The Male Hindwing Costal Roll in Cochylina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): Morphological Variation, Phylogenetic Distribution, and Relationship to Host Utilization

This is the first morphological study of the male hindwing costal roll (CR), a scent organ of tortricid moths of the subtribe Cochylina (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae). This composite organ varies from a simple membranous roll of the hindwing costa to a complex roll that incorporates a hairpencil and two types of microscales. All the components show taxon-dependent traits. Both optical and electron microscopy are used to elucidate the structure. The costal roll is associated primarily with the Aethes Billberg, Saphenista Walsingham, Phalonidia Le Marchand, and Cochylis Treitschke groups of genera. The general notions that wing male scent organs are phylogenetically labile and that they may have arisen among closely related species as a consequence of habitat sharing are explored using network analysis and phylogenetic signal. Taxa with a costal roll certainly support a more complex area of the food web, however, the character shows a strong phylogenetic signal and is not the result of a sporadic evolution.

Automated summary

This study is the first morphological analysis of the male hindwing costal roll in tortricid moths, specifically focusing on the subtribe Cochylina. The research reveals the structure and taxon-dependent traits of this composite organ, and investigates the phylogenetic stability and possible habitat-sharing influences on wing male scent organs.