Paranthrene

Abstract: Partial DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome oxidase I and II genes were used to construct a molecular phylogeny based on representative species from 10 of the 20 genera of Sesiidae. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian analysis were utilized. Sequencing of a 606-base pair region of the mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI), tRNA leucine, and COII gene revealed 271 polymorphic sites among 20 species. Genetic variation ranged from 0.8 to 21.2% among species. Maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analysis do not support the recent synonmy of Synansphecia as Pyropteran. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood support the recent divergence of Synanthedon pamphyla from Synanthedon culciformis, which are almost identical morphologicaly. Maximum likelihood, parsimony, and Bayesian analysis do not support the inclusion of Melittia cucurbitae in the Sesiinae subfamily. All analysis support Synanthedon included in the Sesiinae subfamily. All analysis also give support for Vitacea and Paranthrene forming the subfamily Paranthrenini. This is the first attempt to resolve relationships within Sesiidae with molecular data. Sesiidae are a divergent order of Lepidoptera in which many relationships should be examined more closely. Future studies should investigate nucleur markers to further support relationships supported by molecular data.

Abstract: Thirteen species from six genera in the family Sesiidae were collected during 1983–1985 in traps baited with single isomers or blends of 2,13 and 3,13 octadecadienyl acetates and alcohols. ( E,Z )-2,13 octadecadienyl acetate was shown to be highly attractive to Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), Paranthrene asilipennis (Boisduval), P. simulans (Grote), and Synanthedon acerrubri (Engelhardt). Captures of three species were improved by the addition of 2,13 isomers to 3,13 isomers, and the first seasonal plots based on captures in pheromone traps are shown for three species.

Abstract: We here briefly review the Paranthrenini fauna of Mainland China and provide a checklist of 21 species for this region. We describe six new species: Paranthrene rubomacula Kallies & Owada sp. nov., Nokona opaca Kallies & Wang sp. nov., Nokona bractea Kallies & Arita sp. nov., Scoliokona nanlingensis Kallies & Arita sp. nov., Scoliokona spissa Kallies & Arita sp. nov., Scoliokona shimentai Kallies & Wu sp. nov. Furthermore, we provide numerous new combinations of species formerly associated with the genus Paranthrene in South East Asia, with 12 species transferred to Nokona Matsumura, 1931, 4 to Scoliokona Kallies & Arita, 1998, and one to Cyanosesia Gorbunov & Arita, 1995 (comb. nov.). The genus name Aritasesia Nakamura, 2009 (syn. nov.) is considered a junior subjective synonym of Nokona Matsumura, 1931.

Abstract: The 15 known species of Sesiidae of Baja California, Mexico are discussed. Five species are unique to the Baja Peninsula, four of which are described as new species: Melittia faulkneri n. sp. , M. gilberti n. sp. , Carmenta andrewsi n. sp. , and C. erici n. sp. Adults are described, figured and salient features illustrated.