Urbanus teleus (Hübner, 1821)

Carneiro, Mielke, Olaf H. H. & M, Mirna, 2013, Thorax and abdomen morphology of some Neotropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera), Insecta Mundi 2013 (327), pp. 1-47 : 10-12

Urbanus teleus (Hübner, 1821)

Cervix and Prothorax. Similar to those observed in Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis . The anterior-dorsal projection is slightly longer and the cervical organ is slightly smaller ( Fig. 2 ), bearing small bristles as in Epargyreus clarus (Pyrginae, Eudamini ) (Cramer, 1775) ( Ehrlich 1960).

The anterior lobe of the dorsal plate is cordiform, with a more sclerotized spot on the anterior margin, and a crease with darkened cuticle on the anterior-lateral third of the projection directed towards the prescutum II ( Fig. 6). There is a terminal dilatation with the convex margin.

The parapatagia present a slightly sclerotized anterior band, being confused in some areas with the membrane itself. The dorsal apex fits into the crease of the notal extension ( Fig. 2 ). The trochantin I is rectangular, posteriorly directed, located between the preepisternum I and the episternum I ( Fig. 63 ). Other prothoracic structures are similar to those in Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis , varying in shape and size to a small degree.

Mesothorax. Despite its length being close to that of Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis , it is distinctly smaller in width, which permits the ventral and dorsal identification of pleural sclerites which were not visualized in the previous species ( Fig. 10 and 14 ). Consequently, the scutum II is slightly longer, presenting less conspicuous oblique sulci and a smoother scutoscutellar suture II.

The anterior notal process II is less developed, in comparison to the previous species, and ventrally directed, without curvature at the apex. The median notal process II is almost entirely hidden under the pleural membrane and is joined to the posterior notal process II ( Fig. 18 ).

The postnotum II with a larger dorsal portion hidden under the scutellum II, and differs little from the previous species. The arms of the scutellum II are also very similar in structure, as well as in the fitting mechanism between the postnotum II and the epimeron II.

The subtegula II is long, though it does not dorsally circle the basalare II, being located anterior to it. The subalare II, presents a shortened posterior thinning, with the suture being posteriorly dislocated.

The tegulae are similar to the previous species and receive on their inferior face a developed membranous area which covers a large part of the subtegular sclerite ( Fig. 22 ). The anepisternum II is a little longer ( Fig. 18 ), separated from the katepisternum II by the anepisternal suture II, which is shorter (around half the width of the episternum II). The katepisternum II, the basisternum II, and the prepectus II present a strong similarity in their structure to those of the Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis , with the exception of the sternopleural suture, which is incomplete and straight, without curvature at the apex. Likewise, the coxal suture II is incomplete and forms a blended area near the basisternum II ( Fig. 10 ). The coxal ventral articulations II are on the median crest, located ventrally-laterally to the discrimen II. The epimeron II is similar to that in the previous species, except for the presence of a pair of parallel transversal sutures found on a small membranous area between it and the meron II ( Fig. 18 ).

Metathorax. Little structural differences can be found in this tagma in comparison to the previous species, all of them being reduced to the pleural-sternal region. In the katepisternum II, the internal crest is located more ventrally, forming a dorsal triangle relatively larger than that of Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis . The marginopleural suture III is incomplete and does not reach its ventral portion in its margin with the eucoxa III. Anteriorly, the paraepisternum III is prominent and clearly visible in lateral view ( Fig. 26 ).

The epimeron III presents a membranous spot, in the shape of a hook, which is invaginated in the dorsal margin of the sclerite. Inconspicuous in some of the specimens observed, its presence might be related to individual variations or even to the boiling time of the specimen in KOH, which might modify coloration and consequently its distinction.

Legs. The legs are slightly longer and thinner than Pyrrhopyge charybdis ( Fig. 30 ). The fifth tarsomere has no ventral thorns and scales on the anterior pair, presenting five long bristles on all of the articles, inserted on the dorsal face.

The segments are basically similar, with small differences in shape and proportion in each of them. The basicostal suture II is not contiguous to the pleural suture, even though they are interconnected by a small extension of the precoxal suture II ( Fig. 18 ). The tibias II present a pair of small thorns on the external face, located between two pairs of spurs ( Fig. 30 ). The meron II is dorsally-ventrally divided by a suture similar to that found on meron III in Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis , between the epimeron II and the meron II, without a membranous area. In contrast, the meron II does not present this same division ( Fig. 26 ). The distitarsus presents two pairs of ventrally curved apical bristles. The other characters are similar to those in the previous species ( Fig. 59 ).

Wings. The wingspan is approximately 35 mm in males and 39 mm in females. The wing margins are straighter and the angles (apical and posterior) are more acute ( Fig. 34 ). The mesothoracic wings are similar to Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis , except for vestiges of M 3 (recurring vein) turned towards the inside of the discal cell. The discal cell is approximately the size of the anal margin or equal to 2/3 of the length of the costal margin. The M 3 vein is originated closer to M 2 than CuA 1. The 3A vein is directed and blended to 2A, though anteriorly to the first ramification of the cubital.

The hind wings are relatively larger, presenting anal projections (“tails”) with approximately the length of the wing’s width, and are supported by the extension of the 2A. The m-cu vein is twice the size in females than in males, looking like a small spine directed towards the base.

Abdomen. The tergal lobe is more sclerotized and also projected over the first spiracle ( Fig. 68 and 69 ). The prespiracular bar can be considered as absent or completely blended to the apodeme of the first sternum. It is slightly arched and does not dorsally reach the tergopleural bar either, the latter being thicker than in the previous species. The postspiracular bar, which is almost inconspicuous, is reduced to a little prominent aculeate projection directed towards the pleural membrane.

The first tergum is distinctly widened, even though it is reduced over the tergopleural bar and between the thorax and the second tergum. The sterna suffer a considerable reduction on their lateraldorsal extensions, especially in females, where the structure becomes even more reduced. The keel-like appearance is similar to that in Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis , though it is smoother.

The last pregenital segment in males presents an arched anterior margin of the tergum ( Fig. 78 to 81). The corresponding sternum is also anteriorly arched and presents a small median recess on its anterior margin. In females, the sternum is semi-oval, and contains a triangular membranous invagination on the anterior margin.

Male Genitalia. Tegument without posterior apophyses and posterior margin truncated ( Fig. 92 and 99 ). The uncus is bifid with rounded arms. Ventrally, the membranous opening has a semi-oval shape. The gnathos, which is distinct, is represented by a pair of slim tubes, which are slightly arched on the sides. The fultura inferior is V-shaped with dorsal projections slightly dilated apically ( Fig. 103 ).

The saccus has no developed anterior projection, measuring around ¼ of the length of the ninth segment and dorsally blended to the lateral-ventral projections of the tegument. The anterior margin is curved and parallel to the margin of the valva, without superimposing on it.

Also presenting a thin base, the valva has a semicircular anterior portion with long bristles in the middle, which are probably related to pheromones or to mechanical functions during copulation ( Fig. 92 ). The harpe is posteriorly differentiated at the tip of the valva, and possesses, besides several ventral bristles, a group of anterior-dorsal spines, which are posterior to a large and well developed dorsal spines ( Fig. 93 ). Internally, it is possible to visualize the sacculus which is reduced to a third of the height of the valva and provided with thicker bristles on its dorsal-posterior surface. Similar bristles are also visualized on the internal dorsal-posterior margin of the valva, standing apart from the thick bristle coverage on most of the structure’s internal surface. The costa is reduced to a triangular crease of the dorsal margin of the valva, which is not prominent.

The aedoeagus is more developed both in length and thickness ( Fig. 107 ). On its anterior end, the aedoeagus’ coecum is also developed and arched, though thinner and directed towards the left. The ejaculatory bulb is oval, being separated from the aedoeagus by an ejaculatory duct of similar size. On the posterior end, the vesica distally hosts a spine-shaped cornutus, which is long and sclerotized, besides an aculeate extension of the aedoeagus which is flat and ventrally arched.

Female Genitalia. The sterigma is composed of the coupling of the antevaginal lamella with the postvaginal lamella, which forms a U-shaped arch, forming between them a ventral-posterior cavity which hosts the ostium bursa ( Fig. 111 and 115 ). On the median-anterior region there is a portion with less sclerotization, where the two plates blend. The eighth tergum is narrow and entirely adhered to the terminalia, connecting to the papillae on their lateral-ventral surface.

The body of the bursa is cylindrical and twice as long as the sterigma and connected to the ostium by a short duct that is devoid of any dilatation. The internal spermatophore is strongly sclerotized, equipped with an anterior semicircular pouch and an extension that follows the contours of the bursa, and is recoiled inside it. An opening is found next to a pair of parallel sheaths and is directed towards the duct of the bursa.

The anal papilla is slightly sclerotized anteriorly, forming two differentiated sclerotization patterns. A pair of posterior apophyses connects to its anterior margin and gives support to the movements of the genital apparatus.

Figures

Figures 1-4. Lateral view of cervical sclerite and prothorax. 1) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 2) Urbanus teleus; 3) Pyrgus orcus; 4) Synapte silius.

Figures 58- 65. Lateral view of last tarsomere and pretarsum I (Fig. 58 to 61), and trochantin I (Fig. 62 to 65). 58, 62) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 59, 63) Urbanus teleus; 60, 64) Pyrgus orcus; 61, 65) Synapte silius. a: trochantin I.

Figures 9-12. Ventral view of cervix and thorax. 9) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 10) Urbanus teleus; 11) Pyrgus orcus; 12) Synapte silius.

Figures 13-16. Dorsal view of mesothorax and metathorax. 13) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 14) Urbanus teleus; 15) Pyrgus orcus; 16) Synapte silius.

Figures 17-20. Lateral view of mesothorax. 17) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 18) Urbanus teleus; 19) Pyrgus orcus; 20) Synapte silius.

Figures 21-24. Lateral view of internal surface of tegula. 21) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 22) Urbanus teleus; 23) Pyrgus orcus; 24) Synapte silius.

Figures 25-28. Lateral view of metathorax. 25) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 26) Urbanus teleus; 27) Pyrgus orcus; 28) Synapte silius.

Figures 29-32: Internal surface of prothoracic, mesothoracic and metathoracic legs (left to right). 29) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 30) Urbanus teleus*; 31) Pyrgus orcus; 32) Synapte silius*. *External surface illustrated.

Figures 33-36. Dorsal view of clarified mesothoracic and metathoracic wings of males (left) and females (right). 33) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 34) Urbanus teleus; 35) Pyrgus orcus; 36) Synapte silius.

Figures 66-69. Lateral view of male (Fig. 66 and 68) and female (Fig. 67 and 69) abdomens. 66, 67) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 68, 69) Urbanus teleus.

Figures 74-89. Dorsal view from last tergum (two left columns) and ventral view from sternum (two right columns): 74 to 77) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 78 to 81) Urbanus teleus; 82 to 85) Pyrgus orcus; 86 to 89) Synapte silius.

Figures 90-97. Lateral view of external surface of male genitalia (left), and internal surface of valvae (right). 90, 91) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 92, 93) Urbanus teleus; 94, 95) Pyrgus orcus; 96, 97) Synapte silius.

Figures 98-105. Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) view of ninth and tenth tergum of male genitalia. 98) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 99) Urbanus teleus; 100) Pyrgus orcus; 101) Synapte silius. 102-105. Posterior view of fultura inferior. 102) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 103) Urbanus teleus; 104) Pyrgus orcus; 105) Synapte silius.

Figures 106-109. Different views of the penis: left lateral, right lateral, ventral and dorsal views (top to bottom). 106) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 107) Urbanus teleus; 108) Pyrgus orcus; 109) Synapte silius.

Figures 110-113. Lateral view of eighth, ninth and tenth segments which form the female genitalia 110) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 111) Urbanus teleus; 112) Pyrgus orcus; 113) Synapte silius.

Figures 114-117. Ventral view of female genitalia. 114) Pyrrhopyge charybdis charybdis; 115) Urbanus teleus; 116) Pyrgus orcus; 117) Synapte silius.