LepIntercept includes two types of larval keys: traditional dichotomous keys and an interactive Lucid key. The keys are designed to complement the information on the fact sheets in providing identification of Lepidoptera larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
frequently intercepted at U.S. ports of entry. Specific use of the keys is detailed below.
The LepIntercept Dichotomous Keys are traditional dichotomous keys, written with contrasting couplets, that are for advanced users. A PDF version of each key is provided for downloading and/or printing. Each key incorporates detailed morphological characters along with origin and host data (in most instances) to provide an identification. The level of identification may be to a particular species, species group, genus, or higher taxonomic category. Not all taxa included in the dichotomous keys are specifically treated in LepIntercept, although most are discussed in relation to other taxa that are treated. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all taxa are assumed to be late instar larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
.
The identifier is successful when he or she has navigated through a key to an ending couplet. Users of the dichotomous keys should consult the detailed information provided in the LepIntercept fact sheets (for those species treated) to verify identifications. In some instances, information in the keys is not sufficient to separate closely related species (such as H. armigera from H. zea) and DNA data or other resources may be necessary to provide or confirm identifications for many intercepted larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
.
The LepIntercept Interactive Identification Key is written in Lucid 3.6 and must be run from the LepIntercept website. This key is for more novice or casual users, and provides illustrations of morphological character states along with origin (and limited host) information to produce an identification. Only taxa treated in LepIntercept are included in the key, and, in most cases, the Lucid key is not designed to separate closely related taxa, but rather to point the user to the appropriate family, subfamily, or genus. In all cases, the user should consult the appropriate fact sheets for taxa remaining in the key. The key starts by forcing the user to choose the origin of the larvalarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
(or unknown if the user does not know or is uncertain - do not guess origin!). The key then prompts for the user to select the state of the prespiracular group on T1 (macro- vs. microlepidoptera), followed by other specific characters within these two general categories. Superfamily and family-specific characters are displayed once the user has navigated the preliminary categories. Taxa are scored assuming a late instar larvalarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
in all instances. Host choices under each family or superfamily represent the most common host-species combinations for a particular group - although useful, this information should be used with caution because many of species treated in LepIntercept are polyphagous and cannot be diagnosed using only host. Consult the fact sheets for a discussion of potential hosts and origins in all cases. The complete character matrix for the interactive key is available as a PDF.
Lucid interactive identification key character matrix pdf
The identifier is successful when he or she has scored as many characters states as possible and one or more entities remain. In most instances, information in the key is not sufficient to separate closely related species (such as H. armigera from H. zea). The identifier should consult the fact sheets for any remaining entities (next to the species name) to determine if the description of the remaining taxa are consistent with the specimen being examined. The dichotomous keys can be used to obtain a more definitive identification if the user is comfortable with larval morphology and navigating complicated couplets. DNA data may be necessary to provide or confirm identifications for many intercepted larvaelarva:
the stages between the egg and pupa of those insects having complete metamorphosis
.
Detailed fact sheets for each taxon are provided under the Fact Sheets menu item. Fact sheets are arranged alphabetically by taxon. Fact sheet information is organized under the following sections: Overview, Detailed Information, Interception Records, and Setal Map(s). Details on the information found in each of these sections is presented below. Because different web browsers result in printing inconsistencies, a printable/downloadable PDF is available at the bottom of each fact sheet.
The first half of the fact sheet contains a quick overview of all of the information for a particular taxon and contains the following sections:
The second half of each fact sheet contains a detailed discussion of the larval diagnosis, identification authority, and taxonomy (for some taxa) and contains the following sections:
A list of the interception records for a particular taxon from the PestID database are listed here:
A complete setal mapsetal map:
a flat, diagrammatic drawing of the arrangement of the setae on one side of a larva
is provided for each taxon (with the exception of Strymon because of the absence of primary setaeseta:
a hairlike projection of the body wall that is articulated in a socket; compare to spine
). Setal mapsetal map:
a flat, diagrammatic drawing of the arrangement of the setae on one side of a larva
illustrations were produced using Adobe Illustrator and slides of larval skins and/or detailed photographs of larval characters. A link to download a printable PDF of the setal mapsetal map:
a flat, diagrammatic drawing of the arrangement of the setae on one side of a larva
is provided under each illustration.
Figures in the fact sheets were photographed by the authors of LepIntercept unless otherwise stated.
The following definitions are for morphological and descriptive terms used primarily in larval descriptions. Most definitions are from Nichols (1989)Nichols (1989):
Nichols, S. W. (compiler). 1989. The Torre-Bueno Glossary of Entomology. Revised Edition of a Glossary of Entomology by J. R. de la Torre-Bueno, including Supplement A by G. S. Tulloch. The New York Entomological Sociey and the American Museum of Natural History, New York. 840 pp., Peterson (1962)Peterson (1962):
Peterson, A. 1962. Larvae of insects: an introduction to Nearctic species. Part I: Lepidoptera and plant infesting Hymenoptera. Columbus, Ohio. 315 pp., or Stehr (1987).
All of the references cited in the fact sheets are listed on the References page. Note that many references are unpublished reports, memos, or notes, and these may be difficult to obtain. Please contact the authors if you have difficulty obtaining any of the references listed here. Due to HTML formatting issues, accent marks and other special characters in foreign language citations had to be dropped. Note, in migrating to the new platform, ITP admin noticed not all references in about pages are included in the References page.