A New Holcocera Clemens from Guatemala and Redescription of H. Iceryaeella (Riley) from the United States (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae: Blastobasinae: Holcocerini): Two Congeners with Incidental Preference for Avocado

Authors

David Adamski, Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 168, Washington, D.C., 20013- 7012, U.S.A.Follow
Mark Hoddle, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USAFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH. 111(1), 2009, pp. 254–262.

Abstract

Two species of Holcocera Clemens (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae: Blastobasinae: Holcocerini) are known to feed on Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae), but their frequency of infestation appears low. One species, Holcocera plagatola, n. sp., from Guatemala, is described herein. Holcocera iceryaeella (Riley) is known only from California and has been recorded on many different host plants; it is also known to be a predator of immature Hemiptera and scale insects. Photographs of the imagos of both Holcocera species are included, in addition to illustrations of the male and female genitalia. We comment on host preferences for both species.