Revision and phylogeny of the Limacodid-group families, with evolutionary studies on slug caterpillars (Lepidoptera:Zygaenoidea)

Abstract

Epstein, Marc E. Revision and Phylogeny of the Limacodid-Group Families, with Evolutionary Studies on Slug Caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 582, 102 pages, 409 figures, 7 tables, 1996.-The limacodid group, composed of Limacodidae (+ Chrysopolomidae), Dalceridae, Megalopygidae, Aididae, and Somabrachyidae, is revised, and diagnoses, redescriptions, and keys to larval and adult stages are provided for each family. Comparative morphology and ontogeny of the larval stage are emphasized. Immature stages, including first instars, of a number of taxa are figured for the first time. New character data for adults and immatures are presented, including the presence of larval crochets on abdominal segments A2-A7 and A10 in species of Megalopygidae and Limacodidae. Computer-assisted phylogenetic analyses of limacodid-group families using separate character-data sets from adult and immature stages produces congruent cladograms of equal parsimony, with Zygaenidae selected as the outgroup. Megalopygidae (Megalopyginae + Trosiinae) is found to be the most basal family among the limacodid group, and Aididae, previously a subfamily of Megalopygidae, is the sister group to the Limacodidae + Dalceridae clade. Chrysopolomidae is placed as a subfamily of Limacodidae based on new character evidence from adult and immature stages. Relationships of Somabrachyidae, Epipyropidae, and Cyclotornidae also are discussed. Previous interpretations of character homologies for abdominal proiegs in the larvae are revised based on the phylogenetic analysis, resulting in a novel hypothesis concerning the evolutionary transformation from proiegs to a slug-like ventral surface. New representations of homology for larval body setae and for juxta and valva of male genitalia also are given. Behavioral observations of immatures and adults of species in the limacodid group are presented, along with a review of their biology. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. SERIES COVER DESIGN: The coral Montastrea cavernosa (Linnaeus).

Larval morphology of Heterogynis (Lepidoptera: Heterogynidae)

“…Lacturidae), or underwent changes in their delimitation and supposed relationships (e.g. Aididae, Chrysopolomidae, Lacturidae, "Phaudinae") (Common, 1970(Common, , 1990Minet, 1991;Heppner & Inoue, 1992;Heppner, 1993Heppner, , 1995Epstein, 1996;Epstein et al, 1999;Fänger et al, 1999). Nevertheless, the monophyly of the Zygaenoidea is still being debated.…”

“…The spinneret is of the tubular type (cf. Epstein, 1996) and has four distinct sclerites, i.e. a pair of triangular lateral sclerites and two unpaired sclerites, one dorsal, and one ventral and rod-like.…”

“…A pore (Taa) is present just proximal to Ta1. The pretarsus bears a globular axial seta (sensu Epstein, 1996). The apex of the claw extends beyond the base of pretarsus.…”

“…Excluding some groups of leaf-miners, the condition in which S1 is transformed into a microseta is apparently shared only between Heterogynis and some zygaenoid families, viz. Limacodidae (including Chrysopolominae), Aididae, Megalopygidae, Somabrachyidae and Zygaenidae (Tremewan, 1985;Epstein, 1996;Yen & Horie, 1997;Fänger & Naumann, 2001). As regards the condition of S2 in the Zygaenoidea, it is macroscopical only in the Heterogynidae, Zygaenidae and "Phaudinae", a microseta in Megalopygidae, Aididae and Somabrachyidae, and absent in the Limacodidae (including the Chrysopolominae) and Dalceridae (Epstein, 1996;Epstein et al, 1999;Fänger et al, 1999).…”

“…Moreover, in Neurosymploca Wallengren, 1858 (Zygaenidae) the openings of the type II cavities are located on cone-like tubercles (Bode & Naumann, 1987), and in Pryeria sinica (Zygaenidae) on "specialized trichomes" (Naumann & Feist, 1987), which are strongly reminiscent of coronetted tubercles but have only one long branch. As defensive droplets from the dorsum of larvae are also known in the Limacodidae, Dalceridae and Lacturidae (Common, 1990;Epstein, 1996Epstein, , 1997, Fänger et al (1999) call for further research on the phylogenetic value of this character.…”