,

128 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Kukerin Bushland and the western boundary of Frank Hann National Park.

The nine westernmost sites between Charles Gardner Nature Reserve and

Kukerin Bushland are all isolated patches of native vegetation surrounded by

cleared farmland. Only the outlying southeastern population on the western

boundary of Frank Hann National Park adjoins a large expanse of

uninterrupted native bushland.

Recognition. Synemon edwardsi can be readily distinguished from the two

Western Australian species S. jcaria and S. gratiosa. These two autumn-

flying sun-moths are morphologically similar, although most specimens of

S. jcaria (Figs 16-19) are noticeably larger, more heavily marked and have

more extensive underside white spotting than typical S. gratiosa (Figs 12-15)

(Williams et al. in prep.).

\ , "^ a

12 13

uH HH HE LE HIT] p Hp HH HR LH ELT

` es

jungi pm rn ttt jungi rm p HH HT

Figs 12-15. Synemon gratiosa: (12) dorsal, Tamala Park, Perth; (13) ventral,

Tamala Park, Perth; (14) 9 dorsal, Yanchep, Perth; (15) 9 ventral), Yanchep, Perth.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 129

TL LLU LLL LL L7 RUT TOON LLU LLL LLL LL

ES dupri toto ttti Ho HH 03 I9. qun Hip Hunt

Figs 16-19. Synemon jcaria: (16) dorsal, Namelkatchem Nature Reserve; (17) 3

ventral, Namelkatchem Nature Reserve; (18) 9 dorsal, Drummond Nature Reserve,

Toodyay; (19) 9 ventral, Drummond Nature Reserve, Toodyay.

Synemon edwardsi can be readily identified in the field, being the only sun-

moth of this size and colouration flying in the Western Australian wheatbelt

in November (Figs 20-21).

Habitat. Synemon edwardsi is always found in close proximity to its larval

food plant, C. fimbriata (Figs 22-23), which grows on sandy-clay soils. The

sun-moths most frequently occur in open mallee / shrubland over open low

heath with C. fimbriata, or within Tamma, Allocasuarina campestris,

dominated shrubland where the ground cover is very open, low Borya sp.

with scattered small sedges and tussocks of C. fimbriata. The presence of the

larval food plant does not necessarily ensure that the sun-moth is present.

Behaviour and flight period. This small, fast-flying sun-moth occurs in

isolated colonies where it invariably flies close to the ground. Males set up

territories in areas of open ground and, where available, will frequently use

low termite mounds as perching points (Fig. 23) (Williams and Williams

2013b). The flight period is very short, in some cases lasting only 2 weeks.

130 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Figs 20-21. Synemon edwardsi sp. n.: (20) male basking posture, hindwing upperside

exposed; (21) male settled closed-wing posture, showing elongate pointed forewing

with diagnostic indistinct parallel broken black lines (photos by Andrew Williams).

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 131

^ T = hod ome E. wait o uir: ! :

Figs 22-23. (22) Typical habitat for Synemon edwardsi — note the large Chamaexeros

fimbriata tussock plant to the left of the termite mound; (23) Synemon edwardsi larval

food plant, Chamaexeros fimbriata (photos by Andrew Williams).

132 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Adults fly in November, but the exact date of their emergence depends on

annual weather conditions. In dry years the species appears in very early

November but in cooler, wetter seasons does not fly until later in the month

(Williams and Williams 2013b). The sun-moths are active in warm to hot

sunny conditions and, like other species, will settle when cloud cover

appears.

Conservation status and management implications. In view of predicted

drying trends for the Western Australian wheatbelt, this sun-moth may be

regarded as threatened in the northern parts of its range where it is restricted

to a few small remnant patches of native vegetation (Williams and Williams

2013a). Only if the species is found in the more extensive moister southern

native bushlands in and near Frank Hann National Park, where its larval food

plant is known to occur, can its status be regarded as more secure.

Discussion

The original three S. edwardsi specimens were collected by Athol Douglas.

Two of these have not been located; the third is in the Australian National

Insect Collection in Canberra, on loan from the Western Australian Museum.

The only information on the original specimen label is 48.2950. This refers to

a 1948 acquisition entry in the WA Museum Register on 24th December

1948. The specimens were probably collected on a field trip in November

1948 and deposited in the WA Museum collection the following month

(Brian Hanich, WAM Invertebrate Collection Manager, pers. comm.).

Almost five decades later, Dr Terry Houston secured a female at Charles

Gardner Nature Reserve on 21 November 1996. His field notebook records

‘Flying at 3:30 pm in Borya / sedge area and perched on dead stem 40 cm

high — castniid.' (T.F. Houston pers. comm.). Recent searches at Charles

Gardner Nature Reserve ultimately resulted in the location of a population of

S. edwardsi there and the identification of C. fimbriata (Fig. 23) as its larval

food plant. The Department of Parks and Wildlife’s Florabase website

provided location data for other C. fimbriata sites where S. edwardsi might

be expected to occur. Targeted surveys at these locations resulted in the ten

confirmed S. edwardsi localities listed above.

Synemon edwardsi belongs to a group of four allied sun-moths, the other

three being S. gratiosa, S. jcaria and S. laeta. This group is characterised by

the presence of an accessory cell in the forewing and the Asparagaceae

feeding habit of the larva. It shares the compact valva and the presence of

sensory hairs near the base of the ovipositor with the S. magnifica group.

Synemon edwardsi, S. gratiosa and S. jcaria all occur in southwestern

Western Australia (Williams and Williams 2013b), while S. laeta is confined

to eastern Queensland (CSIRO 2015) and northern New South Wales

(Murphy 2015). The flight times of the three Western Australian species

differ: S. gratiosa and its inland relative S. jcaria fly in late summer and

autumn, while S. edwardsi flies in late spring (Williams and Williams 2013b,

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 133

Williams et al. in prep.). As the distribution of S. jcaria overlaps that of

S. edwardsi and, in places their respective food plants grow together, it is

possible that at some sites the two species coexist but remain temporally

separated. It is interesting that both S. gratiosa and S. jcaria have reduced,

barely functional mouthparts and fly at times when flowering plants are not

generally available. Synemon edwardsi has similarly reduced mouthparts that

appear inadequate for normal nectar intake but it flies at times when at least

some plants are in flower. Synemon laeta from eastern Australia has a short

apparently functional proboscis but, like its Western Australian counterparts,

is not known to visit flowers (E.D. Edwards pers. comm.).

Genetic analysis has confirmed that S. edwardsi is a distinct species, its

closest relatives being S. gratiosa and S. jcaria (Williams et al. 2012). The

larval food plants for all four sun-moth species belong to the plant family

Asparagaceae: S. gratiosa, S. jcaria and S. laeta all feed on Lomandra

species (Edwards 1997, Edwards pers. comm., pers. obs.). The food plant for

S. edwardsi, Chamaexeros fimbriata, is very closely related to Lomandra;

indeed, it has been proposed that the genus Chamaexeros be included within

Lomandra (Greg Keighery, Department of Parks and Wildlife, pers. comm.).

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Yu Ning Su, CSIRO Australian National Insect

Collection, for the genitalia and wing venation slide illustrations, and Brian

Hanich and Nik Tatarnic, Western Australian Museum, for the sun-moth

photo illustrations. Ted Edwards provided guidance and helpful comments on

the original draft manuscript.

References

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the graceful sun-moth (Synemon gratiosa) & site habitat assessments. Department of

Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA; 20 pp.

BISHOP, C., WILLIAMS, M., MITCHELL, D., WILLIAMS, A., FISSIOLI, J. and GAMBLIN,

T. 2010b. Conservation of the graceful sun-moth (Synemon gratiosa): findings from the 2010

graceful sun-moth surveys and habitat assessments across the Swan, South West and southern

Midwest regions: interim report, August 2010. Department of Environment and Conservation,

Kensington, WA; 30 pp.

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species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org

EDWARDS, E.D. 1997. Moths in the sun. ANIC News 10: 7-8.

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Department of Parks and Wildlife. hitps://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/

GAMBLIN, T., BISHOP, C., WILLIAMS, M. and WILLIAMS, A. 2011. Graceful sun-moth

(Synemon gratiosa). Available at: —http://vww.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-

research/publications-resources/ I 11-sciences-division-information-sheets. 41/2011.2p.

MURPHY, M.J. 2015. First records of the sun moth Synemon laeta Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera:

Castniidae) from New South Wales. Victorian Naturalist 132(2): 44-48.

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WESTWOOD, J.O. 1879. A monograph of the lepidopterous Genus Castnia and some allied

groups. Transactions of the Linnean Society, Series 2, Zoology 1: 155-207, pls 28-33.

WILLIAMS, A. and WILLIAMS, M. 2013a. Sun-moth haven in the wheatbelt: Wyalkatchem

Nature Reserve. Landscope 28(4): 24-30.

WILLIAMS, A.A.E. and WILLIAMS, M.R. 2013b. Kukerin sun-moth, Synemon sp. Kukerin,

rediscovered. Available at: = http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/

publications-resources/l 1 1 -science-division-information-sheets. 67/2013, 2 p.

WILLIAMS, A.A.E. and WILLIAMS, M.R. 2016. Castniidae Database (sorted by species /

locality / date). Department of Parks and Wildlife, Science and Conservation Division,

Kensington WA; p. 66.

WILLIAMS, M. 2012. “Graceful sun-moth — survey results". Western Australian Insect Study

Society Newsletter. April 2012: 3-6.

WILLIAMS, M., BISHOP, C., MITCHELL, D., WILLIAMS A. and GAMBLIN, T. 2012.

Conservation of the graceful sun-moth (Synemon gratiosa): survey results from the Swan, South

West and southern Midwest regions 2010-2012: summary report. Department of Environment

and Conservation, Kensington, WA; 16 pp.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 135-150 135

THE GENERA EOOPHYLA SWINHOE AND NYMPHICULA

SNELLEN (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE: ACENTROPINAE) IN

FIJI, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR NEW SPECIES

JOHN CLAYTON

15 Whinny Brae, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2HU, United Kingdom

(Email: john.clayton1 1 @ gmail.com)

Abstract

The related moth genera Eoophyla Swinhoe and Nymphicula Snellen from Fiji are reviewed.

Seven Eoophyla species are fully described, including the newly described E. albipuncta,

E. vitiensis, E. lutea and E. montana, plus three other species newly transferred to Eoophyla

from three different genera. Previously described Nymphicula species from Fiji are included here

for completeness and comparison, since they are superficially very similar.

Introduction

Species belonging to a number of genera of the subfamily Acentropinae

(previously known as Nymphulinae) show considerable superficial similarity

in terms of wing markings. These are small, attractive moths (Fig. 1), with

markings similar to those shown in Figs 2-13, the dark marginal spots on the

hind wing being particularly characteristic. A collection of moths from Fiji

from the years 1991-1998, with a few from later years, included 138

specimens of this general type. In the past, species similar to these have been

assigned to a variety of genera, including Cataclysta Hiibner, Nymphicula

Snellen, Eoophyla Swinhoe, Aulacodes Guenée, Oligostigma Guenée,

Margarosticha Lederer and Anydraula Meyrick. Yoshiyasu (1980) noted that

Nymphicula had long been treated as a synonym of Cataclysta and that many

species had been described under this genus from tropical regions. He

proposed the removal of Nymphicula from this synonymy, with Cataclysta

being restricted to a single Palaearctic species, C. lemnata (Linnaeus).

Speidel and Mey (1999) catalogued the Oriental Acentropinae, moving many

species to new generic combinations. They listed Eoophyla as the most

species-rich genus among those being considered here (49 species), followed

by the reinstated Nymphicula (22 species).

Ten species belonging to these genera were found in Fiji, including the two

Nymphicula species (see below). Seven species were assigned to Eoophyla.

Of these, three were previously described species that are assigned new

generic combinations, while four are described as new. The tenth is a single

specimen of an apparently undescribed species, which can provisionally be

assigned to Nymphicula but cannot be fully described as the abdomen is

missing.

Agassiz (2014) reviewed Nymphicula in Australia, New Guinea and the

South Pacific, including descriptions of 23 new species and five existing

species, with several new generic combinations. Two of these species,

N. cyanolitha (Meyrick) (Cataclysta) and N. australis (Felder & Rogenhofer)

(Margarosticha) were originally described from Fiji. A number of specimens

136 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

of each of these two species were taken during the present study. These

species were fully described and illustrated by Agassiz (2014), including

male and female genitalia, but illustrations of the adults are included here for

the purposes of comparison and completeness, as the wing patterns are

superficially similar to those of the Eoophyla species. Their distribution in

Fiji is also noted.

Eoophyla species are known to be aquatic in their early stages, whereas

Nymphicula species are terrestrial. Indeed, this is listed by Speidel (1984) as

one of the defining features of the genus. No confirmation of these

characteristics could be made from the current work, as the early stages were

not studied. However, the eastern parts of Fiji have a very wet climate and

water was abundant in the forest locations where trapping took place.

Fig 1. Assemblage of Eoophyla vitiensis sp. n. in Namosi Province, Fiji.

Materials and methods

A regular programme of light trapping was carried out during the period

1991-1998. This was used to sample the moth fauna at various lowland forest

locations in eastern Viti Levu. These included (with approximate

geographical coordinates) the provinces of Serua (-18?09*, 178°017), Namosi

(-18°06%, 178°10%) and Tailevu (-17?55* 178?30^) and in the general Suva

area (-18?04^, 178°26° and -18?09^, 178?26^). A small number of visits were

also made to Cakaudrove Province in Vanua Levu (-16?25^, 179?54^. These

locations ranged in altitude from sea level to 200 m. Recording also took

place in montane forest in Naitasiri Province (-17°437, 178?01^) at an altitude

of 900 m. A battery-powered trap was employed, using a 6W actinic tube as

light source. This allowed easier access to more remote locations. A small

number of further visits were made up to 2013.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 137

Systematics

The higher classification followed here is that of Regier et al. (2012), who

confirmed the monophyly of the Acentropinae as a subfamily of the

Crambidae.

Family Crambidae

Subfamily Acentropinae

Genus Eoophyla Swinhoe, 1900

Swinhoe (1900) defined this genus based on the males having a long hair-tuft

contained within a fold on the mid-tibia and both sexes having the hind wing

excised below the apex. Speidel (1984) confirmed these as the defining

features of Eoophyla and they are present in the seven species placed here in

this genus, although the hindwing excision is quite minimal in some species.

The head, palps and antennae also agree with Speidel's wider generic

description and illustration. Speidel and Mey (1999) listed their Eoophyla

species in five groups. No attempt is made here to consider this or any further

grouping for the species under discussion. However, based on the general

form of the male genitalia and of the bursa copulatrix, these seven species

appear to be closely related. Speidel (1984) noted that, for Palaearctic

species, the bursa bore a signum consisting of two longitudinal bands of

sclerotisation. In the Fijian species, this feature 1s reduced to a single broken

band but is very consistent among the six species where the female genitalia

are available. Further study will be required to establish where the Fijian

species fit into any available species groupings.

The wing markings show no sexual dimorphism, although the males

consistently have somewhat more pointed forewings. It was therefore felt

unnecessary to illustrate adults of both sexes. The markings have much in

common among the species. The ground colour of the forewings varies from

pale greyish yellow through to rich reddish buff; the markings are mainly

whitish, sometimes with dark edging; all species have a costal stripe

extending from the base to approximately four-fifths, darker towards the

base; a narrow subterminal fascia widens towards the costa; basad is a costal

patch from approximately three-fifths to four-fifths, extending at least half

way across the wing. The shape of this patch can be diagnostic. In the hind

wing a striking feature is a series of six dark, marginal eye spots between

Sc+R, and Cup; sometimes these are white-pupilled and the spots are

surrounded by more or less black shading; in E. chrysota only four spots are

present. The precise conformation of these spots shows some variation

between species but in poorly marked or worn specimens considerable

overlap occurs. For convenience, these spots are numbered 1 to 6 (from

Sc+R, to Cu») in the descriptions that follow.

In the male genitalia, the valves are much broader than in Nymphicula, being

about twice as long as broad; the uncus is narrow and moderately long, but

not as strikingly so as in Nymphicula; the aedeagus of most species contains a

138 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

striking cornutus, or group of cornuti. As these form a valuable identifying

character, they are illustrated in detail here. In the female genitalia, little

useful detail is shown in the area of the ostium and the sterigmata; as referred

to above, the bursa copulatrix is remarkably uniform, each species having a

signum in the form of an extended row of small patches; the neck of the

ductus bursae shows varying areas of sclerotisation and/or swelling. This

feature can be diagnostic. In the individual species descriptions, the

diagnostic features noted are to be interpreted in the context of the Fijian

species. All types and genitalia slides have been deposited with the National

Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Eoophyla hexalitha (Meyrick, 1886), comb. n.

Cataclysta hexalitha Meyrick, 1886

(Figs 2, 3, 14, 21)

Redescription. Wingspan: male 18-20 mm, female 18-24 mm. This species

occurs in two distinct colour forms, one with the ground colour a bright

yellowish buff (Fig. 2) and the other a duller brownish buff (Fig. 3).

Markings are similar in both forms, whitish, with some clouding of the

ground colour. These forms occur in both sexes and the markings are similar

in each case. Head, thorax and abdomen more or less of ground colour.

Forewings with small basal fascia, followed by diffuse antemedial fascia

from termen at one-fifth to just below costa at two-fifths confluent with

discal patch; subtriangular dorsal patch from two-fifths to four-fifths

extending half way across wing with scattered shading of ground colour;

costal patch from three-fifths to four-fifths, extending about three-fifths

across wing; costal two-thirds broad and parallel sided, dorsal third half the

width due to excision of basal side; edged with blackish distad; again some

scattered shading of ground colour; subterminal fascia angled near dorsum,

then widening evenly to costa; edged distad and partially basad with blackish;

a terminal row of fine black dots. Hind wings with six very small, well

defined marginal black spots in a marginal band of the ground colour, with

fine white pupils which may be obsolete in all except 3 and 4; diffuse larger

black spot just inside marginal spot 4; terminal half of wing whitish speckled

with black; diffuse whitish basal fascia and medial fascia merging with

specked area.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 14; aedeagus with a striking group of 8 cornuti.

Female genitalia as in Fig. 21; ductus bursae with clearly defined constriction

a little beyond ostium followed by a sclerotised, slightly swollen section;

inner boundary of this sclerotised section diffuse, outer boundary sharp.

Signum a longitudinal row of about 20 small chitinous spots.

Distribution. Moderately common in lowland forest. Taken in Serua, Namosi

and the Suva area.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 139

Figs 2-9. Eoophyla spp: (2) E. hexalitha (Meyrick) d; (3) E. hexalitha (Meyrick) 9;

(4) E. albipuncta sp. n. 9; (5) E. albipuncta sp. n. ĝ; (6) E. vitiensis sp. n. 9; (7) E.

lutea sp. n. 9; (8) E. nephelanthopa (Meyrick) 9; (9) E. montana sp. n. £.

Diagnosis. Type examined. The four species E. hexalitha, E. vitiensis,

E. albipuncta and E. lutea have very similar wing markings, although

140 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

E. hexalitha can usually be distinguished by its larger size. The shape of the

costal patch in the forewing is diagnostic, as is the larger black spot adjacent

to marginal spot 4. In the male genitalia the cornuti are a very clear

diagnostic feature. In the female genitalia, the distinct constriction at the base

of the ductus bursae followed by the slightly swollen sclerotised section, with

the diffuse apical boundary, are also diagnostic.

Eoophyla albipuncta sp. n.

(Figs 4, 5, 15, 22)

Types. Holotype 3, FIJI: Viti Levu, Savura Creek, -18?04'15", 178?26'50", 17.vii.91,

at light, J.A. Clayton. Allotype 9, same data as holotype except 30.vi.92. Paratypes:

same data as holotype except Namosi Highlands, -18° 06' 08", 178° 10’ 30", 3 @d,

2] .ix.92, 21.ix.92 and 28.11.93, 2 9 9, 19.11.12 and 28.11.93; all J. Clayton.

Description. Wingspan: male 10-12 mm, female 11-14 mm. This species also

occurs in two distinct colour forms, one with the ground colour buff (Fig. 4)

and the other a much paler dull yellow (Fig 5). Markings whitish; in the

darker form some brownish shading; in the lighter form with a silvery tinge

and little shading, giving this form a generally washed out appearance. These

forms occur in both sexes and the markings are similar in each case. Head,

thorax and abdomen more or less of ground colour. Wings mostly as in

E. hexalitha. Forewings with basal shade edged broadly dark distad; a tooth-

shaped mark sloped distad from below costal stripe at one half, edged dark on

both sides; triangular dorsal patch from one-third to four-fifths and broadly

edged dark basad; a curved pale streak running from the apex of this mark to

the tornus; a costal patch extending about half way across wing, of even

shape, rounded dorsally; edged with blackish except near costa. Hind wings

with somewhat larger terminal black spots; 3 and 4 larger still with clear

white pupils, often coalescing; terminal two-fifths of wing whitish speckled

with black; medial fascia clear white, from costa, narrowing to a point about

half way across wing and with distinct sharp boundary to speckled area.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 15; aedeagus with a pair of large, almost identical,

structured cornuti. Female genitalia as in Fig. 22; no constriction or swelling

in ductus bursae; a narrow sclerotised submedial section with both

boundaries diffuse.

Etymology. The name albipuncta (Latin adjective) refers to the clear white

pupils in two of the hindwing marginal spots.

Distribution. Moderately common in lowland forest. Taken in Tailevu,

Namosi and the Suva area.

Diagnosis. The shape of the forewing costal patch immediately separates

E. albipuncta from E. hexalitha and the presence of the clear white medial

fascia in the hind wing separates it from E. lutea. It is very similarly marked

to E. vitiensis, from which it can best be separated by the sharply defined

distal boundary of the hindwing medial fascia. However, especially with

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 141

worn examples, examination of the genitalia will be necessary to reliably

separate the two. In the male genitalia the cornuti are a very clear diagnostic

feature. In the female genitalia the form of the sclerotised section of the

ductus bursae, with the lack of any swelling, is similar to E. nephelanthopa,

but the diffuse basal boundary is diagnostic. Signum forming a row of about

20 small chitinous spots across the apical area of the bursa copulatrix.

Eoophyla vitiensis sp. n.

(Figs 6, 16, 23)

Types. Holotype d, FIJI: Viti Levu, Savura Creek, -18?04'15" 178?26'50", 30.vi.92, at

light, J.A. Clayton. Allotype 9, same data as holotype except Namosi Highlands,

-18°06'08", 178?10* 0”, 30.vi.92. Paratypes: same data as holotype except Namosi

Highlands, -18°06'08", 178°10°30", d$, 2.1v.05, 2 99, Liv.08 and 2.iv.05, Suva,

-18?09'05", 178?26'05", £, 5.v.91; all J. Clayton.

Description. See Fig. 6. Wingspan: male 12-14 mm, female 13-16 mm.

Ground colour pale buff. Head and thorax paler buff; abdomen whitish buff.

Forewing markings almost identical to E. albipuncta. Hind wings with six

moderately sized black spots in a band of ground colour; spot 1 significantly

smaller than others; spots 3 and 4 with small white spot just basad, followed

by a diffuse black spot spanning both; terminal two-fifths of wing whitish

speckled with black; large white basal fascia and a narrow medial fascia

extending half way across wing from costa; band of ground colour between

this and speckled area. In poorly marked or faded specimens, the arrangement

of spots cannot be distinguished from that in E. albipuncta.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 16; valves with angular margins, the only species

under consideration exhibiting this feature; aedeagus with single, moderately

sclerotised, curved cornutus. Female genitalia as in Fig. 23; a constricted,

heavily sclerotised section just beyond mouth of the ductus bursae, followed

by a short clear band, then a sclerotised section with a well defined outer

boundary and diffuse inner boundary, followed by a somewhat expanded

section. Signum a longitudinal row of about 30 small chitinous spots.

Etymology. The name vitiensis indicates that this species is recorded from

many locations across Fiji.

Distribution. By far the most numerous of the Eoophyla species in Fiji.

Recorded from all the lowland forest locations and also from suburban Suva.

As well as the large numbers taken at light, it was observed to be very

numerous by day at times of emergence. On one occasion, very large

numbers were observed along the Nubukavesi Creek in Namosi Province,

resting on the leaves of overhanging trees (Fig. 1) and presenting a

remarkable appearance, with all facing in more or less the same direction.

Diagnosis. Eoophyla vitiensis is marked very similarly to E. albipuncta [q.v.],

from which it can be separated by the narrow, clear white hindwing medial

fascia, with a clear band of ground colour between this and the distal

142 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

speckled area. In the male genitalia the shape of the valves is diagnostic, as is

the shape of the single cornutus. In the female genitalia the conformation of

the sclerotised sections in the ductus bursae is diagnostic.

Eoophyla lutea sp. n.

(Figs 7, 17, 24)

Types. Holotype 4, FIJI: Viti Levu, Nukurua, -17?55/25", 178?30'06', 9.iii.94, at

light, J.A. Clayton. Allotype 9, same data as holotype except 3.vi.95. Paratypes: same

data as holotype except 9, 3.vi.95, 6, Vanua Levu, Nakula Estate, -16?25'54",

179?54^55", 10.11.13; all J. Clayton.

Description. See Fig 7. Wingspan: male 12-13 mm, female 16 mm. Ground

colour rich orange-buff. Head, thorax and abdomen more or less of ground

colour. Wing markings somewhat similar to E. vitiensis. Forewings with

small dark brown basal fascia followed by narrower whitish subbasal fascia;

dorsal patch and markings in discal area heavily shaded greyish brown,

giving the central area of the wings a much darker appearance; costal patch

intermediate in shape between EF. vitiensis and E. hexalitha. Hind wings with

marginal spots and terminal speckled area similar to E. vitiensis, small

whitish basal fascia and somewhat obscure medial fascia with much shading

of ground colour; clear bands of ground colour either side of medial fascia.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 17; aedeagus with two striking structured cornuti,

one tapering basad and one distad. Female genitalia as in Fig. 24; a

pronounced, moderately sclerotised swelling just before midpoint with a

diffuse boundary at both ends. Signum a longitudinal row of about 10 small

chitinous spots.

Etymology. The name lutea (Latin, adjective) refers to the overall orange/buff

colouration.

Distribution. Six specimens were taken in lowland forest — in Serua, Namosi,

Cakaudrove and the Suva area.

Diagnosis. Eoophyla lutea is very similarly marked to E. vitiensis and

E. albipuncta [q.v.]. The dark basal fascia in the forewing, together with the

dark appearance of the medial area, is diagnostic, as is the absence of a clear

whitish medial fascia in the hind wing. In fresh specimens the rich ground

colour may be diagnostic but this quickly fades. In the male genitalia the

cornuti are diagnostic. In the female genitalia the conformation of the swollen

section and its position on the ductus bursae are diagnostic.

Eoophyla nephelanthopa (Meyrick, 1934), comb. n.

Aulacodes nephelanthopa Meyrick, 1934

(Figs 8, 18, 25)

Redescription. See Fig. 8. Wingspan: male 13-17 mm, female 15-20 mm.

Ground colour orange-buff in distal half of both wings, shading to dull

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 143

brownish towards base and costa. Markings whitish, with some dull brown

shading. Head, thorax and abdomen dull brownish. Forewings with clear

white subquadrate discal mark; large subquadrate dorsal patch from two-

fifths to four-fifths, extending half way across wing; costal patch from three-

fifths to four-fifths, broad and rounded towards dorsum and extending three-

fifths across wing, with considerable brownish shading and confluent with

corner of dorsal patch; subterminal fascia widening from dorsum to around

one half, then continuing to near costa; some brownish shading in dorsal half;

more or less edged distad with brown; a terminal row of dark brownish dots.

Hind wings with six moderate marginal black spots, with clear white pupils;

spots 3 and 4 with additional black shading basad, causing the two to

coalesce; terminal two-thirds of wing whitish, finely specked with brown;

whitish medial fascia from costa extending to two-thirds across wing, angled

at dorsal end leaving a clear ‘V’ shaped band of orange-buff ground colour;

diffuse whitish basal fascia.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 18; aedeagus with a pair of long narrow, slightly

curved cornuti, only moderately sclerotised. Female genitalia as in Fig. 25;

very similar to E. albipuncta but with basal boundary of sclerotised section

sharply defined. Signum a longitudinal row of about 20 small chitinous spots.

Distribution. Five specimens were taken in lowland forest — in Tailevu,

Namosi, Serua and the Suva area. One specimen was taken in montane forest

in Naitasiri.

Diagnosis. Type examined. The wing markings of the two species

E. nephelanthopa and E. montana are somewhat distinct from the other

Eoophyla species but superficially similar to each other. Although

E. nephelanthopa is normally darker and duller overall, in worn specimens

this may not be conclusive. The shape of the costal patch in the forewing and

the ‘V’ shape of the orange band in the hind wing are diagnostic for

E. nephelanthopa. In the male genitalia the cornuti are diagnostic. In the

female genitalia the form of the sclerotised section of the ductus bursae, with

the lack of any swelling, is similar to E. albipuncta but the sharply defined

basal boundary is diagnostic.

Eoophyla montana sp. n.

(Figs 9, 19, 26)

Types. Holotype ĝ, FIJI: Viti Levu, Monasavu, -17?43'00", 178°01'45”, 4.v.06, at

light, J.A. Clayton. Allotype 9, same data as holotype except 15.xii.96. Paratype 9,

same data as allotype; all J. Clayton.

Description. See Fig. 9. Wingspan: male 17-21 mm, female 22-25 mm.

Ground colour similar to E. nephelanthopa but somewhat brighter. Head,

thorax and abdomen whitish grey. Forewings with irregular whitish subbasal

fascia; large subtriangular dorsal patch from two-fifths to four-fifths and two-

144 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

thirds across wing, confluent with discal mark; costal patch from three-fifths

to four-fifths, in the form of a broad ‘S’ shape and extending three-fifths

across wing; subterminal fascia narrow and parallel sided with some

brownish shading from tornus two-thirds of way towards costa, then

widening and clear white for final third; more or less edged distad with

brown. Hind wings with terminal spots similar to E. nephelanthopa but

smaller; terminal two-thirds of wing whitish, very finely specked with pale

brown; whitish medial fascia from costa to two-thirds across wing, curved

round at dorsal end leaving a clear ‘U’ shaped band of orange-buff ground

colour; diffuse whitish basal fascia.

Male genitalia are shown in Fig. 19; aedeagus with a very large, striking,

heavily sclerotised and structured cornutus, over half the length of the

aedeagus. Female genitalia are shown in Fig. 26; ductus bursae with large

strongly sclerotised expanded section, occupying most of the exterior half;

basal boundary sharply defined, but apical boundary diffuse. Signum a

longitudinal row of about 12 small chitinous spots.

Etymology. The name montana (Latin, adjective) refers to the fact that this

species was taken only in montane forest.

Distribution. Six specimens were taken, all in montane forest in Naitasiri

Province. This is the only known Eoophyla or Nymphicula species in Fiji

which appears to be restricted to montane forest.

Diagnosis. Eoophyla montana is normally brighter with more clearly defined

markings than E. nephelanthopa, although in worn specimens this may not be

conclusive. The shape of the costal patch in the forewing and the ‘U’ shape of

the orange area on the hind wing are diagnostic for E. montana. In the male

genitalia the cornutus is diagnostic. In the female genitalia the conformation

of the large expanded and sclerotised section of the ductus bursae is

diagnostic.

Eoophyla chrysota (Meyrick, 1886), comb. n.

Paraponyx [sic] chrysota Meyrick, 1886

(Figs 10, 20)

Redescription. See Fig. 10. Wingspan: male 14 mm, female 17-19 mm.

Ground colour bright yellowish buff in terminal area of both wings,

becoming light brownish buff then darker brown towards base. Markings

whitish. Head light brown. Thorax yellowish buff becoming light brown

posteriorly. Abdomen pale buff. Forewings with small whitish basal fascia; a

diffuse dark brown spot in the discal area, preceded by a diffuse area of

whitish colour; costal patch from three-fifths to four-fifths, triangular in

shape and extending half way across wing; subterminal fascia whitish ending

just short of dorsum, parallel to termen, of approximately equal width

throughout and edged distad with a series of well defined brown dashes;

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 145

a terminal row of dark brownish dots. Hind wings with only four terminal

spots; spots 1 and 2 obsolete and 3 extremely small; spots 4, 5 and 6 small,

with 4 and 5 bordered basad by a small white semicircle; a narrow whitish

subterminal fascia parallel to termen, partially edged distad with a fine brown

line; basal two-thirds of wing clear white, with two dark brown dashes placed

centrally on the distal border; very small dark brown basal fascia.

Male genitalia as in Fig. 20; aedeagus narrow, with a single long, narrow

cornutus which is only lightly sclerotised. Female genitalia not examined, as

the two female specimens available have damaged abdomens.

Distribution. Found to be the scarcest of the Eoophyla species in Fiji. Three

specimens were taken — in Serua, Cakaudrove and the Suva area.

Diagnosis. Type not located. Meyrick’s original detailed description (from

Fiji) provides a confident identification for this well-marked species, the

wing markings making it unmistakable among Fijian Eoophyla spp.

Specifically the absence of a dorsal patch in the forewing is diagnostic. In the

hind wing, the reduced number of spots and the clear white and yellowish

buff colouration, with the two central brown dashes, are diagnostic. In the

male genitalia the narrow aedeagus with the long, narrow, straight and lightly

sclerotised cornutus is also diagnostic.

Figs 10-13. Eoophyla and Nymphicula spp: (10) Eoophyla chrysota (Meyrick) 9; (11)

Nymphicula australis (Felder & Rogenhofer) 3; (12) Nymphicula cyanolitha 9; (13)

Nymphicula sp. &.

146 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Figs 14-17. Male genitalia; aedeagus; detail of cornuti of Eoophyla spp: (14)

E. hexalitha (Meyrick); (15) E. albipuncta sp. n.; (16) E. vitiensis sp. n.; (17)

E. lutea sp. n.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 147

Figs 18-20. Male genitalia; aedeagus; detail of cornuti of Eoophyla spp: (18) E.

nephelanthopa (Meyrick); (19) E. montana sp. n.; (20) E. chrysota (Meyrick).

Genus Nymphicula Snellen, 1882

Speidel (1984) listed the defining characteristics of the genus as the absence

of M, in the hind wing, tufts between abdominal segments 7 and 8 in the

male, a specialised scale tuft on the eighth abdominal sternite in the male and

the greatly extended uncus in the male genitalia. Agassiz (2014) confirmed

this and stated that the definition had only to be slightly extended.

148 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Figs 21-26. Female genitalia of Eoophyla spp: (21) E. hexalitha (Meyrick); (22) E.

albipuncta sp. n.; (23) E. vitiensis sp. n.; (24) E. lutea sp. n.; (25) E. nephelanthopa

(Meyrick); (26) E. montana sp. n.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 149

Nymphicula australis (Felder & Rogenhofer, 1874)

Margarosticha australis Felder & Rogenhofer, 1874

(Fig. 11)

Description and diagnosis. See Fig. 11. Fully discussed and illustrated by

Agassiz (1984).

Distribution. Four specimens were taken — in Tailevu, Namosi and the Suva

area.

Nymphicula cyanolitha (Meyrick, 1886)

Anydraula cyanolitha Meyrick, 1886

(Fig. 12)

Description and diagnosis. See Fig. 12. Fully discussed and illustrated by

Agassiz (1984).

Distribution. Six specimens were taken — in Namosi, Tailevu, Serua and the

Suva area.

Nymphicula sp.

(Fig. 13)

Generic placement. A single male (Fig. 13) was taken. As the specimen is

missing the abdomen, it cannot be fully described and named here. It is

provisionally placed in Nymphicula based on the absence of M, in the hind

wing and its similarity in wing shape and markings.

Description. See Fig. 13. For consistency, the terminology considered most

suitable for the description of the Eoophyla species is used here also. For ease

of comparison, the terminology used by Agassiz (1984) is included in

brackets where this may be helpful. Wingspan male 10 mm. Ground colour

bright yellow. Body pale brown. Forewings with costal streak dark brown in

basal half continuing to four-fifths as pale yellow and widening somewhat;

basal fascia (base) dark brown; dark brown dorsal patch (medial area) from

two-fifths to four-fifths, extending two-thirds across wing; space between

patch and costal streak filled continuously with dark brown; tornal spot large

and dark brown; costal patch (first strigula) from three-fifths to four-fifths,

from costal streak to half way across wing, with rounded apex; clear white

edged dark brown; subterminal fascia (second strigula) clear white, from two-

thirds across wing widening to costa and edged dark brown basad and

partially distad; cilia pale with brown base.

Hind wings with six marginal black spots; white pupils scarcely visible and

surrounded with dark shading causing the spots to coalesce; terminal three-

fifths of wing shaded rich dark brown, confluent with shading around

marginal spots; clear white costal streak to one half; clear white subbasal

fascia and small brown basal fascia.

Distribution. The single specimen was taken in Namosi.

150 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Diagnosis. The striking combination of clear white and rich dark brown

markings with the bright yellow ground colour serves to distinguish this

species from other Fijian Nymphicula species. Specifically in the forewings

the short and broad costal patch (first strigula) is diagnostic, as is the overall

dark appearance of the terminal three-fifths of the hind wing.

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to Dr David Agassiz of the Natural History Museum, London

for helpful discussions and facilitating access to the Museum’s collections. I

would also like to thank Dr Keith Bland of the National Museums of

Scotland for helpful discussions and advice and for arranging access to the

entomological collections and other facilities at the Museum and Dr Albert

Orr for helpful comments on the manuscript. Also to staff of the School of

Biological, Chemical & Environmental Sciences, the University of the South

Pacific, Suva, Fiji, for providing access to facilities at the University.

References

AGASSIZ, D.J.L. 2014. A preliminary study of the genus Nymphicula Snellen from Australia,

New Guinea and the South Pacific (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae: Acentropinae). Zootaxa

3774(5): 401-409.

FELDER, R. and ROGENHOFER, A.F. 1874. Atlas der Heterocera. Pp 1-20, pls 121-140, in:

Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859 unter

den Befehlen des Commodore B. von Wiillerstorf-Urbair. Zoologischer Theil.

MEYRICK, E. 1886. Descriptions of Lepidoptera from the South Pacific. Transactions of the

Entomological Society of London 1886: 189-296.

MEYRICK, E. 1934. Exotic Microlepidoptera — Vol 4. Privately published, London; 642 pp.

REGIER, J.C., MITTER, C., SOLIS, M.A., HAYDEN, J.E., LANDRY, B., NUSS, M.,

SIMONSEN, T.J., YEN, S.-H., ZWICK, A. and CUMMINGS, M.P. 2012. A molecular

phylogeny for the pyraloid moths (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea) and its implications for higher-level

classification. Systematic Entomology 37: 635-656.

SWINHOE, C. 1900. Pp 1-630, pls 1-8, in: Swinhoe, C., Walsingham, T.G. and Durrant, J.H.

(eds), Catalogue of Eastern and Australian Lepidoptera Heterocera in the Collection of the

Oxford University Museum. Part 2: Noctuina, Geometrina and Pyralidina.

SNELLEN, P.C.T. 1880. Midden Sumatra. Reizen en onderzoekingen der Sumatra-Expeditie

uitgerust door het aardrijkskundig genootschap 1877-1879. 4(8): 1-92.

SPEIDEL, W. 1984. Revision der Acentropinae des palaearktischen Faunengebietetes

(Lepidoptera, Crambidae). Neue Entomologische Nachrichten 12: 1-157.

SPEIDEL, W. and MEY, W. 1999. Catalogue of the oriental Acentropinae (Lepidoptera,

Crambidae). Tijdschrift voor Entomologie 142: 125-142.

YOSHIY ASU, Y. 1980. A systematic study of the genus Nymphicula of Japan. Tyó to Ga 31: 1-

28.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 151-160 151

MIGRATION RECORDS OF BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA:

PAPILIONIDAE, HESPERIIDAE, PIERIDAE, NYMPHALIDAE) IN

THE ‘TOP END’ OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

MICHAEL F. BRABY

Australian National Insect Collection, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601 and Division of

Evolution, Ecology and Genetics, Research School of Biology, Australian National University,

Canberra, ACT 0200

Abstract

New records of butterfly migration in the ‘Top End’ of the Northern Territory concerning six

species, viz: Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 (Papilionidae), Badamia exclamationis (Fabricius,

1775) (Hesperiidae), Catopsilia scylla (Linnaeus, 1763), Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758),

Belenois java (Linnaeus, 1768) (Pieridae) and Junonia hedonia (Linnaeus, 1764) (Nymphalidae),

are presented based on data accumulated over the period 2005-2015. In four species for which

multiple records were obtained over different years, patterns of migration were remarkably

consistent in terms of flight direction and season, with predominantly northerly movements in

September-October (B. java), January-April (B. exclamationis) and April-May (C. scylla and J.

hedonia).

Introduction

Migration, the purposeful movement of individuals in one general direction

over a large area relative to the geographical range of the species, is a

fundamental component of the life history strategy of butterflies that track

seasonal changes in resources (e.g. larval food plants, breeding habitats) or

aggregate in non-breeding (e.g. overwintering) sites (Dingle 1996). Smithers

(1978, 1983a, 1983b, 1985) provided a comprehensive review and presented

a substantial amount of new data on the species that are known or suspected

to be regular migrants in Australia. Dingle et al. (1999, 2000) subsequently

analysed this dataset, which also included additional records gleaned from the

literature, to determine if there were general consistent patterns in both

timing and direction, and examined possible ecological factors accounting for

seasonal shifts in geographical range. For eastern Australia, where most

migration data of butterflies has been assembled, they found that latitude,

rainfall patterns and soil moisture were the main determinants.

However, Dingle et al. (1999) noted that for a number of migratory

butterflies in Australia, such as Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758, too few

observations were available to draw general conclusions on orientation and

seasonal timing of migration and called for more data on these species.

Moreover, comparatively little data are available for the monsoon tropics of

northwestern Australia. Smithers and McArtney (1970) recorded hundreds of

specimens of P. demoleus sthenelus W.S. Macleay, 1826 flying south-east

over a distance of 25 km across the Stuart Highway between Elliott and

Renner Springs, NT, in May 1969. Grund and Hunt (2001) noted adults of

Elodina padusa (Hewitson, 1853) migrating in large numbers in a southerly

direction on the Mitchell Plateau in the Kimberley, WA, sometime between

late June and mid July 2000. Braby (2014) documented a temporary range

152 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

expansion of Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the western Gulf Country

(northwestern QId-NT) and central Australia (NT), in which small numbers

were observed flying north, north-west or west during May 2013. He also

summarised records of Catopsilia pyranthe crokera (W.S. Macleay, 1826) in

the Darwin area and from nearby locations, a region in which the species is

normally absent, and concluded that the species is a rare seasonal immigrant

to the northern coastal parts of the “Top End’, with influxes likely to occur in

March-April and less frequently during June-August and in December.

Here, I present new data on movements concerning six species of butterflies,

based on records from the “Top End’ of the Northern Territory. Of particular

interest are the first records of Catopsilia scylla etesia (Hewitson, 1867) and

Junonia hedonia zelima (Fabricius, 1775) as migrants in Australia.

Methods

Observations on butterfly movement in the ‘Top End’ of the Northern

Territory were made opportunistically over a 10-year period during 2005-

2015. Most observations were made between Darwin and Katherine but some

were further afield. Most observations were qualitative but on eight occasions

attempts were made to quantify the adult density of the migration; this was

done by counting the number of individuals crossing a transect of defined

length over a short period of time. There are currently no standardised

protocols in Australia for quantifying butterfly migrations in terms of time

(number of minutes and time of day), space (transect length) and number of

repeat samples needed to estimate the arithmetic mean and variance around

the mean. In this paper, the time period during which butterflies were counted

varied from 9-45 mins (average 18 mins) and counts were conducted on still,

sunny days, mainly around midday from 1145-1330 h, although one count

was made during the morning from 0950-1000 h. The length of the transects

over which butterflies traversed varied from 10-50 m but was usually 20-50

m. Repeated counts were not made to estimate the mean and standard

deviation of the numbers migrating. The migration rate or density was then

subjectively classified into one of four class-intervals irrespective of transect

length: small (<1 adult per minute), moderate (1 adult per minute), large (1-

10 adults per minute) and very large (>10 adults per minute).

Observations

PAPILIONIDAE

Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758, Chequered Swallowtail

A large-scale movement of this species was observed in February 2015, the

only migration recorded over the 10-year period (Table 1). The migration

lasted for just under two weeks and appeared to peak around 4-5 February.

Adults were mostly in fresh condition and flew rapidly within 3 m of the

ground, between mid morning and mid afternoon. The flight extended over a

relatively large area, with records from offshore areas of Cobourg Peninsula,

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

153

Table 1. Migration and associated records for Papilio demoleus in the Northern

Territory.

Location

Wanguri, Darwin,

NT (12.37308°S,

130.88657°E)

Darwin northern

suburbs (Bullocky

Point-Wanguri),

Bees Creek, NT

(12°34’S,

131°03’E)

Wanguri, Darwin,

NT (12.37308°S,

130.88657°E)

Darwin eastern

suburbs (Wanguri-

Palmerston), NT

Holmes Jungle

CP, Darwin, NT

(12°24'S,

130°55'E)

Mt Burrell,

Tipperary Station,

NT (13.49623°S,

131.03572°E)

6km NW of

Robin Falls, NT

(13.34119°S,

131.11801°E)

Cobourg

Peninsula, NT

Darwin northern

suburbs (CBD-

Wanguri), NT

Humpty Doo, NT

(12°34’S,

131°06’E)

Wanguri, Darwin,

NT (12.37308°S,

130.88657°E)

6.5 km N of Berry

Springs, NT

(12.64514°S,

131.00986°E)

Date

2 Feb.

2015

3 Feb.

2015

4 Feb.

2015

4-5 Feb.

2015

6 Feb.

2015

6 Feb.

2015

7 Feb.

2015

7 Feb.

2015

8 Feb.

2015

8-10

Feb.

2015

10 Feb.

2015

11-12

Feb.

2015

14 Feb.

2015

Observer Direction

M.F. Braby ESE

G. Ainsworth

M.F. Braby E (NE-SE)

M.F. Braby E (ESE-SE)

T. Ratnayeke

M.F. Braby SSW

A. Withers W

M.F. Braby S (SSW-SW)

D. Binns

M.F. Braby SorW

M.F. Braby W

Comments

Small numbers

around midday.

flying rapidly

Large numbers flying rapidly

between 0900-1300 h. Many adults

captured were freshly emerged, but

others were worn.

Influx of adults recorded on rural

block, not previously recorded

during past 12 years.

Very large numbers flying rapidly,

mainly E, from 0830 h to mid to late

afternoon.

Small numbers

mainly E.

flying rapidly,

Influx of many adults observed at

Holmes Jungle and Karama; mostly

freshly emerged.

Large numbers

0930-1130 h.

flying between

Moderate numbers flying rapidly

from midday to mid afternoon

(1/min/50m: 1305-1315 h).

Many adults flying over ocean 10

nautical miles offshore.

Small numbers flying rapidly,

mainly S, between 0830-1000 h.

Influx of many adults observed in

rural area, as well as suburbs of

Darwin.

Small numbers flying

(0. 1/min/50m: 1300-1330 h).

rapidly

Few adults flying between 1200-

1330 h.

154 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Darwin suburban and rural areas and the Mt Burrell-Robin Falls area to the

south-west of Adelaide River. Curiously, the direction of flight shifted

progressively from an easterly, through southerly to finally a westerly

direction during the course of the migration period. At Darwin, for example,

adults flew predominantly east near the start of the migration (3-5 February),

when immense numbers of butterflies were observed flying rapidly across

suburban streets, parks and gardens, rarely pausing to stop to feed from

flowers; however, towards the end of the migration (8-12 February) they flew

mainly south or west and in considerably lower numbers.

HESPERIIDAE

Badamia exclamationis (Fabricius, 1775), Narrow-winged Awl

Small to moderate numbers of this species were recorded migrating on four

separate occasions (in different years) between late January and early April,

particularly in March and early April (Table 2). In general, adults flew

rapidly 3-5 m or more above ground in a northerly direction (with the

direction of flight varying from NW, NNE to ENE) between mid morning

and early afternoon. The only exception to this general pattern was a

southerly flight (SSW) recorded in late January 2011. However, despite

careful surveillance during subsequent days at this site no further adults were

detected flying south in January.

PIERIDAE

Catopsilia scylla (Linnaeus, 1763), Orange Migrant

Observations on directional flight of this species were made on three separate

occasions (in different years) in the more inland areas (Table 3). In general,

small to moderate numbers were observed flying rapidly in a northeasterly

direction (with the direction of flight varying from N, NE to E) between mid

April and early May. No quantitative estimates were made on adult density or

time of day.

Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758), Large Grass-yellow

Only one record of migration was made for this species, in April 2015, when

large numbers were observed flying east during early afternoon (Table 3).

They flew very close to the ground, within about 1 m.

Belenois java (Linnaeus, 1768), Caper White

Migration of this species in the Darwin area was observed on four separate

occasions (in different years) between late September and mid October

during the early afternoon (Table 3). In general, adults flew in a north to

northwesterly direction and generally small numbers were involved but, in

2009, a substantial flight involving moderate numbers of adults that lasted for

four days was observed. On three of these occasions (2005, 2007, 2009) the

migrations were associated with subsequent breeding, in which considerable

numbers of immature stages (eggs, larvae and pupae), as well as adults, were

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 155

detected on the larval food plants, namely the vine Capparis sepiaria

(Capparaceae) growing in nearby coastal monsoon vine thicket, or cultivated

trees of C. umbonata in suburban parks and nature strips. The breeding often

continued for several months (up until December or January), during which

several overlapping generations were completed.

Table 2. Migration records for Badamia exclamationis in the Northern Territory.

Location Date Observer Direction Comments

Rapid Creek, 8 Mar. M.F. Braby & ENE Moderate numbers flying

Darwin, NT 2008 D.C. Franklin rapidly during morning

(12.38083°S, (1/min/30m: 0950-1000 h).

130.86462°E)

Leanyer Sewage 8 Mar. M.F. Braby & ENE Small numbers flying rapidly

Ponds, Darwin, 2008 D.C. Franklin at 1100 h.

NT (12?21' S,

130*54" E)

30 km SE of 15 Mar. M.F. Braby N-NNE Moderate numbers flying

Pine Creek, NT 2008 rapidly across Stuart Hwy

(14.06290°S, during late morning

131.97026°E) (1/min/20m: 1145-1200 h).

Bullocky Point, 27 Jan. M.F. Braby SSW Moderate numbers flying

Darwin, NT 2011 rapidly during midday

(12.43777°S, (1/min/30m: 1200-1245 h).

130.8337 E)

Dundee Beach, 1 Apr. M.F. Braby NNE Small numbers flying rapidly

NT 2012 between 1000-1100 h.

(12.76420°S,

130.35324°E)

Parap, Darwin, 5 Apr. M.F. Braby NE Small numbers flying rapidly

NT (12°26'S, 2012 during early afternoon

130°50'E) (0.3/min/10m: 1300-1310 h).

Holmes Jungle 31 Jan. M.F. Braby NW Small numbers flying rapidly

CP, NT 2015 between 1030-1130 h.

(12°24'S,

130°55'E)

Wanguri, 1 Feb. M.F. Braby NW Small numbers flying rapidly

Darwin, NT 2015 between 1000-1030 h.

(12.37308°S,

130.88657°E)

NYMPHALIDAE

Junonia hedonia (Linnaeus, 1764), Chocolate Argus

Migration of this species was observed on four separate occasions (in

different years) in the more inland areas (Table 4). In general, small to

moderate numbers of adults flew rapidly 2-3 m above the ground in a

northerly direction (with the direction of flight varying from N, NNE to NE)

156 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

between mid April and early May, from late morning to early afternoon. In

2012, a series of observations were made over a 13-day period between 22

April and 4 May, in which large numbers of adults were recorded, indicating

that migration lasted for approximately two weeks.

Table 3. Migration records for Catopsilia scylla, Eurema hecabe and Belenois java in

the Northern Territory.

Location Date Observer Direction Comments

Catopsilia scylla

1.6 km NNW of Pine 1 May M.F. Braby & N Small numbers flying rapidly

Creek, NT 2010 L.J. Aitchison around midday.

(13.809978,

131.82852°E)

Dunmarra-50 km 7 May M.F. Braby E Very small numbers flying

SSE of Elliott, NT 2013 rapidly across Stuart Hwy over

a distance of c. 150 km.

Katherine Gorge 15 Apr. M.F. Braby & NE Moderate numbers flying

campground, 2014 L.J. Aitchison rapidly.

Nitmiluk NP, NT

(14.31803°S,

132.42026°E)

Eurema hecabe

Noonamah-Adelaide 3 Apr. M.F. Braby & E Large numbers flying across

River, NT 2015 LJ. Aitchison Stuart Hwy during early

afternoon over a distance of c.

70 km (4.9/min/50m: 1321-

1330 h).

Belenois java

Darwin CBD, NT 17 Oct. M.F. Braby NW Small numbers flying during

(12°27'S, 130°50'E) 2005 early afternoon.

CSIRO complex 3 Oct. M.F. Braby NW Small numbers flying rapidly

Berrimah, Darwin, 2007 at 1240 h.

NT (12°24'48"S,

130°55'19"E)

Wanguri, Darwin, 12 Oct. M.F. Braby N Small numbers flying rapidly

NT (12.37308°S, 2008 at 1250 h.

130.8865 7E)

Wanguri, Darwin, 29 Sep. M.F. Braby NNW Moderate numbers flying

NT (12.373088, 2009 rapidly during early afternoon

130.88657°E) between 1200-1500 h) (1/min/

10m: 1215-1230 h). Migration

continued for next three days

but in substantially smaller

numbers and ceased by 3 Oct.

2009.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

157

Table 4. Migration records for Junonia hedonia in the Northern Territory.

Location

1.6 km NNW of

Pine Creek, NT

(13.80997°S,

131.82852?E)

Wanguri, Darwin,

NT (12.37308°S,

130.88657°E)

1.6 km NNW of

Pine Creek, NT

(13.80997°S,

131.82852°E)

Adelaide River-

Douglas Daly

Research Farm,

Mt Muriel, Fish

River Station, 7

km SSW of

Douglas Daly

Research Farm,

NT (13.89433°S,

131.15822?E)

Fish River Station,

6 km S of Daly

River (Nauiyu),

NT (13.803568,

130.69644°E)

Noonamah-

Acacia, NT

Adelaide River-

Pine Creek, NT

Matrakai Rd, 2.5

km E of Stuart

Hwy, NT

(12.90468°S,

131.16080°E)

Date

1 May

2010

2 May

2010

8 May

2010

22 Apr.

2012

23 Apr.

2012

27 Apr.

2012

4 May

2012

6 May

2013

19 Apr

2015

Observer

M.F. Braby

& LJ.

Aitchison

M.F. Braby

& S. Keates

M.F. Braby

& D. Bisa

Direction

NNE

Comments

Small numbers flying rapidly.

One flying very rapidly during early

afternoon.

Small numbers flying rapidly during

late morning.

Large numbers flying rapidly over a

distance of c. 100 km between 1200-

1430 h.

Large numbers flying rapidly between

1200-1400 h.

Small numbers flying between 1230-

1330 h.

Large numbers flying rapidly across

Stuart Hwy over a distance of c. 20 km

between 1115-1130 h.

Large numbers flying across Stuart

Hwy over a distance of c. 100 km

during early afternoon.

Small numbers flying rapidly between

1130-1300 h.

158 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Discussion

Of the six species reported here as displaying migratory behaviour in the

Northern Territory, four (Papilio demoleus, Badamia exclamationis, Eurema

hecabe and Belenois java) are well-known migrants elsewhere in Australia

(see Smithers 1978, 1983a, 1983b, 1985, Dingle et al. 1999) but, for the two

other species (Catopsilia scylla and Junonia hedonia), there appear to be no

previous records of migration in Australia. Interestingly, for the four species

for which multiple records were obtained over different years

(B. exclamationis, C. scylla, B. java and J. hedonia), the patterns of migration

were remarkably consistent both in terms of direction of flight and time of

year. Thus, all these species were observed flying in a predominantly

northerly direction, with B. java in September-October, B. exclamationis

mainly in March-April, and C. scylla and J. hedonia in April-May. This

suggests that seasonal movement in these species is a regular component of

their life history in northwestern Australia.

With the exception of B. java, the significance of migration in this set of

species remains to be determined. Belenois java was the only species for

which migration was clearly associated with breeding. My long-term

observations at Darwin indicated that the species usually appeared each year

during the ‘build-up’ and early wet season (i.e. September-December), but it

was generally absent during the rest of the year. Similarly, Meyer ef al.

(2006) recorded this species in the Darwin area only in September. However,

in 2010 an influx of the species was recorded in late March that was followed

by breeding, with immature stages comprising numerous clusters of eggs and

first instar larvae being detected on Capparis sepiaria at Bullocky Point;

however, the direction of flight on this occasion was not apparent.

Interestingly, Dingle et al. (1999) commented that all reports of directional

flight for B. java in Australia were in 'spring' and that migrations in

northeastern Australia (Qld) were predominantly north or east, in contrast

with those in southern Australia (NSW, Vic) which were south or west.

These findings are consistent with those in the NT, suggesting that northerly

migrations in northwestern Australia may be characteristic of this species.

Movement in B. exclamationis may also be associated with colonisation of

breeding habitats, similar to that reported in Queensland (Burns 1933,

Smithers 1978, Valentine 2004). However, the breeding habitat/range of this

species is not well understood in northwestern Australia. The only

documented breeding record is from the lower rainfall areas of the eastern

Kimberley where the immature stages of B. exclamationis were found on

Terminalia microcarpa (Combretaceae), which grew in abundance in riparian

monsoon vine thicket at Black Rock Falls track near Kununurra, WA, in

December (Meyer 1996 and pers. comm.) Kununurra is located

approximately 430 km SSW of Darwin and, moreover, this was the same

direction of flight observed at Darwin in late January 2011. Thus, the

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 159

southerly flight recorded in January at Darwin might have been the arrival of

an immigrant population (possibly originating from mainland New Guinea)

dispersing to the breeding areas in the eastern Kimberley; the northerly

flights recorded in January-April (particularly in March-April) might well

comprise a return flight of the next generation. The timing of these

migrations probably vary with the season and start of the monsoon and

further observations are needed to establish if there are regular southward

migratory flights earlier in the season, in October-December. Smithers (1978)

reported considerable variation in the timing of movements for the species in

Queensland, particularly the southbound flight.

Migration in both J. hedonia and C. scylla consistently occurred at the end of

the wet season but the reason for such population movements was not

established. Presumably, adults disperse from the more inland areas to exploit

breeding habitats in the coastal or near coastal areas of the “Top End’ that

only become available at the start of the dry season. For example, J. hedonia

breeds in floodplain wetlands (on the annual herb Hygrophylla angustifiolia

in paperbark swamps), which are typically inundated during the wet season.

It is likely that the larval food plant grows rapidly during this period so that

by the start of the dry season the plants have copious foliage that is ready to

be exploited by J. hedonia larvae.

In the case of C. scylla, Braby (2000) speculated that it was migratory based

on its seasonal appearance over much of its range, but noted that no details on

adult movements in Australia had been published. Moreover, there are no

confirmed reports of migration of the species in South-East Asia (Yata 1985,

van der Poorten and van der Poorten 2012), despite its common name

‘Orange Migrant’ or ‘Orange Emigrant’. At Darwin, breeding was noted to

be seasonal, with the immature stages (eggs and larvae) usually recorded

around March-May and again in September-November (on Senna surattensis

in monsoon vine thicket or suburban gardens). Similarly, Meyer et al. (2006)

noted that C. scylla was seasonal in Darwin, with adults recorded only during

March-May. Its regular seasonal appearance in Darwin suggests the arrival of

migratory populations at the end of the wet season.

Acknowledgements

I thank C.E. Meyer for breeding data on Badamia exclamationis and

G. Ainsworth, L.J. Aitchison, D. Binns, D. Bisa, D.C. Franklin,

T. Ratnayeke, S. Keates and A. Withers for observation records or field

assistance. M.R. Williams, D.C. Franklin, P.S. Valentine and A.G. Orr kindly

read and improved a draft of the manuscript.

References

BRABY, M.F. 2000. Butterflies of Australia. Their identification, biology and distribution.

CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Melbourne; xx + 976 pp.

160 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

BRABY, M.F. 2014. Remarks on the spatial distribution of some butterflies and diurnal moths

(Lepidoptera) in the Top End of the Northern Territory, Australia. Northern Territory Naturalist

25: 29-49.

BURNS, A.N. 1933. The migratory skipper (Badhamia [sic] exclamationis Fabr.). The Victorian

Naturalist 49: 225-228.

DINGLE, H. 1996. Migration. The biology of life on the move. Oxford University Press, New

York; 480 pp.

DINGLE, H., ROCHESTER, W.A. and ZALUCKI, M.P. 2000. Relationships among climate,

latitude and migration: Australian butterflies are not temperate-zone birds. Oecologia 124: 196-

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DINGLE, H., ZALUCKI, M.P. and ROCHESTER, W.A. 1999, Season-specific directional

movement in migratory Australian butterflies. Australian Journal of Entomology 38: 323-329.

GRUND, R. and HUNT, L. 2001. Some butterfly observations for the Kimberley and Tanami

regions, Western Australia. Victorian Entomologist 31: 19-23.

MEYER, C.E. 1996. Butterfly larval food plant list for the Northern Territory and the Kununurra

District in Western Australia. Victorian Entomologist 26: 66-72.

MEYER, C.E., WEIR, R.P. and WILSON, D.N. 2006. Butterfly (Lepidoptera) records from the

Darwin region, Northern Territory. Australian Entomologist 33: 9-22.

SMITHERS, C.N. 1978. Migration records in Australia. 2. Hesperiidae and Papilionidae

(Lepidoptera). Australian Entomological Magazine 5: 11-14.

SMITHERS, C.N. 1983a. Migration records in Australia. 3. Danainae and Acraeinae

(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Australian Entomological Magazine 10: 21-27.

SMITHERS, C.N. 1983b. Migration records in Australia. 4. Pieridae (Lepidoptera) other than

Anaphaeis java teutonia (F.). Australian Entomological Magazine 10: 47-54.

SMITHERS, C.N. 1985. Migration records in Australia. 5. Lycaenidae and Nymphalidae

(Lepidoptera). Australian Entomological Magazine 11: 91-97.

SMITHERS, C.N. and MCARTNEY, LB. 1970. Record of a migration of the Chequered

Swallowtail Papilio demoleus sthenelus Macleay (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). North Queensland

Naturalist 37: 8.

VALENTINE, P.S. 2004. The demise of mass migration of the Brown Awl Badamia

exclamationis (Fabricius 1775) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae): a consequence of land clearing in

Queensland? Pacific Conservation Biology 10: 67-69.

VAN DER POORTEN, G. and VAN DER POORTEN, N. 2012. Catopsilia scylla (Linnaeus,

1763): a new record for Sri Lanka with notes on its biology, life history and distribution

(Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 45: 17-23.

Y ATA, O. 1985. Part 1: Pieridae. Pp 205-438, in: Tsukada, E. (ed) Butterflies of the South East

Asian islands. II: Pieridae, Danaidae. Plapac, Tokyo.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 161-164 161

AN UNDESCRIBED CONCEALER MOTH, STATHMOPODA SP.

(LEPIDOPTERA: OECOPHORIDAE) IN NESTS OF THE WEAVER

ANT POLYRHACHIS AUSTRALIS MAYR (HYMENOPTERA:

FORMICIDAE)

MICHAEL F. DOWNES! and TED EDWARDS?

'26 Canara Street, Cranbrook, Townsville, Old 4814 (Email: mikedownes @ bigpond.com)

?NRCA, Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT 2601 (Email: Ted.Edwards Q csiro.au)

Abstract

A concealer moth, genus Stathmopoda Herrich-Scháffer, 1853, closely resembling one known

from Hervey Bay, Queensland and Coonabarabran, New South Wales but as yet undescribed,

was found in nests of the weaver ant Polyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870 in Townsville,

Queensland. The weaver ant nests provide the moth larvae with shelter and perhaps food in the

form of dead leaves and/or the brood of the host ants. What deters the ants from attacking the

moth larvae is unknown, as is the mechanism allowing the eclosed adult moths to exit the ants'

nests unharmed.

Introduction

Concealer moths, family Oecophoridae, are named for the tendency of the

larvae to ‘hide’ in silk shelters, often in the curls of rolled foliage.

Unsurprisingly, what is known about the biology of the Australian fauna is

limited and fragmentary but, while their feeding habits centre in the main on

plant (especially dead plant) material, a number of records exist of these

moths exploiting the adults and brood of other arthropods (Common 1990).

The taxonomy, meanwhile, saw its last revision 70 to 80 years ago (Turner

1932-1947), with no realistic prospect of another in the foreseeable future;

hence many specimens, including the one documented here, await a specific

description and a name.

Discussion

Eight adults of the undescribed concealer moth were reared from pupae

collected in Cranbrook, Townsville (19.30°S, 146.75°E), the first in June

2013 and the eighth in April 2014. Three originated from a clump of rotting

plant debris wedged in a palm thicket (Fig. 1). Five others came from within

two nests of the weaver ant Polyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870, a colony of

which had long been established among these palms and the surrounding

vegetation (Fig. 2). A ninth adult moth came from a P. australis nest

collected in Mundingburra, Townsville (19.30°S, 146.79? E).

In these weaver ant nests, the moth larvae sheltered in narrow silk tunnels

aligned along one of the nest margins, typically where the edge of a living or

dead supporting leaf was curled along its long axis.

In all but one of the nine cases, larvae were present in addition to the pupae

that produced adults. Because other moth species occurred in the same

habitat, no unequivocal full sequence of larval instars, pupa and adult was

established. However, over a five year period of investigation of more than

162 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

400 nests of P. australis at this location (Downes 2015), more than 30

matching larvae (Figs 3-4) and more than 40 matching pupae (Figs 5-6) were

observed and/or collected from 23 nests, covering all months except May.

Sometimes the larvae most suspected of being those of the concealer moth

occurred together with empty pupal cases of the adult. Larvae smaller than

the suspected second instar illustrated in Fig. 3 were observed among the

ants’ eggs on one occasion, but whether these were first instar larvae of this

moth cannot reliably be gauged. The material available suggests a sequence

of four larval instars that carry out their feeding tasks and complete their

development in the presence of the ants. How they accomplish this is

unknown, as is the mechanism that allows the eclosed adult moth to depart

the nest unharmed. Some adult butterflies, e.g. Liphyra brassolis Westwood,

escape from inside the nests of aggressive host ants by shedding wing and

body scales (Dodd 1902) but this tactic is unlikely to apply in this case.

The smooth body scales of the adults (Figs 7-8) give the moth a shiny gold

hue. The wings are golden yellow anteriorly and dark to black posteriorly,

heavily fringed along their trailing edges. They were found to closely

resemble (but not match identically) undescribed specimens of the genus

Stathmopoda Herrich-Scháffer, 1853, now in the Australian National Insect

Collection, which were obtained by Ian Common at Pialba (Hervey Bay),

Queensland and Coonabarabran, New South Wales, the former reared from

dead leaf litter and the latter collected at light.

It could be inferred from this that the larvae feed on dead plant material, as

do the majority of oecophorids (Common 1990); this could also apply to the

larvae developing in the weaver ant nests. Alternatively, or in addition, the

larvae could be preying on the ants' brood. It would not be the first

gelechioid moth to be found to subsist on arthropod brood (Austin 1977), nor

the first Stathmopoda sp. to do so (Downes 1994), nor even the first moth

predatory on ant larvae (Narukawa et al. 2002).

The circumstances under which specimens were obtained, especially the

extraction of larvae and pupae from rotting plant matter, all but preclude an

obligate association of the moth with the weaver ants but, in this connection,

it is worth noting that the clump of decomposing plant substance had a

bivouac of ants, Technomyrmex sp., at its core. Voucher specimens (three

adult moths) have been deposited in the Australian National Insect

Collection, Canberra.

Figs 1-8. (1-2) Moth pupal cases and their silk shelters: (1) among plant debris; (2)

among silk and carton of one of the weaver ant nests. (3-4) Moth larvae and pupae:

(3) larva believed to be the second instar of the concealer moth, x15; (4) suspected

second (lower), third (middle) and fourth (upper) instar larvae, x3. (5-6) Moth pupae:

(5) ventral aspect of pupa, x10; (6) lateral aspect of pupa, x10. (7-8) Reared adult

moths: (7) dorsolateral aspect before setting, x8; (8) set and spread, x7.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 163

164 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Acknowledgements

Len Willan alerted MD to the article by Junko Narukawa and colleagues.

Shigehiko Shiyake, website manager of the Coleopterological Society of

Japan, kindly provided a copy of the article. You Ning Su took the

photograph of the set adult moth. Malcolm Tattersall readily gave access to

his garden for collecting weaver ant nests. Grateful thanks are extended to all

four for their assistance.

References

AUSTIN, A.D. 1977. A note on the life history of Anatrachyntis terminella (Walker)

(Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae), whose larvae are predacious on the eggs of Nephila edulis

(Koch) (Araneae: Araneidae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 16: 427-428.

COMMON, I.F.B. 1990. Moths of Australia. Melbourne University Press.

DODD, F.P. 1902. Contribution to the life history of Liphyra brassolis Westw. The Entomologist

35: 153-156.

DOWNES, M.F. 1994. Arthropod nest associates of the social spider Phryganoporus candidus

(Araneae: Desidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society 9: 249-255.

DOWNES, M.F. 2015. Annual cycle of nest composition in the queen-dimorphic weaver ant

Polyrhachis australis Mayr, 1870 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in northern Queensland. Austral

Entomology 54: 87-95.

NARUKAWA, J., ARAI, S., TOYODA, K. and KUROSU, U. 2002. Gaphara conspersa

Lepidoptera, a tineid moth preying on ant larvae. Special Bulletin of the Japanese Society of

Coleopterology 5: 453-460.

TURNER, A.J. 1932-1947. Revision of Australian Lepidoptera. Oecophoridae I-XIV.

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 57: 261-279 to 72: 143-158.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3): 165-171 165

ACACIA MELVILLEI PEDLEY (MIMOSACEAE), A NEWLY-

RECORDED LARVAL FOOD PLANT FOR JALMENUS EUBULUS

MISKIN (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE)

D.P.A. SANDS!, P. GRIMSHAW? and M.C. SANDS?

‘CSIRO Ecosciences Precinct, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, Old 4001

?] Belah Street, Mount Crosby, Old 4306

?c/- 67 Haven Road, Upper Brookfield, Qld 4069

Abstract

Larvae of Jalmenus eubulus Miskin, 1876, have until recently, been considered monophagous,

feeding exclusively on Brigalow, Acacia harpophylla F. Muell. Ex Benth., unlike the closely-

related and oligophagous J. evagoras (Donovan, 1805). Here we record a second food plant for

J. eubulus, Yarran, Acacia melvillei Pedley. The solitary larvae feed on understory growth of

A. melvillei and the adults occur in a habitat dominated by A. melvillei. It is recommended that

the threatened conservation status of J. eubulus be retained.

Introduction

Jalmenus eubulus Miskin, 1876, was originally described as a distinct species

but Waterhouse and Lyell (1914) considered it to be a northern, inland

subspecies of J. evagoras (Donovan, 1805). Eastwood et al. (2008) returned

J. eubulus to species rank and based differences in the two species on adult

morphology, ecology, DNA, food plant and habitat. They also provided a

review of synonymy and the type material of J. eubulus.

Whereas J. evagoras is distributed widely in the coastal and lower mountain

regions of Victoria and eastern New South Wales and the coastal and

subcoastal regions of southeastern Queensland (Waterhouse and Lyell 1914,

Waterhouse 1932, Dunn and Dunn 1991, Braby 2000), J. eubulus occurs in a

limited area of the dryer, inland brigalow belt in far northern New South

Wales (Taylor 2014) and southern Queensland (Dunn and Dunn 1991, Orr

and Kitching 2010, Eastwood et al. 2008, Braby and Williams 2016).

Jalmenus eubulus shows little variation in adult morphology throughout its

range (Dunn and Dunn 1991), unlike the geographically variable J. evagoras,

where adults of several northern and northwestern populations closely

resemble J. eubulus (Common and Waterhouse 1981, Braby 2000). Eastwood

et al. (2008) noted that populations from the Binjour Plateau, Krombit Tops,

Toowoomba, Bunya Mountains and some more northern coastal areas have

been considered to be J. eubulus, transitional or intermediate forms, a cline or

a hybridisation zone between J. eubulus and J. evagoras (DeBaar 1977,

Common and Waterhouse 1981, Dunn and Dunn 1991, Braby 2000, Sands

and New 2002).

Although Waterhouse (1932) and McCubbin (1971) had suggested that, in

addition to Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla F. Muell. ex Benth.), several other

species of wattle served as food plants for J. eubulus, including

A. penninervis Sieb. ex DC., .J. eubulus was considered by Dunn et al.

166 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

(1994) and Eastwood et al. (2008), to be entirely dependent on mature stands

of A. harpophylla. The solitary larvae of J. eubulus were said to feed only on

A. harpophylla (Eastwood et al. 2008), whereas the gregarious larvae of

J. evagoras were known to be oligophagous and to feed on at least 27 species

of Acacia (Braby 2000).

Reports of J. eubulus ovipositing on an unidentified Acacia species, different

from A. harpophylla, by Sands and New (2002), were not accepted by

Eastwood et al. (2008) because identity of the host plant had not been

confirmed and a subsequent search of the plant revealed no evidence of

immature stages.

Dunn et al. (1994) and Yen and Butcher (1997) regarded the conservation

status of J. eubulus as Vulnerable. After careful consideration, Sands and

New (2002) recommended Vulnerable status for it in New South Wales and

Lower Risk in Queensland, based on knowledge of the threatening processes

pertaining at the time. Since then, several authors (Eastwood et al. 2008,

Valentine and Johnson 2012, Braby and Williams 2016) have recognised the

increasing threats to the mature brigalow habitats supporting J. eubulus, with

Valentine and Johnson (2012) considering J. eubulus to be Endangered in

Queensland and Critically Endangered in New South Wales.

Most authors, including Braby and Williams (2016), noted that J. eubulus

was threatened due to its dependence on old growth A. harpophylla and that

the decline in numbers was due to loss and destruction of the remnant

breeding sites. Jalmenus eubulus is currently considered to be at risk from

continuing habitat loss, invasion of the woodland habitats by highly-

flammable Buffel grass (Cenchris echinatus L.) and grazing of the lower

branches of Acacia spp., the breeding sites for J. eubulus.

Figs 1-2. Habitat and breeding sites for Jalmenus eubulus in Qld: (1) mature stand of

Acacia melvillei at Jondaryan; (2) mature stand of A. harpophylla near Goondiwindi.

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 167

Here, we confirm that a species of Yarran, Acacia melvillei Pedley (Fig. 1), is

a food plant in addition to the previously known A. harpophylla (Fig. 2) for

the larvae of J. eubulus in southern inland Queensland.

Field observations, food plants and habitats of J. eubulus

At Jondaryan and near Chinchilla, Queensland, oviposition (Fig. 3), larvae

and pupae of J. eubulus were observed on the leaves among small stems of

the understory growth of A. melvillei, while at Jondaryan larvae were

sometimes observed feeding on growth sprouting from fallen trees. Males at

Jondaryan (Fig. 4) were observed congregating at a height of about 7 m, near

the apex of A. melvillei trees. The eggs, larvae and pupae of J. eubulus on

A. melvillei were attended by an unidentified black ant (Fig. 5).

Figs 3-5. Jalmenus eubulus on Acacia melvillei at Jondaryan: (3) female ovipositing

on understory growth; (4) freshly emerged male on understory growth; (5) fully-

grown larva and freshly eclosed pupa, with attendant ants.

168 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

Yarran, Acacia melvillei (Fig. 1)

In Queensland, A. melvillei occurs mostly west of the Great Dividing Range:

south of the Isaac River near Clermont, Charters Towers, Mitchell,

Blackdown Tableland, Chinchilla, Jondaryan, Yaraka, west of Blackall

(Lithgow 1997) and Thallon, near the New South Wales border. South of the

Queensland-New South Wales border its inland distribution extends to

Victoria. Pedley (1987) and Lithgow (1997) described the habit and growth

of A. melvillei as a long-living tree reaching 15 m or more in height and with

a trunk diameter to 30 cm, occurring often in groups of old growth trees on

light soils and often in Poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea F. Muell.)

woodlands. The yellowish, angular branchlets bear dark green oblong or

elliptic phyllodes and the flowers are pale yellow to white.

Acacia melvillei is similar to a smaller species, A. omalophylla A. Cunn. ex

Benth., both commonly referred to as Yarran and with an overlapping

distribution in some areas. Whereas A. melvillei has yellowish green to

greyish green phyllodes, the phyllodes of A. omalophylla are dull green to

greyish green. Acacia omalophylla has not been observed to be a food plant

for Jalmenus eubulus.

Brigalow, Acacia harpophylla (Fig. 2)

Acacia harpophylla forms a distinct plant community referred to as brigalow.

It occurs in small patches in dryer regions of northern New South Wales and

inland southern and central Queensland. Prior to clearing for agriculture,

areas of brigalow were much more extensive than they are now (Eastwood et

al. 2008). In Queensland, A. harpophylla occurs mostly, but not exclusively,

west of the Main Divide from Hughenden to Rockhampton and from

Clermont, Charleville, Dalby, Inglewood, Surat, Chinchilla and the Darling

Downs to the New South Wales border. Remnant stands of brigalow also

occur east of the Main Divide, for example, in the Brisbane Valley near

Ipswich, Lockyer Valley at Gatton and near Boonah. In New South Wales,

A. harpophylla is distributed from Boggabilla south-west to Bourke and

south to Lake Cowal, 347 km west of Sydney.

Lithgow (1997) described the habit and growth of A. harpophylla in the

Chinchilla district as a long-living tree reaching to 20 m in height with a

trunk diameter to 60 cm. Mature trees often occurred as old-growth stands

and originally formed extensive areas of thick scrub. The ribbed and slender

branches bear golden flowers. The phyllodes of A. harpophylla are sickle-

shaped and vary in colour from dull green to silvery blue-green or silvery

grey; the pods are long and slender.

Discussion

Acacia harpophylla 1s the best-known food plant for J. eubulus in the inland

regions of far northern New South Wales (De Baar 1977, Taylor 2014) and in

southern Queensland (Waterhouse 1932, McCubbin 1971, Common and

Waterhouse 1981, Braby 2000, Eastwood et al. 2008, Braby and Williams

Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3) 169

2016). Larvae and pupae of J. eubulus are usually solitary but occasionally

occur in pairs. A larva and a pupa may be found close to one anther.

Jalmenus eubulus has been observed breeding on A. harpophylla at a range of

locations in Queensland south of Eungella, including Mt Moffatt and

Carnarvon Gorge (Monteith and Yeates 1988), Theodore, Chinchilla, western

Darling Downs, Millmerran (Brietfuss and Hill 2003, J. Macqueen and JFR

Kerr pers. comms), Leyburn, near Goondiwindi (DPA Sands unpubl.) and in

parts of the far north of inland New South Wales south of Boggabilla (De

Baar 1977, Taylor 2014).

Figs 6-7. Jalmenus eubulus male from Jondaryan: (6) upperside; (7) underside.

Adult specimens of J. eubulus from Jondaryan (Figs 6-7), where larvae were

observed feeding (10.v.2010, 22.11.2011 and 10.v.2016) at a study site only

on A. melvillei, are identical to specimens from Millmerran and Chinchilla

170 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

reared from larvae feeding on A. harpophylla. At Jondaryan there are no

mature stands of A. harpophylla near the breeding sites for J. eubulus. Larvae

of J. eubulus have also been observed feeding (8.1v.2010) on A. melvillei

south of Chinchilla, where J. eubulus uses both A. harpophylla and

A. melvillei as hosts (DPA Sands pers. obs., Lithgow 1997: as ‘Jalmenus

sp.’). At Chinchilla, both food plants have been observed with larvae on them

within a few kilometres of one another. Variation in the colour of the

phyllodes of A. harpophylla may have led to misidentifications of the food

plants of J. eubulus in the past. For example, the phyllodes of A. harpophylla

may appear silvery, blue-green or dark green and the latter colour forms

superficially resemble the phyllodes of A. melvillei. However, the mature

phyllodes of A. melvillei are considerably narrower than those of

A. harpophylla.

Recognition of A. melvillei as a food plant for J. eubulus might explain some

reports of J. eubulus ovipositing on another species of Acacia (Sands and

New 2002). However, the records for A. penninervis (Waterhouse 1932,

Common and Waterhouse 1981) remain unconfirmed. While A. penninervis

var. penninervis occurs in the same inland regions of Queensland that support

the two confirmed food plants of J. eubulus (A. harpophylla and A. melvillei),

A. penninervis grows mainly on steep banks and on sandstone ridges

(Lithgow 1997). The plant communities and the soil substrates associated

with A. penninervis appear to be different from those of the ‘old growth’ and

mature stands of A. harpophylla and A. melvillei, supporting the assertion by

Eastwood et al. (2008) that A. penninervis is unlikely to be a larval food plant

for J. eubulus.

There are very few localities where J. eubulus has been discovered breeding

on A. melvillei. The uncommon mature stands of A. melvillei are unprotected

and many are at risk of severe disturbance. On this food plant, J. eubulus is of

conservation concern from clearing, weed invasion, fire, mining, grazing and

other disturbances. It is unlikely that the discovery of J. eubulus breeding on

A. melvillei will significantly alter the conservation status of J. eubulus.

Acknowledgements

We are most grateful to John Kerr and the late Murdoch DeBaar for

providing information on the habitats and inland food plants of J. eubulus and

J. evagoras, to John Kerr, Ted Edwards and Michael Braby for commenting

on earlier drafts and to Deborah Metters, Megan Thomas and Bill

MacDonald for comments on the variation in foliage of A. harpophylla.

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National Parks, Queensland. Queensland Naturalist 28: 14-22.

McCUBBIN, C. 197). Australian butterflies. Nelson, Melbourne.

ORR, A. and KITCHING, R. 2010. The butterflies of Australia. Jacana Books, Allen & Unwin,

Crows Nest; viii + 328 pp.

PEDLEY, L. 1987. Acacias in Queensland. Austrobaileya 2(4): 344-357.

PIERCE, N.E and NASH, D.R. 1999, The Imperial Blue, Jalmenus evagoras (Lycaenidae). Pp

279-315, in: Kitching, R.L., Scheermeyer, E., Jones, R.E. and Pierce, N.E. (eds), Monographs on

Australian Lepidoptera. Volume 6. Biology of Australian butterflies. CSIRO Publishing,

Melbourne.

SANDS, D.P.A. and NEW, T.R. 2002. The action plan for Australian butterflies. Environment

Australia, Canberra.

TAYLOR, R. 2014. A survey of the Pale Imperial Hairstreak butterfly Jalmenus eubulus in New

South Wales. Australian Zoologist 37: 248-255.

VALENTINE, P and JOHNSON, S. 2012. Pale Imperial Hairstreak butterfly. Jalmenus eubulus

(Miskin, 1876). Pp 34-35, in: Curtis, L.K., Dennis, A.J., McDonald, K.R., Kyne, P.M. and

Debus, S.J.S. (eds), Queensland’s threatened animals. CSIRO, Melbourne.

WATERHOUSE, G.A. 1932. What butterfly is that? Angus and Robertson, Sydney; x + 291 pp.

WATERHOUSE, G.A. and LYELL, G. 1914. The butterflies of Australia. A monograph of the

Australian Rhopalocera. Angus and Robertson, Sydney; vi + 239 pp.

YEN, A. and BUTCHER, R. 1997. An overview of the conservation of non-marine invertebrates

in Australia. Environment Australia, Canberra.

172 Australian Entomologist, 2016, 43 (3)

BOOK REVIEW

The butterfly fauna of Sri Lanka by George M. van der Poorten and Nancy E. van der

Poorten. Lepedon Books, 2016; vi + 412 pp. ISBN 978 1 777136 189 7 (hardback).

Price ca $75 incl. postage (from Book Depository: Attp://www.bookdepository.com/

The-Butterfly-Fauna-of-Sri-Lanka/978177 1361897 25/7/16).

The butterfly fauna of Sri Lanka was the first of any tropical region to be systematically

documented. The seminal works of Moore and later Woodhouse & Henry remain classics in

entomological literature. Both works provided illustrated accounts of all species known from

‘Ceylon’ at the time of writing, together with descriptions and illustrations of many early stages.

Together they set a benchmark against which all future works would be judged.

The present book represents the first real

- advance in our knowledge of the Sri

The Butte rfly Fauna Lankan butterfly fauna in over 70 years. It

of i documents the 247 species presently

S E I. k: recognized from the island, with over 3200

JI Lanka photographs showing mainly adult

butterflies in life, but also early stages (with

larvae and pupae depicted for nearly 90%

of species and eggs of 50%), parasitoids,

host plants, nectar sources and habitats.

Only a handful of dead, mounted specimens

are depicted. For most species the living

butterflies are exceptionally well observed,

often with detailed notes on special

behaviour, such as forced copulation by

Acraea terpsicore, illustrated by a pair

struggling on the ground, or the display of

ey eee T hairpencils during courtship by male /dea

Nancy E, van pen Portes jasonia. Close-up details of structures are

also depicted, such as the sphragis of a

mated A. terpsicore female, or the everted

double hairpencils of the male of I. jasonia.

The book abounds in such details. There are

also many photographs of butterflies in flight, nectaring, mud-puddling, courting, mating and

ovipositing. The wealth of material is impressive and exciting. This is natural history at its best.

The text is authoritative and extremely well written. It begins with three highly informative

introductory chapters dealing with Sri Lankan geography, zoogeography of its butterflies,

general butterfly biology and conservation. Then follow family by family species accounts. Each

species is given full page treatment under the usual headings, with conservation issues given

particular attention. In cases of difficult groups, such as the Caeruleans (Jamides) or Lineblues,

detailed illustrated keys are provided in separate boxes. The reader should have little trouble

identifying most species. Illustrations of early stages are sometimes included in species accounts,

alongside their descriptions, but more often they are confined to three appendices which show

thumbnail photographs of, respectively, eggs, larvae and pupae. Other appendices include an

annotated species list, a list of publications on Sri Lankan butterflies as well as an extensive

general bibliography, a list of larval host plants, nectar sources, accounts of migration and a very

complete glossary. Few stones are left unturned.

It is, overall, a remarkable achievement, a credit to its authors and obviously a labour of love. I

strongly recommend it to anyone with a serious interest in butterflies, especially as it breaks new

ground in the visual material presented and provides a model for a new type of butterfly book. It

is a worthy successor to the iconic works of Moore and Woodhouse & Henry.

Reviewed by Albert Orr

ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTICES

Items for insertion should be sent to the Business Manager who reserves the

right to alter, reject or charge for notices.

NOTES FOR AUTHORS

Manuscripts submitted for publication can be submitted as either hardcopies

or electronically. Three copies (double spaced text and illustrations) of

hardcopy manuscripts should be submitted. Manuscripts submitted in digital

format should be sent in Microsoft Word. Digital illustrations should be sent

initially as low resolution images in a separate Word file, as low resolution

JPEGs, or as low resolution PDF files, with figure numbers indicated clearly

for each figure. High resolution TIFFs or JPEGs (300 dpi at print size) must

be provided at the time of acceptance of the manuscript. Digital manuscripts

may be sent via email to geoff.monteith@bigpond.com Hardcopy manuscripts

and digital manuscripts on disc should be sent to:

The Business Manager,

The Australian Entomologist

P.O. Box 537

Indooroopilly, Qld, 4068

Authors should refer to recent issues for layout and style. All papers will be

forwarded to two referees and the editor reserves the right to reject any paper

considered unsuitable.

It is editorial policy that usage of taxonomic nomenclature will comply with the

mandatory provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

Publication costs are $10 per page up to 20 pages, and $20 per page in excess of

20. This covers unlimited use of colour which is encouraged. These costs include

the supply of a pdf copy of the paper and 10 hardcopy reprints to the senior

author. Papers occupying one printed page or less may be accepted without charge

if no reprints are required. Reprints may be supplied for one page papers at the

normal cost, by arrangement. Page charges may be reduced at the discretion of the

Publications Committee. An application for reduction must be made, with reasons,

at the time of acceptance of the manuscript.

Further information for authors is given on the ESQ website at

http://www.esq.org.au/pdf/guide to authors2016.pdf

Printed by Bayfield Printing, Unit 6/60 Kremzow Rd, Brendale, Q 4500, Ph: 1300 685 820

THE AUSTRALIAN

Entomologist

Volume 43, Part 3, 3 September 2016

BATLEY, M., PAULY, A., GOLLAN, J.R.,

ASHCROFT, M.B. and SONET, G.

Re-identification of an exotic bee introduced to the Hunter Valley

Region, New South Wales — Seladonia hotoni (Vachal, 1903)

(Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

BRABY, M.F.

Migration records of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae,

Hesperiidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae) in the “Top End’ of the

Northern Territory

CLAYTON, J.

The genera Eoophyla Swinhoe and Nymphicula Snellen

(Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Acentropinae) in Fiji, with descriptions

of four new species

DOWNES, M.F. and EDWARDS, E.

An undescribed concealer moth, Stathmopoda sp. (Lepidoptera:

Oecophoridae) in nests of the weaver ant Polyrhachis australis

Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

MEYER, C.E., MILLER, C.G., BROWN, S.S. and WEIR, R.P.

First Australian record of Parthenos tigrina (M. Snellen van

Vollenhoven, 1886) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae)

SANDS, D.P.A., GRIMSHAW, P. and SANDS, M.C.

Acacia melvillei Pedley (Mimosaceae), a newly-recorded larval

food plant for Jalmenus eubulus Miskin (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

WILLIAMS, A.A.E. and WILLIAMS, M.R.

A new species of Synemon Doubleday (Lepidoptera: Castniidae)

from Western Australia

BOOK REVIEW

ISSN 1320 6133

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