Novel host plant shifts in the subtribe Aporiina: a review of non-Santalales larval food plants, and use of Phyllanthaceae by Delias henningia Eschscholtz, 1821 (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in the Philippines.

Abstract

Most members of the subtribe Aporiina (Pierinae: Pierini) exploit Capparaceae (Brassicales) or aerial-stem hemiparasites (mistletoes) and hemiparasitic shrubs (rootparasites) in the Loranthaceae, Santalaceae and Viscaceae (Santalales) as larval foodplants. However, a review of non-Brassicales and non-Santalales food plants in thissubtribe indicate that a further 10 plant families in seven orders are used. Exploitationof these plants within the context of recent molecular phylogenies of the Pieridaeindicates that novel host plant shifts from a mistletoe-feeding ancestor to non-Santalales plants have occurred independently on at least eight occasions, viz. toPolygonaceae (Polygonales) in Mylothris Hübner, [1819] (Africa); to Berberidaceae (Ranunculales) in Aporia Hübner, [1819] (Asia); to Phyllanthaceae (Malpighiales), Lythraceae (Myrtales) and Euphorbiaceae (Malpighiales) in Delias Hübner, [1819] (Asiaand Australia); to Melastomataceae (Myrtales) in Catasticta Butler, 1870 (South America);to Ericaceae (Ericales) in Eucheira Westwood, 1834 (North America); and to Pinaceae(Pinophyta) in Neophasia Behr, 1869 (North America). Associations with Rosaceae andElaeagnaceae appear to represent secondary host shifts following the primary host shiftfrom Santalales to Berberidaceae. The immature stages of Delias henningia Eschscholtz,1821 from Luzon and Mindanao, the Philippines, are briefly described and illustrated. The species is found to use Glochidion zeylanicum (Gaertn.) A. Juss. (Phyllanthaceae) as a larval food plant, which confirms an earlier report of Glochidion from Palawan of thisnovel host family.