Caribbean-endemism
Guides
Archipini
Archipini is the largest tribe in the Tortricinae subfamily, comprising over 1,600 described species across approximately 150 genera. Members are found in all ecoregions globally, though with notably reduced diversity in the Neotropical realm. The tribe contains numerous economically significant agricultural and forestry pests, including the light brown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) and spruce budworms (Choristoneura species). Larvae are frequently polyphagous. Phylogenetic evidence supports an Australasian origin for the tribe.
Lachnopus
Lachnopus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae: Entiminae: Geonemini) comprising 73 described species, making it the most diverse and widespread entimine weevil genus in the Caribbean Region. The genus was established by Schönherr in 1840 and has experienced unstable taxonomic placement, having been assigned to Cyphides, Barynotini, and currently Geonemini. Its validity as a distinct genus from Exophthalmus was confirmed by Franz (2012). Girón et al. (2018) recognized six species groups within the genus based on morphological phylogenetic analysis.
Spintharus
Spintharus is a genus of cobweb spiders (Theridiidae: Argyrodinae) established by Nicholas Marcellus Hentz in 1850. The genus ranges from the northeastern United States to Brazil, with the highest diversity in the Caribbean. A 2018 revision by Agnarsson and colleagues described fifteen new species, many named after celebrities and public figures, making Spintharus notable for having the most species named after celebrities of any spider genus. Molecular evidence indicates that what was historically considered a single widespread species, S. flavidus, actually represents a 30 million year old radiation of at least 16 short-range endemic species in the Caribbean region.
Spintharus flavidus
Spintharus flavidus is a cobweb spider in the family Theridiidae, historically considered a single widespread species ranging from northern North America to Brazil and throughout the Caribbean. Molecular phylogenetic analysis has rejected this hypothesis, revealing instead a 30 million year old radiation of at least 16 distinct species in the Caribbean region alone. Nearly all are short-range endemics with limited overwater dispersal ability. The Caribbean colonization event occurred approximately 30 million years ago, coinciding with the GAARLandia landbridge hypothesis.