Cautethia grotei Edwards, 1882

Miller, Jacqueline Y., Matthews, Deborah L. & Gott, Riley J., 2022, Three new species of Cautethia Grote (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) from the Lucayan Archipelago and keys to West Indies species, Insecta Mundi 2022 (937), pp. 1-28 : 6-10

Cautethia grotei Edwards, 1882

Fig. 2–9 , 27 , 32 , 44, 45 , 58 , 68, 71

This species is by far the most common and widely distributed Cautethia in the West Indies, with five described subspecies. It was originally described from Florida and has been known from the Bahamas since first reported by Hampson (1904). Melichar et al. (2016) recently designated and described the subspecies Cautethia grotei bahamensis Melichar, Řezáč, Ilčíková , based on the type series from Islands of the Little and Great Bahamas Bank, and Crooked Island. Cautethia grotei has not yet been collected on any islands east of Crooked Island. Specimens from San Salvador Island, though externally similar to C. grotei , differ in genitalic morphology and represent a separate species. In addition to the C. grotei subspecies occurring in the Bahamas and the nominate subspecies from Florida and Cuba, the others include Cautethia grotei apira Jordan, 1940 from Grand Cayman, C. grotei hilaris Jordan, 1940 from Cayman Brac, and C. grotei jamaicensis Melichar, Řezáč and Ilčíková, 2016 from Jamaica.

Diagnosis. Wing patterns of the subspecies are similar to the nominate subspecies from Florida and Cuba. Males are recognized by the presence of a strong tornal dash ( Fig. 2, 4, 6 ) on the forewing (characteristic of the genus) and the paired antemedial lines are distinct, with the basal of the two appearing scalloped and indented at cell Cu 2 –A 2+3 together with the hindwing having the basal half pale orange-yellow, and distal half chocolate brown. Males with postmedial area gray as opposed to white adjacent to tornal dash as in the three new species described below. In females, the submarginal and terminal areas meet with a contrasting jagged edge with the terminal area white admixed with gray and the submarginal area fuscous and gray. The tornal dash is present yet less obvious than in males as it is contiguous with the dark basal half of the submarginal area. Cautethia grotei is distinguished from C. exuma by the presence of a transverse fuscous line across the anterior margin of the thorax and by the usually darker forewings with more distinct antemedial and postmedial lines, and from the three new species described below by the generally darker ground color of the forewings, characters of the antemedial lines, postmedial area, and genitalia. Male genitalia are characterized by the absence of a saccular process in combination with a medially notched gnathos apex. Females are distinct from other Cautethia species in having a square medial sclerite on the lamina postvaginalis.

Specimens examined. BAHAMAS: Abaco: Central Abaco, E side of S.C. Bolle Hwy. , 3 mi. S of Treasure Cay Rd., 26.656294°, −77.306661°, 5.vi.2016, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2016-09 (1 ♂) MGCL 246978 ; Central Abaco, Marsh Harbour , 4.ix.1970, J. Bowe (1 ♂) MGCL 1076008 ; same location, 19.viii.1972, J. Bowe (1 ♀) MGCL 1076043 ; same location, 9-18.viii.1988, J. Bowe (3 ♂) MGCL 1076006 , 1076009 , 1076010 (1 ♀, prep. DM 2212) MGCL 1076042 ; Elbow Cay, Hopetown , 10.x.2006, D. G. Marqua, MGCL Acc. 2008-21 (2 ♂) MGCL 1076011 , 1076003 ; North Abaco, 1 mi. S of Blackwood Village , 26.785115°, −77.421319°, 6.vi.2016, DLM, JYM, MJS, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2016-09 (1 ♂) MGCL 246910 (LEP-65163) ; Great Abaco, 17.vii.1963, J. Bowe (2 ♂) MGCL 1076004 , 1076005 , 1076007 ; South Abaco, Schooner Bay Institute, 26.161333°, −77.187667°, 29.x.2014, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-31 (5 ♂) MGCL 244735 , 244736 , 244767 , 244954 , 245952 ; same data except, 31.x.2014 (1 ♂) MGCL 246111 ; same location, 31.v.2016, DLM, JYM, MJS, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2016-09 (1 ♂) MGCL 247131 ; Schooner Bay , coppice trail, 26.167000°, −77.181167°, 30.x.2014, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-31 (1 ♂) MGCL 244961 ; vicinity of Sawmill Sink , 26.218346°, −77.210170°, 31.x.2014 JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, N. & M. Albury, MGCL Acc. 2014-31 (2 ♂) MGCL 245833 , 246142 ; same location, 2.vi.2016, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2016-9 (1 ♂) MGCL 247263 ; Cat Island: Fernandez Bay Village , 24°19.183’, -75°28.271’, 4–8.vi.2009, JYM, MJS, GJG, RMR, MGCL Acc. 2009-22 (2 ♂) MGCL 231501 , 231502 ; same data except 3–9.vi.2009 (3 ♂) MGCL 231498–231500 ; N of Old Bight Settlement /E of Moss Town , 24.244333°, −77.379667°, 21.vi.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 246346 ; SE of Old Bight Settlement, 1.46 mi. from Queen’s Hwy on road to Port Howe , 24.222603°, −75.364922°, 22.vi.2014, JYM, GJG, MJS, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 240645 ; SE of Old Bight Settlement, 2 mi. from Queen’s Hwy on road to Port Howe , 24.220000°, −75.355500°, 25.vi.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂) MGCL 236761 , 236956 ; vic. Ocean Dream Resort , E of Smith Town, 24.232273°, −75.454536°, 23.vi.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014- 15 (1 ♂) MGCL 240691 ; vic. Dumfries , 2 mi. SE of Arthur’s Town Airport, 24.603249°, −75.643619°, 24.vi.2014, JYM, GJG, MJS, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 240408 ; Crooked Island: 0.5 mi. E of Ferry at Church Grove Settlement , 22.758933°, −74.242501°, 6.vi.2014, MJS & Michael Simon, MGCL Acc. 2014-13 (1 ♂, prep. DM 2208) MGCL 239522 (LEP-22462) ; 1 mi. E Colonel Hill, 18.ix.1988, L. D. Miller & MJS, Allyn Museum Acc. 1988-18 (9 ♂, prep. DM 2207) MGCL 1076014 , 1076015 , 1076021 , 1076022 , 1076031 , 1076033 , 1076036 , 1076037 , 1076040 (1 ♀, prep. DM 2213) MGCL 1076041 ; same data except 19.ix.1988 (3 ♂) MGCL 1076034 , 1076035 , 1076038 ; same data except, 20.ix.1988 (11 ♂) MGCL 1076013 , 1076016–1076020 , 1076023–1076025 , 1076032 , 1076039 ; 1.5 mi. E of Landrail Pt. , 22.813263°, −74.321186°, 10.vi.2013, MJS & GJG, MGCL Acc. 2013- 21 (1 ♂) MGCL 231512 ; N side of Horseshoe Beach nr. Gun Bluff , 22.83532°, −74.323017°, 6.vi.2013, MJS & GJG, MGCL Acc. 2013-21 (1 ♂) MGCL 231513 ; Pittstown Point, 22.831211°, −74.348717°, 3.vi.2014, MJS & Michael Simon, MGCL Acc. 2014-13 (1 ♂) MGCL 238033 ; vic. Pittstown , 23.ix.1986 MJS & L. D. Miller, Allyn Museum Acc. 1986-19 (2 ♂) MGCL 1076012 , 1076030 ; same data except 24.ix.1986 (1 ♂) MGCL 1076028 ; same data except 25.ix.1986 (3 ♂) MGCL 1076026 , 1076027 , 1076029 ; Eleuthera Island : 1.4 mi. N of Rock Sound Airport, 23.912834°, −76.166422°, 28.vi.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 242304 ; 4.3 mi. S of Palmetto Point , 25.109584°, −76.151370°, 29.vi.2014, MJS, JYM, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 242309 ; Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve , 25.187667°, −76.212833°, 27.vi.2014, DLM, JYM, MJS, GJG, P. DeLuca, F. Cartwright, E. Freid, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 242272 , (1 ♀) MGCL 242815 ; N of Queen’s Hwy , 2.4 mi. SE Governor’s Harbour, 25.174333°, −76.210500°, 26.vi.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (2 ♂) MGCL 241098 , 241958 ; North Palmetto Point, Unique Village Resort, 25.168249°, −76.166613°, 30.vi.2014, JYM, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-15 (1 ♂) MGCL 242352 ; Grand Bahama Island: vic. Owl’s Hole , 26.587496°, −78.469854°, 27.x.2014, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-31 (1 ♂) MGCL 242937 ; Great Exuma Island : 0.8 mi. SW of Farmer’s Hill ; Palm Rd. & Sea View Dr., 23.579202°, −75.929259°, 23.v.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (4 ♂) MGCL 234622–234625 ; SE of Moss Town & airport, 23.551167°, −75.863333°, 27.v.2014, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, coppice/salt marsh transition, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (1 ♂) MGCL 236378 ; SW of Hoopers Bay , 23.518167°, −75.823667°, 26.v.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂) MGCL 234381 , 234382 ; vic. Rolleville , 23.661833°, −75.987333°, 25.v.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂, prep. DM 2128) MGCL 236703 , 236704 , (1 ♀) MGCL 235183 ; Long Island: 1.25 mi. S of Salt Pond, Line Bay development, 23.327167°, −75.113667°, 28.v.2014, JYM, MJS, DLM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂) MGCL 236425 , 236454 ; blue hole E of Anderson , 23.533233°, −75.237334°, 31.v.2014, JYM, GJG, MJS, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (1 ♂) MGCL 237900 ; Deadman’s Cay, vic. Airport , 23.175500°, −75.096333°, 29.v.2014, JYM, GJG, MJS, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂) MGCL 236922 , 239538 , (1 ♀) MGCL 239539 ; NE of Whitehouse , 23.407167°, −75.160500°, 1.vi.2014, JYM, GJG, MJS, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂) MGCL 236621 , 237881 ; Stella Maris , 26.ix.1988, L.D. Miller & MJS, Allyn Museum Acc. 1988-18 (1 ♂) MGCL 1076002 ; vic. Salt Pond , 23.353833°, −75.119500°, 30.v.2014, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-14 (2 ♂) MGCL 237450 , 237889 , (1 ♀, prep. DM 2130) MGCL 237483 ; New Providence Island: Adventure Learning Center Zoo off Marshall Rd. , 25.004472°, −77.353807°, 10.iv.2014, JYM, DLM, M. Mundle & entomology class, MGCL Acc. 2014-10 (1 ♂, prep. DM 2214) MGCL 233107 ; North Andros Island : 2.4 mi. S of Staniard Creek, 24.797594°, −77.888264°, 27.x.2011, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2011-32 (3 ♂) MGCL 231507 , 231508 , 231510 ; same location, 11-12.vi.2012 MJS, GJG, RMR & Michael Simon, MGCL Acc. 2012-28 (2 ♂) MGCL 231503 , 231505 ; Andros Town , 7–13.iii.1966, O. L. Cartwright (1 ♂, prep. DM 2181) [USNM] ; Captain Bill’s Blue Hole , 24.742046°, −77.862031°, 29.x.2011, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2011-32 (1 ♂) MGCL 231509 ; same location, 13.vi.2012, MJS, GJG, RMR & Michael Simon, MGCL Acc. 2012-28 (1 ♂) MGCL 231511 (1 ♀) MGCL 231514 ; Small Hope Bay, 0–3m, 27.v.1994, Lee Miller & MJS, Allyn Museum Acc. 1994-10 (2 ♂) MGCL 1076000 , 1076001 ; Stafford Creek, Love at First Sight property, 24°54.10’, -77°66.13’, 1.vi.2006, Simons, Millers , RMR (1 ♂) MGCL 231488 ; Stafford Creek, Love at First Sight , 24°54.1’, -77°56.2, 18m, 7-11.vi.2008, MJS, RMR, JYM, GJG, MGCL Acc. 2008-25 (5 ♂) MGCL 231493–231497 ; same location, 10-12.viii.2008, MJS, MGCL Acc. 2009-9 (6 ♂, prep. DM 2215) MGCL 231487 , 231489–231492 , 231504 ; Stafford Creek, Love at First Sight , 24.901449°, −77.936089°, 18m, 28.x.2011, JYM, MJS, GJG, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2011-32 (1 ♂) MGCL 231506 ; Ragged Islands: Hog Cay , 22 14.13N, 75 45.15W, 11.i.2018 MT+ pitfall traps, L. S. Kimsey (1 ♀) [UCDC] ; South Andros Island: Black Point, Steven’s Rd. , 23.997568°, −77.560616°, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-9 (4 ♂) MGCL 233426–233429 , (1 ♀) MGCL 233421 ; farm road north of The Bluff , 24.130088°, −77.590680°, 30.iii.2014, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-9 (7 ♂) MGCL 233511–233514 , 233535 , 233567 , 233568 ; SW of Driggs Hill Settlement , 24.204092°, −77.599468°, 28.iii.2014, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-9 (5 ♂) MGCL 233589–233593 ; W of The Bluff Settlement , 24.106939°, −77.557659°, 29.iii.2014, JYM, MJS, RMR, DLM, MGCL Acc. 2014-9 (7 ♂) MGCL 233138–233142 , 233270 , 233271 .

Life history. Edwards (1887) described the pupa from a Florida specimen of C. grotei grotei and Dyar (1896) described the larva from Florida on Chiococca alba (= C. racemosa ) (L.) Hitchc. ( Rubiaceae ). In addition to Chiococca alba, Tuttle (2007) also lists Erithalis fruticosa as a host. The Bahamas subspecies ( C. grotei bahamensis ), though not yet reared, likely feeds on the same plants, both occurring throughout the archipelago along with some endemic congeners ( Correll and Correll 1982).

Distribution. The Bahamas subspecies is recorded from the islands of Abaco, Cat, Crooked, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Great Exuma, Long, New Providence, North and South Andros. It may also occur on Acklins which is directly adjacent to Crooked Island. However, the moth fauna of this island has not yet been surveyed. No specimens have been found from the more eastern islands.

Figures

Figures 2–9. Variation in Lucayan Cautethia grotei adults. 2) Dorsal view ♂, MGCL 246910, North Abaco, 6.vi.2016. 3) Ventral view, same specimen. 4) Dorsal view ♂, MGCL 231507, North Andros, 27.x.2011. 5) Ventral view, same specimen. 6) Dorsal view ♂, MGCL 1076036, Crooked Island, 18.ix.1988. 7) Ventral view, same specimen. 8) Dorsal view ♀, MGCL 235183, Great Exuma Island, 25.v.2014. 9) Ventral view, same specimen. Scale bar under names 1 cm.

Figures 26–30. Male genitalia of Lucayan Cautethia with valvae spread and phallus removed. 26) C. exuma, prep. DM 2233, MGCL 233423, South Andros Island, 27.iii.2014. 27) C. grotei bahamensis, prep. DM 2208, MGCL 239522, Crooked Island, 6.vi.2014. 28) C. geraceorum, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2209, MGCL 247849, San Salvador Island, 12.vi.2018. 29) C. gossi, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2136, MGCL 321522, Great Inagua, 9-12.vi.2007. 30) C. simoni, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2176, Grand Turk, 6.ii.2001 [USNM].

Figures 31–41. Phalli of West Indies Cautethia. 31) C. exuma, prep. DM 2233, MGCL 233423 South Andros Island, 27.iii.2014. 32) C. grotei bahamensis, prep. DM 2208, MGCL 239522, Crooked Island, 6.vi.2014. 33) C. geraceorum, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2209, MGCL 247849, San Salvador Island, 12.vi.2018. 34) C. n. noctuiformis, prep. DM 2186, Dominican Republic, La Vega Province, 10 km NE Jarabacoa, Hotel Montana, 28.v.1972, Don & M. Davis [USNM]. 35) same specimen, enlargement of apical process. 36) same specimen, enlargement of cornuti. 37) C. calezae, prep. DM 2143, MGCL 1076079, Puerto Rico, Bosq. Est. Toro Negro, Rte. 143, UPRM Biol. Station, 18.1783°N 66.4878°W, 7.viii.2007, J. E. Hayden. 38) C. carsusi, prep. DM 2142, MGCL 1076062, Dominican Republic, La Vega Province, 5 km S of Jarabacoa, 1700’, 28.vi.1981, Charles M. Stevens. 39) C. gossi, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2136, MGCL 321522, Great Inagua, 9-12.vi.2007. 40) same specimen, enlargement of apical process. 41) C. simoni, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2176, Grand Turk, 6.ii.2001 [USNM].

Figures 42–57. Lateral views of uncus, gnathos, and tegumen and ventral views of gnathos apex in West Indies Cautethia males. 42) Ventral view, C. exuma, prep. DM 2233, MGCL 233423 South Andros Island, 27.iii.2014. 43) Lateral view, same specimen. 44) Lateral view, C. grotei bahamensis, prep. DM 2208, MGCL 239522, Crooked Island, 6.vi.2014. 45) Ventral view, same specimen. 46) Ventral view, C. geraceorum, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2209, MGCL 247849, San Salvador Island, 12.vi.2018. 47) Lateral view, same specimen. 48) Lateral view, C. simoni, prep. 2176, Grand Turk, 6.ii.2001 [USNM]; 49) Ventral view, same specimen. 50) Ventral view, C. gossi, new species, paratype, prep. 2136, MGCL 321522, Great Inagua, 9-12.vi.2007. 51) Lateral view, same specimen. 52) Lateral view, C. calezae, prep. DM 2143, MGCL 1076079, Puerto Rico, Bosq. Est. Toro Negro, Rte. 143, UPRM Biol. Station, 18.1783°N 66.4878°W, 7.viii.2007, J. E. Hayden. 53) Ventral view, same specimen. 54) Ventral view, C. carsusi, prep. DM 2142, MGCL 1076062, Dominican Republic, La Vega Province, 5 km S of Jarabacoa, 1700’, 28.vi.1981, Charles M. Stevens. 55) Lateral view, same specimen. 56) Lateral view, C. n. noctuiformis, prep. DM 2186, Dominican Republic, La Vega Province, 10 km NE Jarabacoa, Hotel Montana, 28.v.1972, Don & M. Davis [USNM]. 57) Ventral view, same specimen.

Figures 58–67. Examples of sacculus and saccular processes in West Indies Cautethia males. 58) C. grotei bahamensis, prep. DM 2128, MGCL 239522, Crooked Island, 6.vi.2014. 59) C. geraceorum, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2209, MGCL 247849, San Salvador Island, 12.vi.2018. 60) C. exuma, prep. DM 2233, MGCL 233423, South Andros Island, 27.iii.2014. 61) C. simoni, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2229, CMNH-IZ 720410, Providenciales, 28–30.i.1978 [CMNH]. 62) C. simoni, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2176, Grand Turk, 6.ii.2001 [USNM]. 63) C. gossi, new species, paratype, prep. DM 2136, MGCL 321522, Great Inagua, 9-12.vi.2007. 64) C. n. noctuiformis, prep. DM 2186, Dominican Republic, La Vega Province, 10 km NE Jarabacoa, Hotel Montana, 28.v.1972, Don & M. Davis [USNM]. 65) C. carsusi, prep. DM 2142, MGCL 1076062, Dominican Republic, La Vega Province, 5 km S of Jarabacoa, 1700’, 28.vi.1981, Charles M. Stevens. 66) C. calezae, prep. DM 2143, MGCL 1076079, Puerto Rico, Bosq. Est. Toro Negro, Rte. 143, UPRM Biol. Station, 18.1783°N 66.4878°W, 7.viii.2007, J. E. Hayden. 67) C. calezae, prep. DM 2231, CMNH 64087, Puerto Rico, Isabela, Bosque Estatal de Guajataca, Montanas Aymamon, 18-25-06N, 66-57-55W, 210m, 14-15.vi.1996, J. Rawlins, W. Zanol, R. Davidson, C. Young, M. Klingler, S. Thompson [CMNH].

Figures 68–72. Female genitalia of Cautethia. 68) C. grotei, prep. DM 2212, MGCL 1076042, Central Abaco, 9–18.viii.1988. 69) C. exuma, prep. DM 2141, MGCL 233424, South Andros Island, 27.iii.2014. 70) C. geraceorum, new species, prep. DM 2210, San Salvador Island, 24.vii.2015. 71) C. grotei bahamensis, enlargement of lamina postvaginalis, prep. DM 2212. 72) C. exuma, enlargement of lamina postvaginalis, prep. DM 2141.