Notes on aspects of the life history and behavior of Coleotechnites eryngiella (Gelechiidae)

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Volume 60, Number 2 103
I thank Soren Nylin and an anonymous reviewer for useful Drake,V.A.andA. G. Gatehouse(eds.), InsectMigration:track-
ingresourcesthrough space and time. Cambridge Univ. Press,
Cambridge,England;NewYork,NY,USA;Melbourne,Australia.
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NOTES ON ASPECTS OFTHE LIFE HISTORYAND BEHAVIOR OF COLEOTECHNITES ERYNGIELLA
(GELECHIIDAE).
Additionalkeywords:Eryngium,herbivory,tallgrassprairie,Illinois
The Gelechiidae is one of the largest families of Apiaceae have a broad chemical diversity, and that the
microlepidoptera, with between 4,300-4,600 species presence of secondary compounds mediates plant-
estimated worldwide (Hodges 1998, Arnett 2000); 87 animal interactions. As a result very few insects are
genera and 813 species have been recorded from the capable of feeding on the plant parts of members of
U.S. and Canada (Arnett 2000). This number may be Apiaceae, and those insects that are capable offeeding
an understatement as only30% ofthe Nearctic species on members ofthis family are often highly specialized
havebeendescribed (Hodges 1998). In NorthAmerica, (Berenbaum 2001). Currently only two species of
there are approximately 47^49 species of Lepidopteraare recorded as having larvae that feed on
Coleotechnites, of which eight are considered pest theplantpartsofE. yuccifolium: C. eryngiella (Molano-
species, mostly on coniferous trees and shrubs. These Flores 2001 [moths were originally misidentified as
pest species damage plants by eating the foliage and Aristotelia sp., but were later determined to be C.
mining through the leaves/needles (Arnett 2000, eryngiella by Tern' Harrison], pers. obs.) and
Mississippi Entomological Museum 2005). Although Papaipema en/ngii Bird, 1917 (Noctuidae), an Illinois
numerousstudieshavebeendoneonthepestspeciesin state-threatened species whose larvae bore into the
this genus, very few, if any, studies have examined inflorescence stalks (PanzerandDerkovitz 1992). Here
Coleotechnites eryngiella (Bottimer, 1926). I provide some information regarding die life history
It is important to note that members of the family andbehavior ofC. eryngiella as well as suggestions for
104 Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
future research. were placedwithin 2 v," x 3 7," manila envelopes which
Description of Coleotechnites eryngiella. C. were then placedin plastic sandwich bags and stored at
eryngiella was originally described by Bottimer (1926) indoor room temperature (20 °C). Within two orthree
as a species ofthe genus Recurvaria. This species is a weeks, silky cocoon-like structures containing larvae or
small moth (approx. 6 mm in length, 15 mm wingspan) pupae could be seen inside the plastic bags. When
that closely resembles Coleotechnites variella envelopeswere openedin Novemberand Decemberto
(Chambers, 1872) and Coleotechnites apicitripunctella access the inflorescence heads for dissection, silky
(Clemens, 1860). According to Bottimer (1926), C. cocoon-like structureswith emptypupalcases anddead
eryngiella differs from C. variella in that it has labial adult modiswereoftenpresentin theenvelope. Storing
palpi and legs markedwith black, and it differs from C. the inflorescence heads at room temperature likely
apicitripunctella in that its face, head and thorax are hastenedthe transition from larvaeto adult.
white and it lacks annulations on its antennae (Fig. 1). In E. yuccifolium, the larvae feed by boring tunnels
The larvae of this species are pink and white-striped intotheovaries anddevelopingmericarpsoftheflowers
(Fig. 1) and have been reported to feed on two species (Fig. 2). These tunnels areoften linedwith silk and full
of Eryngium (Apiaceae): Eryngium yuccifolium of frass, and shed head capsules from the larvae are
(Molano-Flores 2001, pers. obs.) and Eryngium common as diey change instars. The damage is often
aquaticum (Bottimer 1926). ThereportofC. eryngiella extensive, with more than 70% ofthe flowers showing
onE. aquaticum is likelyincorrectbecause the range of signs of herbivory (Danderson 2005). Damaged
E. aquaticum does not extend into Texas where inflorescence heads canbeeasilydifferentiatedbydark,
Bottimeroriginallycollectedthe specimen andbecause brown patches ofdamaged flowers.
thenameE. aquaticum hasbeen misappliedtoplants of
E. yuccifolium (Mathias and Constance 1941, Gleason
and Cronquist 1991).
Fig. 2. Undamaged mericarps of Eryngium yuccifolium (U)
alongside mericarps damaged by the larvae of Coleotechnites
eryngiella (D).
The populations of C. eryngiella, in terms oflarvae
collected from the inflorescence heads, seemedto vary
within sites among years. Grant Creek in 2003
experienced a drastic reduction in the local population
ofC. eryngiella followinganaccidentalprairieburnthat
Fig. 1. The larval, burned alarge proportion ofthe prairie. For example,
Coleotechniteseryngiella. 55% ofthe mericarps inthe central inflorescenceheads
Observations and Collection Records. During a showed signs of herbivory at Grant Creek in 2000.
study examining the effect of herbivory on the Following the accidental burn in 2003, 0% of the
reproductive biology of E. yuccifolium (Danderson mericarps in the central inflorescence heads showed
2005), live larvae and pupae (Fig. 1) were found in signs ofherbivory. The Lodasite in 2004 experienceda
inflorescence heads collected from five tallgrass prairie similar, yet not as drastic, population reduction as a
sites: Grant Creek Prairie (Will Co.), Loda Cemetery result ofa prescribed burn on halfofthe site. In this
Prairie (Iroquois Co.), PelMlle Cemetery Prairie instance, 37% of the mericarps in the central
(Vermilion Co.), Prospect CemeteryPrairie (Ford Co.) inflorescence heads showed signs ofherbivory in 2003
andWeston CemeteryPrairie (McLean Co.), in Illinois compared to 10% of the mericarps in the central
between late August and early October in both 2003 inflorescenceheadsin2004 (Danderson 2005).
and 2004. The majority ofcentral and primary lateral During the winter of 2004, I visited the Loda,
^florescence heads contained between one and seven Pellville and Prospect sites and collected 20
larvae. The inflorescence heads that were collected inflorescence stalks at both Loda and Prospect and 10
Volume 60, Number 2 105
inflorescence stalks atPellville. Theinflorescencestalks patterns mayvaryacross its range.
and heads were then dissected and examined for the Eggs maybe laid in the developing inflorescences of
presenceofC. eryngietta. Examinationofthe stalks and E. yuccifolium early in the spring, possibly between
inflorescenceheads showednoevidenceofC. eryngietta April and May (Molano-Flores 2001, Danderson 2005),
over-wintering on E. yuccifolium; however, among the as suggested by the lack of empty egg cases on the
mericarps and persistent bracts of the inflorescence foliage or on the inflorescence stalks in late spring. If
heads I did find emptv pupal cases and dead larvae. this species isbivoltine ormultivoltine, eggs maybelaid
Unlike dieflowersintheinflorescenceheads, therewas in the inflorescence heads laterinthe summeraswell.
no evidence diat C. eryngietta damagedthe receptacles Evidence suggeststhat this species likelydiapausesas
ofthe inflorescence heads orthe inflorescence stalks. pupae; larvae are readily collected in late summer and
During the late spring and summer of2004, a study earlyfall, eggs arelaidin spring, andlarvaeandeggs are
examining the effects of herbivory and inflorescence absent in the persistent inflorescence stalks and
size on pollinator/visitor attraction for E. yuccifolium receptacles. There was no evidence to suggest that C.
was conducted (Danderson 2005). For this study, the eryngietta over-winters in the persistent inflorescence
inflorescences of 30 plants that showed no signs of stalks; however, this species might over-winter in the
herbivory were covered by fine mesh netting between dispersed mericarps. In autumn, die mericarps tendto
May 30 and June 22 at Grant Creek, Loda, Pellville, fall offthe receptacle ofthe inflorescence, and, inview
Prospect andWeston. ByearlyJuly, some ofdie netted ofthe fact that pupae and silkv cocoon-like structures
plants showed signs of herbivory. When the havebeenobservedinthetunneled-out mericarpsfrom
inflorescence heads were opened, C. eryngietta larvae inflorescences collected during fall, diapause inside die
were present. Similar observations were made by mericarps seemslikely. Diapause in mericarps amongst
Molano-Flores (2001) when she covered inflorescences the leaflitter at the base ofthe plants mayexplainwhy
with netting in late June for her 1998 study on die populations ofthis moth tendto experience adeclinein
reproductive biologyofE. yuccifolium. the season following a prescribed burn (i.e., Grant
Aldiough noadultswerecollectedbyUVlightforthis Creek in 2003 and Loda in 2004, pers. obs.).
studv. adults of this species have been collected in C. eryngietta may have a large range. Collections of
prairies and forestin otherstates byUVlight, primarily larvae and adults of diis species have been made in
in the southern US. Collection information for these Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas
specimens provides an insight to when adults of this (Bottimer 1926, Mississippi Entomological Museum
species are present. Most ofthe specimens held at the 2005, pers. obs.). However, like manymicrolepidoptera
Mississippi Entomological Museum (MEM) in species, this species has been under-collected and as a
Mississippi State, MSwere collectedbyUVlight from a result, the full extent ofits range is poorly understood.
few locations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Potentially, the range ofthis species could correspond
The specimens from Alabama were collected from with the range ofE. yuccifolium, which extends from
forest habitat in late June and early August. The Connecticutwest to Minnesota and south from Florida
specimens from Louisiana were collected from forest to Texas (Mathias and Constance 1941, USDA 2004).
habitat in late May, early June, early August and mid- Also, it is not known whether this moth feeds on die
September. Specimens from Mississippiwerecollected other 18 species of Eryngium east of die Rockv
in early April, late May, early June, late July and late Mountains or other unrelated taxa, but ifit does dien
August in prairie habitat and in late May in forest the range ofC. eryngietta couldbe even larger.
habitat. Many aspects ofthe life history ofdiis modi and its
Interpretations ofObservations and Collection relationshipwithE. yuccifolium andprairiehabitathave
Records. Fromtheobservationsandcollectionrecords, yet to be studied. Much is speculative and needs
some aspects of the life history of C. eryngietta have further clarification. Previous studies (Molano-Flores
become clarified while other aspects remain 2001, Danderson 2005) have only examined the effect
speculative. It is unclear whether this species is of C. eryngietta on the reproductive biologv of E.
univoltine, bivoltine, or multivoltine in Illinois. Adults yuccifolium andhavedemonstrateddiatdiepresenceof
have been collected as early as April and as late as diis moth can greatly reduce die number of seeds
September in the southern US and from these produced, directlybv damaging the seeds or indireedv
collection recordsthis species appearstobebivoltineor bycausingfloraldamage thatlimits anindividualplant's
possiblymultivoltine inthe South. However, numerous ability to attract pollinators. For example, at Grant
collections within sites at regular intervals from spring Creek in 2003 when 0% ofdie mericarps in the central
to fall are needed for confirmation. Also, voltinism inflorescence heads showed signs of herbivory due to
.
106 Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
theaccidentalburn,the centralinflorescenceheadshad Bottimer, L. 1926. Notes on some Lepidoptera from Eastern
J.
a mean seed set of62%. By comparison, 72% ofthe Texas.J.Agric.Res.33:797-S20.
Danderson,C.A.2005.Theeffectsofherbivorybyamoth(Gelechi-
mericarps in the central inflorescence heads showed idae: Coleotechnites eryngiella Bottimer) on rattlesnake-master
signs ofherbivory and the central inflorescence heads (Apiaceae: Enjngium yuccifolium Michaux). M.S. Thesis, De-
had a mean seed set of 13% at Grant Creek in 2004 partmentofPlantBiology,UniversityofIllinois, Urbana, Illinois,
vii+ 128pp.
(Danderson2005). Currently, onlyone long-term study Gleason, H.A. &A.Cronquist. 1991. Manualofvascularplantsof
is examining the effect that C. eryngiella may have on northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. 2nd edition.
populations of E. yuccifolium in remnant and TheNewYorkBotanicalGardenPress, Bronx,NY.xlvi+994pp.
Hodges, R.W. 1998. Gelechioidea,pp. 130-158.In Kristensen,N.P.
restoration prairies (Molano-Flores pers. com.). The (ed.), Lepidoptera, moths and butterflies. Handbook of
effects of prescribed burns on C. eryngiella are zoology/Handbuchderzoologie1(1999). BerlinandNewYork.
relatively unknown, although preliminary evidence Mathias, M. E. & L. Constance. 1941. A synopsis ofthe North
AmericanspeciesofEnjngium.Amer. Mid. Nat.25:361-387.
suggests that their populations can be drastically Mississippi Entomological Museum, Mississippi State University.
reduced following a prescribed burn. Studies 2005. GlobalFrameworkofGeleehiidae.(http://www.msstate.edu/
examiningthe long-term effects ofprescribed burns on org/mississippientmuseum/Researchtaxapages/Gelechiidae-
home.html). Mississippi State University, MississippiState, MS.
the relationship between C. eryngiella and E. (Accessed: March 14,2005).
yuccifolium are also suggested. Molano-Flores, B.2001. ReproductivebiologyofEnjngiumyucci-
folium (Apiaceae),aprairiespecies. TorreyBot.Soc. 128: 1-6.
The author thanks K. Robertson, B. Molano-Flores, S. Panzer, R. & G. Derkovitz. 1992. AJ.survey of butterflies and
Downie and M. Berenbaum for their support, advice and Papaipcma mothsofGrantCreekPrairie Nature Preserve,Will
encouragement while the studies contained within my M.S. County, IL. A study completed for the Illinois Department of
thesis were conducted. Two anonymous reviewers provided Conservation,Springfield,IL.
useful and insightful manuscript reviews. K. Danderson USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5
provided support and assistance in the field. C. Favret and E. (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton
DeWalt generously donated the use of their equipment and Rouge, LA70874-4490USA. (Accessed: March 14,2005).
supplies. The staffofthe Mississippi Entomological Museum,
particularly S. Lee, shared collection records and assisted in Clark A. Danderson, Dept. of Plant Biology,
TidheentiIlflyiinnogisanNdatduerpoesiPtriensgersvpeesciCmoemnmsicsoslileocntegdrdaunrtiendgptehrimsisttsudyt.o UniversityofIllinoisat Urbana-Champaign,265Morrill
four of their wonderful tallgrass prairie nature preserves. Hall, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana. Illinois 61801
Financialsupportforthisprojectcamefromthe Departmentof [email protected]
PlantBiology, UniversityofIllinoisandB. Molano-Flores.
Receivedforpublication4June2005;revisedandaccepted6February
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