Epicephala trigonophora ( Turner, 1900 )

Prins, Jurate De, Hartley, Diana, Sruoga, Virginijus, Nicholls, James, Wallace, Jesse & Zwick, Andreas, 2025, Diversity of Australian Ornixolinae (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) with taxonomic and nomenclatural acts within the related taxa (Acrocercopinae and Gracillariinae) based on the evidence of museomics, bionomics, and mitogenomics, Zootaxa 5616 (1), pp. 1-340 : 169-172

Epicephala trigonophora ( Turner, 1900)

( Figs 306, 307, 319, 320, 334, 335, 367, 381, 637)

“ Ornix trigonophora , n. sp. ”—Turner, A.J., 1900. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia 24 (2): 21–22. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36939548

Epicephala trigonophora — Meyrick 1907: 53; Turner 1913: 175, 1940: 55, 69; Nielsen & Kumata 1996: 48; De Prins & De Prins 2005: 182.

Type locality: [ Australia], Queensland, Mt. Tambourine.

Type specimens: 12 syntypes (♂ and ♀) [4 syntypes are found in the ANIC collection (Canberra)] .

Lectotype designation: Hereby, we designate as the lectotype of the species Ornix trigonophora Turner, 1900 the female specimen ( Fig. 307) with abdomen, fully representing the species, belonging to the syntype series and carrying the following labels: [1] ‘Mt. Tambourine/Q.[ueensland] Nov.[ember]‘ (locality printed on dark beige paper), [2]’ Ornix / trigonophora /TYPE Turn.’ (handwritten in black Indian ink on a beige paper), [3] ‘TYPE/ Ornix / trigonophora Turn. ’ (the word Type printed, the species name handwritten in black Indian ink on a red hard carton paper), [4] ‘ ANIC /Image’ (printed on orange paper), [5] ‘ ANIC Database No./31 074487’ (printed on white paper), in ANIC (Canberra).

Paralectotypes: 3 specimens: Paralectotype specimen 1(♂), with abdomen: [1] ‘ Mt. Tambourine /Q.[ueensland] Nov.[ember]‘ (locality printed on dark beige paper), [2]‘ ANIC /Image’ (printed on orange paper), [3] ‘ ANIC Database No. /31 074484’ (printed on white paper) . Paralectotype specimen 2(♂), with abdomen: [1] ‘ Mt. Tambourine / Q.[ueensland] Nov.[ember]‘ (locality printed on dark beige paper), [2]‘ ANIC /Image’ (printed on orange paper), [3] ‘ ANIC Database No. /31 074485’ (printed on white paper), in ANIC (Canberra) . Paralectotype specimen 3(♂) ( Fig. 306), with abdomen: [1] ‘ Mt. Tambourine /Q.[ueensland] Nov.[ember]‘ (locality printed on dark beige paper), [2]‘ ANIC /Image’ (printed on orange paper), [3] ‘ ANIC Database No. /31 074486’ (printed on white paper), in ANIC (Canberra) .

The lectotype is designated as part of our taxonomic work to enhance the stability of nomenclature ( Declaration 44— Amendment of Article 74.7.3) with the purpose of delineating this species-group taxon Ornix trigonophora Turner, 1900 . Two closely related species feeding on the same host plant, caught synchronically in the same locality are involved. Therefore, this designation will preserve stability in nomenclature ( ICZN Recommendation 74A). We gave preference to the specimen indicated as the ‘TYPE’ in the Australian National Insect Collection which is digitized by the Digitization group for the online ANIC species portal ( ICZN Recommendations 74B, C, D). The locality of the lectotype specimen is verified ( ICZN Recommendation 74E). The syntype specimens with the label data of the type locality are designated as paralectotypes ( ICZN Recommendation 74F) .

Note: two closely related species Epicephala trigonophora and E. breyniphaga sp. nov. are involved in the series of specimens identified as E. trigonophora probably by the curatorial staff of ANIC. We do not have any evidence that T. Kumata studied those specimens. No notes of him are found in the collection. The detailed verification and delineation of both species can be performed only after obtaining the mitogenomes and micromorphological preparations of the lectotype of E. trigonophora and matching the data with the sister species of E. breyniphaga sp. nov.

Unverified specimens examined: New South Wales: Specimen 1: without abdomen, Sydney , 33.8688°S 151.2093°E, 04-01-1932, leg. Goldfinch G.M. Specimen 3: Maclean , 29.4606°S 153.2019°E, 03-04-1952, leg. Common I.F.B. Specimen 6: Razorback , near Picton , 34.1421°S 150.6654°E, 28-04-1949, leg. Common I.F.B. Specimen 7: Maclean , 03-04-1952, leg. Common I.F.B., in ANIC (Canberra) Specimen 10: Mill Allyn River, 32.0620°S 151.4158°E, 19- 12-1922, leg. Goldfinch G.M., in AM (Sydney). Specimen 11: Church Point , 33.6458°S 151.2841°E, 08-05-1959, leg. Common I.F.B., in ANIC (Canberra). Specimen 12: Kembla , Mt., 34.4311°S 150.8226°E, 02-03-1968, leg. Robinson J., in AM (Sydney). Specimen 21: Barren Grounds , 34.6750°S 150.7118°E, 05-04-1977, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 22: Kembla , Mt., 02-03-1968, leg. Robinson V.J., in AM (Sydney). Specimen 23: Keira , Mt., 34.4027°S 150.8565°E, 08-12-1972, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 24: Minnamurra , 34.6263°S 150.8531°E, 29-04-1975, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 25: idem collecting data, except the date 28-01-1976. Specimen 27: Wollongong , 34.4248°S 150.8931°, 05-01-1976, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimens 29–32: Keira , Mt., 34.4027°S 150.8565°E, 13-01-1972, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 33: idem locality data, except the date 13-02-1972. Specimen 34: Wilton , 29-01-1976, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 35: Keira , Mt., 13-02-1972, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 36: Batemans Bay , Depot Beach , 10 miles NE, 35.7162°S 150.1795°E, Barcode of Life , DNA voucher specimen, Sample ID: 11 ANIC16201 , BOLD Proc. ID: ANICY201-11, 13-12-1969, leg. Common I.F.B., ANIC Acc. no 31 053772. Specimens 37–38: Church Point , 13-05-1959, leg. Common I.F.B. Specimen 39: idem collecting data except the date 11-05-1959. Specimen 40: Keira , Mt., 22-02-1964, leg. Robinson V.J. Specimen 41(♀): Burrewarra Point, Forest, 35.5000°S 150.1400°E, 07-12-1996, leg. Kumata T. & M, DNA sample NULT025318, genitalia slide ANIC 6226 , ANIC Acc. no 31 085589, in ANIC (Canberra) .

Queensland: Specimen 2: Yeppoon, 2 miles South, 23.1335°S 150.7374°E, Barcode of Life , DNA voucher specimen, Sample ID: 11 ANIC-16200 , BOLD Proc.ID: ANICY200-11, 20-09-1954, leg. Common I.F.B., NULT023310, genitalia slide ANIC 6257 , ANIC Acc. no 31 053771. Specimen 4: Rockhampton , Fairy Bower , 23.3786°S 150.5089°E, 16-10-1947, leg. Common I.F.B. Specimen 5: idem data. Specimen 8: idem data except the date 10- 03-1948. Specimen 9: Mourilyan , 17.5840°S 146.0417°E, 06-04-1911, leg. Nihil. Specimen 13: without abdomen, Stradbroke Island , 27.5323°S 153.4626°E, 02-04-1916, leg. Nihil. Specimen 14: same data, except the date 30-11- 1902. Specimen 15: Brisbane , 27.4705°S 153.0260°E, 10-10-1919, leg. Nihil. Specimen 16: idem collecting data, except the date 02-04-1906. Specimen 17: without abdomen, idem collecting data, except the date 18-04-1931. Specimen 18: Stradbroke Island , 30-04-1911, leg. Nihil. Specimen 19(♂): without abdomen, Redland Bay , 27.6125°S 153.3031°E, 22-11-1913, leg. Nihil. Specimen 20(♀): Rockhampton, 01-04-1947, leg. Common I.F.B., DNA sample NULT023435, genitalia slide ANIC 6258 , ANIC Acc. no 31 085608. Specimen 26: Rockhampton, 02-04-1947, leg. Common I.F.B. Specimen 28, idem collecting data, except the date 08-04-1947, in ANIC (Canberra) .

Morphological diagnostic characterisation: Wingspan 6.5–8.5 mm; length of the forewing 3.1–4.2 mm ( Figs 306, 307). Epicephala trigonophora can be diagnosed from other species of Australian Epicephala by three distinct costal markings of forewing. It is closely related to the sister species E. breyniphaga sp. nov., nevertheless, tiny differences in external characters assist in diagnosing this species from its Australian congeners.

● In E. trigonophora the first costal oblique strigula with a very broad white base extending along costal margin, while in E. breyniphaga sp. nov. the basal extension of this strigula is absent.

● In E. trigonophora the end of white dorsal stripe ends with an irregular stripe concolourous with ground colour of the forewing and it is connected with the ground colour of the forewing; in E. breyniphaga sp. nov. the dorsal ochreous marking is an island in white ornamentation.

Head ( Figs 319, 320): vertex slightly lifted snowy white, occiput with two tufts of snowy white, short, piliform scales directed posteriorly; frons with white pressed piliform scales forming a triangular-looking shape, at each lateral side, just next to the bases of antenna, a tuft of long, white mixed with dark brown piliform scales is present, this character could serve as an additional trait to diagnose E. trigonophora . Maxillary palpus white, covered with loose piliform scales; labial palpus slightly longer than eye, gently narrowing until sharp apex; antenna ochreous with a strong bronze shine, scape dirty white dorsally carries long piliform pecten.

Thorax ( Figs 306, 307, 335): shiny white, tegula light ochreous fuscous, concolourous with the ground colour of forewing. Forewing with three broad distinct costal strigulae, the character that serves as diagnostic for this species. The first costal strigula counting to the direction from base to apex, is just before the mid part of the costal margin, triangular-shaped, with concave posterior margin; the second strigula beyond the mid part of the costal margin, comma shaped, the third costal strigula at sub-apex, strongly oblique, followed by a triangular white spot which is the enlarged costal end of the sub-apical fascia—a variable character, but diagnostic for E. trigonophora . Dorsal margin bears broader, more distinct than other species of E. colymbetella complex white stripe; sub-apical part is marked with longer broader oblique stripes, than these are in E. colymbetella , E. albistriatella and E. acrobaphes , especially the anterior broad sub-apical stripe might serve as a diagnostic character for E. trigonophora . Apical part is marked by a small oval apical spot on a relatively narrow ochreous fuscous band, concolourous with the ground colour of the forewing, surrounded anteriorly and posteriorly by two white triangular spots. Hindwing ochreous brownish with strong bronze shine, tip of hindwing sharp, terminates at the distance of sub-apical fascia of forewing; the shading of legs slightly differ among the specimens but the legs are with non-contrastive but clearly detectable markings, the character that makes groupings smaller; hind tibia is thick and carries a trait that diagnose Ornixolinae —a row of light beige with golden shine erected spine-shaped scales.

Abdomen ( Figs 306, 307, 334, 335, 381): tergites light ochreous beige with golden shine, genital segments matte, whitish; sternites dirty white with four oblique light ochreous stripes on lateral sides of abdomen. Abdominal opening arc-shaped, lateral sides of abdominal opening on sternum II broadly and strongly sclerotised especially anteriorly; posterior corners of abdominal opening sharp angled with short thick sternal apodemes that run at sides of sternal plate; ventral crossing joint thin and entirely sclerotised, doubled by an anterior sclerotised margin of sternal plate that is interrupted at mid part; tergal apodemes very thick, short, do not extend beyond the mid of sternum II, connected by a thin, sclerotised joint, with V-shaped bending at the middle; sternal plate on sternum II is sclerotised, clearly visible through the abdominal cuticle; anterior segments in females simple; abdominal cuticle smooth along the midline of abdomen, with tiny dots on lateral sides.

Male genitalia: No data.

Female genitalia ( Fig. 367): Papillae anales and part of segment VIII are fused to a long, narrow and strongly sclerotised ovipositor. Apophyses posteriores strong, thick, and straight, extending almost to anterior part of corpus bursae; apophyses anteriores are also very long, as thick as thick and as long as apophyses posteriores. Segment VII is strongly sclerotised with an U-shaped broad sterigmatic sclerotisation; ostium bursae opens in mid part of sternum VII; antrum broad, tubular; colliculum strongly sclerotised extending till half-length of ductus bursae; ductus bursae is thick in girth, strongly sclerotised, anteriorly biforked to also broad ductus seminalis, anterior parts of both ducti—bursae and seminalis—are with a lot of strongly sclerotised wrinkles; corpus bursae rather small round, without signum but the anterior part of the wall with tiny dots thickening the wall, bulla seminalis only slightly smaller than corpus bursae with melanised wrinkled wall.

Bionomics: Phyllanthaceae : fruit of Breynia oblongifolia (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg. , new host plant record.

BOLD data: http://www.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?searchMenu=taxonomy&query=Epic ephala +trigonophora &taxon= Epicephala+trigonophora

GenBank data: No data.

Mitogenomic data: The three mitochondrial genome sequences are near identical, despite originating from specimens that were collected more than 1,000 km apart. Both the monophyly of this species and the sister group relationship to E. breyniphaga sp. nov. are maximally supported by all analyses ( Fig. 637).

Distribution: Known from several localities: Australia: New South Wales and Queensland.