A revision of the pink bollworms of cotton (Pectinophora busck (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)) and related genera in Austalia.

Abstract

The Australian representatives of four genera of Gelechiidae, the larvae of which apparently all feed within the seed capsules of cotton and other Malvaceae, are reviewed. Pectinophora Busck (pink bollworms). - Three species are recognized, P. gossypiella (Saunders), P. scutigera (Holdaway), and P. endema, sp. nov., from eastern Australia. Holdaway's conclusions about the distribution of the first two are largely confirmed. As there have been no authentic records of P. gossypiella from Queensland, the existing quarantine restrictions on the importation of untreated cotton to that State are fully justified. Pexicopia, gen. nov. - The genus is erected for a group of 16 Australian species, together with Tinea malvella Hubner from Europe, Mometa chlidanopa Meyrick from Africa, and Gelechia melitolichna Meyrick from China. Nine of the Australian species are described as new, while the remaining seven have been transferred from Gelechia. Metacaena, gen. nov. - The genus is based on a new species, M. adela, from Queensland, superficially similar to Pectinophora and Pericopia. Decatopseustis Meyrick. - A new species, D. cataphanes, from the Australian Capital Territory, is described. Genitalic and other characters for the separation of these genera from one another and from the allied genera Platyedra Meyrick, Mometa Durrant, Anisoplaca Meyrick, Phrixocrita Meyrick, and Trachyedra Meyrick are discussed. The genitalia of both sexes and the wings of Australian species are figured, and keys to the species are provided.