Taygete sphecophila (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera; Autostichidae): Redescription of the adult, description of the larva and pupa, and impact on Polistes wasps (Hymenoptera; Vespidae) nests in the Galapagos Islands

Abstract

Taygete sphecophila (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera; Autostichidae) is reported on the Galapagos Islands. The morphology of the moth, larva, and pupa are described and illustrated in details. Part of the mitochondrial DNA was sequenced and made available on GenBank. The incidence of predation by T. sphecophila on nests of Polistes versicolor Olivier (Hymenoptera; Vespidae) was measured in four different vegetation zones of Floreana and Santa Cruz Islands. The percentages of infested nests varied greatly (from 13.9% to 66.7% on Floreana and from 20.0 to 100% on Santa Cruz) and no clear ecological trends could be ascertained.