Biological and morphological aspects of Drepatelodes Draudt, 1929, the genus sister to all other Apatelodidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea)

Immature Stages, Description of Female, and Redescription of Male of Apatelodes kotzschi Draudt, 1929 (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea: Apatelodidae)

The genus Apatelodes Packard, 1864 comprise more than half of the known Apatelodidae species, but most of its species are placed in the genus without precise justification. The result is a heterogeneous group of species, probably forming a polyphyletic arrangement. Despite being relatively large moths and relatively abundant in light traps, only little information on the natural history and morphology of the Apatelodes immature stages has been published, and only one species is fully described including its immature stages. Aiming to increase the knowledge and provide information towards the definition of the identity of this genus, the present study describes the immature stages, provides a redescription of the male, the first description of the female of Apatelodes kotzschi Draudt, 1929, and we compare and discuss the morphological similarities among Apatelodes species. In general, the immatures of Apatelodes exhibits apparently well-conserved morphological characters, including the gross chaetotaxy configuration. Most differences are found in larval coloration patterns (mainly in the last instar larvae), pupa texture, and cremaster morphology. In contrast, imagos wings and genitalia are rich sources of diagnostic characters which can be used to identify species. However, there are still large gaps in the knowledge of the morphological characters and natural history of most species in the genus that hampers a more robust delimitation of the genus Apatelodes.

From molecular data to natural history: a new species of Apatelodes (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea: Apatelodidae) from southern Brazil

Apatelodidae is a family of Neotropical bombycoids that is still poorly studied in several aspects. Besides being relatively large moths and abundant in light traps, only sources of information on the natural history of the family have been published, and basically none of this information has been used in the group’s systematics. Aiming to contribute to a better understanding of Apatelodidae life-history studies, we describe a new species of Apatelodidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea) from the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil, including information from all life stages of the species. We also use DNA barcodes to support species delimitation. Apatelodes je sp. nov. can be differentiated from other species of Apatelodes by the colour of the wings, the morphology of the genitalia, and molecular evidence. Its relationship to other Apatelodes species is discussed taking into account its systematic position, morphology, and natural history.