@article {23076, title = {Description of a new Mesoamerican subspecies of Manduca albiplaga (Walker, 1856) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae, Sphinginae)}, journal = {The European Entomologist}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {21/12/2023}, pages = {155-169}, chapter = {155}, abstract = {

\"The authors describe a new Mesoamerican subspecies of Manduca albiplaga (Walker, 1856). The new subspecies is well differentiated from the nominotypical South American subspecies by an astonishing difference in the larval stages, as well as in characters of the male genitalia. All these differences are illustrated in the present note.\"

}, keywords = {BARCODING, CATALOGUE, COI, COSTA RICA, DNA, IMMATURE STAGES, MALE GENITALIA, MANDUCA, MEXICO, NEIGHBOR-JOINING, PANAMA, SPHINGIDAE, WORLDMAP1}, author = {Haxaire, J. and Melichar, T.} } @article {23059, title = {Short-term effects of a high-severity summer wildfire on conifer forest moth (Lepidoptera) communities in New Mexico, USA}, journal = {Environmental Entomology}, volume = {52}, year = {2023}, month = {15/7/2023}, pages = {606-617}, chapter = {606}, abstract = {

\"Forest fires in North America are becoming larger in area and burning with higher severity as a result of climate change and land management practices. High-severity, stand-replacement fires can inflict major changes to forest insect communities, potentially extirpating many species through altered post-fire habitat resources. We assessed forest-dwelling macrolepidopteran moth communities in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forests during the first year after the 2011 Las Conchas fire in New Mexico, USA. We deployed blacklight traps in replicated burned and unburned stands during June, July, and August in 2012. We collected 9,478 individuals, representing 211 species and 8 families. Noctuidae (124 species) and Geometridae (53) comprised the majority of the taxa, followed by Erebidae (21), Sphingidae (5), Notodontidae (3), Lasiocampidae (2), Saturniidae (2), and Drepanidae (1). Moth communities (species composition and abundances) in each forest type (mixed conifer vs. ponderosa pine) were statistically distinguishable, but shared 56.4\% (119) of observed species. Overall, compared to unburned forests, post-fire moth communities in both forest types had significantly lower numbers of individuals, species richness and diversity, and lower evenness in ponderosa pine forests. As expected, categorizing moth taxa by larval host plant taxa revealed that reductions of moth populations following fire were associated with the elimination or reduction of available larval host plants (particularly conifers, oaks, and junipers). We predict that future moth community succession will likely parallel the overall transformation from a forested landscape to a montane meadow/grassland ecosystem, with continued reduction in tree-feeding species and increasing dominance by forb/grass-feeding species.\"

}, keywords = {ANTHERAEA, COLORADIA, COMMUNITY STRUCTURE, DIET BREADTH, DISPERSAL, ECOLOGY, FIRE, HYLES, LEPIDOPTERA, MANDUCA, PACHYSPHINX, PINE FOREST, SATURNIIDAE, SMERINTHUS, SPHINGIDAE, SUCCESSION, TELEA, WORLDMAP1}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvad068}, author = {Brantley, E.M. and Jones, A.G. and Hodson, A.M. and Brown, J.W. and Pogue, M.G. and Suazo, M.M. and Parmenter, R.R.} } @article {22984, title = {Chromosomal-level genome assembly of the Coffee Bee Hawk Moth reveals the evolution of chromosomes and the molecular basis of distinct phenotypes}, journal = {Genome Biology and Evolution}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {09/2023}, pages = {evad141}, chapter = {evad141}, abstract = {

\"Cephonodes hylas, the coffee bee hawk moth is a hawk moth species with unique characteristics, such as larvae feeding on gardenia, overcoming the toxicity of its iridoid glycosides, diurnal adults, and transparent wings. Although C. hylas is a fascinating model for molecular biological research, genome sequence analysis-based genetic approaches to elucidate these peculiarities have not yet been undertaken. We successfully achieved de novo genome assembly at the chromosome level of C. hylas comparable to the Lepidoptera model organism, silkworm. Additionally, 16,854 protein-coding genes were annotated, and the constructed genome sequence and annotated genes were of the highest quality BUSCO completion compared to closely related species. Comparative genome analysis revealed the process of chromosomal evolution from the Bombycoidea ancestral (n = 31) genome and changes in turnover at the chromosome level associated with chromosomal fusion events, such as the rate of repetitive sequence insertion. These analyses were only possible because the genome was constructed at the chromosome level. Additionally, increased the nonsynonymous/synonymous rate (dN/dS) ratios were observed in multiple photoreceptor-related genes that were strongly associated with the acquisition of diurnal activity. Furthermore, tandemly duplicated expanded genes containing many digestive and other enzymes and larval midgut-specific expression were also confirmed. These genes may be involved in the metabolism of genipin, a toxin found in gardenias. Using the genome sequence of C. hylas determined at the chromosome level, we have successfully identified new insights into the chromosomal evolution of Bombycoidea, as well as the relationship between the genome sequence and its characteristic traits.\"

}, keywords = {CEPHONODES, CHROMOSOME ASSEMBLY, CHROMOSOMES, DETOXIFICATION, DIURNALISM, EVOLUTION, FOODPLANT CHEMISTRY, FOODPLANT SPECIFICITY, GENOME ASSEMBLY, HYLES, MANDUCA, OPSIN, SPHINGIDAE, WING TRANSPARENCY}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evad141}, author = {Yamabe, T. and Kajitani, R. and Toyoda, A. and Itoh, T.} } @article {22982, title = {Wettability and morphology of proboscises interweave with hawkmoth evolutionary history}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Biology}, volume = {226}, year = {2023}, month = {10/2023}, pages = {jeb245699}, chapter = {jeb245699}, abstract = {

Hovering hawkmoths expend significant energy while feeding, which should select for greater feeding efficiency. Although increased feeding efficiency has been implicitly assumed, it has never been assessed. We hypothesized that hawkmoths have proboscises specialized for gathering nectar passively. Using contact angle and capillary pressure to evaluate capillary action of the proboscis, we conducted a comparative analysis of wetting and absorption properties for 13 species of hawkmoths. We showed that all 13 species have a hydrophilic proboscis. In contradistinction, the proboscises of all other tested lepidopteran species have a wetting dichotomy with only the distal ~10\% hydrophilic. Longer proboscises are more wettable, suggesting that species of hawkmoths with long proboscises are more efficient at acquiring nectar by the proboscis surface than are species with shorter proboscises. All hawkmoth species also show strong capillary pressures which, together with the feeding behaviors we observed, ensure that nectar will be delivered to the food canal efficiently. The patterns we found suggest that different subfamilies of hawkmoths use different feeding strategies. Our comparative approach reveals that hawkmoths are unique among Lepidoptera and highlights the importance of considering the physical characteristics of the proboscis to understand the evolution and diversification of hawkmoths.

}, keywords = {ADULT FEEDING, AGRIUS, CAPILLARY PRESSURE, CONTACT ANGLE, DARAPSA, DOLBA, ENYO, EUMORPHA, FEEDING EFFICIENCY, FLUID DYNAMICS, FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION, HEMARIS, HYLES, MANDUCA, MENISCUS, PARATREA, PROBOSCIS, SPHINGIDAE, XYLOPHANES}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.245699}, author = {Palaoro, A.V. and Gole, A.R. and Sun. Y. and Puchalski, A. and Beard, C.E. and Adler, P.H. and Kornev, K.G.} } @article {22968, title = {A high-quality, long-read genome assembly of the whitelined sphinx moth (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae: Hyles lineata) shows highly conserved melanin synthesis pathway genes}, journal = {G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics}, volume = {13}, year = {2023}, month = {04/2023}, pages = {jkad090}, chapter = {jkad090}, abstract = {

\"The sphinx moth genus Hyles comprises 29 described species inhabiting all continents except Antarctica. The genus diverged relatively recently (40\–25 MYA), arising in the Americas and rapidly establishing a cosmopolitan distribution. The whitelined sphinx moth, Hyles lineata, represents the oldest extant lineage of this group and is one of the most widespread and abundant sphinx moths in North America. Hyles lineata exhibits the large body size and adept flight control characteristic of the sphinx moth family (Sphingidae), but it is unique in displaying extreme larval color variation and broad host plant use. These traits, in combination with its broad distribution and high relative abundance within its range, have made H. lineata a model organism for studying phenotypic plasticity, plant\–herbivore interactions, physiological ecology, and flight control. Despite being one of the most well-studied sphinx moths, little data exist on genetic variation or regulation of gene expression. Here, we report a high-quality genome showing high contiguity (N50 of 14.2 Mb) and completeness (98.2\% of Lepidoptera BUSCO genes), an important first characterization to facilitate such studies. We also annotate the core melanin synthesis pathway genes and confirm that they have high sequence conservation with other moths and are most similar to those of another, well-characterized sphinx moth, the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta).\"

}, keywords = {DNA, GENETICS, GENOME ASSEMBLY, HYLES, MANDUCA, MELANIN SYNTHESIS, RNA, SPHINGIDAE}, doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkad090}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkad090}, author = {Godfrey, R.K. and Britton, S.E. and Mishra, S. and Goldberg, J.K. and Kawahara, A.Y.} } @article {22966, title = {High-quality haploid genomes corroborate 29 chromosomes and highly conserved synteny of genes in Hyles hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {24}, year = {2023}, month = {08/2023}, pages = {443}, chapter = {443}, abstract = {

\"Background

Morphological and traditional genetic studies of the young Pliocene genus Hyles have led to the understanding that despite its importance for taxonomy, phenotypic similarity of wing patterns does not correlate with phylogenetic relationship. To gain insights into various aspects of speciation in the Spurge Hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae), we assembled a chromosome-level genome and investigated some of its characteristics.

Results

The genome of a male H. euphorbiae was sequenced using PacBio and Hi-C data, yielding a 504 Mb assembly (scaffold N50 of 18.2 Mb) with 99.9\% of data represented by the 29 largest scaffolds forming the haploid chromosome set. Consistent with this, FISH analysis of the karyotype revealed n = 29 chromosomes and a WZ/ZZ (female/male) sex chromosome system. Estimates of chromosome length based on the karyotype image provided an additional quality metric of assembled chromosome size. Rescaffolding the published male H. vespertilio genome resulted in a high-quality assembly (651 Mb, scaffold N50 of 22 Mb) with 98\% of sequence data in the 29 chromosomes. The larger genome size of H. vespertilio (average 1C DNA value of 562 Mb) was accompanied by a proportional increase in repeats from 45\% in H. euphorbiae (measured as 472 Mb) to almost 55\% in H. vespertilio. Several wing pattern genes were found on the same chromosomes in the two species, with varying amounts and positions of repetitive elements and inversions possibly corrupting their function.

Conclusions

Our two-fold comparative genomics approach revealed high gene synteny of the Hyles genomes to other Sphingidae and high correspondence to intact Merian elements, the ancestral linkage groups of Lepidoptera, with the exception of three simple fusion events. We propose a standardized approach for genome taxonomy using nucleotide homology via scaffold chaining as the primary tool combined with Oxford plots based on Merian elements to infer and visualize directionality of chromosomal rearrangements. The identification of wing pattern genes promises future understanding of the evolution of forewing patterns in the genus Hyles, although further sequencing data from more individuals are needed. The genomic data obtained provide additional reliable references for further comparative studies in hawkmoths (Sphingidae).\"

}, keywords = {CHROMOSOMES, DNA, HEMARIS, HI-C, HYLES, KARYOLOGY, LAOTHOE, MACROGLOSSUM, MANDUCA, MERIAN ELEMENTS, MIMAS, MITOGENOME, PACBIO LONG READS, SPHINGIDAE, SYNTENY}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-023-09506-y}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-023-09506-y}, author = {Hundsdoerfer, A.K. and Schell, T. and Patzold, F. and Wright, C.J. and Yoshido, A. and Marec, F. and Danek, H. and Winkler, S. and Greve, C. and Podsiadlowski, L. and Hiller, M. and Pippel, M.} } @article {22961, title = {New record of the sphingid moth Acherontia styx Westwood, its parasitoid Trichogramma achaeae in Jasmine Jasminum sambac L., and its bioecology}, journal = {Journal of Threatened Taxa}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {06/2023}, pages = {23373-23381}, chapter = {23373}, abstract = {

\"The sphingid moth larvae are voracious defoliators of several crops. The present study was conducted to investigate damage of Acherontia styx on Jasmine, their seasonal incidence, and bioecology. Larval instars fed on jasmine leaves and flowers, with the highest defoliation being 35\% and highest flower damage 47\% during September. The lifecycle consisted of egg, five larval instars, pupal, and adult stages. The eggs were pearly white in colour and emerged larvae were cylindrical with a prominent anal horn. In subsequent moults the larvae continued to feed and become larger until they turned a reddish colour and ceased feeding prior to pupating in the soil. Adult moths were robust and swift fliers. The total life cycle from egg to adult was 56 days for males and 59 days for females. Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja \& Nagarkatti was noticed and documented as a potential egg parasitoid of the sphingid moth, a new record. A natural parasitization of eggs was noticed under field conditions, with changed colour of eggs to deep black from which a tiny parasitic wasp emerged, identified as T. achaea. \"

}, keywords = {ACHERONTIA, IMMATURE STAGES, INDIA, LIFE HISTORY, PARASITOIDS, PHENOLOGY, SPHINGIDAE, TRICHOGRAMMA, TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE, WORLDMAP1}, doi = {10.11609/jott.8377.15.6.23373-23381}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8377.15.6.23373-23381}, author = {Davidson, I.M.K.} } @article {22953, title = {The original drawings for Dru Drury{\textquoteright}s Illustrations of Natural History (1770-1782) are rediscovered in rural Virginia}, journal = {News of the Lepidopterists{\textquoteright} Society}, volume = {65}, year = {2023}, month = {05/2023}, pages = {64-71}, chapter = {64}, keywords = {BIBLIOGRAPHY, MANDUCA, PAINTINGS, SPHINGIDAE}, url = {https://images.peabody.yale.edu/lepsoc/nls/2020s/2023/2023_v65_n2.pdf}, author = {Calhoun, J.V.} } @article {22914, title = {Diversity and distribution of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera), Department of Life Sciences, M K Bhavanagar University, Bhavanagar, Gujarat, India}, journal = {International Journal of Entomology Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2023}, month = {01/2023}, pages = {79-87}, chapter = {79}, abstract = {

\"The present study was conducted at the campus of Department of Life Sciences, M.K. Bhavanagar University, Bhavanagar, Gujarat. Study compiled as baseline contribution to diversity and distribution of moths in the campus, Population status of moth, a species richness, abundance, evenness, diversity indices. Selected site was surveyed from July 2022 - December 2022.130 species of Moths were yield as a result of present study. Noctuoidea was found to be the most species rich super-family with 59 species and 2 super-families represent least diversity with single species illustrative. A pellucid change was seen in a number of species during peak of monsoon, September. Maximum species were recorded in the month of September (88) whereas least number of species were recorded in the month of December (11), which marks the beginning of winter. The survey enhanced understanding of the bio-diversity of Moths in Gujarat region and will be helpful in conducting further research and conservation operations. The diversity indices for moth fauna of this area have been calculated for the first time from the department of life sciences. Across the survey, Simpson\’s Diversity Index (D), Shannon Diversity Index (H), Pielou\’s evenness index (J) were respectively as 0.28,1.54 and 0.67.\"

}, keywords = {ACHERONTIA, BOMBYCIDAE, HIPPOTION, INDIA, LEPIDOPTERA, NEPHELE, OCINARA, POLYPTYCHUS, SHANNON-WEINER INDEX, SIMPSON{\textquoteright}S INDEX, SPHINGIDAE, THERETRA, TRILOCHA}, author = {Vaghela, S. and Shah, K. and Gohil, B.} } @article {22871, title = {Haemolymph viscosity in hawkmoths and its implications for hovering flight}, journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B}, volume = {290}, year = {2023}, pages = {20222185}, chapter = {20222185}, abstract = {

\"Viscosity determines the resistance of haemolymph flow through the insect body. For flying insects, viscosity is a major physiological parameter limiting flight performance by controlling the flow rate of fuel to the flight muscles, circulating nutrients and rapidly removing metabolic waste products. The more viscous the haemolymph, the greater the metabolic energy needed to pump it through confined spaces. By employing magnetic rotational spectroscopy with nickel nanorods, we showed that viscosity of haemolymph in resting hawkmoths (Sphingidae) depends on wing size non-monotonically. Viscosity increases for small hawkmoths with high wingbeat frequencies, reaches a maximum for middle-sized hawkmoths with moderate wingbeat frequencies, and decreases in large hawkmoths with slower wingbeat frequencies but greater lift. Accordingly, hawkmoths with small and large wings have viscosities approaching that of water, whereas hawkmoths with mid-sized wings have more than twofold greater viscosity. The metabolic demands of flight correlate with significant changes in circulatory strategies via modulation of haemolymph viscosity. Thus, the evolution of hovering flight would require fine-tuned viscosity adjustments to balance the need for the haemolymph to carry more fuel to the flight muscles while decreasing the viscous dissipation associated with its circulation.\"

}, keywords = {AGRIUS, CERATOMIA, DOLBA, ENYO, EUMORPHA, HAEMOLYMPH, HEMARIS, HOVERING, HYLES, MANDUCA, PHYSIOLOGY, SPHINGIDAE, VISCOSITY, XYLOPHANES}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.218}, author = {Brasovs, A. and Palaoro, A.V. and Aprelev, P. and Beard, C.E. and Adler, P.H. and Kornev, K.G.} }