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Global diversity & phylogeny of Tischeriidae E-mail

The Tischeriidae represents rather small family in comparison to many other groups of Lepidoptera. At present about 111 species are described for the world fauna including species described by Meyrick from tropical regions (Meyrick, 1908, 1911, 1915, 1934, 1936) and 21 species are described in Puplesis* & Diškus, 2003 (three of these species are left unnamed). Later two new species were described from Galapagos (Landry & Roque-Albelo, 2004), one amazing new species was described from Madagascar (Lees & Stonis, 2007) and three other new species were described from Central America (Stonis, Diškus, 2007; 2008). Additionally, many other new species have already been collected, dissected and illustrated from Central America (Belize) and South America (the Andes and Amazon) (Stonis, Diškus, in prep.).

Morphology

Characters which have most diagnostic importance for family recognition are: 1. Frontal tuft projecting over triangular (or trapezoid) face smoothly covered with scales. 2. Numerous very long, distinct, cilia-like sensilla chaetica on male antenna. 3. Scales on enlarged scapus projecting as a modified pecten over eye. 4. Strongly narrowed aedeagus, usually bifurcated or with spines at apex. 5. Dark, short, strongly thickened, stout peg setae on female ovipositor (usually visible even without dissection). 6. Four to five apophyses pairs in female genitalia. For detailed description see: Puplesis & Diškus, 2003.

Biology

Tischeriids are leaf-miners during all larval instars. Tischeriids are trophically associated with plants mostly belonging to Fagaceae Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae, Tiliaceae, Malvaceae and Asteraceae; single represantatives of the family are also recorded from plants belonging to Combretaceae, Sterculiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Ericaceae, Anacardiaceae, Theaceae, Hypericaceae and Apocynaceae. In temperate regions the family is strongly predominant on plants from Rosaceae, Fagaceae and Asteraceae. For detailed description and life cycle see: Puplesis* & Diškus, 2003.

TAXONOMY AND PHYLOGENY


Morphological or trophic differences among tischeriids have prompted the erection of a few sections or species-groups within the family. Five sections have been designated in the Nearctic fauna by Braun (1972). These were not followed (at least in most cases) by workers on the European fauna. Until recently all known tischeriid species in the world were treated as belonging to a single genus (i.e., Tischeria Zeller, 1839). However, the monotypic concept of the family was contradicted by Leraut (1993), who erected a new genus Emmetia. Our personal studies of the genitalia of some tropical species and particularly studies of chromosomes and gonads (Puplesienė & Puplesis*, manuscript/unpublished) well support the polytypic concept of the family. Unfortunately, Leraut (1993) did not notice that his newly erected genus completely corresponded with Coptotriche of Walsingham (1890), a genus designated for Northern American tischeriids, which for the last hundred years has been commonly treated as a junior synonym of Tischeria Zeller, 1839. Further, Leraut (1993) associated the name Coptotriche with Tischeria (s. str.), not with Emmetia, suggesting that he had no idea what Coptotriche of Walsingham actually represented.


Tischeria complanoides Frey & Boll, 1873 was designated originally by Walsingham (1890) as the type-species for Coptotriche; however complanoides is a commonly recognized junior synonym of T. zelleriella Clemens, 1859. Irrespective of whether complanoides is recognized as a separate species from zelleriella or not (we recognize it as a synonym), the type-species of Coptotriche possesses the same phylogenetically important characters as the species of Emmetia, including the type-species Tischeria marginea Haworth, 1828: the broadened valva, tulip-shaped and spined aedeagus, presence of transtilla, absence of a juxta, diaphragma with spines, greatly extended membranous half of ductus spermathecae, etc. Interestingly, one of most striking characters of the genus, the broadened valva, was illustrated by Walsingham 113 years ago (Walsingham, 1890:fig.c).


The name Coptotriche can not be treated as a nomen nudum; it was used by Braun (1972) and twice by Leraut (1993). Therefore, the recently erected Emmetia has been synonymized (
Puplesis* & Diškus, 2003). Additionally, one more genus (Astrotischeria) was described by Puplesis* & Diškus (2003) from North and South America for tischeriid species with striking genitalia and feeding characters.

Phylogeny

Three main lineages of generic rank can be recognized within Tischeriidae. The first (Tischeria) may be the best characterized by the development of a juxta in the male genitalia, and an antrum in the female genitalia; the second (Astrotischeria) by the development of a dorsal lobe to the valva, the uncus overlaid dorsally by lobes of the pseuduncus, utilization of new host-plant families (particularly Asteraceae), and the third (Coptotriche) by the development of transtilla, spines on the diaphragma, a ‘tulip-shaped’ aedeagus and by the great enlargement of the membranous half of the ductus spermathecae in the female genitalia.

The cladogram of the Tischeriidae (see separately or in Puplesis*, Diškus, 2003) is based on 34 apomorphies listed below. The first 10 synapomorphies support the monophyly of the family.

jpg Cladogram of Tischeriidae

1. Frontal tuft of long piliform scales projecting over triangular or trapezoidal, smoothly scaled face.

2. Very long piliform sensilla chaetica on male antenna.

3. Scales on scapus projecting as a modified pecten over eye.

4. Reduced venation with characteristic pattern of five radial branches terminating on forewing costa, plus two medial, one Cu and 2A veins.

5. Highly modified aedeagus, reduced to a slender ventral apodeme of the phallus.

6. Tegumen anteriorly strongly sclerotized, with lateral arms.

7. Anellus a membranous cone with 3-5 (or more) pairs of lateral chaetae.

8. Large ovipositor lobes with dark peg setae.

9. Four or five pairs of apophyses in female genitalia.

10. Reduction of chromosome number (n=23).

The forewing is more or less uniformly colored, either yellowish to ochre with some darker scales, or entirely dark, without fasciae. As far as is known, larvae of tischeriids form blotch-shaped mines. Host-plant analysis allows us to speculate that initially the tischeriids were probably associated with host-plants from Fagaceae, and only subsequently utilised other families. If so, trophic specialization on Fagaceae would be a symplesiomorphy for a third of the species of Coptotriche and almost half the species of Tischeria.

11. Modified, narrowed, elaborated valva.

12. Development of scobination (minute spines) on ductus bursae and corpus bursae.

In this lineage, absence of the transtilla, lack of spines on the diaphragma of the male genitalia, and the short membranous part of the ductus spermathecae in the female genitalia are also characteristic (and probably symplesiomorphies for Tischeria and Astrotischeria).

13. Development of juxta, which is always elaborated, horn-like and sclerotized.

14. Partial reduction of anellus.

15. Development of sclerotized antrum in vestibulum of the female genitalia.

16. Four pairs of apophyses in female genitalia (lost of one pair may be compensation for development of the antrum).

In this lineage, the valva is without a dorsal lobe (plesiomorphy, in contrast to Astrotischeria); a long uncus is developed (plesiomorphy, shared with Coptotriche and a few Astrotischeria). In addition to the plesiomorphic habit of feeding on Fagaceae, more than half the currently known species in this lineage exhibit a host shift to Rhamnaceae and Tiliaceae. Tischeria omani Puplesis & Diškus, may occupy a peculiar position within this lineage: this species is additionally characterized by the unusual juxta, the diaphragma forming a pseudognathos, and the slender and very short aedeagus having a spined apex.

17. Development of dorsal lobe of valva.

18. Shortened uncus supplemented by pseuduncus lobes (with a few exceptions).

19. Long, distally bifurcated aedeagus.

20. Stronger development of anellus, with lateral areas slightly thickened.

21. Stronger development of microtrichia on IXth tergite of female genitalia.

22. Slightly reduced, narrowed ovipositor lobes.

23. Enlargement of ventral lobe of vinculum.

24. Basal pair of tibia spurs including a spur which is unusually extended (3/4 of the tibia length).

25. Utilisation of Malvaceae and host shift to Asteraceae, a family phylogenetically far.

This lineage (Astrotischeria) is geographically limited to the New World (South and North America) in contrast to the two other genera, which are more widely distributed.

26. Lobe-like valva (broadened distally compared with hypothetical ancester).

27. Spined diaphragma.

28. Development of transtilla with a prominent transverse bar.

29. Strong trend of development of tulip-shaped, distally spined aedeagus.

30. Posterior reduction of sclerotization on vinculum plate.

31. Greatly elongated ductus spermathecae, with particularly long membranous half.

32. Host shift to Rosaceae [one-third of species retain plesiomorphic feeding pattern on Fagaceae].

33. Male gonads in larva or pupa distally rounded.

34. Reduction of chromosome number (n=20, n=21).

The long and simple lobes of the uncus may be treated as a shared plesiomorphy with Tischeria, and a few Astrotischeria. The unusual absence of spines on the female ductus bursae and corpus bursae is also regarded here as a plesiomorphy.

Taxonomic composition

 

We recognize three genera among the Tischeriidae: Tischeria Zeller, Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus, (about 32 species) and Coptotriche Walsingham. For detailed descriptions of these genera see: Puplesis* & Diškus, 2003.

SEE AUTHOR’S PUBLICATIONS ON THE PROJECT

(listed in chronological order) :

Puplesis*, R. 1988. New species of plant mining Lepidoptera (Nepticulidae, Tischeriidae) from Central Asia. Stapfia, 16: 273–290.

Puplesis* R., Diškus A., Noreika R. & Saparmamedova N. 1996. Revised check-list of mining Lepidoptera (Nepticuloidea, Tischerioidea and Gracillarioidea) from Central Asia. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie, 139 (2): 191–200.

Puplesis* R., Diškus A. 2003. The Nepticuloidea & Tischerioidea (Lepidoptera) – a global review, with strategic regional revisions. Lututė Publishers, Kaunas, 552 p. [Monograph]

Puplesis* R., Diškus, A., Mey, W. 2004. Tischeriidae. In: Mey, W.

(ed.). The Lepidoptera of the Brandberg Massif in Namibia. Esperiana

Memoir, 1: 39–51. Berlin.

Puplesis* R., Diškus A. 2005. Checklist of African Tischeriidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) with a Redescription of the Formerly Neglected Tischeria urticicolella from Equatorial Africa. Zoological Science, 22 (9): 1051–1055.

Lees D.C., Stonis J. R. 2007. The first record of Tischeriidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera) from Madagascar, with description of Coptotriche alavelona sp. n. and an updated distributional checklist of Afrotropical Tischeriidae. Zootaxa 1645: 35–45

Stonis J.R., Diškus A. 2007. Description of Tischeria gouaniae sp. n. from the tropical forest of Belize – an exotic new Addition to the American fauna of Tischeria (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae). Zoological Science 24: 1286–1291

Stonis J.R., Diškus A. 2008. Checklist of American Coptotriche (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) with descriptions of two new species from the tropical forest of Belize (Central America). Zoological Science 25: 0000–0000 (in press, be published in January 2008)

* – Stonis J.R., formerly – Puplesis R.

AMERICAN TISCHERIIDAE

(For African or European fauna – see “Tischeriidae – Afrotropical” or “Tischeriidae – European” of the same website; for Mediterranean and Asian fauna – see Puplesis* R., Diškus, 2003)

LIST OF NEARCTIC TISCHERIIDAE

(by Diškus A. and Stonis J. R.)

Tischeria Zeller, 1839

Tischeria quercitella Clemens 1863

sin. Tischeria tinctoriella Chambers, 1875

Tischeria pulvella Chambers, 1878**

Tischeria ceanothi Walsingham, 1890

sin. Tischeria immaculata Braun, 1915

Tischeria ambigua Braun, 1915

Tischeria bifurcata Braun, 1915

Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus, 2003

Astrotischeria solidagonifoliella (Clemens, 1859)

Astrotischeria ambrosiaeella (Chambers, 1875)

sin. Tischeria ambrosiella Walsingham, 1890: 325

Astrotischeria heliopsisella (Chambers, 1875)

sin. Tischeria nolckenii Frey & Boll, 1876: 220

Astrotischeria heteroterae (Frey & Boll, 1878)

Astrotischeria helianthi (Frey & Boll, 1878)

Astrotischeria longeciliata (Frey & Boll, 1878)

Astrotischeria explosa (Braun, 1923)

Astrotischeria omissa (Braun, 1927)

Astrotischeria astericola (Braun, 1972)

Astrotischeria occidentalis (Braun, 1972)

Astrotischeria gregaria (Braun, 1972)

Astrotischeria marginata (Braun, 1972)

Astrotischeria pallidipennella (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche Walsingham, 1890

Coptotriche zelleriella (Clemens, 1859)

sin. Tischeria complanoides Frey & Boll, 1873

sin. Tischeria latipennella Chambers, 1878

sin. Tischeria sulphurea Frey & Boll, 1878: 256

Coptotriche citrinipennella (Clemens, 1859)

sin. Tischeria quercivorella Chambers, 1875

Coptotriche malifoliella (Clemens, 1860)

Coptotriche aenea (Frey & Boll, 1873)

Coptotriche roseticola (Frey & Boll, 1873)

Coptotriche badiiella (Chambers, 1875)

sin. Tischeria bodicella Chambers, 1875

sin. Tischeria nubila Braun, 1920

Coptotriche fuscomarginella (Chambers, 1875)

Coptotriche purinosella (Chambers, 1875)

sin. Tischeria albostraminea Walsingham, 1907

Coptotriche castaneaeella (Chambers, 1875)

sin. Tischeria cinereotunicella Braun, 1927

Coptotriche concolor (Zeller, 1875)

Coptotriche clemensella (Chambers, 1878)

sin. Tischeria bicolor Frey & Boll, 1878: 255

Coptotriche admirabilis (Braun, 1925)

Coptotriche mediostriata (Braun, 1927)

Coptotriche consanguinea (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche lucida (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche distincta (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche subnubila (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche simulata (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche discreta (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche arizonica (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche perplexa (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche crataegifoliae (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche agrimoniella (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche splendida (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche insolita (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche confusa (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche inexpectata (Braun, 1972)

Coptotriche amelanchieris (Braun, 1972)

----

** – This species needs further detailed taxonomic study (redescription and illustration of the genitalia).

CHECKLIST OF THE AMERICAN COPTOTRICHE SPECIES

After:

Stonis J.R., Diškus A. 2008. Checklist of American Coptotriche

(Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) with descriptions of two new species

from the tropical forest of Belize (Central America).

Zoological Science 25: 0000–0000 (be published in January 2008)

Discovery of the American Coptotriche fauna began in the second half of 19th century with the description of some 17 “Tischeria” species from the USA and one species from the Caribbean by Clemens (1859, 1860), Frey and Boll (1873, 1878), Zeller (1875), Chambers (1875, 1878), and Walsingham (1897). Currently most of these species (12) are recognized as separate taxa, while other published names are now treated just as junior synonyms of other species. However, the biggest boost to taxonomy of the American tischeriids was given by Braun, who on her own described 19 species currently belonging to Coptotriche (two of these species are now synonymized). Most of these species (15) were published in her famous monographic review “Tischeriidae of America North of Mexico” (Braun, 1972). However, during the last 35 years very little has been published on the American tischeriid fauna. Two publications provide general morphological, biological, and phylogenetic reviews of the family (Davis, 1999; Puplesis* and Diškus, 2003). Two other studies described three new Astrotischeria species from South America (Puplesis* and Diškus, 2003) and two species from the Galapagos (Landry and Roque-Albelo, 2004). Recently the American fauna of the Coptotriche and Tischeria was reviewed and three new species were described from the tropical forest of Belize (Stonis and Diškus, 2007; 2008). The discovery of these species broadens our knowledge of the Neotropical fauna of Coptotriche; until now only two Coptotriche species were known with a Neotropical distribution. The new species also exhibit interesting morphology, providing new data for further phylogenetic studies (see Stonis and Diškus, 2008).

The current checklist of Coptotriche comprises 31 species known from America (the Nearctic and Neotropical regions). Within the genus, the species are arranged according to the date of original description. No American tischeriid species is known to also be distributed outside the Americas.

Genus Coptotriche Walsingham, 1890

Coptotriche Walsingham, 1890: 322, 323. Type-species: Tischeria complanoides Boll & Frey, 1873: 220, 221 (junior syn. of T. zelleriella Clemens, 1859).

Emmetia Leraut, 1993: 64, 65. Type-species: Tischeria marginea (Haworth), 1828: 556.

1. Coptotriche zelleriella (Clemens, 1859).

Tischeria zelleriella Clemens, 1859: 326.

Tischeria complanoides Frey & Boll, 1873: 220, 221.

Tischeria latipennella Chambers, 1878: 97, 98.

Tischeria sulphurea Frey & Boll, 1878: 256

Host-plants: Quercus alba L., Q. bicolor Willd., Q. montana Willd., Q. prinus L., Q. rubra L., Q. stellata Wangenh.

Distribution: CANADA (Ontario, Quebec); USA (Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia).

2. Coptotriche citrinipennella (Clemens, 1859).

Tischeria citrinipennella Clemens, 1859: 326, 327.

Tischeria quercivorella Chambers, 1875: 109, 110.

Host-plants: Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh., Quercus coccinea Münchh., Q. ilicifolia Wangenh., Q. imbricaria Michx., Q. marilandica Münchh., Q. palustris Münchh., Q. phellos L., Q. rubra L.

Distribution: CANADA (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec); USA (Arkansas, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia).

3. Coptotriche malifoliella (Clemens, 1860).

Tischeria malifoliella Clemens, 1860: 208, 209.

Host-plants: Crataegus coccinea L., Malus coronaria (L.) Mill., M. domestica Borkh.

Distribution: CANADA (Ontario); USA (District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas).

4. Coptotriche aenea (Frey & Boll, 1873).

Tischeria aenea Frey & Boll, 1873: 222.

Host-plants: Rubus allegheniensis Porter, R. flagellaris Willd., R. frondosus Bigelow, R. occidentalis L., R. villosus Aiton.

Distribution: CANADA (Nova Scotia, Ontario); USA (Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississipi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia).

5. Coptotriche roseticola (Frey & Boll, 1873).

Tischeria roseticola Frey & Boll, 1873: 223, 224.

Host-plant: Rosa setigera Michx.

Distribution: USA (Ohio).

6. Coptotriche badiiella (Chambers, 1875).

Tischeria badiiella Chambers, 1875: 109.

Tischeria bodicella Chambers, 1875: 124.

Tischeria nubila Braun, 1920: 78, 79.

Host-plants: Quercus alba L., Q. palustris Münchh.

Distribution: CANADA (Ontario); USA (Arkansas, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania).

7. Coptotriche fuscomarginella (Chambers, 1875).

Tischeria fuscomarginella Chambers, 1875: 110.

Host-plants: Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh., Quercus muehlenbergii Engelm., Q. prinus L.

Distribution: USA (Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia).

8. Coptotriche purinosella (Chambers, 1875).

Tischeria purinosella Chambers, 1875: 110.

Tischeria albostraminea Walsingham, 1907: 224, 225.

Host-plants: Quercus alba L., Q. macrocarpa Michx., Q. montana Willd., Q. muehlenbergii Engelm.

Distribution: USA (District of Columbia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas).

9. Coptotriche castaneaeella (Chambers, 1875).

Tischeria castaneaeella Chambers, 1875: 111.

Tischeria cinereotunicella Braun, 1927: 195, 196.

Host-plants: Quercus alba L., Q. bicolor Willd., Q. coccinea Münchh., Q. imbricaria Michx., Q. marilandica Münchh., Q. phellos L., Q. prinus L., Q. rubra L., Q. velutina Lam.

Distribution: USA (Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia).

10. Coptotriche concolor (Zeller, 1875).

Tischeria concolor Zeller, 1875: 352, 353.

Host-plant: Quercus sp.

Distribution: USA (Arkansas, District of Columbia, Illinois, Texas, Virginia).

11. Coptotriche clemensella (Chambers, 1878).

Tischeria clemensella Chambers, 1878: 98, 99.

Tischeria bicolor Frey & Boll, 1878: 255.

Host-plants: Quercus macrocarpa Michx., Q. marilandica Münchh., Q. palustris Münchh.

Distribution: USA (Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas).

12. Coptotriche pulverea (Walsingham, 1897).

Tischeria pulverea Walsingham, 1897: 145.

Host-plant: Terminalia amazonia (J. F. Gmel.) Exell.

Distribution: USA (Caribbean: Virgin Islands: St. Thomas), BELIZE.

13. Coptotriche admirabilis (Braun, 1925).

Tischeria admirabilis Braun, 1925: 16, 17.

Host-plants: Rosa carolina L., R. palustris Marshall.

Distribution: USA (Iowa, Ohio).

14. Coptotriche mediostriata (Braun, 1927).

Tischeria mediostriata Braun, 1927: 197.

Host-plants: Quercus gambelii Nutt., Q. kelloggii Newb., Q. oblongifolia Torr., probably Q. garryana Douglas ex Hook.

Distribution: USA (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington).

15. Coptotriche consanguinea (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria consanguinea Braun, 1972: 19–21.

Host-plants: Quercus dumosa Nutt., Q. garryana Douglas ex Hook., Q. lobata Nee, Q. turbinella Greene.

Distribution: USA (California).

16. Coptotriche lucida (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria lucida Braun, 1972: 23, 24.

Host-plant: unknown.

Distribution: USA (Florida).

17. Coptotriche distincta (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria distincta Braun, 1972: 24, 25.

Host-plant: Quercus hypoleucoides A. Camus.

Distribution: USA (Arizona).

18. Coptotriche subnubila (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria subnubila Braun, 1972: 26.

Host-plant: probably Quercus grisea Liebm.

Distribution: USA (Arizona, New Mexico).

19. Coptotriche simulata (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria simulata Braun, 1972: 28, 29.

Host-plants: Quercus alba L., Q. montana Willd., Q. stellata Wangenh.

Distribution: USA (Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio).

20. Coptotriche discreta (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria discreta Braun, 1972: 31, 32.

Host-plants: Quercus agrifolia Née, Q. chrysolepis Liebm., Q. suber L., Q. wislizenii A. DC.

Distribution: USA (California, Santa Cruz Island).

21. Coptotriche arizonica (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria arizonica Braun, 1972: 32–34.

Host-plants: Quercus arizonica Sarg., Q. reticulata Humb. & Bonpl.

Distribution: USA (Arizona, Texas).

22. Coptotriche perplexa (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria perplexa Braun, 1972: 39, 40.

Host-plant: Castanea sp.

Distribution. USA (Virginia).

23. Coptotriche crataegifoliae (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria crataegifoliae Braun, 1972: 53, 54.

Host-plant: Crataegus mollis (Torr. et A. Gray) Scheele.

Distribution: CANADA (Ontario, Quebec); USA (Ohio, Pennsylvania).

24. Coptotriche agrimoniella (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria agrimoniella Braun, 1972: 55, 56.

Host-plants: Agrimonia parviflora Soland ex Aiton, A. rostellata Wallr.

Distribution: USA (Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio).

25. Coptotriche splendida (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria splendida Braun, 1972: 58, 59.

Host-plant: Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schltdl.

Distribution: USA (California).

26. Coptotriche insolita (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria insolita Braun, 1972: 59, 60.

Host-plant: Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Distribution: USA (New Jersey).

27. Coptotriche confusa (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria confusa Braun, 1972: 60, 61.

Host-plants: cultivated Fragaria sp.

Distribution: USA (California).

28. Coptotriche inexpectata (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria inexpectata Braun, 1972: 61, 62.

Host-plant: cultivated Fragaria sp.

Distribution: USA (California).

29. Coptotriche amelanchieris (Braun, 1972).

Tischeria amelanchieris Braun, 1972: 62, 63.

Host-plant: Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fern.

Distribution: USA (Kentucky, Ohio).

30. Coptotriche singularis Stonis & Diškus, 2008.

Coptotriche singularis Stonis & Diškus, 2008: [available from January 2008].

Host-plant: unknown.

Distribution: BELIZE.

31. Coptotriche forsteroniae Stonis & Diškus, 2008.

Coptotriche forsteroniae Stonis & Diškus, 2008: [available from January 2008].

Host-plant: Forsteronia myriantha Donn. Sm.

Distribution: BELIZE.

CHECKLIST OF THE AMERICAN TISCHERIA SPECIES

After:

Stonis J.R., Diškus A. 2007. Description of Tischeria gouaniae sp. n.

from the tropical forest of Belize –

an exotic new Addition to the American fauna of Tischeria

(Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae). Zoological Science 24: 1286–1291

Discovery of the American Tischeria fauna began in the late 19th century with the description of a few species from the USA by Clemens (1863), Chambers (1875, 1878), and Walsingham (1890, 1897). Braun (1915) described two new American species currently treated as belonging to the Tischeria and published the most significant monograph about the tischeriid fauna north of Mexico (Braun 1972). However, during the last nine decades the only investigations of American Tischeriidae were descriptions of three Astrotischeria species from the South American continent by Puplesis* and Diškus (2003) and two Astrotischeria species from the Galapagos by Landry and Roque-Albelo (2004). Recently the American fauna of the Tischeria and Coptotriche was reviewed and three new species were described from the tropical forest of Belize (Stonis and Diškus, 2007; 2008).

The current checklist comprises nine species of Tischeriidae currently known from America. Within the genus, the species are arranged according to the date of original description. No American tischeriid species is known to also be distributed outside the Americas.

Genus Tischeria Zeller, 1839

Tischeria Zeller, 1839: 219. Type-species: Tinea complanella Hübner, 1817: pl. 64, fig. 428 (junior syn. of Phalaena ekebladella Bjerkander, 1795).

1. Tischeria quercitella Clemens 1863.

Tischeria quercitella Clemens, 1863: 13, 14.

Tischeria tinctoriella Chambers, 1875: 108, 109.

Host-plants. Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkh., Quercus alba L., Q. ilicifolia Wangenh., Q. prinus L., Q. velutina Lam.

Distribution. Canada: Ontario. USA: District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia.

2. Tischeria pulvella Chambers, 1878.

Tischeria pulvella Chambers, 1878: 99.

Host-plant. Unknown.

Distribution. USA: Texas.

Remark. This species needs further detailed taxonomic study (redescription and illustration of the genitalia).

3. Tischeria ceanothi Walsingham, 1890.

Tischeria ceanothi Walsingham, 1890: 325, 326.

Tischeria immaculata Braun, 1915: 271, 272.

Host-plants. Ceanothus crassifolius Torr., C. divaricatus Nutt., C. integerrimus Hook. & Arn., C. thyrsiflorus Eschsch., C. velutinus Douglas.

Distribution. USA: California, Nevada.

4. Tischeria unicolor Walsingham, 1897.

Tischeria unicolor Walsingham, 1897: 145.

Host-plant. Unknown.

Distribution. Caribbean: Virgin Islands (St. Croix; USA).

Remark. This species needs further detailed taxonomic study (redescription and illustration of the genitalia).

5. Tischeria elongata Walsingham, 1914.

Tischeria elongata Walsingham, 1914: 342.

Host-plant. Unknown.

Distribution. Mexico: Guerrero.

6. Tischeria ambigua Braun, 1915.

Tischeria ambigua Braun, 1915: 272.

Host-plant. Ceanothus oliganthus Nutt.

Distribution. USA: California.

7. Tischeria bifurcata Braun, 1915.

Tischeria bifurcata Braun, 1915: 273.

Host-plant. Ceanothus arboreus Greene.

Distribution. USA: Arizona, California.

8. Tischeria deliquescens Meyrick, 1915.

Tischeria deliquescens Meyrick, 1915: 246.

Host-plant. Unknown.

Distribution. South America: Guyana.

9. Tischeria gouaniae Stonis & Diškus, 2007.

Tischeria gouaniae Stonis & Diškus, 2007: 1286–1291.

Host-plant. Gouania polygama (Jacq.) Urb.

Distribution. Central America: Belize.

AUTHOR‘S PUBLICATIONS DEALING WITH AMERICAN FAUNA:

MONOGRAPH

Puplesis R.*, Diškus A. 2003. The Nepticuloidea & Tischerioidea (Lepidoptera) – a global review, with strategic regional revisions. Lututė Publishers, Kaunas, 552 p.

OTHER RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Stonis J.R., Diškus A. 2007. Description of Tischeria gouaniae sp. n. from the tropical forest of Belize – an exotic new Addition to the American fauna of Tischeria (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae). Zoological Science 24: 1286–1291

Stonis J.R., Diškus A. 2008. Checklist of American Coptotriche (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tischeriidae) with descriptions of two new species from the tropical forest of Belize (Central America). Zoological Science 25: 0000–0000 (in press, be published in January 2008)

* – Stonis J.R., formerly – Puplesis R.

Also see author's page at:

http://leptree.net/drupal/tischerioidea

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to the Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation (Lithuania) and Vilnius Pedagogical University Science Fund (VPU), also the Prof. M. Hering Memorial Research Fund and the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund (under administration of the Linnean Society of London, Great Britain), for supporting of our current Neotropical research project.

 

 
     
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