Behavioural and phylogeographic observations on Epipomponia nawai (Dyer, 1904): An East Asian moth (Lepidoptera; Epipyropidae) whose larvae are ectoparasitic on cicadas (Hemiptera; Cicadidae; Sonatini)

Abstract

Abstract

The lepidopteran family of the Epipyropidae contains currently 32 known species of moths with larvae that are parasitic on plant and leafhoppers as well as cicadas. This paper focuses on behavioural aspects of the final instar of the cicada parasite Epipomponia nawai (Dyer 1904) on the cicada Hyalessa maculaticollis (de Motschulsky 1866) and represents only the second report of the species from South Korea. This species is a new host for E. nawai in Korea, since in the past it had only been reported once from Meimuna opalifera and Oncotympana fuscata in Korea. Molecular relationships between specimens of E. nawai collected in China, Japan, and Korea were analysed. The Chinese haplotypes fell into two groups: one clearly related to the Korean haplotype, but the other tightly affiliated with the Japanese haplotype. The findings suggest two routes for the occurrence of E. nawai in mainland China. Once the host cicada was dead or too weak to move, the caterpillar crawled away from it, seeking a place to pupate. Very little is known about parasitic Lepidoptera and therefore any information on host species or behavioural aspects is of importance.