Amphiphala liatriana Roberts and Sabourin, 2024

Amphiphala liatriana Roberts and Sabourin , new species

Fig. 3, 4 View Figures 1–6 , 7, 8 View Figures 7–11 , 12–14 View Figures 12–17

Diagnosis. Amphiphala liatriana cannot be separated reliably from its congeners by facies alone ( Fig. 3–6 View Figures 1–6 ); it ranges slightly larger than A. carolana , but not significantly so. The male genitalia differ from those of A. carolana in having the crescent-shaped, costal portion of the valva slightly wider; a longer, narrower median process of the transtilla; the long median process of the valva more curved; and the phallus straighter with only a very few tiny cornuti in the vesica ( Fig. 7, 8 View Figures 7–11 ). In the female genitalia of A. liatriana , the lateral sclerites of the lamella postvaginalis ( Fig. 12 View Figures 12–17 ) are straighter than the curved, horn-shaped sclerites characteristic of A. carolana ( Fig. 15 View Figures 12–17 ). In addition, A. liatriana has a pair of short, unequal, crescent-shaped sclerites in the lobe-like process ventral to the ostial plate that are lacking A. carolana .

Description. Head. Vertex and frons whitish yellow, overlaid with pale yellow ochre around compound eyes and between bases of antennae; antenna with scape pale yellow ochre, overlaid with rusty ochre, flagellomeres with tan gray scales, rusty ochre in basal portion; labial palpus yellowish white on outer surface, yellow ochre on inner surface.

Thorax. Notum pale yellow-ochre, margins and posterior tuft slightly darker yellow ochre, occasionally with scattered rusty ochre scales; tegula concolorous with nota on anterior 0.5, paler in posterior 0.5. Venter yellowish white; legs rusty orange mixed with blackish gray. Forewing length 4.5–6.0 mm (mean = 5.5 mm; n = 77); forewing ground color pale yellow ochre, somewhat shiny; system of paired costal strigulae weakly developed; median fascia broad, triangular, dark brown to black, its base occupying medial 0.33 of hind margin, its truncate apex occupying medial 0.12 of costa; a variably developed, usually narrow, dark tawny preapical fascia; variably-developed, pale tawny blotch between median and preapical fasciae; fringe concolorous with ground color. Underside gray with contrasting pale yellow-ochre costal pairs of strigulae in postmedian and subterminal areas. Hindwing pale gray to dark smoky gray, slightly paler at base; male with costal roll of sex scales, extending ca. 0.6 wing length, enclosing hairpencil; fringe gray to pale yellowish gray with narrow line of darker scales basally. Underside pale whitish to yellowish gray.

Abdomen. Yellowish gray dorsally, pale yellowish white ventrally. Male genitalia ( Fig. 7, 8 View Figures 7–11 ) as described for genus, except median process of transtilla with two teeth, and phallus with 0–4 tiny cornuti. Female genitalia ( Fig. 12–14 View Figures 12–17 ) as described for genus, except posterior margin of lamella postvaginalis relatively straight; rounded recurved process ventral to ostial plate with two small, irregularly crescent-shaped sublateral sclerites, and ductus bursae broad, gradually tapering anterad to 0.5 its greatest width.

Types. Holotype ♂, USA, Maine, York Co., Kennebunk Plains , 8–9 Aug 2000, M. Roberts ( USNM).

Paratypes (112♂, 119♀). Maine: York Co.: Kennebunk Plains, 7 Aug 1995 (10♂, 15♀), 12 Aug 1996 (7♂, 52♀), 8–9 Aug 2000 (90♂, 50♀), 11–12 Aug 2001 (2♂), reared from potted soil, 12 Aug 2022 (1♂), 14 Aug 20002 (2♂), 16–17 Aug 2006 (2♀) (MGCL, MSC, MSM, USNM).

Additional material examined. USA: Indiana: Pulaski Co., 2 Aug 1997 (3♂), J. Vargo ( JVC). Jasper Co.: 6 Aug 2003 (4♂), J. Vargo ( JVC). Michigan: Allegan Co. : T3N, R14W, Sec 26, 25 Jul 1987 (1♀), G. Balogh ( MSUC) ; T2 N R15W, Sec , 1 sand prairie, savannah 25 Jul 1992 (1♀), G. Balogh ( MSUC) ; T3 N, R14, Sec. 11, 3 Aug 1990 (1♂), G. Balogh ( MSUC). North Carolina: Carteret Co.: Mills Savanna, longleaf pine & wiregrass, 7 Aug 2002, J. B. Sullivan ( USNM). Beaufort, 22 Apr 2022 (1♀), J. B. Sullivan ( BSC). Cumberland Co. : Fort Bragg , NEA Commel Savanna, 78°55’56”W, 35°11’54”N, 18 Sep 2002, J. B. Sullivan ( USNM). Ohio: Lucas Co. : Swanton Township , Sec. 28, 9 Aug 1996, E. Metzler ( USNM). South Carolina: Chesterfield Co. : Patrick, 15 Sep 2012, J. Glaser ( USNM). Wisconsin: Burnett Co. : Grantsburg, 21 Jul 1999 (2♂), 9 Aug 2000 (1♀), 27 Jul 2000 (1♀), 26 Jul 2001 (4♂), 27 Jul 2000 (1♂, 1♀), 13 Aug 2002 (1♂), M. Sabourin ( MSC). Kewaunee Co. : T25N, R26E, Sec. 7, Lake Michigan shore, 23 Aug 1993 (1♂), J. Wilterding ( MSUC) GoogleMaps . CANADA: Ontario: Lambton Co., Port Franklin , 14 Aug 1996, (1♀) K. H. Stead ( MSC) .

Biology and distribution. Based on observations in Maine, the whitish-translucent eggs are deposited singly on the bracts of the flowers of Liatris . Within three to four days of oviposition, larvae are visible through the translucent chorion; hatching takes place 4–5 days later. Newly hatched larvae do not consume the shell but migrate to the top of the flower and descend into it, feeding directly on the seeds, boring horizontally, tunneling from one seed to the next. Larvae have been observed from August through September, feeding on the seeds of Liatris in competition with larvae of a species of Isophrictis Meyrick ( Gelechiidae ). Last instar larvae are 7–8 mm long, translucent gray, shaded with dark green and pinkish purple; the cervical shield is pale; the head is pale brownish yellow, darkened only on the mouthparts and ecdysial sutures; the prolegs have 12 uniordinal crochets arranged in a lateral penellipse; and an anal fork is well developed. Chaetotaxy is typical of other Cochylina, with an elongated L-pinaculum on T1, and a bisetose L-group on A9. Pupation has not been observed, but likely takes place in the summer. Attempts to rear larvae in the lab proved unsuccessful.

Adults are active at dusk (1800–2000 hr) but can be flushed from vegetation during the daytime. In Maine, the geographic source of the majority of the specimens examined, the flight period is the first and second week of August, congruent with flowering of the host plant.

Although specimens from the midwestern U.S. are exceedingly similar to those from Maine (the type locality), subtle variation in the male and female genitalia suggest that they may not be conspecific. However, as provisionally defined herein, this species is recorded from Maine, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ontario.

Etymology. The species name is a Latinized feminine adjective referring to the genus of the larval host plant, Liatris ; the suffix “-ana” is a traditional ending for tortricid species names.