Comparative analysis and taxonomic use of the morphology of immature stages and natural history traits in European species of Pyrgus Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae, Pyrginae)

Abstract

The biology and ecology of the European species of the genus Pyrgus Hübner are revised and novel records on their foodplants, parasitoids and immature stages are provided. The DNA barcoding technique was used in some cases for the identification of eggs or larvae, showing the effective use of this tool for a species level characterization within the genus. We thoroughly describe morphological details from the eggs, last instar larvae and pupae using scanning electron microscope images. With the studied morphological and ecological characters we performed a cladistic analysis whose results are highly coincident with classifications based on adult morphology. Therefore, the characters of immature stages prove to be valuable for the taxonomical study of the genus. Our results point out the possibility of combining the studied characters, not only among them, but also with other datasets (adult morphology, molecular characters) in order to infer phylogenetic relationships within the genus Pyrgus. © 2012 Magnolia Press.