Additional records of Cyclargus ammon (Lycaenidae : Lycaeninae) in the Florida keys

2006·1.5 MB·

Volume 60. Number 2 97
"sockets" orare articulated, as are the primary D or SD Gielis, C. 2000. Division of the Pterophoiidae into tribes (Lepi-
doptera).Quadrifina3:57-60.
setae. GIELIS,C.2003. Pterophoiidae&Alucitoidea-In:WorldCatalogue
While tribal placement of Cosmoclostis in ofInsects4: 1-198.
Pterophorini can be supported, additional species need Heinrich,C. 1916.Onthetaxonomicvalueofsomelarvalcharacters
teontbiereelyxaumniinqeude,ttootahsecegretnaiunslCaorsvamlocalnodstpiusp.alCcohnatriancutienrgs Hao,iCnoSs.t-mhLoe.c,lLoeLisp,tiidHso.p-MtHee.ryar,.i&cPkrWofucr.,oEmCn.tC-ohSim.no2al0,.0w4Si.otch.FiWdreassstchrr.iepc1to8ir:odn1so5f4o-ft1ht6ew4.ogenneuws
studies of larval and pupal structure will provide species (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae). Acta Zoo. Sinica 29(1):
additional insight into the relationships between and Matt1h4e2w-1s4,6.D.L. & Lott, T.A. 2005. Larval Hostplants of the
withintribes and subfamilies ofthis group. Pterophoiidae(Lepidoptera:Pterophoroidea). Mem.Amer.En-
tomol.Inst. 76: 1-324.
WethankMarianne Horak,Australian NationalInsectCollection, MEYRICK, E. 1886. OntheclassificationofthePterophoridae.Trans.
forarrangingtheloanofthedescribedspecimens. George Mathew, Entom. Soc. Lond. 1886: 1-21.
KeralaForestInstitute,India,providedcomparativelarvalmaterialof Mosher,E. 1916.AclassificationoftheLepidopterabasedonchar-
Cosmoclostisleucomochla. We also thankTerryA. Lott, Howard actersofthepupa. Bull. 111. StateLab. Nat. Hist. 12(2): 18-153.
Frank, and Donald W. Hall for reviewing the manuscriptJ.. Florida platesXIX-XXVII.
AgriculturalExperimentStationJournalSeries No. R-10725. Nair, K.S.S. 2001. Pest Outbreak in Tropical Forest Plantations: Is
ThereaGreaterRiskforExoticTreeSpecies? CenterforInter-
Literature Cited nationalForestryResearch,Jakarta,Indonesia. 74pp.
Stehr, F.W 1987. OrderLepidoptera. Pp. 288-596 In F.W. Stehr
Arenberger, E. 1998. The types of the species of Cosmoclostis (ed.),ImmatureInsects[1],Kendall/Hunt,Dubuque. 754pages.
Meyrick(Lepidoptera: Pterophoiidae) andtheirgenitalia. Ento- Yano, K. 1963.TaxonomicandbiologicalstudiesofPterophoridaeof
mol. Scand.2S:367-379. Japan(Lepidoptera). Pac. Ins.5(1):65-209.
Arenberger. E. 2002. Pterophoiidae, 2. Teilband. In: Gaedike, R.
(Ed) MicrolepidopteraPalaearctica 11:287pp.Goecke&Evers, Deborah L. Matthews, Margo A. Duncan, and
Keltem.
Fletcher,T.B.(Ed.).1931.CatalogueofIndianInsects,part20-Alu- Dale H. Habeck, Department of Entomology and
citidae(Pterophoiidae).GovernmentofIndia,Calcutta.61pp. Nematology, IFAS, UniversityofFlorida, GainesvilleFL
FLETCHER,T.B. 1932.Life-historiesofIndianMicrolepidoptera.(Sec- 32611, USA
ond Series)Afucitidae (Pterophoiidae),Tortricinaand Gelechi-
adae. Scientific Monograph No. 2. Imperial Council ofAgricul- Receivedforpublication23February2005; revisedandaccepted18
turalResearch,Calcutta.58pp. August2005
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dae).Proc.R. Entomol.Soc.ofLond. (B) 16:42-52.
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(Lepidoptera).Zool.Verhand. Leiden290: 1-139.
JournaloftheLcpidopterists'Society
60(2),2006,97-99
ADDITIONAL RECORDS OF CYCLARGUSAMMON (LYCAENIDAE: LYCAENINAE)
IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
Additionalkeywords: Caesalpinia,colonization.Fabaceae,Cyclargusthomasibethuncbakeii,oviposition
Cyclargus amnion Lucas (Lycaenidae) is asmallblue been documentedoffthelargeisland. Wehavefoundit
ofthe Bahamas, Cuba, andthe IsleofPines (Smithetal. to be locally common near patches ofpinelandAcacia
1994). Although historically reported from Florida, pinetorum F. Herm. (Fabaceae) in open pine
J.
Calhoun et al. (2000) concluded with reasonable rockland habitat within the boundaries of Kev Deer
certaintythatallsuchrecords actuallyrepresentedthose National Wildlife Refuge as well as along; disturbed
of the superficiallv similar Cyclargus thomasi Clench roadside areas on nearbyjDrivate lands harboringsweet
(Lycaenidae). In recent years, scattered anecdotal acacia,Acaciafarnesiana (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae).
reports ofC. amnion from south Florida continued to In June 2002, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
circulate but were not verified until 1997 and 199S contracted the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and
when several adults were photographed on Big Pine Biodiversitytoconductacomprehensiveone-vearstatus
Key(Calhoun etal. 2000; Krizek 1998, 1999; Glassberg monitoring surveyofthe nowstate-endangered Miami
1999). Since its initial discovery, regular additional blue, Cyclargus thomasi bethuncbakeii (Comstock &
sightings have persisted alongwith evidence ofregular Huntington) (Lycaenidae) throughout its historic range
breeding colonies, indicating that the species has and to gather detailed biological and ecological
become firmlyestablished. C. amnion has continuedto information on die remaining Bahia Honda State Park
increase in abundance and can now be found in many population. Concurrently, surveyswere undertaken for
suitablehabitatareas across BigPine Key, butithas not the presence ofC. amnion adults or active colonies on
Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
coastal strandwith aresultingplantspeciescomposition
that includes Uniola paniculata L. (Poaceae), Ipomoea
pes-camrae (L.) R. Brown (Convolvulaceae), Canavalia
DC
rosea (Sw.) (Fabaceae), Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L.
(Polygonaceae), Lantana involucrata L. (Verbenaceae),
and Pithecellobium keyense Britt. ex Britt. & Rose
(Fabaceae) along with several more typical hardwood
hammock representatives such as Heliotropium
angiospermuni Murr. (Boraginaceae), Conocarpus
erectus L. (Combretaceae), and Metopium toxifentm
(L.) Krug & Urban (Anacardiaceae). The habitat was
severelyalteredbythe impactofHurricane Georges on
25 September 1998, resulting in extensive disturbance
and the introduction of Caesalpinia bonduc. This
relatively aggressive, sprawling species, also known as
Fig. 1. Female Cijclargus amnion collected in Baliia Honda State graynickerbean, nowdominates muchofthe remaining
Park community and serves as the only larval host for C.
the various islands surrounding Big Pine Keyincluding thomasibethunebackeri on the island.
Sugarloaf Key, Cujoe Key, Summerland Key, Ramrod The two isolated sightings of C. amnion on Bahia
Key, Big Torch Key, Middle Torch Key, Little Torch Hondawere clearly unexpected as the small state park
Key, No Name Key, West Summerland Key, Ohio Key, does not harbor remnant tracts ofpine rockland forest.
Missouri Key, and Little Duck Key. The surveydid not Calhoun et al. (2000), in their description of the life
include any of the backcountry islands. Despite ten history, list Acacia pinetoruni, Acaciafarnesiana, and
visits between 19 July 2002 and 25 August 2003, no Caesalpinia pauciflora (Griseb.) C. Wright ex Sauvalle
adultsorimmature stageswere recorded. The resulting (Fabaceae) as larval hosts utilized by the Big Pine Key
lack of sightings was not unexpected, owing to the population. To our knowledge, none of these plant
species' close association with pine rockland forests, as species is known from Bahia Hondaand theyclearlydo
onlyfourofthe islands (Little Pine Key, No Name Key, notoccuronthewesternportionofdie islandwheredie
Sugarloaf Key and Cudjoe Key) support substantial two individuals were recorded. Although oviposition
remainingpockets ofappropriate habitat. was observed on Caesalpinia bonduc, it is not knownif
Surprisingly, on 12 October 2002, a single adult this plantreliablyserves as aviablelarvalhostdespiteits
iemale C. amnion was observed within Baliia Honda suitability under laboratory conditions (Fine 2003).
State Park. The individual was in relatively fresh Nonetheless, the use of Caesalpinia pauciflora in
condition and was encountered alongside Leptotes Florida and the earlier record of C. bahamenis Lam.
cassius theonus (Lucas) (Lycaenidae) and C. thomasi from Cuba (Alayo and Hernandez 1987) suggest the
bethunebakeri on the far western portion ofthe island likelihood thatother members ofthe genus mayalsobe
adjacenttoasendeedrive atthebaseofalarge artificial utilized. Ifverified, it could influence the future range
embankment. This embankment was originally expansion of C. amnion throughout south Florida by
constructed for the Henry Flagler East Coast Railway enabling the colonization of many habitat areas
(now called the Old Baliia Honda Bridge). It is previously unavailable due to a lack of suitable hosts.
considered to be the primary visual landmark of the Additionally the use of C. bonduc would potentially
park and is a popular tourist attraction. Although this place C. amnion in competition with C thomasi
male was believed at the time to be merelyan isolated bethunebakeri foravailablehostresourcesatsiteswhere
vagrant, a second specimen, an adult female was the two species overlap.
encountered in the same generalvicinityon March 21, While it seems unlikelythat C. amnion has a regular
2003. The relatively fresh individualwas captured and presence on Bahia Honda, individualvagrants oreven a
photographed (Fig 1) following several minutes of small temporary breeding colony could easily be
detailed observation during which it repeatedly overlooked due to the species extremely close
oviposited on Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb. resemblance to C. thomasi bethunebakeri. Further
(Fabaceae). research is needed on the ecological requirements and
This section of the island supports the largest larval host range ofC. amnion in south Florida, and its
remaining portion ofthe Miami blue population. It is potential influence on the ongoing conservation efforts
comprised ofbeach dune and adjacent transition zone surroundingthe endangered Miamiblue.
Volume 60. Number 2 99
Glassberg, 1999. Nickerbean blues arrive in Florida. Amer.
J.
TheauthorswouldliketothankK. Haddad,A.Williams,and Butterflies.7(2):22-23.
R. Zambrano of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Krizek,G.O. 1998.Hemiargusamnion discoveredintheUSAatBig
Commission, and R. Skinnerofthe FloridaDepartmentofEn- Pine Key, Florida (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Holarctic Lepid.
vironmental Protection, Division of Parks and Recreation for 5(2):45.
permitting and various technical support. The authors would . 1999. Hemiargusamnion photographedinFlorida. News
alsolike tothankthe staffofBahia Honda State Park, particu- Lepid. Soc.41:8.
larlyG. McKee, forcontinuedassistance in providingaccessto Smith, D. S., L. D. Miller,andJ. Y. Miller. 1994.Thebutterflies
dieresearchareas.ThisworkwaspartiallysupportedunderU.S. ofthe West Indies and South Florida. Oxford University Press.
FishandWildlife Servicefundingagreementno.401S12M500. Oxford.264pp.
Jaret C. Daniels, Akers Pence, and Thomas C.
J.
Literature Cited EMMEL, McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and
Alayo, D., and L. R. Hernandez. 1987. Adas de las Mariposas Biodiversity, P.O. Box 112710, University ofFlorida,
Diumas de Cuba(Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera). Edit. Cientifico- Gainesville, Florida 32611-2710. Email:
Tecnicia. Havana. 148pp.
Calhoun,J.V.,J.R.Slotten,andM.H.Salvato.2000.Theriseand [email protected].
falloftropicalbluesinFlorida: Cyclargusamnion andCyclargus
thomasi bethunebakeri (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Holarctic Receivedforpublication5December2004:revisedandaccepted13
Lepid.7(1): 13-20. July2005
Fine, d. 2003. Variability of Cyclargus amrnon amnion. So. Lep.
News.25(3)
JournaloftheLepidoptelists'Society
60(2),2006,99-100..
NOTES ON THE OVIPOSITIONALBEHAVIOR OFLEPTOTES CASSIUS THEONUS (LYCANIDAE:
LYCAENINAE) IN THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS
Additionalkeywords: Caesalpiniabonduc, Canavaliarosea,Dactylocteniumaegyptium,polyphagous
Leptotes cassias theonus Lucas is a small, sexually (Plumbaginaceae), and Plumbago scandens L.
dimorphic lvcaenid found throughout Florida, the (Plumbaginaceae (Howe 1975, Minno and Emmel
)
Bahamas, and the GreaterAntilles (Smith et al. 1994). 1993, Scott 1986).
Itis one ofdie mostwidelydistributedbutterfliesinthe Detailed observations ofthe oviposition behavior of
Florida Keys, and frequents subtropical open to semi- L. cassius theonuswere conductedwithin Bahia Honda
open, sunlit habitats including beach dunes, coastal StateParkintheLowerFlorida KeysbetweenJuly2002
scrub, tropical pinelands, and tropical hardwood and August 2003. During much of die year, it is die
hammock margins, as well as urban gardens or parks mostabundantblueencounteredon the524-acreisland
(Minnoand Emmel 1993). In manyofthese situations, and regularly flies alongside Hemiargus (Cyclargus)
the species seems to benefit from natural disturbance thomasi bethunebakeri (Comstock & Huntington)
andanthropogenicactivities thatenhancethe growthof (Lycaenidae) and Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus
pioneer vegetation or incorporate the introduction of Hiibner(Lycaenidae) inmanylocations. Inallbutdiree
ornamentalplantingSr instances, females exclusively elected to lav eggs on
Within Florida, L. cassiastheonus utilizes avarietyof Galactia volubilis and Pithecellobium keyense. Both
herbaceous andwoodylarval hosts in die Fabaceae and plants arecommonondieisland,with Galactia volubilis
Plumbaginaceae; scattered representatives of the being particularly prolific in open, disturbed sites
Malpighiaceae are also used by L. cassius striatus alongside trails, sendee drives and roadways. Isolated
(Edwards) (Lycaenidae) in southern Texas. The oviposition events were documented on Canavalia
developing larvae feed on the flowers and developing rosea (Sw.) DC. (Fabaceae), Caesalpinia bonduc (L.)
fruits of Abrus precatorius L., Crotalaria incana L. Roxb. (Fabaceae), and Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.)
(Fabaceae), Desmodium Desv. (Fabaceae), Lysiloma Willd.(Poaceae) and represent new records for L.
latisiliquum (L.) Benth. (Fabaceae), Galactia regularis cassius theonus. In each case, a female landed on die
(L.) B.S.P (Fabaceae), Galactia striata (Jacq.) Urban plant, walked slowly over the vegetation while
(Fabaceae), Galactia volubilis (L.) Britt. (Fabaceae), repeatedlyprobingitwith herabdomen, and deposited
Indigofera L. (Fabaceae),Macroptiliumlathyroides (L.) a single egg before flying off. It is not known if L.
Urban (Fabaceae), Phaseolus lunatus L. (=E limensis) cassius theonus larvae are able to successfullycomplete
(Fabaceae), Piscidia piscipula (L.) Sarg. (Fabaceae), development on C. rosea or C. bonduc, aldiough die
Pithecellobium keyense Britt. ex Britt. & Rose likelihood of survival appears plausible due to the
(Fabaceae), Pithecellobium unguis-cati (L.) Benth. number of other similar fabaceous hosts utilized. Bv
(Fabaceae), Plumbago auriculata Lam. contrast, the choice ofD. aegyptium clearlyappears to