Pollanisus cupreus (Tarmann, 2004)

Mollet, Bernard & Tarmann, Gerhard M., 2023, Revision of the genus Pollanisus Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Procridinae), Zootaxa 5281 (1), pp. 1-72 : 58

P. cupreus

Published data ( Tarmann 2004).

Material examined ( Table 14), all from Western Australia. 1 ♁ (1539) ( Figs 193, 194 ), 7 ♁, N. E. Lancelin, 30°57′42.9″S, 115°25′02.0″E, 130 m, 9.IX.2010, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) .

Discussion and differential diagnosis. In Western Australia, this is the largest species with the upper side forewing dark brown, covered with golden to coppery metallic scales, except to the margin. Pollanisus nielseni is slightly smaller, with an extremely bright golden to green metallic sheen extending almost to the apex of upper side forewing. Despite identical head ratios, Pollanisus cupreus and P. nielseni have a different habitus.

The habitus of P. cupreus and P. nielseni differ from those of P. amethystina and P. empyrea , which are smaller, have narrower forewings with less brilliant scales and the hindwings more translucent medially ( Tarmann 2004). Also the habitus of the larvae is slightly different.

Phenology and bionomics. Pollanisus cupreus ( Fig. 195 ) is active only in sunny weather or when it is disturbed. The assumed larval host plant is Hibbertia hypericoides (Dilleniaceae) ( Tarmann 2004), the habitat is open forest with shrubs and bushes ( Fig. 198 ).

From collected females ( Fig. 199 ) rearing was possible on Hibbertia spicata and Hibbertia subvaginata . Eggs are white, the larvae in L1 and L2 were partly to totally stem and leaf mining on H. subvaginata , they live and feed within the leaf tissue until end of L2. This behavior was not observed on H. spicata , probably due to its thinner leaves. During rearing larvae could be moved easily from H. spicata to H. subvaginata and reciprocally. The larvae ( Fig. 200 ) are of variable appearance at the last instar and cannot be distinguished from those of P. nielseni (B. Mollet observation).

Figures

FIGURE 200. Pollanisus cupreus. Last instar larva.

FIGURES 193–197. Pollanisus species, upper side and frontal view. 193-195. P. cupreus. 193, 194. Lancelin; 195. Male nectaring. P. nielseni. 196, 197. Wedge Island. (scale bars: 1 mm).

FIGURES 198–199. Pollanisus cupreus. 198. Habitat at Lancelin. 199. Female resting on a Fabaceae sp. flower.