Mesophleps oxycedrella (Millière, 1871)

Li, Houhun & Sattler, Klaus, 2012, A taxonomic revision of the genus Mesophleps Hübner, 1825 (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) 3373, Zootaxa 3373, pp. 1-82 : 35-36

Mesophleps oxycedrella (Millière, 1871)

( Figs 39, 40, 70, 99, 129)

Gelechia oxycedrella Millière, 1871 , Iconogr. Descr. Chenilles Lépid. inédits 3: 177, 193, pl. 118, figs 1–6. Syntypes about 60 ♂♂, ♀♀, FRANCE: Alpes-Maritimes , Cannes, bred from Juniperus oxycedrus (Cupressaceae) , em. early vii–mid-viii. (Millière) (MNHN, Paris) [syntypes in BMNH examined].

♂, ♀. Wingspan 6.5–14.0 mm. Labial palpus segment 2 thin, widening towards apex, without distinct tuft, dark brown, apex white, 3 slightly shorter than 2, white, rarely mixed with light brown scales. Antenna with alternating whitish grey and brown rings. Forewing light yellow to ochre with distinct dark brown markings: median fascia on costa not reaching dorsum, preapical and tornal spots, subbasal fascia not reaching costa, basal spot on dorsum.

Genitalia ♂ ( Fig. 70). Uncus small, round to oval, basally constricted, narrower than tegumen; gnathos band broad, hooks almost length of uncus, robust, somewhat club-shaped, apex pointed; valva and tegumen narrow; downturned distal part of vinculum about one-quarter its total length, distal margin gently concave, sclerotized posterior margin rounded, sometimes medially notched, beneath exit hole of phallus with rectangular sclerotization; phallus with basal two-thirds bulbous, distal one-third slightly bent, tapered towards apex.

Genitalia ♀ ( Figs 99, 129). Segment VIII short, dorso-posterior margin distinctly convex medially; apophyses anteriores about three-fifths length of apophyses posteriores; subostial plate short and broad, medially with Vshaped emargination; sclerotized antrum very short, indistinct; ductus bursae thin, slightly longer than apophyses posteriores; corpus bursae oval, longer than ductus bursae; ductus seminalis very thin, from cervix bursae.

Remarks. G. oxycedrella was described from about 60 specimens of both sexes, bred by Millière from larvae feeding in the berries of Juniperus oxycedrus . Syntypes are preserved in several collections, including BMNH, but a lectotype should be designated from Millière’s own collection in MNHN, Paris. The identity of oxycedrella is not in doubt; the species is easily recognized because it is the only one in this genus with such distinct forewing markings.

Biology. Host-plants: Juniperus oxycedrus , J. phoeniceus , J. macrocarpus (Cupressaceae) . Biology described in detail by Millière (loc. cit., 3: 177, pl. 118, figs 1–6). “The ovum is deposited in July on a berry of Juniperus oxycedrus ; the larva hatches in about mid-August at the time the fruits begin to ripen. As soon as it hatches the larva bores into the fleshy part of the berry growing slowly during the autumn, appearing not to damage the fruit in which it hides, diapausing during the winter. It feeds and grows again in early spring, reaching its full development in March or April. At that point it leaves the fruit, descends to the ground on a silken thread and immediately pupates. The larva measures 10–12 mm and has the shape of all other members of the genus Gelechia , attenuated posteriorly, puckered, with sixteen well developed feet and the first segment protected by a scaly plate. The ground colour is yellowish white or amber, faintly clay-coloured on the dorsal part and of bluish grey on the last segments. The head and the prothoracic shield are pale ochre, the sixteen legs of the same colour. There are no lines: some setae-bearing points are noticed topped by fine short hairs. This larva varies in grey, with the scaly plate concolourous. Usually one fruit is not enough for the larva and it moves to a second one, which it damages more quickly than the first. Pupation takes place amongst plant debris in a cocoon of white silk. The adult emerges in early July and the emergence period extends over five to six weeks.” [This is a translation from Millière loc. cit. but we have not traced the source.]

Distribution. Southern Europe ( Spain, southern France, Italy) and the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Hierro). Also recorded from Portugal and Sicily ( Karsholt & Riedl 1996: 120) and the Canary Islands (Gomera) ( Klimesch 1984: 166).

Material examined (75 ♂♂, 45 ♀♀, including 3 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀ genitalia preparations)

Spain: 10 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀, Huelva, Coto, ex Juniperus phoeniceus , 3.v, 6–21.vi.1901 (Walsingham) ; 1♂, ditto, ex Juniperus macrocarpus , larva iv, em. 6.vi.1901 (Walsingham) ; 1 ♂, Castellón, Benicasim, ex Juniperus , 20.viii.1974 (Bou č ek); 1 ♀, Mallorca, Es Comu, S’Albufera, 30.v.2001 (Honey); 4 ♂♂, [no data, probably Spain (unspecified)]; 1 ♀, Andalucia, Camino d. Rhonda, Urb Madronal 500 m, Loma de Colmenas , 28.viii.1988 (Traugott-Olsen) ( NKUM) . France: 9 ♂♂, 5 ♀♀, Cannes, ex Juniperus oxycedrus , i, iv.1875, 15.vii.1881, 14.vii.1883, 16.x.1888 (Millière; Ragonot; Walsingham) ; 11 ♂♂, 18 ♀♀, Monaco, Monte Carlo, ex Juniperus oxycedrus , 24, 29.vi, 21.vii, 6, 16.viii, 3.ix.1911, 16.viii, 29.ix.1912 (Walsingham). Italy: 4 ♂♂, 1 ♀, S Sardinia, Villasimius, vi.1975 (Bou č ek). Canary Islands : 6 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, Tenerife, V. de Santiago, Juniperus phoeniceus , 10– 27.viii, 9.ix.1911 (Perez); 1 ♂, Hierro, 8.ix.1911 (Perez). [Label data i. and iv.1875 above are from specimens in the Stainton collection; Stainton frequently recorded the date he had received a specimen from his correspondents rather than the date of capture or emergence from the pupa.]