A cryptic new Potamanaxas (Hesperiidae: Pyrginae: Erynnini) stands out by terminally elongated genitalic valvae

Nick V. Grishin, Daniel H. Janzen, Winnie Hallwachs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Potamanaxas louisghilli Grishin, sp. nov. is described from Area de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) in northwestern Costa Rica. Superficially, this species resembles several other Potamanaxas taxa with entire pale discal bands on the wings, but is distinguished from them by a row of faint postdiscal forewing spots (not streaks), terminally elongated genitalic valvae, and distinctive COI DNA barcodes. Found feeding on rain forest epiphytic Cavendishia axillaris and Psammisia ramiflora, the new species is likely to be host-specific to rain forest epiphytic Ericaceae, which are the food plants of all other known species of ACG Potamanaxas as well.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13-20
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Research on the Lepidoptera
Volume48
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Area de conservación guanacaste
  • Biodiversity
  • Caterpillars
  • Costa rica
  • Cryptic species
  • Genitalia
  • Skipper butterflies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Insect Science

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