Spheterista oheoheana Rediscovery

Spheterista oheoheana (Swezey) Rediscovery

This species was previously known only from the type series of five specimens (four males, one female) reared “from larvae and pupae found in dead twigs” of Polyscias kavaiensis (Araliaceae) at Halemanu, Kauaʻi in 1932 (Swezey 1933). All specimens of the type series are in poor condition, with wings heavily rubbed and not spread. We report a single female from the Nuʻalolo Trail. A few Polyscias kavaiensis were observed nearby, although no dead twigs were noticed.

Spheterista oheoheana is one of three species of Hawaiian Tortricidae to have been included in a USFWS Candidate Notice of Review (USFWS 1984), meaning it has been considered for possible protection under the Endangered Species Act. It was listed as a category 2 candidate species, meaning that “conclusive data on biological vulnerability and threat are not currently available” to support inclusion. The other two species included in the review, also category 2, S. pterotropiana and S. reynoldsiana, have been collected in recent years (although S. reynoldsiana maybeextinctonOʻahu).Allthreespecies were removed from consideration in 1996 when the USFWS discontinued the use of category 2 (USWFS 1996).

Material examined. Kauaʻi: 1♀, Kōkeʻe State Park, Nuʻalolo Trail; 22.1310, -159.6607; 1160m; 22-23 iii 2022; K. A. Austin; LED bucket trap / DNA extraction KA0556 / KAA diss. #0787 (UHIM).