Pollanisus commoni, Tarmann, 2004

Mollet, Bernard & Tarmann, Gerhard M., 2023, Revision of the genus Pollanisus Walker, 1854 (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae: Procridinae), Zootaxa 5281 (1), pp. 1-72 : 22

P. commoni

Published data ( Tarmann 2004) and new localities.

Material examined ( Table 5), all from Queensland. Larvae collected on Dillenia alata and Hibbertia scandens (Dilleniaceae) . Paratype: 1 ♁ ( Figs 56, 59 ), Clifton Beach, 16.46°S, 145.45°E, e.l., 19.X.1985, I. F. B. Common leg. ( ANIC). 1 ♁ ( Figs 57, 60 ) (820), 2 ♁, Forrest Beach, 0.5 km NW, 18°42′07.8′′S, 146°17′24.9′′E, e. l., 15.XI.2011, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC); 1 ♁, Kennedy N. P., 18°13′23.7′′S, 146°00′06.1′′E, e. l., 27.XI.2009, B. Mollet & G. M. Tarmann leg. ( BMC) (1); 1 ♁, same data, but 15.IV.2013; 2 ♁, Bramston Beach, N Innisfail, 17°21′S, 146°01′E, e. l., 29.X.2007, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC); 2 ♁, Kurrimine Beach, S. Innisfail, 17°46′S, 146°06′E, e. l., 28.X.2007, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC); 1 ♁ ( Figs 58, 61 ) (1438), 1 ♁, Isabella Falls, 15°19′53.7′′S, 145°12′40.7′′E, e. l., 24.IV.2013, B. Mollet & G. M. Tarmann leg. ( BMC); 4 ♁, Port Douglas, 10 m, 16°32′00.4′′S, 145°28′34.2′′E, e. l., 21.IV.2013, B. Mollet & G. M. Tarmann leg. ( BMC).

Larvae collected on H. scandens . 1 ♁, Girringun N. P., Wallaman Falls Campground, 547 m, 18°36′01.1′′S, 145°47′57.9′′E, e. l., 13.XI.2011, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁, same data, but 15.IV.2013, B. Mollet & G. M. Tarmann leg. (2) ( BMC) ; 1 ♁, Wooroonooran N. P., 488 m, 17°38′18.3′′S, 145°44′08.6′′E, e. l., 11.XI.2011, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) ; 1 ♁, Tully Falls N. P., Road Ravenshoe to Koombooloomba Dam, 7 km N of Lake, 780 m, 17°47′12.7′′S, 145°32′58.6′′E, e. l., 10/ 19.XI.2011, S. & B. Mollet leg. ( BMC) .

(1) At Kennedy N. P., H. scandens grows at the bottom of D. alata trunks and some larvae can be found feeding on H. scandens .

(2) This male was collected early in the morning around 6.40 am, attracted by virgin calling females of P. contrastus and P. trimacula , kept in separate cages.

Discussion and differential diagnosis. P. commoni has a restricted distribution in Northern Queensland, correlated to the distribution of its larval host plant D. alata . In this area P. contrastus , P.horakae , P. jirrbal , P. incertus occur and have a similar habitus. P. contrastus and P. horakae have a different head ratio ( Table 17 ) and their host plants are respectively H. scandens and H. longifolia . P. jirrbal and P. incertus are nocturnal. They have a different head ratio data ( Table 17 ) and their host plants are respectively H. melhanoides and H. scandens .

Phenology and bionomics. Larvae ( Figs 64, 65 ), pupae ( Figs 66, 67 ) and imagines ( Figs 68, 69 ) were mainly collected on D. alata ( Figs 62, 63 ) and in two localities on H. scandens , which are included in the distribution area of D. alata . The imago is diurnal, resting on or around its larval host plant without showing any feeding activity. Eggs and all instars of larvae are sometimes present together in great numbers.

Figures

FIGURES 56–61. Pollanisus species, upperside and frontal view. P. commoni. 56, 59. Paratype, Clifton Beach; 57, 60. Forrest Beach; 58, 61. Isabella Falls. Upperside view. P. species 8. 58a. Jowalbinna. (scale bars: 1 mm).

FIGURES 64–67. Pollanisus commoni. 64. Larva at fourth instar. 65. Larva at seventh instar. 66. Pupa, dorsal side. 67. Pupa, ventral side.

FIGURES 68, 69. Pollanisus commoni Females freshly emerged.

FIGURES 62, 63. Dillenia alata. 62. Trunk with epiphytic ferns. 63. Leaves at the bottom of the trunk with a lot of feeding marks.