Herlinda
Encyclopedia
Herlinda is a genus
of cosmet moths (family
Cosmopterigidae). These moths were only discovered in 1968 and the genus was not described until 1986; its affiliations within the family are presently unknown (but see below). This genus, as far as is known, is endemic to the Marquesas Islands
of Polynesia
, with each species confined to a single island.
They are small moths and resemble Microzestis
, a possible close relative. However, the forewing vein 1b of Herlinda is not forked like in Microzestis, and the forewing 1c is missing in Herlinda. They also resemble Iressa
of subfamily Cosmopteriginae in some anatomical details, but unlike in that genus, the forewing veins 2 and 3 are united in Herlinda. The genitals are convergent
in structure with those of the Agonoxenidae
genus Asymphorodes
, which was mistakenly placed in the Cosmopterigidae.
e are about 80% of the forewing length and serrated in males but smooth in females; the scape
is combed. The labial palps are upturned and diverge, but do not reach the vertex
; their second and third segments are of roughly equal length, the former being somewhat rough at the distal end and the latter pointed. They lack ocelli. The thorax
is smooth, while the hindleg tibia has a rough surface formed by hair-like scales. The genitals of the males are asymmetric, in those of the females the signum
is missing.
The forewing is likewise smooth; it has 11 veins, with veins 1c and 5 missing (the latter is sometimes present, but almost invisible) and 2 and 3 united. Vein 1b is not forked, and vein 4 not connected to 2/3; veins 6/7 arise from vein 8 with a stalk, the seventh reaching the leading edge of the wing slightly before the wingtip. Vein 8 either either approaches vein 9 at the base or tapers out. Vein 10 originates significantly before 9, and vein 11 starts at the middle of the wing cell. The hindwings have 8 veins, but 2-5 are very weak. Hindwing veins 6/7 are stalked, and the latter reaches the leading edge. On the underside of the males' hindwings, there is a brush of elongated hairs, which fits into a fold along the wing cell.
The ecology
of these moths remains almost completely unknown. They seem to be primarily found in the lowlands, where the vegetation
is heavily influenced by human activity. Notable plants from these moths' habitat
include Artocarpus
species, Papaya
(Carica papaya), Coconut
(Cocos nucifera), Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), Indian Mango (Mangifera indica), Musa
(bananas), Thatch Screwpine (Pandanus tectorius), the paspalum
grass Paspalum paniculatum, Apple Guava (Psidium guajava), Tamarind
(Tamarindus indica), Portia Tree
(Thespesia populnea), as well as Cyperaceae
sedges, lichen
s and moss
es. It is unlikely, however, that these moths use the non-native species as foodplants.
:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of cosmet moths (family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Cosmopterigidae). These moths were only discovered in 1968 and the genus was not described until 1986; its affiliations within the family are presently unknown (but see below). This genus, as far as is known, is endemic to the Marquesas Islands
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...
of Polynesia
Polynesia
Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...
, with each species confined to a single island.
They are small moths and resemble Microzestis
Microzestis
Microzestis is a gelechioid moth genus usually placed in the cosmet moth family ; its exact relationships are not yet resolved however. Only a single species is known, Microzestis inelegans. It occurs in the Marquesas Islands of Polynesia and is notable for the unusual habits of its...
, a possible close relative. However, the forewing vein 1b of Herlinda is not forked like in Microzestis, and the forewing 1c is missing in Herlinda. They also resemble Iressa
Iressa (moth)
Iressa is a genus of cosmet moths . It belongs to subfamily Cosmopteriginae.They are characterized mainly by their wing venation: in the forewings, vein 1b is not forked and veins 2-4 are separate, while veins 6-8 are not; veins 6 and 7 are stalked and arise from vein 8...
of subfamily Cosmopteriginae in some anatomical details, but unlike in that genus, the forewing veins 2 and 3 are united in Herlinda. The genitals are convergent
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
in structure with those of the Agonoxenidae
Agonoxenidae
The Agonoxenidae are a family of moths only contains four named species in the whole world – all in the type genus Agonoxena – if the Blastodacnidae are considered to be a separate family...
genus Asymphorodes
Asymphorodes
Asymphorodes is a gelechioid moth genus in subfamily Agonoxeninae of the palm moth family , whose taxonomic status is disputed. Alternatively, the palm moths might be a subfamily of the grass-miner moth family , with the Agonoxeninae becoming a tribe Agonoxenini.Formerly, this genus was included in...
, which was mistakenly placed in the Cosmopterigidae.
Description and ecology
The head is covered with a smooth layer of scales; the antennaAntenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
e are about 80% of the forewing length and serrated in males but smooth in females; the scape
Scape
In biology, the term scape may refer to:* The first segment of an insect antenna* A finger-like appendage of the epigyne of a female spider* Scape , a flowering stemScape may also refer to:...
is combed. The labial palps are upturned and diverge, but do not reach the vertex
Vertex (anatomy)
In arthropod and vertebrate anatomy, the vertex refers to the upper surface of the head.In humans, the vertex is formed by four bones of the skull: the frontal bone, the two parietal bones, and the occipital bone...
; their second and third segments are of roughly equal length, the former being somewhat rough at the distal end and the latter pointed. They lack ocelli. The thorax
Thorax (insect anatomy)
The thorax is the mid section of the insect body. It holds the head, legs, wings and abdomen. It is also called mesosoma in other arthropods....
is smooth, while the hindleg tibia has a rough surface formed by hair-like scales. The genitals of the males are asymmetric, in those of the females the signum
Signum
Signum is Latin for "sign" and may refer to:* Signum function or sign function in mathematics* Signum, a part of the female Lepidoptera genitalia* Signum , a 1995 by German industrial music artist P·A·L* Signum Framework...
is missing.
The forewing is likewise smooth; it has 11 veins, with veins 1c and 5 missing (the latter is sometimes present, but almost invisible) and 2 and 3 united. Vein 1b is not forked, and vein 4 not connected to 2/3; veins 6/7 arise from vein 8 with a stalk, the seventh reaching the leading edge of the wing slightly before the wingtip. Vein 8 either either approaches vein 9 at the base or tapers out. Vein 10 originates significantly before 9, and vein 11 starts at the middle of the wing cell. The hindwings have 8 veins, but 2-5 are very weak. Hindwing veins 6/7 are stalked, and the latter reaches the leading edge. On the underside of the males' hindwings, there is a brush of elongated hairs, which fits into a fold along the wing cell.
The ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
of these moths remains almost completely unknown. They seem to be primarily found in the lowlands, where the vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
is heavily influenced by human activity. Notable plants from these moths' habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
include Artocarpus
Artocarpus
Artocarpus is a genus of about 60 trees of Southeast Asian origin and the Pacific, belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae.-Description:...
species, Papaya
Papaya
The papaya , papaw, or pawpaw is the fruit of the plant Carica papaya, the sole species in the genus Carica of the plant family Caricaceae...
(Carica papaya), Coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
(Cocos nucifera), Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus), Indian Mango (Mangifera indica), Musa
Muša
Mūša is a river in Northern Lithuania and Southern Latvia , having its confluence with river Nemunėlis , in Latvia, near city Bauska. Mūša is a tributary of the river Lielupė. Mūša is 164 kilometres long....
(bananas), Thatch Screwpine (Pandanus tectorius), the paspalum
Paspalum
Paspalum is a genus of the grass family . Commonly known as paspalums, bahiagrasses or dallis grasses most are tall perennial American grasses. They are most diverse in subtropical and tropical regions....
grass Paspalum paniculatum, Apple Guava (Psidium guajava), Tamarind
Tamarind
Tamarind is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is monotypic .-Origin:...
(Tamarindus indica), Portia Tree
Portia tree
Thespesia populnea, commonly known as the Portia Tree , is species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is a small tree or arborescent shrub that has a pantropical distribution, found on coasts around the world. However, the Portia Tree is probably native only to the Old World,...
(Thespesia populnea), as well as Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae
Cyperaceae are a family of monocotyledonous graminoid flowering plants known as sedges, which superficially resemble grasses or rushes. The family is large, with some 5,500 species described in about 109 genera. These species are widely distributed, with the centers of diversity for the group...
sedges, lichen
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
s and moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
es. It is unlikely, however, that these moths use the non-native species as foodplants.
Species
This genus contains only 4 known speciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
:
- Herlinda fasciola J.F.G.Clarke, 1986
- Herlinda iota J.F.G.Clarke, 1986
- Herlinda oligoria J.F.G.Clarke, 1986
- Herlinda phaeoxantha J.F.G.Clarke, 1986