Lathrotelinae
Clarke, 1971
Spotted-costa Crambid Snout Moths
Lathrotelinae is a small of crambid comprising approximately 54 in six , distributed mainly in tropical regions. The subfamily was established by Clarke in 1971 but remained classified within Spilomelinae until phylogenetic studies in the mid-2010s demonstrated its distinctiveness. are root-feeders on monocotyledonous plants, with some species causing to cultivated palms and .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lathrotelinae: //ˌlæθɹoʊˈtɛlɪniː//
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Identification
possess undulating outlines, lack on the imaginal , and have a completely reduced gnathos. Male are diagnostic: the bears a strongly spiculose 'manica' at its end. A to using external and internal characters exists for the .
Images
Habitat
Tropical ; specifically environments containing palms and other monocotyledonous plants. Some occupy horticultural settings with imported palms.
Distribution
Primarily pantropical, with strongest representation in the Indomalayan and Australasian regions. Specific records include southernmost Kyushu (Japan), Southeast Asia, and the Neotropics. Several undescribed are known from collections in the Indomalayan and Australasian regions.
Diet
feed on monocotyledonous plants, specifically in root tissues. Known include Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens), palms, and .
Host Associations
- Chrysalidocarpus lutescens - larval Areca Palm; develop in roots
- Elaeis - larval palms; occasional
- Saccharum - larval ; occasional
Life Cycle
develop within root tissues of plants. and occur from these root feeding sites.
Behavior
are concealed root-feeders. Some have been documented as colonizers of horticulturally imported palms, with human-mediated via trade.
Ecological Role
Root on monocotyledonous plants. Some function as agricultural pests of cultivated palms and .
Human Relevance
Occasional pest of palm and . Some are transported internationally via horticultural trade in palms, as documented by accidental import records.
Similar Taxa
- SpilomelinaeLathrotelinae was historically treated within Spilomelinae until separated based on phylogenetic evidence; distinguished by male with spiculose manica and second abdominal
- AcentropinaePreviously suggested as close relative based on abdominal , but genetic data refuted this relationship
- MusotiminaeGenetic phylogenetic studies identified Musotiminae as sister group to Lathrotelinae; both are fern-feeding or -feeding crambid
- Midilinae based on morphological data recovered Lathrotelinae as sister group to Midilinae, corroborated by and larval feeding
More Details
Taxonomic history
Until the mid-2010s, Lathrotelinae was treated within Spilomelinae. The was formally recognized based on the misplaced position of Lathroteles obscura and related . The group name Lathrotelidae Clarke, 1971 was established as the valid name under the Principle of Priority.
Phylogenetic relationships
Molecular phylogenetic studies found Lathrotelinae to be sister to Musotiminae, while morphological recovered it as sister to Midilinae. The was previously hypothesized to be related to Acentropinae based on abdominal characters, but this was not supported by genetic data.
Undescribed diversity
The group remains poorly studied, with several additional awaiting description, particularly in the Indomalayan and Australasian regions.