ARS | Publication request: A NEW SPECIES OF CRYPTASPASMA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE: OLETHREUTINAE) FROM CENTRAL AMERICA, THE CARIBBEAN, AND SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, WITH A CATALOGUE OF THE WORLD FAUNA OF MICROCORSINI

Submitted to: Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 22, 2003
Publication Date: July 22, 2004
Citation: Brown, J.W., Brown, R.L. 2004. A new species of cryptaspasma (lepidoptera: tortricidae: olethreutinae) from central america, the caribbean, and southeastern united states, with a catalogue of the world fauna of microcorsini. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 106: 288-297

Interpretive Summary: The caterpillars of some species of the moth family commonly known as leaf-rollers feed in the hard seeds of plants in the avocado family (Lauraceae). Because of the superficial similarity of these larvae to those of an unrelated but important avocado pest in Central and South America, we provide detailed descriptions and illustrations of a new species of leaf-roller moth to distinguish adults from the notorious avocado pest. This work will be important for those involved in pest management and crop protection in avocados and for action agencies such as APHIS whose role it is to prevent the introduction of non-native pests into the U.S.

Technical Abstract: Cryptaspasma bipenicilla, new species, is described and illustrated from Central America, the Caribbean, and southeastern United States. The earliest record of this species in the U.S. is a specimen collected in Pensacola, Florida in 1962. We consider the species to be resident in the U.S. based on its widespread occurrence (on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from North Carolina to Texas) and the duration of its presence in the region. The new species has been reared from avocado seed (Persea americana L.; Lauraceae) in Puerto Rico and from fruits of aceitunillo (Belschmiedia pendula (Sw.); Lauraceae) in Cuba. Potential hosts in the U.S. include Persea borbonia (L.) (red bay) and P. palustris Sarg. (swamp bay). We also provide a taxonomic catalogue of the world fauna of the tribe Microcorsini.