Exelastis pumilio (Zeller, 1873)

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 : 10

Exelastis pumilio (Zeller, 1873)

Fig. 11 , 31a, b , 46

Diagnosis. Forewing cleft extending to about one-third from wing apex to base; with a small fuscous discal spot and diffuse spot at cleft ( Fig. 11 ). Ground color variable, ranging from pale caramel brown to drab with scattered white overscaling. Small fuscous scale tufts present in fringes of forewing, absent on hindwing. Posterior third of mesothorax, metathorax, and first abdominal segment dorsally pale buff or pale yellow. Valvae of male genitalia symmetrical, with curved tong-like tips bearing stout spines ( Fig. 31a ). Female genitalia with small sclerotized cup-like antrum, narrow ductus bursae, and round to oblong corpus bursae without signa ( Fig. 46 ).

Pinned material examined. BAHAMAS: Abaco: Central Abaco, E side of S.C. Bolle Hwy., 3 mi. S of Treasure Cay Rd. , 26.656294°, −77.306661°, 2.x.2014, DLM, JYM, MJS, RMR (1 ♂) ; New Providence Island: W Bay St. & Indigo Dr., Orange Hill Inn, 25.065479°, −77.457172°, 21.vii.2015, DLM (4 ♂, slide DM 2163, 2 ♀) ; same data except 25.065248°, −77.457152°, 9.vi.2018, DLM (1 ♂, 3 ♀) ; North Andros Island: Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, 24.742046°, −77.862031°, 13.vi.2012, MJS, GJG, RMR, Michael Simon (1 ♀) ; San Salvador Island : Gerace Research Centre, vic. library, 24.118742°, −74.465230°, 13.vi.2018, DLM (1 ♂, 1 ♀); Gerace Research Centre, vic. Water Tanks, 24.117589°, −74.465207°, 11.vi.2018, DLM, JYM (2 ♀, slide DM 2149) ; same data except, 14.vi.2018 (1 ♂, 1 ♀) .

Life history. Recorded larval hostplants are various Fabaceae , especially species of Desmodium Desv. ( Matthews and Lott 2005) . Adults from New Providence and San Salvador islands were collected in association with Desmodium growing in mowed lawns.

Distribution. This species occurs throughout the new and old world tropics and subtropics. In the West Indies it is known from The Bahamas, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In The Bahamas, the species has been collected from Abaco, New Providence, North Andros, and San Salvador islands. Previously recorded from North Andros ( Matthews et al. 2012).

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.