Legume-feeding Lepidoptera of the Florida Keys: potential competitors of an endangered lycaenid butterfly
Abstract
Two Fabaceae in the Florida Keys, Pithecellobium keyense Coker and Guilandina bonduc Griseb., have been of interest because they are the larval host plants for the endangered Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri [Comstock & Huntington]; Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). As a part of ongoing research and conservation for this butterfly, wild host plant material has been periodically collected in order to supplement a captive colony of C. t. bethunebakeri located in Gainesville, Florida, USA. In examining this plant material, 26 lepidopterans were detected, including several host records, a new continental record, and 2 likely undescribed species, 1 Aristotelia (Gelechiidae) and 1 Crocidosema (Tortricidae). Our results expand the geographic, life-history, and taxonomic understanding of lepidopteran herbivores that use P. keyense and G. bonduc in South Florida.
Resumen
En los Cayos de Florida, habitan dos especies de plantas hospederas críticas para el ciclo de vida de la mariposa Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri [Comstock y Huntington]; Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), la cual está en peligro de extinción. Ambas plantas son de la familia Fabaceae: Pithecellobium keyense Coker y Guilandina bonduc Griseb. Como parte de una investigación de la conservación de esta mariposa, periódicamente se recolectaron muestras de estas especies de plantas para suplementar una población cautiva de C. t. bethunebakeri en Gainesville, Florida, EE. UU. Tras examinar el material vegetal colectado, encontramos veintiséis especies de Lepidópteros. Varios de éstos corresponden a nuevos registros de plantas hospederas y uno de ellos corresponde a un registro nuevo para el continente. Además, encontramos dos especies probablemente no descritas, una del género Aristotelia (Gelechiidae) y el otro del género Crocidosema (Tortricidae). Nuestros resultados expanden el conocimiento de la geografía, historia de vida y taxonomía de Lepidópteros herbívoros que utilizan P. keyense y G. bonduc en el sur de la Florida.
Key Words: Pithecellobium keyense; Guilandina bonduc; Fabaceae; herbivory
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