Exelastis dowi Matthews and Landry, 2008

Matthews, Deborah L., Miller, Jacqueline Y., Simon, Mark J. & Goss, Gary J., 2019, Additions to the plume moth fauna of The Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) with description of four new species, Insecta Mundi 708 (708), pp. 1-35 : 11

Exelastis dowi Matthews and Landry, 2008

Fig. 13 , 32 , 43

Diagnosis. Similar to E. montischristi except for paler light buff to ochraceous-buff ground color, with more distinct fuscous paired spots at forewing cleft base, and hindwing with row of spatulate fuscous scales within fringes of third lobe anal margin which extends for most of lobe length ( Fig. 13 ). Male genitalia with asymmetrical valvae; apex of right valve with rounded plate-like sclerite ( Fig. 32 ). Female genitalia distinguished from E. montischristi by the presence of a median plate on sternite VII ( Fig. 43 ).

Pinned material examined. BAHAMAS: Abaco: South Abaco, Gilpin Point, S of Crossing Rocks, 1.5 mi. SE of Great Abaco Hwy. , 26.105899°, −77.18550°, 3.vi.2016, pinelands, DLM, JYM, MJS, GJG (1 ♀, slide DM 2114) ; Schooner Bay , coppice trail, 26.167000°, −77.181167°, 30.x.2014, DLM, JYM, MJS, RMR (1 ♂) ; Schooner Bay Institute, 26.161333°, −77.187667°, 14–18.v.2018, MS, GG (1 ♀) ; Grand Bahama Island: vic. Owl’s Hole , 26.587496°, −78.469854°, 27.x.2014, DLM, JYM, MJS, RMR (1 ♂, slide DM 2165) .

Life history. Unknown. Larvae most likely feed on a species of legume ( Fabaceae ).

Distribution. Originally described from the Florida Keys, Grand Bahama, and Belize ( Matthews and Landry 2008). The distribution now also includes South Abaco Island.

Figures

Figures 10–17. Bahamas Pterophoridae pinned adults. 10) Dejongia californicus ♀, San Salvador Island, 26.vii.2015. 11) Exelastis pumilio ♂, Abaco, 2.xi.2014. 12) Exelastis montischristi ♀, Cat Island, 25.vi.2014. 13) Exelastis dowi ♂, Abaco, 30.x.2014. 14) Emmelina buscki ♀, Grand Bahama Island, 27.x.2014. 15) Oidaematophorus androsensis Matthews, new species, ♀, holotype, North Andros Island, 11.vi.2012. 16) Hellinsia paleaceus ♂, Abaco, 6.vi.2016. 17) Hellinsia chlorias ♂, Crooked Island, 20.ix.1988. Scale line below each name equals 1 mm.

Figures 29–32. Bahamas Pterophoridae male genitalia. 29a) Megalorhipida leucodactylus, slide DM 2160. 29b) phallus, same individual. 30a) Dejongia californicus, slide DM 2164. 30b) phallus, same individual. 31a) Exelastis pumilio, slide DM 2163. 31b) phallus, same individual. 32) Exelastis dowi, slide DM 2165, phallus in situ.

Figure 43–48. Bahamas Pterophoridae female genitalia. 43) Exelastis dowi, slide DM 2114. 44) Dejongia californicus, slide DM 2151. 45) Sphenarches anisodactylus, slide DM 2158. 46) Exelastis pumilio, slide DM 2149. 47) Exelastis montischristi, slide DM 2113. 48) Michaelophorus salensis Matthews, new species, paratype, slide DM 2117.