Phyllonorycter trifasciella (Haworth, 1828)

(Figs 34–36, 39–41)

Tinea trifasciella — Haworth A.J. 1828: 576, nr. 56 (for list of citations see De Prins & De Prins 2013). Ty pe locality: [United Kingdom], Coomb Wood. Ty pe specimens: not stated in the original description (see Designation of the lectotype below).

Lithocolletis heydenii — Zeller P.C. 1846: 247 –248, pl. 1, fig. 38. A junior subjective synonym of Tinea trifasciella Haworth, 1828, synonymized by Stainton (1848: 2088).

Opostega torquillaepennella Heyd. (heydeniella, Z.)— Bruand T. 1851: 52, nr. 1455. An unjustified emendation of Lithocolletis heydenii Zeller, 1846 and a junior subjective synonym of Tinea trifasciella Haworth, 1828, synonymized by Walker (1864: 908).

Lithocolletis heydeni Z.— Mann J. 1862: 408. An incorrect subsequent spelling.

Phyllonorycter heydenella Herrich-Schäffer 1862 — Leraut P. J. A. 1997: 95. An incorrect subsequent spelling.

Designation of the lectotype. Haworth described species from several collections, and some specimens may subsequently have been lost (K. Tuck, pers. corr.). In 1834, a year after his death, Haworth’s personal collection of British Lepidoptera was auctioned in four parts. Part 1 with some types of Microlepidoptera was obtained by the Entomological Society of London; part 2 by Lord Thomas Walsingham; part 3 by James Francis Stephens; and part 4 by Frederick William Hope (Horn & Kahle 1935). Most of these specimens are now in the Natural History Museum London, the Hope Entomological Collection of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Yorkshire Museum, York. A list compiled by staff at the BMNH in 1972 and a note of 8.x.2001 indicated that one type specimen of Tinea trifasciella was in the York Museum (K. Tuck, pers. corr.) (Fig. 39). Its presence was subsequently confirmed by Mr. Raymond Uffen and the first author examined and photographed this specimen.

This specimen is designated here as a lectotype, according to the ICZN (1999: Art.74.1).

Lectotype ♀, (Fig. 37) designated here, [1] (handwritten) ‘3 fasciella ’; [2] (printed) ‘YORYM 2012.749’. The lectotype of Phyllonorycter trifasciella is the property of the insect collection of the Yorkshire Museum and Gardens (YMUK).This recognized scientific insect collection is known for preserving name-bearing types of Haworth specimens which are accessible for further study (ICZN, Art. 75.3.7). Before designating this lectotype, we consulted the curators (Kevin Tuck, Martin Honey, Stuart Ogilvy) of major natural history collections (ICZN, Recommendation 75B) and received their support for this nomenclatural act.

Identification. Adult (Figs 34, 37). The broad conspicuous black markings on the forewing make P. trifasciella easily distinguishable from all European species in the trifasciella group. However, it might be confused with the Nepalese P. r u b i c o l a (see Kumata 1973: pl. ii: fig. G). In P. rubicola the basal costal black patch is absent and the median white fascia is more or less straight, while in P. trifasciella the basal costal black patch is present and white median fascia is sharply angulated. P. trifasciella resembles the autumnal form of P. tritorrhecta, but the latter species lacks the basal costal and tornal black patches present in P. trifasciella (see Kumata 1963: pl. iv, fig. 54). The apical pattern of P. trifasciella resembles that of P. lonicerae, but P. lonicerae lacks the broad costal basal and costal median black patches that are very characteristic of P. trifasciella (see Kumata 1963: pl.v, fig. 59).

Male genitalia (Figs 35, 36). Slightly resembles P. pulchra, P. tristrigella, P. tritorrhecta, P. ulmi, and P. zelkovae because all of these species have a spine on the apical part of valva, complete transtilla, sclerotized juxta and short stumpy aedoeagus. However, the combination of the following characters: i) slightly asymmetrical, long, narrow valvae, ii) long, sharp, apical valval spine, about as long as 1/6 of valval length and iii) long, only about 1/3 shorter than tegumen, enlarged from median towards caudal part sternum VIII is unique for this species, enabling its easy identification.

Host plant(s). Many species of Caprifoliaceae . Lonicera periclymenum L. in the Canary Islands. For a full list of the referenced host plants refer to De Prins & De Prins (2013).

Distribution. throughout Europe. Mentioned from Turkey as P. heydeni (Mann 1862: 408) . The Canary Islands (Tenerife) (new record) (Fig. 40). For a full list of the referenced localities, refer to De Prins & De Prins (2013).

Examined specimens collected in the Canary Islands. 3♂, Canary Islands, Tenerife, Los Cristianos, 10 m, mine 30.xii.1981, leg. W. De Prins; ex l. Lonicera periclymenum L. ( Caprifoliaceae), 03–06.i.1982. Gen. prep. De Prins 3806♂, in JWDP.