Phyllocnistis baccharidis Hering, Allotype 1958

Phyllocnistis baccharidis Hering, 1958

Figs. 3C, 4C, 5, S1; Tab. 2

Phyllocnistis baccharidis; Hering 1958: 308 –310, figs. 11–12, 14B–14 C. Davis & Miller 1984: 27. De Prins et al. 2016: 34.

Type material. Phyllocnistis baccharidis Hering, 1958 was described on the basis of one male and three females, from Choromoro, Tucumán, Argentina. The male holotype (Fig. 3C) was illustrated by Hering and is deposited with the allotype and two paratypes at ZMHB. Holotype with the following labels (separated by forward slash symbols, Fig. 4C): / Holotypus / Mine an Baccharis spec. / IM R. Her. 9 / Choromoro Tucumán 16/17.III. 1953 Wygodzinsky / Phyllocnistis baccharidis #m Hering, Holotype /. Next to the labels is the dissected genitalia, slidemounted with glycerin and containing the same information previously cited. Female allotype with the following labels (separated by forward slash symbols): / Allotypus / Mine an Baccharis spec. / IM R. Her. 9 / Choromoro Tucumán 16/17.III. 1953 Wygodzinsky / Phyllocnistis baccharidis Hering, Allotype #f /. Female genitalia is also dissected and slide-mounted with glycerin, containing the same information. Paratypes (two females, with identical labels): / Paratypus / Mine an Baccharis spec. / IM R. Her. 9 / Choromoro Tucumán 16/17.III. 1953 Wygodzinsky / Phyllocnistis baccharidis Hering, Paratype /.

Forewing length. 3.25 mm (n=5).

Diagnosis (Figs. 3C, S 1; Tab. 2). Dorsal forewing: ground color light gray. lf lanceolate, with middle portion wider; light yellow with border light brown. It emerges on the proximal region of the wing (I), following centrally towards the median region (II), and ending diffuse close to the tf1 border. Four transversal light yellow fasciae with well-marked, light brown borders: tf1 c-shaped, crossing entirely the wing; tf2 short, partially connected to tf1 on the central region, where it ends, and slightly separated from tf3; tf4 is narrower, similar and parallel to tf3, preceding as. Inner marginal fringes with light yellow base, dark brown median region and light gray apex. Costal and apical strigulae typical. P. baccharidis is similar to P. bourquini Pastrana and P. ourea Brito & Moreira in relation to pattern of the fasciae. However, it can be distinguished from these species by the tf1, which in P. baccharidis reaches the inner margin, a characteristic not found on the other two species.

Geographical distribution (Fig. 5). Recorded from the original description as restricted to Quebrada de Las Higueras and Choromoro, Trancas department, Tucumán province, Argentina (800 m.).

Natural history. Immature of this species were reared by Dr. P. Wygodzinsky from collections made on March 16 h and 17, 1953. According to him and the species author, up to two larvae were found feeding on the epidermis in a single leaf. The mine is found on the adaxial region of the leaf, and during ontogenesis the larva traces a path towards the leaf apex, posteriorly returning to the base, and so on. The mine is serpentine, narrow at first and increasing in size throughout larval development. The frass in the mine has a slimy appearance. The cocoon is endophyllous, constructed distally within the mine in the central region of the leaf. Silken threads constructed with the cocoon cause the leaf to wrinkle.

Host plant(s). According to Hering (1958), larvae feed on an unidentified species of Baccharis L. (Asteraceae).

Examined material. Holotype, allotype, 2 paratypes and 1 specimen with no identified sex, with the same type locality, deposited at MCN (this specimen is incorrectly labeled as a paratype). Argentina: Tucumán— Choromoro, Quebrada de la Higuera, 800 m, 16-17.III.1953, P. Wygodzinsky leg., 1 male and 3 females (ZMHB), 1 specimen (TLEP043) (MCN).

Remarks. At the ZMBH, only two slides were found with genitalia, both dissected and illustrated by Hering. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the slide containing the male genitalia is damaged. Because there were only few specimens deposited at the collection, no genitalia were dissected for this review.