Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; COI) barcode sequences is shown here to be an effective tool to aid in assessing polyphyly in selected genera of the subfamily Eudaminae (Hesperiidae). Results of phylogenetic analyses using both Bayesian inference and the neighbor-joining (NJ) algorithm were largely congruent and confirm and considerably expand on results from previous studies based on morphology and multilocus genetic data suggesting that the genera Urbanus and Astraptes consist of polyphyletic taxa as currently circumscribed. The genera Narcosius and Ridens, closely-related to Urbanus and Astraptes, emerged as monophyletic, although barcodes were available for only several species from each genus. Amino acid composition of the barcode segment in these and other closely allied genera was also useful in assessing polyphyly. Based on an analysis of barcodes, external morphology and the original description, a reinstated status is proposed for Achalarus jalapus (Plötz, 1881). We suggest that the phylogenetic barcode approach presented here to identify probable misplaced taxa can be used successfully in other taxa of the Eudaminae as well as in other subfamilies of Lepidoptera.

Heart rates of insects reflect the current level of activity and stress individuals are experiencing, and therefore this information can be useful from a research perspective. In Lepidoptera, as with most insects, the ‘heart’ consists of a transverse longitudinal tube that runs along the abdomen, just under the abdominal tergites, which pumps or contracts rhythmically to distribute hemolymph. Here, we describe a simple method we developed to observe heart contractions in adult monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus. The procedure involves stabilizing the live specimen in a pre-prepared plastic bag, while positioning the abdomen in such a way so that the beating heart can be seen (with magnification) through the intersegmental membranes. With this procedure, no harm comes to the specimen, making the technique useful in both lab and field studies. The technique also requires little equipment, except for a dissecting microscope (or other magnifier). Moreover, the procedure should be useful for monitoring other similarly-sized Lepidoptera, and we confirmed this with a Papilio glaucus specimen. Using this method on 10 male and 10 female monarch specimens from captive-reared stock, we found the resting heart rate was 63 beats/min on average (range: 35–86). This information will be useful for comparative purposes, or as a reference point for future studies of monarch physiology.

Butterflies and moths exhibit a spectacular diver sity of wing shape and size. The extent of wing variation is particularly evident in wild silk moths (Saturniidae), which have large wing shape and size variation. Some species have jagged wing margins, rounded forewing apical lobes, or narrow hind wings with long tails, while others lack these traits entirely. Surprisingly, very little work has been done to formally quantify wing variation within the fa mily. We analyzed the hind wing shape and size of 76 saturniid species representing 52 genera across five subfamilies using geometric morphometrics. We identified fifteen landmarks that we predict can be applied to families across Lepidoptera. PCA analyses grouped saturniid hind wings into six distinct morphological clusters. These groups did not appear to follow species relatedness—some phylogenetically and genetically distantly related taxa clustered in the same morphological group. We discuss ecological factors that might have led to the extraordinary wing variation within Saturniidae.

We compared the movement of Pontia occidentalis in forest and meadow habitat. We hypothesized that flight distances and overall movement would be greater in forested habitat than in meadow habitat. This hypothesis was based on forging theory predicting that organisms should spend less time in areas where resources are scarce than where they are abundant. Because this species is a generalist in its use of open habitat and regularly encounters forest when dispersing and hilltopping, we also hypothesized that forested habitat would not impose a physiological limitation on their flight. To test this hypothesis we released 68 butterflies in either forest or alpine meadow habitat and followed their movement. Contrary to our hypothesis, the total distance moved, mean flight distance, and rate of flight were all lower in forest relative to meadow habitat. Forest habitat did not exert an edge effect for Pontia occidentalis flying in meadow habitat. Contrary to our second hypothesis, differences in movement appeared to be due to differences in the light levels between forest and meadow habitat. Pontia occidentalis flew more often and farther distances with increasing light intensity, which was greater in meadow habitat than in forest. Overall, the results indicate that forest may impede the movement of Pontia occidentalis, despite it regularly encountering it. The results also indicate that structural and physiological limitations on movement imposed by different habitats may preclude optimal responses to resources.

Egg weights and total eggs produced by nine Speyeria spp. (Nymphalidae) in California allowed estimates of per-egg and lifetime reproductive effort. Interpopulation reproductive effort in four species and intrapopulation reproductive effort of two species in different years were documented. Female body weight was uncorrelated with either individual egg weight or total lifetime egg weight. Smallest eggs (mean dry wt/egg = 0.05 – 0.06 ug), and the greatest number of eggs, were from S. coronis (Skinner) and S. zerene (Boisduval) whose females undergo summer reproductive diapause in dry habitats. Largest eggs (mean dry wt/egg = 0.10 ug) were from S. nokomis (Skinner), a wet habitat species. The greatest relative reproductive effort was made by dry habitat species lacking reproductive diapause. Reproductive effort and duration of first instar exposure to summer temperatures were positively correlated. Intrayear variation in total egg weight did not vary significantly among populations of S. callippe (Boisduval), S. hesperis (Boisduval), S. nokomis, or S. zerene but mean total egg weights were significantly different in females from the Donner Pass, CA population of S. mormonia (Boisduval) in two years. S. zerene from high elevations lacked the reproductive diapause characteristic of lower elevation populations. The reproductive strategies of Speyeria spp. are adaptive responses to the desiccation stress that their habitats impose on diapausing first instars.

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is one of the most important pests of many host crops in Iran and worldwide. The effect of different cultivars of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) including white kidney bean (cultivars Pak, Daneshkadeh and Shokufa), common bean (cultivar Talash) and red kidney bean (cultivars Akhtar, Sayyad and Naz) was studied on the reproductive parameters of H. armigera under laboratory conditions (25±1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, and photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) h) and on the activity of some digestive enzymes of the larvae under field conditions. The highest rates of gross fecundity and gross fertility were on red kidney bean Naz, and the lowest values of these parameters were on white kidney bean Pak and red kidney bean Akhtar, respectively. The highest rates of net fecundity and net fertility were observed on common bean Talash, whereas the lowest values of these parameters were seen on red kidney bean Akhtar. The lowest proteolytic activity of fourth and fifth instar larvae of H. armigera was respectively on the leaf of red kidney bean Akhtar and red kidney bean Naz. Among the pods of different bean cultivars, proteolytic activity of fourth and fifth instar larvae was the lowest when they were fed on the green pod of red kidney bean Akhtar. The lowest amylolytic activity of fourth and fifth instar larvae of H. armigera was on the leaf of red kidney bean Naz. The fourth and fifth instar larvae reared on the green pod of common bean Talash showed the lowest amylolytic activity. The results indicated that red kidney bean Akhtar was an unsuitable host for H. armigera feeding. The findings of this study could be used in designing new strategies to control H. armigera.

This paper describes the life history, host plant use, and myrmecophily of the Neotropical riodinid butterfly Adelotypa annulifera (Godman, 1903) in Tambopata, Peru. Eggs of A. annulifera are laid at the tips of new growth bamboo culm sheaths bearing extrafloral nectary sites where adult butterflies and ants gather to feed. Adelotypa annulifera larval stages are actively tended by multiple species of ants and were observed feeding on the extrafloral nectaries of the bamboo. Pupation of A. annulifera occurs on the host plant near the base of the bamboo. We also document the potential kleptoparasitic behavior of adult butterflies on ant species that tend the caterpillars. To our knowledge, this is the first account describing the immature stages and life history of a species belonging to the genus Adelotypa and the first account of adult riodinid butterfly kleptoparasitism on ants.

Durangularia, gen.n., is described and illustrated from the northern Neotropics. As currently defined, the genus includes two species: D. druana (Walsingham, 1914), comb.n., from the southwestern U.S. (Arizona, Texas), Mexico, and Guatemala; and D. giganteana, sp.n., from Costa Rica. The new genus is assigned to Cochylini (Euliina) on the basis of the presence of non-deciduous cornuti in the phallus of the male genitalia and the absence of a signum in the female genitalia.

The genus Polyura comprises 32 species across the Oriental Region and the Indo-Australian archipelago. Its taxonomy and systematics have recently been studied using a comprehensive molecular phylogeny. Yet, certain elements of its fauna were not available for in depth study. Here, we provide a denser taxon sampling and reconstruct a new phylogenetic hypothesis for the P. athamas group, a morphologically cryptic complex. The known geographic range of the genus is extended to Eastern Pakistan where two species fly in sympatry. Endemics from Tawi Tawi archipelago off the northern tip of Borneo have more affinities with the fauna of Sunda Islands rather than with the Philippines. Our results also suggest three taxonomic changes; the recognition of a new species and the transfer of two subspecies to a different species.

Host-associated larval polychromatism is described for the first time for the Neotropical hairstreak Strymon bubastus (Stoll, 1780) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Theclinae, Eumaeini) based on larvae collected in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile on inflorescences of Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene (Verbenaceae) and Waltheria ovata Cav. (Malvaceae) and reared to adult. This is the first record of a host plant in the family Verbenaceae for S. bubastus. Although other Malvaceae already have been recorded as its hosts, this is the first record of it feeding on W. ovata. Identical sequences (n=19) of the DNA barcode fragment (657 base pairs) of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were obtained from larvae collected on the two plants, providing additional support for conspecificity. However, deep divergence (>2%) was found among these sequences and others from geographically distant localities of the Neotropics. Deep divergence could be associated with phenotypic differentiation of S. bubastus over its wide geographic range.