Brachys cleidecostae, Migliore & Casari & Paiola, 2020

Migliore, Letizia Janaina, Casari, Sônia A. & Paiola, Gabriel, 2020, Morphology of the adult and immatures of a striking new species of leaf-mining Brachys Dejean from Brazil (Buprestidae, Agrilinae), Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (Pap. Avulsos Zool., S. Paulo) 60 (32), pp. 1-11 : 9

Biology of Brachys cleidecostae sp. nov.

In December 2018, one to five mines of B.cleidecostae sp. nov. ( Figs. 6 A-B) were observed on each leaf, separat- ed by the main leaf veins. However, most of the mines were already unoccupied, indicating that the adults had already emerged and flown away, or did not complete their entire cycle, probably due to various factors as predation or parasitism.Inside mines were collected one last instar larva, an early instar larva and one adult; the pupa was collected inside the pupal chamber.

Based on the marks found in leaves and mines,we concluded that the eggs are deposited isolated on upper surface of the leaf, in the middle of a leaf blade, maintaining an equivalent distance from the midrib and from the leaf edge.The eggshell is preserved and visible after hatching, even after larval complete development. It is probable that the first-instar larva hatches and starts mining on a circular trail. The trail forms a spiral from the peripheral leaf area towards the center, where the pupal chamber is built. The pupal chamber is circular and silky. External coloration of the mine appears brown and opaque.

Figures

Figure 6. Brachyscleidecostae sp.nov.Mine and mature larva:(A) Leaf with two mines after opening and removal of larva and pupa;(B) Leaf with mine with pupa inside;(C) Mature larva dorsal (head and thorax).