What type of study is this?

This is a Case Report study (also classified as: Observational).

August 21, 2025

A new species of Urodeta Stainton (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) mining leaves of button mangrove (Combretaceae: Conocarpus erectus L.) in Florida and the Caribbean

CECharles S. EisemanMansfield University DRDAVID JEFFREY RINGERD. E. Shaw Research TIThomas IrvineUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Key Points

The new species Urodeta conocarpi was identified from larvae mining leaves of Conocarpus erectus in Florida.
This research illustrates the leaf mine, larva, and pupa for better understanding of the species.
Observations include similar leaf mines documented in southern Florida and the Bahamas, highlighting regional presence.
Urodeta conocarpi represents the first record of the genus in the USA and adds to the Neotropical biodiversity knowledge.

Abstract

Urodeta conocarpi Eiseman, spec. nov. (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) is described from specimens reared from larvae found mining leaves of Conocarpus erectus L. (Combretaceae) in the Florida Keys. The leaf mine, larva, and pupa are illustrated. Similar leaf mines are reported from elsewhere in southern Florida as well as the Bahamas. This is the first record of Urodeta Stainton from the USA, the second species known from the Neotropical region, and the third to be reared, out of 29 species now known worldwide (of which one remains unnamed).

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