Paectes obrotunda ( Guenee , 1852)

Pogue, Michael G., 2013, A review of the Paectes arcigera species complex (Guenee) (Lepidoptera, Euteliidae), ZooKeys 264, pp. 125-163 : 156-158

Paectes obrotunda ( Guenee, 1852) Figs 44-47

Ingura obrotunda Guenée in Boisduval and Guenée 1852: 312.

Paectes obrotunda ; Hampson 1912: 130, pl. CLXXVII, Fig. 11; Franclemont and Todd 1983: 131; Poole 1989: 758; Poole and Gentili 1996: 762; Lafontaine and Schmidt 2010: 40.

Type material.

Type locality: “Brazil” Holotype female. BMNH; photographs of adult and genitalia examined (Figs 44-47).

Diagnosis.

Since Paectes obrotunda is only known from the female holotype it can be compared to females of Paectes longiformis , Paectes sinuosa , and Paectes medialba , which are found in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Paectes obrotunda has a distinct antemedial line that extends from the posterior margin to the anal vein then curves around faint basal area toward Cu vein. In Paectes longiformis the antemedial vein is faint and not well developed. The forewing subapical, marginal dash is black and distinct in Paectes obrotunda , but ferruginous and faint in Paectes longiformis . There is a faint area of white scales proximal to the postmedial line in Paectes obrotunda , which is absent in Paectes longiformis. Paectes sinuosa is distinct from Paectes obrotunda in having the antemedial line heavily developed with black scales along the anal vein and suffused with black scales along the posterior margin. The forewing subapical, marginal dash is longer in Paectes sinuosa than in Paectes obrotunda . In Paectes medialba the postmedial line is double from posterior margin to approximately middle of forewing whereas in Paectes obrotunda it is single and faint. The forewing subapical, marginal dash is slightly longer and more robust in Paectes medialba than in Paectes obrotunda . In the female genitalia the eighth sternite is longer than wide with lateral margins produced in Paectes medialba but sternite in Paectes obrotunda is wider than long and the lateral margins are not produced.

Redescription.

Adult.Female.Head - antenna filiform; eyes large, globular; labial palp porrect. Thorax - prothorax light brown, anterior margin thin black line; forewing length 9.2 mm; a few white scales forming short dashes along costa, especially from postmedial band to just below apex; thin black antemedial line from posterior margin forming ventral border to faint basal spot; medial area of wing with some scattered white scales forming an indistinct area proximal to postmedial line; postmedial line black, faint at posterior margin becoming more distinct prior to subapical, marginal dash; black dash between veins R5 and M1 that extends to outer margin; apical spot white; terminal line a series of black, recurved lines between veins; fringe with white patches giving a checked appearance; hind wing with dark gray marginal band that extends to middle of wing with veins highlighted dark gray. Genitalia (Fig. 46) - Papillae anales crescent shaped, soft, fleshy, covered with numerous setae; ninth sternite probably covered with minute spicules; eighth sternite with no distal apical lateral projections, lateral margins straight; ostium bursae somewhat sclerotized, band- like with lateral apices narrowed; base of ductus bursae narrower than ostium bursae; remainder of genitalia unknown.

Distribution.

Known only from Brazil, with no specific locality.

Remarks.

Paectes obrotunda belongs in this species group because it shares with them the shape of the antemedial line, white medial area, white apical spot, and black marginal dash in the forewing. The female genitalia are different from those of the other species in this group and no other specimens from other groups examined during this study matched them, so Paectes obrotunda is only known from the holotype.

Paectes obrotunda has never been correctly identified in the literature. Hampson (1912) gave a wide distribution of Paectes obrotunda extending from throughout the Caribbean to Paraguay. The Caribbean distribution could refer to either Paectes asper , Paectes nana or Paectes arcigera , and the Paraguay record is probably Paectes sinuosa . Kimball (1965) recorded Paectes obrotunda from Florida and these specimens can be referred to either Paectes nana or Paectes asper . Franclemont and Todd (1983) listed Paectes obrotunda from North America, undoubtedly following Kimball (1965).

Due to the cryptic nature of this species complex, the remaining species of Neotropical Paectes are currently being revised. A number of specimens from Costa Rica that have been analyzed using DNA barcoding of CO1 and their respective host plants will be included. A phylogenetic analysis using morphological characters of the Neotropical species included in this and the next study will be discussed.