''Philodoria molokaiensis'' is a
moth of the family
Gracillariidae. It was first described by
Otto Herman Swezey
Otto Herman Swezey (7 June 1869 – 3 November 1959) was an American entomologist who was an expert on the insects of Hawaii, especially the Lepidoptera. He described numerous species and many, like the psyllid genus '' Swezeyana'', have been name ...
in 1928. It is endemic to the
Hawaiian island of
Molokai
Molokai , or Molokai (), is the fifth most populated of the eight major islands that make up the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian Islands archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is 38 by 10 miles (61 by 16 km) at its greatest length an ...
.
The larvae feed on ''Lysimachia hillebrandi''. They likely mine the leaves of their host plant, similar to other species within the genus Philodoria. Leaf mining is a behavior where the larvae create tunnels inside the leaf tissue, feeding on the internal cells. This genus is characterized by its diverse larval host plants, with several species known to mine leaves from different plant orders, such as Asterales and Rosales.
Philodoria is a genus of endemic Hawaiian leaf-mining moths, containing approximately 30 species. The genus is known for its complex taxonomy, and recent studies have provided new insights into the relationships and behaviors of these moths. For instance, recent taxonomic and molecular studies have revealed new species and provided detailed descriptions of their genital structures, immature stages, and biology.
These studies have helped to clarify the classification within the genus and highlight the specialized ecological roles of Philodoria species in Hawaiian ecosystems.
The genus Philodoria can be distinguished from other genera in the Gracillariidae subfamily Ornixolinae by specific morphological features, such as the presence of small frenular bristles along the costa in both sexes and a sclerotized, semicircular lamella antevaginalis in females.
Conservation efforts are crucial for these moths as they depend on the survival of their native host plants, many of which are threatened or endangered. The Hawaiian Islands, while only a small fraction of the area of the United States, account for a significant portion of the nation’s documented plant and animal extinctions.
The preservation of these moths and their host plants is vital for maintaining the unique biodiversity of Hawaii.
References
External links
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Philodoria
Endemic moths of Hawaii
Biota of Molokai
Moths described in 1928
Taxa named by Otto Herman Swezey
{{Gracillariinae-stub