Sphenarches anisodactylus (Walker, 1864)

Matthews, Miller, Jacqueline Y., Mark & Goss, Gary, 2012, Observations of plume moths on North Andros Island, Bahamas, and notes on new records and species previously recorded from the Bahamas (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae), Insecta Mundi 2012 (236), pp. 1-12 : 3-5

Sphenarches anisodactylus (Walker, 1864)

Fig. 2c

Material Examined. Bahamas: North Andros, Stafford Creek (Love at First Sight motel), 24.901449°, -77.936089° 28.x.2011 D. Matthews, M. Simon, J. Miller, G. Goss, MGCL Acc. No. 2011-32 (1 female) [ MGCL].

Diagnosis. Wingspan 12.0–18.0 mm. Adults are easily distinguished from other species on the island by the distinctly banded hind tibiae, alternating brown and pale bands on the forewing anterior lobe ( Fig. 2c ) and the deep forewing cleft extending to nearly half the forewing length. The terminus of both forewing lobes is acute but the outer margin (termen) of the second lobe is distinctly excavate. The hindwing third lobe bears a dark double scale-tooth with the inner scale cluster more or less triangular in shape and much larger than the terminal cluster. The dorsum of the abdomen is also distinctly patterned in fresh specimens.

Life History. This species is one of the most notably polyphagous of the Pterophoridae , with larval hosts recorded from at least nine plant families ( Matthews and Lott 2005), especially Fabaceae and Cucurbitaceae . In Florida, the moth is most commonly associated with the aquatic monocot Thalia geniculata L. [ Marantaceae ]. The bionomics and life history were described by Cassani et al. (1990). Throughout the tropics, this species is well known as a pest on food crops of pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and C. bicolor DC. , various squashes and gourds ( Cucurbita L., Lagenaria Ser. , Luffa Mill. ), as well as the ornamental, hyacinth bean, Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet. On Andros, this moth is most likely well established on pigeon peas as this is a staple food crop on the island which is traditionally served with rice ( Nickrent et al. 1988). Larvae are typically flower feeders or pod borers on the various hosts.

Distribution. This species is pantropical and was reported from Nassau, Bahamas by Gielis (2003, 2006). In the West Indies it has been recorded from Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Puerto Rico. In the United States it occurs in Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

Comments. The North Andros specimen is paler than usual for this species but this is partly ac- counted for by the worn condition of the individual. The maculation of both the wings and abdomen are distinctive and there is no question as to the identity of the specimen. The specimen was collected in the morning, resting on asparagus fern in the general vicinity of a mercury vapor lamp which was on through the previous night.

Figures

Figure 2. Pterophoridae from North Andros Island: a) Lioptilodes albistriolatus; b) Stenoptilodes brevipennis; c) Sphenarches anisodactylus; d) Exelastis pumilio; e) Adaina perplexus; f) A. sp.