Stenoptilodes brevipennis (Zeller, 1874)

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

Stenoptilodes brevipennis (Zeller, 1874) Fig. 2b

Material Examined. Bahamas: North Andros, Captain Bill’s Blue Hole, 24.742046°, -77.862031°, 29.x.2011 D. Matthews, J. Miller, M. Simon, G. Goss (1 female) [ MGCL].

Diagnosis. Wingspan 11.0–17.0 mm. Adults of this genus as well as Lantanophaga Zimmerman , and Anstenoptilia Zimmerman , are recognized by a distinct termen on both lobes Figure 1. Lioptilodes albistriolatus adult resting on larval and with fringe scales along the second lobe host plant, Baccharis halimifolia . termen forming a scalloped or tri-lobed margin. A faint triangular mark is present along the costa near the cleft base. The anal fringes of the hindwing third lobe also bear a distinct dark scale tuft. Males of this species are distinguishable from Stenoptilodes taprobanes (Felder and Rogenhoffer) by genitalia only. The aedeagus and uncus are both slender and proportionally longer in S. brevipennis compared to S. taprobanes . Females can be easily distinguished from S. taprobanes by external characters, in this case the presence of a pair of distinct dark scale tufts on the ventral surface, flanking the ostium.

Life History. Larvae feed on the shoots and flower buds of certain genera of Plantaginaceae includ- ing Mecardonia Ruiz & Pav. , Scoparia L., Bacopa Aubl. , and Russelia Jacq. Nickrent et al. (1988) list one of the host species, Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell as occurring on Andros and include Mecardonia and Russelia as other taxa occurring elsewhere in the Bahamas. Larvae and pupae are described and illustrated by Matthews (2006).

Distribution. This species is widespread in the Neotropical Region but previously unknown from the Bahamas. In the southeastern United States it has been recorded from Florida and Mississippi. In the West Indies, it is known from Cuba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad ( Bigot and Etienne 2009, Gielis 2006).

Comments. The female specimen from North Andros ( Fig. 2b ) is exceptionally worn but with the geni- tal scale tufts intact, allowing the identification. Matthews and Watkins (2011) illustrate the forewing of S. brevipennis in comparison with similar species. Illustrations of both male and female genitalia are included in Gielis (2006). The specimen examined was spotted with a head lamp and netted while flying in low vegetation.

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.