The “upside down” systematics of hairstreak butterflies (Lycaenidae) that eat pineapple and other Bromeliaceae

Abstract

All Lycaenidae larvae that eat Bromeliaceae belong to the Strymon ziba and S. serapio species groups, but confusion with taxonomy has resulted in widespread misidentification of the butterflies in both the ecological and agricultural literature. Published food plant records are assessed, and new rearing records are presented. The species that have been recorded eating Bromeliaceae are Strymon ziba (Hewitson), S. megarus (Godart), S. lucena (Hewitson), S. oreala (Hewitson), S. serapio (Godman & Salvin), S. azuba (Hewitson), and S. gabatha (Hewitson). The first four are recorded from pineapple, with the sympatric S. megarus and S. ziba sometimes being especially destructive in commercial fields. Most published records lump these two species and misidentify them under the names Thecla basilides, Thecla basalides, or Tmolus echion. Strymon ziba has also been reared from other monocotyledon plant families, such as Heliconiaceae and Haemodoraceae. In most cases, caterpillars eat flowers and fruits, but larvae of S. megarus and/ or S. ziba may also bore into leaves when flowers and fruits are unavailable. The known bromeliad feeders are illustrated, and distinguishing characters are noted. The female butterflies appear to use reddish color as a visual cue, which could be the basis for a non-insecticidal means of controlling outbreaks in commercial pineapple crops.Todas as larvas de Lycaenidae que se alimentam de Bromeliaceae pertencem aos grupos de espécies de Strymon ziba e S. serapio, porém confusão com sua taxonomia resultou em erros generalizados de identificação destas borboletas tanto na literatura ecológica como agrícola. Registros publicados de plantas alimentares são aqui avaliados, e novos registros com base em criação são apresentados. As espécies que foram registradas se alimentando de Bromeliaceae são Strymon ziba (Hewitson), S. megarus (Godart), S. lucena (Hewitson), S. oreala (Hewitson), S. serapio (Godman & Salvin), S. azuba (Hewitson), e S. gabatha (Hewitson). As quatro primeiras são encontradas em abacaxi, com as espécies simpátricas S. megarus e S. ziba algumas vezes sendo especialmente destrutivas em áreas comerciais. A maioria dos registros publicados considera estas duas espécies como somente uma, identificando-as erroneamente como Thecla basilides, Thecla basalides, ou Tmolus echion. Strymon ziba também foi criada em outras famílias de plantas monocotiledôneas, como Heliconiaceae e Haemodoraceae. Na maioria dos casos, as lagartas comem flores e frutos, mas larvas de S. megarus e / ou S. ziba também podem perfurar as folhas quando as flores e os frutos não estão disponíveis. As espécies conhecidas que se alimentam de bromélias são aqui ilustradas, e seus caracteres distintivos ressaltados. As borboletas fêmeas parecem usar a cor vermelha como um sinal visual, o que poderia ser a base para um meio não-inseticida de controle de focos em lavouras comerciais de abacaxi.

Life history ofPorthecla ravus(Druce) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), with discussion on the use of Annonaceae by Eumaeini butterflies

“…Th e use of Annonaceae by Porthecla and Oenomaus arising from the exploitation of the pollination systems with the subsequent use of fruits, as seen in the annonaceous fruit pest Oenomaus ortygnus (Cramer 1779), is a plausible hypothesis. Interestingly, a similar scenario could explain the evolution of a specialized pineapple feeding habit in the genus Strymon Hübner 1818 (see Robbins 2010;Schmid et al 2010).…”

The Nicaraguan Hairstreak Butterfly Fauna (Theclinae: Eumaeini), Its Biogeography, and the History of Nicaraguan Collectors

“…For example, Thecla nepia and Thecla volupia are treated in this paper as Theritas theocritus and Siderus leucophaeus, respectively (cf. Robbins 2004). In a few cases, Godman and Salvin misidentified a species, such as Thecla atena Hewitson (Faynel 2007); we correct these names.…”

“…Specific and generic synonymies are detailed in Robbins (2004). Voucher specimens for the Nicaraguan records from Belt, Janson, Richardson, and Hewitson, which were cited in Godman andSalvin (1887-1901), are deposited in the Natural History Museum (BMNH), London.…”

“…The species list of Nicaraguan Theclinae follows the order and taxonomy in Robbins (2004) except for a few updates (Faynel 2007, 2008, Faynel & Moser 2008, Robbins 2010b. Specific and generic synonymies are detailed in Robbins (2004).…”

“…myrsina Hewitson and Thecla xeneta Hewitson/T. amplia Hewitson, see Robbins 2004). Maes et al (1999) added ten more species names from subsequent literature citations, but unfortunately the taxonomy was confused.…”