SYSTEMATICS OF LEPIDOPTERA: INVASIVE SPECIES, PESTS, AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

Goals / Objectives
The order Lepidoptera represents one of the greatest radiations of herbivorous animals on the planet. The research component of this plan focuses on the three most economically important families (or superfamilies) of this order, i.e., Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae. Gaps in our knowledge of morphological, biological, and molecular characters, and the paucity of phylogenetic analyses within many groups in these families combine to slow progress on the development of identification tools for use in pest detection, exclusion, and management, and in the successful implementation of biological control projects. The primary focus of this plan is to remedy those shortcomings by making available to a broad audience tools, databases, and images that will facilitate identifications and research over a broad range of economically important taxa. Within the families/superfamilies Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae, specific taxonomic groups are selected for revision based on the expertise within the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, the need for revisionary work, and the relevance of the group to American agriculture. Two of the systematic revisions proposed herein are long-term activities which will be completed during the current project. As with all projects in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory at Beltsville, this project also includes a service component that draws upon SEL experts to identify specimens for regulatory agencies (often on an urgent basis) and other research agencies and stakeholders, and maintain and enhance portions of the National Insect Collection. The objectives are: (1) determine species boundaries, describe new species, develop identification keys and illustrations, define relationships among taxa, and investigate host use and specificity of important moth species that are pests of, or beneficial to U.S. agriculture; (2) compile, organize, and post on the web electronic databases and images of primary types of important moth families; and (3) provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide and manage assigned lepidopteran portions of the U.S. National Insect Collection.

Project Methods
ARS will undertake research to generate morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) that will be used to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important moths. These data also will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys) to permit more rapid and accurate identifications. Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to economically important moths will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of moths will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies. Portions of the National Insect Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and enhanced.

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The order Lepidoptera represents one of the greatest radiations of herbivorous animals on the planet. The research component of this plan focuses on the three most economically important families (or superfamilies) of this order, i.e., Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae. Gaps in our knowledge of morphological, biological, and molecular characters, and the paucity of phylogenetic analyses within many groups in these families combine to slow progress on the development of identification tools for use in pest detection, exclusion, and management, and in the successful implementation of biological control projects. The primary focus of this plan is to remedy those shortcomings by making available to a broad audience tools, databases, and images that will facilitate identifications and research over a broad range of economically important taxa. Within the families/superfamilies Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae, specific taxonomic groups are selected for revision based on the expertise within the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, the need for revisionary work, and the relevance of the group to American agriculture. Two of the systematic revisions proposed herein are long-term activities which will be completed during the current project. As with all projects in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory at Beltsville, this project also includes a service component that draws upon SEL experts to identify specimens for regulatory agencies (often on an urgent basis) and other research agencies and stakeholders, and maintain and enhance portions of the National Insect Collection. The objectives are: (1) determine species boundaries, describe new species, develop identification keys and illustrations, define relationships among taxa, and investigate host use and specificity of important moth species that are pests of, or beneficial to U.S. agriculture; (2) compile, organize, and post on the web electronic databases and images of primary types of important moth families; and (3) provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide and manage assigned lepidopteran portions of the U.S. National Insect Collection. Approach (from AD-416): ARS will undertake research to generate morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) that will be used to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important moths. These data also will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys) to permit more rapid and accurate identifications. Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to economically important moths will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of moths will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies. Portions of the National Insect Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and enhanced. A draft was completed of the monographic treatment of the Western Hemisphere members of moths of the subfamily known as sun-loving moths. The monograph is over 500 manuscript pages, and includes keys to the genera and species, 700 color images of adults, and other images of morphological characters. It documents over 210 species and includes major pests such as the corn earworm, tobacco budworm, and flax bollworm. The work will be of interest to ecologists, pest managers, and APHIS personnel at U.S. ports-of-entry. Draft diagnoses and descriptions (or re-descriptions) of all the species of the 24 genera of North American Cochylini were prepared in support of a monographic treatment of this leaf-roller group of moths. A partial draft was completed for 10 genera and 47 species of North American Epipaschiinae. A database for specimen data capture was commenced this year. The final type images of the Pyraloidea were turned over to the Smithsonian Institution for inclusion into the collection database. Expert identifications of submitted insects were provided for customers and stakeholders, including 714 (totaling 1082 specimens) URGENT (same day) identifications and 400 (totaling 724 specimens) prompt, rush, and routine identifications. A postdoc was hired to do the identifications of retired staff. Portions of the National Insect Collection assigned in the project were maintained and enhanced. Accomplishments 01 Geographic population structure of the sugarcane borer moth in southeastern United States. ARS researchers in Beltsville, Maryland (Smithsonian Institution) collaborated with University of California colleague in a study that suggests two introductions of the sugarcane borer moth, Diatraea saccharalis, and the presence of a previously unknown cryptic species in the United States. It is a pest of many crop plants including sugarcane, corn, sorghum and rice, and management of D. saccharalis would likely benefit from further investigation of population genetics throughout the range of this species. These results will be useful to control workers and farmers.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Metzler, E.H., Brown, J.W. 2014. An updated check list of the Cochylina (Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Euliini) of North America north of Mexico including Greenland, with comments on classification and identification. Journal of Lepidopterists Society. 68(4)274-282.
Brown, J.W., Janzen, D.H., Hallwachs, W., Zahiri, R., Hajibabaei, M., Hebert, P.N. 2014. Cracking complex taxonomy of Costa Rican moths: Anacrusis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Journal of Lepidopterists Society. 68(4):248-263.
Gomez, R.J., Lopez, G.G., Barrera, J.F., Solis, M.A., Zamarripa, C.A. 2015. First record of Ectomyelois muriscis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on physic nut (Jatropha curcas), a biofuel plant. Biomass and Bioenergy. 75:150-154.
Brown, J.W. 2014. Two new combinations in neotropical Eccopsis Zeller, 1852 and one in Megalota Diakonoff, 1966 (Tortricidae: Olethruetinae). Neotropical Entomology. 68(4)287-289.
Brown, J.W. 2014. Circanota: a new genus of Sparganothini from the Neotropics, and its two new species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). ZooKeys. 462:125-134.
Joyce, A.L., White, W.H., Nuessly, G.S., Solis, M.A., Scheffer, S.J., Lewis, M.L., Medina, R.F. 2014. Geographic population structure of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), in the southern United States. PLoS One. 9(10):1-10.
Diaz, A.E., Gonzales, R., Solis, M.A., Saldamando-Benjumea, C.I. 2015. Evidence of sexual selection in Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): Correlation of female moth genitalia and Solanaceae host fruit size. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 108(3):272-281.
Timm, A.E., Brown, J.W. 2014. Two new combinations in Thaumatotibia Zacher from Reunion Island (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), with an updated list of the Afrotropical species. African Entomology. 22:678-680.
Pogue, M.G. 2014. A new species of Gadirtha Walker (Nolidae: Collomeninae) : A proposed biological control agent of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small) (Euphorbiaceae) in the United States. ZooKeys. 382:13-25.
Timm, A.E., Brown, J.W. 2014. A new genus of Grapholitini from Africa related to Thaumatotibia (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). ZooKeys. 438:113-128.
Anzaldo, S.S., Dombroskie, J.J., Brown, J.W. 2014. Morphological variation, taxonomic distribution, and phylogenetic significance of cornuti in Tortricinae (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 116:1-31.
Pogue, M.G., Ouellette, G.D., Harp, C.E. 2013. A revision of the Schinia Volupia (Fitch) species complex Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae). Zootaxa. 3716:157-191.
Pogue, M.G. 2014. A review of the Copitarsia decolora (Guen�e) species complex with a description of a new species of Copitarsia (Hampson) from Chile (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Neotropical Entomology. 43(2):142-153.
Solis, M.A., Metz, M., Scheffer, S.J., Lewis, M.L., Kula, R.R., Springer, T.L. 2015. A new cryptic species of Diatraea (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Crambinae) feeding on eastern gama grass and a novel host association with a braconid (Hymenoptera) in the United States. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. DOI:10.1093/aesa/sav049.
Regier, J.C., Mitter, C.E., Brown, J.W., Baixeras, J., Cho, S. 2012. A molecular phylogeny for the leaf-roller moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and its implications for classification and life history evolution. Systematic Entomology. 7(4):4-17.
Brown, J.W. 2014. Review of Aesiocopa Zeller, 1877, with the descriptions of two new species (Tortricidae: Sparganothini). Journal of Lepidopterists Society. 68(1):1-9.
Gilligan, T.M., Brown, J.W. 2014. A new name for the western spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)? The Canadian Entomologist. 146(06):583- 589.
Monsalve, S., Dombroskie, J.J., Lam, W., Rota, J., Brown, J.W. 2011. Variation in the female frenulum in Tortricidae (Lepidoptera). Part. 3. Tortricinae. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 113:335-370.
Brown, J.W., Copeland, R., Aarvik, L., Miller, S.E., Rosati, M., Luke, Q. 2014. Host records for fruit-feeding Afrotropical Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) . African Entomology. 22(2):343-376.
Sullivan, J.B., Pogue, M.G. 2014. The Prominent moth, Disphragis notabilis Schaus, in Costa Rica (Lepidoptera, Notodontidae). ZooKeys. 421:21-38.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The order Lepidoptera represents one of the greatest radiations of herbivorous animals on the planet. The research component of this plan focuses on the three most economically important families (or superfamilies) of this order, i.e., Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae. Gaps in our knowledge of morphological, biological, and molecular characters, and the paucity of phylogenetic analyses within many groups in these families combine to slow progress on the development of identification tools for use in pest detection, exclusion, and management, and in the successful implementation of biological control projects. The primary focus of this plan is to remedy those shortcomings by making available to a broad audience tools, databases, and images that will facilitate identifications and research over a broad range of economically important taxa. Within the families/superfamilies Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae, specific taxonomic groups are selected for revision based on the expertise within the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, the need for revisionary work, and the relevance of the group to American agriculture. Two of the systematic revisions proposed herein are long-term activities which will be completed during the current project. As with all projects in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory at Beltsville, this project also includes a service component that draws upon SEL experts to identify specimens for regulatory agencies (often on an urgent basis) and other research agencies and stakeholders, and maintain and enhance portions of the National Insect Collection. The objectives are: (1) determine species boundaries, describe new species, develop identification keys and illustrations, define relationships among taxa, and investigate host use and specificity of important moth species that are pests of, or beneficial to U.S. agriculture; (2) compile, organize, and post on the web electronic databases and images of primary types of important moth families; and (3) provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide and manage assigned lepidopteran portions of the U.S. National Insect Collection. Approach (from AD-416): ARS will undertake research to generate morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) that will be used to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important moths. These data also will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys) to permit more rapid and accurate identifications. Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to economically important moths will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of moths will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies. Portions of the National Insect Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and enhanced. A draft was completed of the monographic treatment of the Western Hemisphere members of moths of the subfamily known as sun-loving moths. The monograph is presently over 500 manuscript pages, and includes keys to the genera and species, 700 color images of adults, and over images of morphological characters. It documents over 210 species and includes major pests such as the corn earworm, tobacco budworm, and flax bollworm. The work will be of interest to ecologists, pest managers, and APHIS personnel at U.S. ports-of-entry. Draft diagnoses and descriptions (or re-descriptions) of all the species of the 24 genera of North American Cochylini were prepared in support of a monographic treatment of this leaf-roller group of moths. Expert identifications of submitted insects were provided for customers and stakeholders, including 489 (totaling 666 specimens) urgent (same day) identifications and 404 (totaling 876 specimens) prompt, rush, and routine identifications. Portions of the National Insect Collection assigned to the Scientists in the project were maintained and enhanced. Accomplishments 01 In collaboration with several international colleagues, a paper was published describing 186 new species of Apanteles wasps that are significant in biological control because they attack some larvae of pestiferous moths. The parasitic wasps were reared from 3200+ parasitized larvae identified by lepidopterists from the Guanacaste Conservation Area in Costa Rica; all wasps and larvae were DNA barcoded. It was discovered that Apanteles primarily attacks butterflies and moths in the families of Hesperiidae, Elachistidae, and Crambidae.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Solis, M.A., Cashatt, E.D., Scholtens, B.G. 2013. New North American Chrysauginae (Pyralidae) described by Cashatt (1968). ZooKeys. 344:55-71.
Fernandez-Triana, J.L., Whitfield, J.B., Rodriguez, J.J., Smith, M.A., Janzen, D.H., Hallwachs, W., Hajibabaei, M., Burns, J., Solis, M.A., Brown, J.W., Cardinal, S., Goulet, H., Hebert, P.N. 2014. Review of Apanteles sensu stricto (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Microgastrinae) from Area de Conservaci�n Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica, with keys to all described species from Mesoamerica. ZooKeys. 383:1-565.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The order Lepidoptera represents one of the greatest radiations of herbivorous animals on the planet. The research component of this plan focuses on the three most economically important families (or superfamilies) of this order, i.e., Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae. Gaps in our knowledge of morphological, biological, and molecular characters, and the paucity of phylogenetic analyses within many groups in these families combine to slow progress on the development of identification tools for use in pest detection, exclusion, and management, and in the successful implementation of biological control projects. The primary focus of this plan is to remedy those shortcomings by making available to a broad audience tools, databases, and images that will facilitate identifications and research over a broad range of economically important taxa. Within the families/superfamilies Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae, specific taxonomic groups are selected for revision based on the expertise within the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, the need for revisionary work, and the relevance of the group to American agriculture. Two of the systematic revisions proposed herein are long-term activities which will be completed during the current project. As with all projects in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory at Beltsville, this project also includes a service component that draws upon SEL experts to identify specimens for regulatory agencies (often on an urgent basis) and other research agencies and stakeholders, and maintain and enhance portions of the National Insect Collection. The objectives are: (1) determine species boundaries, describe new species, develop identification keys and illustrations, define relationships among taxa, and investigate host use and specificity of important moth species that are pests of, or beneficial to U.S. agriculture; (2) compile, organize, and post on the web electronic databases and images of primary types of important moth families; and (3) provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide and manage assigned lepidopteran portions of the U.S. National Insect Collection. Approach (from AD-416): ARS will undertake research to generate morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) that will be used to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important moths. These data also will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys) to permit more rapid and accurate identifications. Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to economically important moths will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of moths will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies. Portions of the National Insect Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and enhanced. A draft was completed of the monographic treatment of the Western Hemisphere members of moths of the subfamily known as sun-loving moths. The monograph is presently over 500 manuscript pages, and includes keys to the genera and species, 700 color images of adults, and over images of morphological characters. It documents over 210 species and includes major pests such as the corn earworm, tobacco budworm, and flax bollworm. The work will be of interest to ecologists, pest managers, and APHIS personnel at U.S. ports-of-entry. Draft diagnoses and descriptions (or re-descriptions) of all the species in 22 of the 24 genera of North American Cochylini were prepared in support of a monographic treatment of this leaf-roller group of moths. Also, several samples were submitted for COI (�barcode�) sequencing. Expert identifications of submitted insects were provided for customers and stakeholders, including 533 (totaling 844 specimens) urgent (same day) identifications and 701 (totaling 1,489 specimens) prompt, rush, and routine identifications. Portions of the National Insect Collection assigned to the scientists in the project were maintained and enhanced. Accomplishments 01 The most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis to date of the entire order Lepidoptera based on molecular data was published in collaboration with several international colleagues. The order comprises over 150,000 described species worldwide, including numerous economically important plant pests and many biological control agents. The work will be of interest to scientists studying the evolution and radiation of plant-feeding insect groups. 02 The first molecular phylogeny for the Pyraloidea or snout moths was published. The phylogeny serves as a predictive classification for one of the largest groups of economically important moths with over 15,000 species worldwide. Pyraloidea includes numerous major pests of crops, such as the European corn borer, and of major stored foodstuffs, such as the Indianmeal moth, forests and ornamental plants, as well as biological control agents used successfully against invasive plants.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Regier, J.C., Mitter, C.E., Solis, M.A., Hayden, J.E., Landry, B., Nuss, M. , Simonsen, T.J. 2012. A molecular phylogeny for the pyraloid moths (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea) and its implications for higher-level classification. Systematic Entomology. 37:635-656.
Pogue, M.G. 2013. A review of the Paectes arcigera (Guen�e)(Lepidoptera, Eutellidae)species complex. ZooKeys. 264:125-163.
Yang, Z., Landry, J.F., Handfield, L., Zhang, Y., Solis, M.A., Handfield, D., Scholtens, B.G., Mutanen, M., Nuss, M., Herbert, P.N. 2012. DNA barcoding and morphology reveal three cryptic species of Anania (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae) in North America, all distinct from their European counterpart. Systematic Entomology. 37:686-705.
Metzler, E.H., E.C. Knudson, R.W. Pool, J.D. Lafontaine and M.G. Pogue 2013. A review of the genus Ogdoconta Butler (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Condicinae, Condicini) from North America north of Mexcio with descriptions of three new species. ZooKeys. 264:165-191.
Diaz, A.E., Solis, M.A., Kondo, T.D. 2013. Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guen�e)(Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an insect pest of Neotropical solanaceous fruits. In: Pena,J., editor. Potential Invasive Pests of Agricultural Crops. London, United Kingdom: CABI. p. 464.
Machumi, F., Yenesew, A., Midiwo, J.O., Heydenreich, M., Kleinpeter, E., Tekwani, B.L., Khan, S.I., Walker, L.A., Muhammad, I. 2012. Antiparasitic and anticancer carvotacetone derivatives of Sphaeranthus bullatus. Natural Product Communications. 7(9):1123-1126.
Sulivan, J.B., Solis, M.A. 2013. A new species of Palpita (Crambidae, Spilomelinae) from the coastal plains of southeastern United States. Zootaxa. 264:3-9.
Brown, J.W. 2013. Two new Neotropical species of Platynota related to the Nearctic Platynota stultana Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 115(2):128-139.
Gallego, K.R., Lerma, J.M., Echeverri, C.G., Brown, J.W. 2012. Description of the early stages of Eccopsis galapagana Razowski & Landry (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a defoliator of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC (Fabaceae) in Colombia. Journal of Lepidopterists Society. 66(3):156-167.
Goldstein, P.Z., Metz, M., Solis, M.A. 2013. Phylogenetic Systematics of Schacontia Dyar with a description of eight new species (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). ZooKeys. 291:27-81.
Brown, J.W. 2013. A new genus of pine-feeding Cochylina from the western United States and northern Mexico (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Euliini). Zootaxa. 3640:270-283.
Brown, J.W. 2013. A food plant specialist in Sparganothini? A new genus and species from Costa Rica (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). ZooKeys. 303:53-63.
Reigier, J.C., Mitter, C.E., Zwick, A., Bazinet, A., Cummings, M.P., Kawahara, A., Sohn, J.C., Zwickl, D.J., Cho, S., Davis, D., Baixeras, J., Brown, J.W., Parr, C., Weller, S.J., Lees, D., Mitter, K. 2013. A large- scale, higher-level, molecular phylogenetic study of the insect order Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). PLoS One. 8(3):e58568.
Rocca, M., Brown, J.W. 2013. New host records for four species of tortricid moths (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on cultivated blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae), in Argentina. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 115(2):167-172.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): The order Lepidoptera represents one of the greatest radiations of herbivorous animals on the planet. The research component of this plan focuses on the three most economically important families (or superfamilies) of this order, i.e., Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae. Gaps in our knowledge of morphological, biological, and molecular characters, and the paucity of phylogenetic analyses within many groups in these families combine to slow progress on the development of identification tools for use in pest detection, exclusion, and management, and in the successful implementation of biological control projects. The primary focus of this plan is to remedy those shortcomings by making available to a broad audience tools, databases, and images that will facilitate identifications and research over a broad range of economically important taxa. Within the families/superfamilies Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae, specific taxonomic groups are selected for revision based on the expertise within the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, the need for revisionary work, and the relevance of the group to American agriculture. Two of the systematic revisions proposed herein are long-term activities which will be completed during the current project. As with all projects in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory at Beltsville, this project also includes a service component that draws upon SEL experts to identify specimens for regulatory agencies (often on an urgent basis) and other research agencies and stakeholders, and maintain and enhance portions of the National Insect Collection. The objectives are: (1) determine species boundaries, describe new species, develop identification keys and illustrations, define relationships among taxa, and investigate host use and specificity of important moth species that are pests of, or beneficial to U.S. agriculture; (2) compile, organize, and post on the web electronic databases and images of primary types of important moth families; and (3) provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide and manage assigned lepidopteran portions of the U.S. National Insect Collection. Approach (from AD-416): ARS will undertake research to generate morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) that will be used to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important moths. These data also will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys) to permit more rapid and accurate identifications. Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to economically important moths will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of moths will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies. Portions of the National Insect Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and enhanced. The text of the revision of the Heliothinae of the Western Hemisphere is 90% complete; illustrations of adults and genitalia are 50% complete. A phylogenetic analysis of the genera in the Heliothis group using 3 genes and a morphological dataset was conducted. The results were evaluated, and a manuscript was submitted. The status of the genus Chloridea was revised based on this analysis. Draft diagnoses and descriptions (or re-descriptions) of all the species in 8 genera of North American Cochylini were prepared in support of a monographic treatment of this leaf-roller group of moths. Also, several samples were submitted for COI (�barcode�) sequencing. In collaboration with several international colleagues, a paper was published presenting the first modern phylogenetic analysis of the family Tortricidae based on molecular data. The family comprises over 10,000 described species worldwide, including numerous economically important pests and several biological control agents. Expert identifications of submitted insects were provided for customers and stakeholders, including 582 (totaling 1016 specimens) URGENT (same day) identifications and 580 (1,409 specimens) prompt and routine identifications. Portions of the National Insect Collection assigned to the scientists in the project were maintained and enhanced, with a species inventory of Pyraloidea completed. Accomplishments 01 A monographic treatment of the North American (north of Mexico) members two major groups of the family known as leaf-rollers was published. The monograph is over 325 pages long, and includes keys for identification, illustrations of anatomical features, and color photos of the adult moth It deals with 84 different species, including a number of pests such as the Mexican leaf-roller, the omnivorous leaf-roller, and the tufted appl bud moth. The work will be of interest to pest managers, scientists studying biodiversity, and APHIS personnel at U.S. ports-of-entry. 02 Substantial progress was made on a monographic treatment of the Western Hemisphere members of moths of the subfamily known as sun-loving moths. The monograph is presently over 500 manuscript pages, and includes keys the genera and species, color images of adults, and images of morphological characters. It documents over 170 species and includes maj pests such as the corn earworm, tobacco budworm, and flax bollworm. The work will be of interest to ecologists, pest managers, and APHIS personn at U.S. ports-of-entry.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Lam, W., Rota, J., Brown, J.W. 2012. Preliminary list of the leaf-roller moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) of Virginia with comments on spatial and temporal distribution. Banisteria. 38:3-37.
Manrique, V., Diaz, R., Overholt, W.A., Pogue, M.G., Vitorino, M. 2012. Description and biology of Paectes longiformis Pogue, a new species from Brazil (Lepidoptera: Euteliidae) as a potential biological control agent of Brazilian peppertree in Florida. Biocontrol Science and Technology. 22:163-185.
Wheeler, Q.D., Knapp, S., Stevenson, D.W., Stevenson, J.W., Raven, P.H., Wilson, E.O., Woolley, J.B., Solis, M.A. 2012. Mapping the Biosphere: exploring species to understand the origin, organization, and sustainability of biodiversity. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 10(1):1- 20.
Miller, J.Y., Matthews, D.L., Warren, A.D., Solis, M.A., Harvey, D.J., Gentili-Poole, P., Emmel, T.C., Covell, Jr., C.V. 2012. A provisional annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Honduras. Insecta Mundi. 0205:1-72.
Brown, J.W., Powell, J.A., Kruse, J.J. 2012. The moths of America, north of Mexico, Tortricidae, Tortricinae (part), Sparganothini and Atteriini. In: Hodges, R.W., editor. Moths of North America, fascicle 8.1. Washington, D.C.: Wedge Entomological Research Foundation. p. 230
Razowski, J., Brown, J.W. 2012. Decriptions of new Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) reared from native fruit in Kenya. Zootaxa. 3222:1-27.
Pogue, M.G. 2012. The Aventiinae, Boletobiinae, Eublemminae, Pangraptinae, Phytometrinae, and Scolecocampinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, U.S.A. Zootaxa. 3153:1-31.
Nieukerken, V., Kaila, L., Kitching, I., Kristensen, N., Lees, D., Mitter, C., Solis, M.A., Brown, J.W. 2011. Order Lepidoptera Linnaeus, 1758. Zootaxa. 3148:212-221.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The order Lepidoptera represents one of the greatest radiations of herbivorous animals on the planet. The research component of this plan focuses on the three most economically important families (or superfamilies) of this order, i.e., Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae. Gaps in our knowledge of morphological, biological, and molecular characters, and the paucity of phylogenetic analyses within many groups in these families combine to slow progress on the development of identification tools for use in pest detection, exclusion, and management, and in the successful implementation of biological control projects. The primary focus of this plan is to remedy those shortcomings by making available to a broad audience tools, databases, and images that will facilitate identifications and research over a broad range of economically important taxa. Within the families/superfamilies Noctuidae, Pyraloidea, and Tortricidae, specific taxonomic groups are selected for revision based on the expertise within the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, the need for revisionary work, and the relevance of the group to American agriculture. Two of the systematic revisions proposed herein are long-term activities which will be completed during the current project. As with all projects in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory at Beltsville, this project also includes a service component that draws upon SEL experts to identify specimens for regulatory agencies (often on an urgent basis) and other research agencies and stakeholders, and maintain and enhance portions of the National Insect Collection. The objectives are: (1) determine species boundaries, describe new species, develop identification keys and illustrations, define relationships among taxa, and investigate host use and specificity of important moth species that are pests of, or beneficial to U.S. agriculture; (2) compile, organize, and post on the web electronic databases and images of primary types of important moth families; and (3) provide expert identifications of specimens submitted by stakeholders worldwide and manage assigned lepidopteran portions of the U.S. National Insect Collection. Approach (from AD-416) ARS will undertake research to generate morphological and molecular characters (DNA sequences) that will be used to test species concepts and hypotheses of relationship among agriculturally important moths. These data also will be used to develop new diagnostic tools (descriptions, illustrations, keys) to permit more rapid and accurate identifications. Databases containing scientific names, distributions, taxonomic literature, and host plant and specimen data pertaining to economically important moths will be expanded and disseminated to the user community. These and other taxonomic tools will be made accessible to the public via publications, the internet, and other electronic media. Timely and accurate identifications of moths will be provided, including those intercepted at ports-of-entry by APHIS-PPQ or submitted by a wide range of scientists and regulatory agencies. Portions of the National Insect Collection at the National Museum of Natural History, a vital tool for research and identification, will be maintained and enhanced. A draft manuscript was completed on the North American members of the noctuid genus Schinia, which will include identification keys, illustrations of important morphological features, and photographs of adult moths. An examination of the type specimens of the North American members of the pyraloid subfamily Epipaschiinae was completed. Draft diagnoses and descriptions (or re-descriptions) of 20 genera of North American Cochylini were prepared in support of a monographic treatment of this leaf-roller group of moths. Draft databases of the type specimens of all families of microlepidoptera deposited in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History were completed and submitted to the Smithsonian Institution IT personnel for vetting and eventual posting on the world wide web. In collaboration with several international colleagues, a draft manuscript was completed presenting the first modern phylogenetic analysis of the family Tortricidae based on molecular data. The family comprises over 10,000 described species worldwide, including numerous economically important pests and several biological control agents. Substantial progress (90% complete) was made on a revision of the Paectes arcigera species group, which includes the description of six new species, one of which is being reared as a possible biological control agent of Brazilian Peppertree, an important invasive plant species in the southeastern U.S. and California. Expert identifications of submitted insects were provided for customers and stakeholders, including hundreds of URGENT (same day) identifications and thousands of routine identifications. Portions of the National Insect Collection assigned to the SYs in the project were maintained and enhanced. Accomplishments 01 A monographic treatment of the North American (north of Mexico) members two major groups of the family known as leaf-rollers produced. The monograph was accepted for publication and is in its final stages of revision. The monograph is over 400 pages long and includes keys for identification, illustrations of anatomical features, and color photos o the adult moths. It deals with 84 different species, including a number pests such as the Mexican leaf-roller, the omnivorous leaf-roller, and t tufted apple bud moth. The work will be of interest to pest managers, scientists interested in North American biodiversity, and APHIS personne at U.S. ports-of-entry.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

Dewaard, J.R., Mitchell, A., Keena, M.A., Gopurenko, D., Boyken, L.M., Armstrong, K.F., Pogue, M.G., Lima, J., Floyd, R., Hanner, R., Humble, L.M. 2010. Toward a global barcode library for Lymantria (Lepidoptera: Lymantriinae) tussock moths of biosecurity concern. PLoS One. 5(12):1-10.
Gilligan, T.M., Brown, J.W., Epstein, M.E., Passoa, S.C., Powell, J.A. 2011. Discovery of Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermuller) in California: an invasive species new to North America (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 113(1):14-30.
Solis, M.A. 2011. Reassignment of four species currently in Herpetogramma Lederer (Spilomelinae) to Pyraustinae (Crambidae: Pyraloidea: Lepidoptera). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 113(2):1-10.
Hoddle, M., Brown, J.W. 2011. Lepidoptera associated with avocado fruit in Guatemala. Florida Entomologist. 93:649-650.
Brown, J.W., Heard, T.A., Segura, R., Jadranka, R. 2011. Tortricid moths (Lepidopotera: Tortricidae) reared from the invasive weed Parkinsonia aculeta (Fabaceae), with comments on their host specificity, biology, and geographic distribution. Journal of Insect Science. 11(7):1-17.