Reisseronia imielinella, Malkiewicz, Adam, Sobczyk, Thomas & Larysz, Adam, 2013

Malkiewicz, Adam, Sobczyk, Thomas & Larysz, Adam, 2013, A new parthenogenetic bagworm Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. from Poland (Lepidoptera, Psychidae), Zootaxa 3731 (1), pp. 193-200 : 194-199

Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov.

( Figs 1–9, 10 b, 12)

Diagnosis. Adults—among Reisseronia , only R. gertrudae and the new species are parthenogenetic. The males of all the other species are known. R. imielinella sp. nov. differs from R. gertrudae in the lesser reduction of the antennae and legs. R. gertrudae has all the leg segments reduced ( Fig 10 a), the femur and tibia are not separated, tarsal segments are absent, and the claw is invariably unpaired. In contrast, the new species has the femur and tibia distinctly separated—sometimes one tarsal segment is present—and all legs have paired claws ( Fig 10 b). R. gertrudae has only one reduced antennal segment, R. imielinella sp. nov. one or two. The body is covered by greyish hair-like scales in R. imielinella sp. nov. but whitish ones in R. gertrudae .

Of the other species with more reduced females ( R. muscaelutum and R. tschetverikovi ) the new species differs in the long curled hairs on the head and thorax (short and erect in R. muscaelutum and R. tschetverikovi ). R. imielinella sp. nov. differs from R. arnscheidi in the colouration (brownish in R. arnscheidi ), the small number of tarsal and antennal segments ( R. arnscheidi 1–2 tarsal segments, 2–3 antennal segments). Females of R. staudingeri are similar (length 3.5 to 5.0 mm, diameter 1.3 mm, R. imielinella sp. nov. 3.3 to 5.2 mm, diameter 1.0 to 1.8 mm), and larval cases significantly larger (11–14 mm, diameter 3–4 mm) (Rutjan 1998). Females (but with short erect hairs on the head and thorax) and larval cases of R. tschetverikovi are similar (female length 4.5–5.0 mm, diameter 1.2 mm, larval case length 5.0 mm, diameter 2.0 mm) (Rutjan 2003). Exuvia from R. tschetverikovi A5 posteriorly with a second row of 30–40 spines (15 spines in R. imielinella sp. nov.).

Larvae—the final instar of the larva (L4) of R. gertrudae has reduced unpaired claws ( Fig 11 ), that of R. imielinella sp. nov. has solid singular claws, at least twice longer ( Fig 12 ). The metathoracic shields are a little more reduced than in R. imielinella sp. nov. The ground colour of the body (thorax and abdomen) is amber-orange in R. gertrudae , creamy but creamy grey in R. imielinella sp. nov. The prolegs (propodia) of the L4 larva of R. gertrudae have 22–24 crochets (according to Gepp & Trattnig 1990, 20–26), but those of R. imielinella sp. nov. have 15–22 crochets.

Description. Adults. Length 3.3 to 5.2 mm (average 4.1 mm), diameter 1.0 to 1.8 mm (average 1.2 mm) ( Figs 1–2 , table 1).

Head. ( Fig 3 ) With long grey hairs (0.5 mm). Ocular index (interocular distance measured just above the level of the tentorial pits divided by the vertical eye diameter): 1.7. Antennae much reduced, 80% of specimens with just one segment, 20% with two short ones. Labial and maxillary palpi absent.

Thorax. Segments brown, sclerotized, with long curled grey hairs. Sclerotization on meso- and metathorax laterally disconnected. Wings much reduced to microscopically tiny lobes. All legs reduced, but with distinct separate femur and tibia and paired claws, partially with rudimentary tarsal segment (50% on fore leg, 10 % on middle leg, 40% on hind leg) (table 2).

Abdomen. Ventrally only segment 7 fully sclerotized, dorsally segments 3–7 sclerotized, A3–6 only with narrow band, less than ½ the width of a segment. Segment 7 broadly sclerotized, medially with a few anteriorly directed, short spines visible only under the microscope. Abdominal segment 7 with long curled white hairs.

Genitalia. ( Fig 4 ). Ostium bursae round, situated medially in posterior half of sterigma. Ductus bursae membraneous (shape not visible). Tergite 8 posteriorly sclerotized and setose. Antevaginal plate spinulose. Postvaginal plate densely covered with thick spines. Anterior apophyses moderately thick, about 1.3 x length of posterior apophyses. Posterior apophyses somewhat thinner, and about 0.7 x as long as anterior ones. Papillae anales membranous, with very short setae.

Larva. ( Figs 11–12 ). (n = 12) Body length on average 6.4 mm (smallest 5.8 mm, largest 7.0 mm), diameter ca. 1.2–1.5 mm; dark brown prothoracic shield the widest (0.4 mm), covered almost all dorsal half of segment; mesothoracic shield intermediate in size (0.3 mm) and metathoracic the narrowest (0.2 mm). Head dark brown, hypognathous, body otherwise creamy grey. Claws of thoracic legs comparatively long, moderately curved. Crochets of all prolegs in elliptic uniordinal, unbroken groups. Number of crochets 15–22 (av. 18).

Larval case ( Fig 9 ). (n = 125) Case covered with flat and round blades of grass and other thin fragments of stems/twigs placed longitudinally and attached at each end or throughout their length. Most pieces of almost the same length. Length on average 6.52 mm (80 % between 6.2–6.5 mm, smallest 5.5 mm, largest 7.2 mm. Diameter on average 1.9 mm, 80 % between 1.8–2.0 mm, smallest 1.5 mm, largest 2.0 mm). In F1-generation, 7 cases, bred from eggs in the laboratory, are much longer: 8.5–9.0 mm, on average 8.75, and diameter: 2.5–3.0 mm (average 2.75).

Pupa ( Figs 5–7 ). Exuvia length 4.0– 5.5 mm, diameter 1.3–1.6 mm. Integument pale brown, weakly sclerotized. Facial plate with four pairs of setae. Three of them between eyes, one pair dorsally to antennae.

Abdominal segments 4–8 dorsally with anterior bands of transverse spines: A4 with 10 spines, A5–A7 with 20–25 spines, and A8 with 5–9 spines gathered medially. Segment A5 posteriorly with a second row of 15 spines directed posteriorly ( Fig 6 ). Ventral segments without rows of thorns. Cremaster reduced, without thorns, only with some protuberances. Segments A8–A10 fused dorsally with eight pairs of setae ( Fig 5, 7 ).

Type material. Holotype ♀: POLAND (CA 75), Imielin, 17 March 2011 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2010, tory [= railway tracks], leg. Adam Larysz. Holotype is deposited in coll. Upper Silesian Museum (USMB), Bytom, Poland, with catalogue number: USMB LEP0001/A1.

Paratypes ♀: same locality, all leg. Adam Larysz but 1 ♀ 10 May 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 15 May 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 21 May 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 23 May 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 25 May 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 26 May 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 4 June 2006 e.l. Gen.-U. 60-2007 Thomas Sobczyk; 1 ♀ 5 June 2006 e.l.; 1 ♀ 7 June 2006 e.l.; 9 ♀ 6 June 2007 e.l., larwy 20 May 2007 tory”; 4 ♀ 19 May 2007, poczwarki; 6 ♀ 1 Praepupa 21 May 2007 e.l., larwy 4 May 2007 tory”; 4 ♀ 17 March 2011 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2010 tory; 3 ♀ 25 April 2010 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2009 tory; 4 ♀ 14 April 2010 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2009 tory; 4 ♀ 18 April 2010 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2009 tory; 4 ♀ 7 June 2008 e.l., larvae 26 May 2008 tory; 2 ♀ 20 March 2011 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2010 tory; 3 ♀ 13 April 2010 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2009 tory; 3 ♀ [+ 2 cases] 21 April 2010 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2009 tory; 5 ♀ 1 June 2008 e.l., larvae 7 May 2008 tory; 1 ♀ 2 July 2010 e.l., larva 5 June 2010 tory; 4 ♀ 26 May 2008 e.l., larvae 1 May 2008 tory; 2 ♀ 19 June 2007 e.l., larvae 29 May 2007 tory; 5 ♀ 27 March 2011 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2010 tory; 3 ♀ 24 April 2007 e.o., ova ex ♀ 6 June 2006 tory; 15 cases 19 May 2007 tory; 15 cases 10 May 2007 tory; 3 larvae L4 ex cult. May 2006 tory; 1 ♀ 30 April 2007 e.o., ovum ex ♀ 6 June 2006 tory; 3 ♀ 23 May 2007 e.l., larvae 15 April 2007 tory; 4 ♀ 10 June 2008 e.l., larvae 21 May 2008 tory; 7 ♀ 7 June 2007 e.l., larvae 24 May 2007 tory; 1 ♀ 21 April 2007 e.l., larva 12 March 2007 na murze; 1 ♀ 2 June 2011 e.l., larva 10 May 2011 tory; 1 ♀ 2 May 2012 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 1 ♀ 8 May 2012 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 2 ♀ 13 May 2012 e.o., ova ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 1 ♀ 16 May 2012 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 1 ♀ 20 May 2012 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 1 ♀ 22 May 2012 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 1 ♀ 8 June 2012 e.o., ovum ex ♀ May 2011 tory; 15 ♀ [+15 cases] 23 May 2006 e.l., larvae 9 May 2007 na torach; 2 cases 10 May 2011 tory; 5 cases 27 May 2006 tory; 5 cases 27 May 2006 tory; 7 cases 6 June 2006 tory; 13 cases 11 May 2006 tory; 34 cases 10 May 2007 na torach; 3 cases 4 May 2007 tory; 21 cases 19 May 2007 tory; 1 case 12 March 2007 na murze; 3 cases 2 May 2007 tory; 1 case 2 April 2005 tory; 1 case 23 May 2005 tory; 1 exuvium 15 May 2006 e.l.; 1 exuvium 24 May 2006 e.l.; 1 pupa 6 Jun 2006 e.l., na torach; 3 ♀ 29 May 2007 e.l.; 3 larvae 10 May 2007; 9 larvae 19 May 2007; 1 Praepupa 13 May 2006; 4 cases 8 Jun 2006; 3 cases “ 23 May 2006; 1 case 27 May 2006; 1 cases 29 May 2006; 17 cases ”Puste koszyki, Imielin 19 May 2007 ” (SMNK, USMB coll. Peter Hättenschwiler, Uster Switzerland, Adam Larysz, Bytom Poland, Adam Malkiewicz, Wrocław Poland, Thomas Sobczyk, Hoyerswerda, Germany).

Etymology. R. imielinella is named after the type locality Imielin near Mysłowice, Upper Silesia (southern Poland).

Distribution. Known only from Imielin near Mysłowice, (50° 08' 48"N, 19°11'08"E), Upper Silesia (southern Poland). The altitude of the type locality is 260 m.

Habitat. The only known habitat of R. imielinella sp. nov. at Imielin is situated very close to the Katowice– Oświęcim railway line. It is an anthropogenic habitat on private property, at the edge of a mixed forest. The main part is a now disused railway siding, unshaded and strongly insolated ( Fig 8 ). Near the railway line there are also wetland environments. The siding lies on calcareous ballast, and the plants growing among the ballast stones include Sanguisorba minor Scop. , Sedum album L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. , Arrhenatherum elatius (L.), Barbarea vulgaris W.T. Aiton , Cardaminopsis arenosa (L.), Centaurea scabiosa L., Erigeron annuus (L.), Euphorbia cyparyssias L., Galium mollugo L., Geranium robertianum L., Lepidium campestre (L.), Linaria vulgaris Mill. , Oenothera sp., Scabiosa ochroleuca L., Solidago canadensis L., Valeriana officinalis L. and Vicia angustifolia L. There are also various grasses, mosses and lichens.

Ten further psychid species were found on and near the railway track: Bijugis bombycella (Den. et Schiff.) , Epichnopterix plumella (Den. et Schiff.) , Dahlica triquetrella (Hbn.) , Siederia listerella (L.), Acanthopsyche atra (L.), Apterona helicoidella (Vallot) , Sterrhopterix fusca (Haw.) , Proutia betulina (Zell.) , Psyche casta (Pall.) and Taleporia tubulosa (Retz.) .

Many interesting species of butterflies and moths, rare not just in Upper Silesia but throughout Poland, have been found along this railway track and on the adjoining, partly moist meadow. They include Lycaena alciphron (Rott.) , Lycaena dispar (Haw.) , Cupido argiades (Pall.) , Plebejus argus (L.), P. argyrognomon (Bgstr.) , Polyommatus daphnis (Den. et Schiff.) , Melitaea cinxia (L.), M. diamina (Lang) , Zygaena carniolica (Scop.) , Z. loti (Den. et Schiff.) and Z. purpuralis Brünn. The following species have been recorded at light there: Prochoreutis myllerana (F.), Ostrinia palustralis (Hbn.) , Ancylosis oblitella (Zell.) , Agonopterix multiplicella (Ersch.) , Depressaria emeritella Stt. , Dystebenna stephensi (Stt.) , Neotelphusa sequax (Haw.) , Syncopacma larseniella Gozm. , Acleris maccana (Treit.) , A. umbrana (Hbn.) , Ypsolopha mucronella (Scop.) , Isturgia arenacearia (Den. et Schiff.) , Sedina buettneri (E. Her.) , Athetis lepigone (Möschler) .

Life history. The caterpillars appeared from mid-March until mid-June (the earliest find of live bagworm cases was on 12th March, the latest on 14th June). They were most numerous in May. The larvae in their cases were most often seen crawling along the rails on warm and sunny days. A single larva in its case was found climbing up the wall of a building close to the tracks. No larval cases were found in the grass growing by the tracks, neither were any larvae found feeding on plants. A number of larval cases were collected for breeding in captivity. The larvae accepted only Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. as food plant; they rejected all the other plants found in their habitat. Having completed their development, the larvae crawled up the sides of the breeding container; to these they attached themselves with silken threads in readiness for pupation. The pupal stage lasts about 2–3 weeks. The eclosion of females was difficult to observe, as they stayed in their cases almost the whole time, only occasionally sticking their heads out of them. Cases containing females could sometimes be recognized by the delicate, white woolly fibres protruding from the exit hole. These fibres were rubbed off when the female emerged from the case. During oviposition, the females appeared to wriggle about while laying some 30 eggs in the pupal exuvium. No male hatched during the six years of breeding. The young larvae hatched from the eggs after about 3 weeks and built cases for themselves from the material of the mother’s case. In captivity, the larvae moulted several times until autumn. As this species hibernates as a mature larva, the bred specimens were kept in refrigerator for several months. After removal from the refrigerator during early spring, the larvae resumed feeding for a short time, after which they completed their development and pupated.

Catalogue of Reisseronia Sieder, 1956

Reisseronia is distributed with 13 species in middle and southern Europe and south-western Asia (Sauter & Hättenschwiler 1991, Sobczyk 2011). The genus has a high proportion of endemic species.

R. arnscheidi Weidlich, 2006 Romania

R. flavociliella ( Mann, 1864) Turkey, Greece

R. gertrudae Sieder, 1962 (parthenogenetic) Austria

R. hofmanni (Heylaerts, 1879) Italy (Sicily)

R. magna Hättenschwiler, 1982 Greece

R. (Tsikalasia) malickyi Hauser, 1996 Greece (Crete)

R. (Tsikalasia) muscaelutum Kurz, Kurz & Zeller-Lukashort, 2006 Italy

R. nigrociliella (Rebel, 1934) Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia R. pusilella (Rebel, 1940) Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Yugoslavia R. (Tsikalasia) satanella Kurz, Kurz & Zeller-Lukashort, 2006 Italy

R. staudingeri (Heylaerts, 1879) Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine R. tarnierella (Bruand, 1851) Belgium, France, Germany, Slovakia

(Weidlich 2011), Netherlands, Italy R. tschetverikovi Solanikov, 1990 Ukraine

R. imielinella sp. nov. (parthenogenetic) Poland

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. 1. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Holotype. Lateral view. (phot. A. Larysz). POLONIA CA 75, Imielin 17 III 2011 e. o., ovum ex ♀ V 2010 railway tracks, leg. Adam Larysz. 2. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Holotype. Ventral view. (phot. A. Larysz). POLONIA CA 75, Imielin 17 III 2011 e. o., ovum ex ♀ V 2010 railway tracks, leg. Adam Larysz. 3. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Head, Thorax latero-ventral view. (phot. A. Larysz). POLONIA CA 75, Imielin 17 III 2011 e. o., ovum ex ♀ V 2010 railway tracks, leg. Adam Larysz. 4. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Genitalia (phot. A. Larysz). POLONIA CA 75, Imielin 17 III 2011 e. o., ovum ex ♀ V 2010 railway tracks, leg. Adam Larysz. 5. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Exuvium: Segments 8 – 10 ventrally (phot. R. Stelmaszczyk). 6. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Exuvium: Headplate (phot. A. Larysz). POLONIA CA 75, Imielin 13 IV 2010 e. o., ovum ex ♀ V 2009 railway tracks, leg. Adam Larysz. 7. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. ♀: Exuvium ventrally (phot. A. Larysz). 8. Type locality in Imielin 23 V 2006 (phot. A. Larysz).

FIGURES 9 – 12. 9. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov. Larva in larval case: Imielin 23 V 2006, railway tracks (phot. A. Larysz). 10. a: Reisseronia gertrudae Sieder: Legs of female (by T. Sobczyk after Sieder 1962). 10 b: Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov.: Legs of female (by T. Sobczyk). 11. Reisseronia gertrudae Sieder: Larva—head and thoracic legs. Lateral view (phot. A. Malkiewicz). 12. Reisseronia imielinella sp. nov.: Larva—head and thoracic legs. Lateral view (phot. A. Malkiewicz), Polonia CA 75, Imielin 10 V 2007, leg. Adam Larysz.