Systematic Position, Immature Stages, and Geographic Distribution of Glennia pylotis (Godart, 1819) (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea: Pieridae)

Neotrop Entomol. 2023 Aug;52(4):709-717. doi: 10.1007/s13744-023-01044-2. Epub 2023 May 17.

Abstract

The biology, immature stages, geographic distribution, and systematic position of Glennia pylotis (Godart, 1819) are presented. This species is mostly restricted to the southeastern coastal Atlantic Forest, from the States of São Paulo to Bahia, with sparse records in the interior of Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia (this locality is most probably spurious-see below). Data on immature stages are based on textual descriptions; pupal skins were illustrated and compared with those of other members of the subtribe Pierina. Based on molecular data, G. pylotis was recovered as a member of the "Leptophobia clade," as the sister group of all other genera in this clade except for Leptophobia. The immature stages are similar to, and host plants are the same, of several other related genera within Pierina, especially the "Leptophobia clade." By compiling all available data, searching for unpublished information in museums (including the finding of empty pupal cases) and adding molecular evidence for G. pylotis, not only its systematic position was elucidated, but its true conservation status could also be assessed.

Keywords: Atlantic Forest; Brassicales; Butterfly; Capparaceae; Monotypic genus; Pierinae.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Butterflies*
  • Forests
  • Pupa