From molecular data to natural history: a new species of Apatelodes (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea: Apatelodidae) from southern Brazil

Abstract

Apatelodidae is a family of Neotropical bombycoids that is still poorly studied in several aspects. Besides being relatively large moths and abundant in light traps, only sources of information on the natural history of the family have been published, and basically none of this information has been used in the group’s systematics. Aiming to contribute to a better understanding of Apatelodidae life-history studies, we describe a new species of Apatelodidae (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea) from the Atlantic Forest, southern Brazil, including information from all life stages of the species. We also use DNA barcodes to support species delimitation. Apatelodes je sp. nov. can be differentiated from other species of Apatelodes by the colour of the wings, the morphology of the genitalia, and molecular evidence. Its relationship to other Apatelodes species is discussed taking into account its systematic position, morphology, and natural history.