Paryphthimoides brixius

Paryphthimoides brixius (Hewitson, 1862)

(2021-FLP-IMM-0395)

Second instar. Head capsule width: 0.8 mm (n=1). Head appearing dark brown scattered with secondary setae and “horn-like” scolus, slightly curving outwards in frontal view (scolus length 0.3 mm (n=1)); single, whitish chalazae visible on lateral side (M1) (based on head capsule image), with primary seta on each of these chalazae; six stemmata visible, with first and sixth somewhat semi-transparent and thus insignificant, third stemma largest. Body not described and illustrated. Duration: Unknown; molted 7 days after collection.

Third instar (Fig 3: 1a, b; Fig 5: i). Head capsule width: 1.0 mm (n=1). Head appearing light olive with numerous secondary setae, apparently thicker, denser, and increased in number compared to previous instar; “hornlike” scolus appearing dark brown except for posterior side and basal half of anterior side (scolus length 0.4 mm (n=1)); dark colouration on vertex extending to scolus, as well as present laterally and partially on frontal part, as illustrated; three whitish chalazae visible on lateral side (M1-3), with primary seta on each of these three chalazae; six stemmata visible, with stemma 1 and 6 somewhat semi-transparent and thus insignificant, stemma 3 largest, closer to stemma 2 than 4. Body whitish; dark purple band extending along mid-dorsal area, well-defined along thorax and A5 onwards, insignificant from A1 to A4; concolourous jagged band traversing along previous middorsal band; similar jagged band present laterally, roughly parallel to previous band; spiracles visible as creamywhite spots; short, bifid caudal filaments, dorsally white, inner side purple resulting from continuation of mid-dorsal band. Body length: 8.2 mm (n=1). Duration: 8 days (n=1).

Fourth instar (Fig 3: 2a, b). Head capsule width: 1.5 mm (n=1). Head appearing olive with numerous secondary setae, apparently thicker and increased in number compared to previous instar; head scolus overall similar to previous instar except somewhat shorter (scolus length 0.5 mm (n=1)) and distally (apex) orangish; patterns of darker markings on head capsule similar to previous instar except for area increasing in frontal part and reduced laterally around chalazae; arrangement and appearance of stemmata and chalazae similar to previous instar. Body color pattern similar to previous instar; spiracles appearing darker compared to previous instar; caudal filaments similar to previous instar. Body length: 13.4 mm (n=1). Duration: 9 days (n=1).

Fifth (ultimate) instar (Fig 3: 3a, b; Fig 5: j). Head capsule width: 1.9 mm (n=1). Head appearing olive with numerous secondary setae, apparently thicker and denser compared to previous instar; head scolus overall similar to previous instar except shorter (scolus length 0.4 mm (n=1)); patterns of dark brown markings on head capsule increasing on frontal side as well as laterally, as illustrated; arrangement and appearance of stemmata and chalazae similar to previous instar; five setae on one side of labrum, labrum appearing reduced. Body flesh-coloured; middorsal band and jagged dorso-lateral to lateral bands as in previous instar except for appearing somewhat brownish; spiracles appearing dark brownish and more prominent compared to previous instars; bifid caudal filaments, dorsally brownish, with inner side dark brownish resulting from continuation of mid-dorsal band, and terminating in pink posterior tip. Body length: 17.5 mm (n=1). Duration: 15 days (n=1).

Pupa (Fig 3: 4a, b, c). Body cream in color and mottled with dark brown; wing case overall cream scattered with dark brown markings; body overall appearing short and rounded, with squared ocular caps; small cream and dark brown protuberances present in two rows along dorsal area of abdomen; brown cremaster, gradually narrowing towards distal end but appearing broader than previous two species. Body length: 6.8 mm (n=1). Duration: 15 days (n=1).

Host plant. Taquara micrantha (Kunth) I.L.C.Oliveira & R.P.Oliveira (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae).

See corresponding section of previous species for further detail. At the time of larval collection for Paryphthimoides brixius, (May 23, 2021), the plant was 0.4 m tall. The larva was found at a distance of 0.2 m from the ground, on the abaxial surface of the leaf, in the middle part (between the base and the apex) just at the margin of the leaf (Table 2).