Complete genome of Pieris rapae, a resilient alien, a cabbage pest, and a source of anti-cancer proteins

Population genomics provides insights into the genetic diversity and adaptation of the Pieris rapae in China

The cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae), a major agricultural pest, has become one of the most abundant and destructive butterflies in the world. It is widely distributed in a large variety of climates and terrains of China due to its strong adaptability. To gain insight into the population genetic characteristics of P. rapae in China, we resequenced the genome of 51 individuals from 19 areas throughout China. Using population genomics approaches, a dense variant map of P. rapae was observed, indicating a high level of polymorphism that could result in adaptation to a changing environment. The feature of the genetic structure suggested considerable genetic admixture in different geographical groups. Additionally, our analyses suggest that physical barriers may have played a more important role than geographic distance in driving genetic differentiation. Population history showed the effective population size of P. rapae was greatly affected by global temperature changes, with mild periods (i.e., temperatures warmer than those during glaciation but not excessively hot) leading to an increase in population size. Furthermore, by comparing populations from south and north China, we have identified selected genes related to sensing temperature, growth, neuromodulation and immune response, which may reveal the genetic basis of adaptation to different environments. Our study is the first to illustrate the genetic signatures of P. rapae in China at the population genomic level, providing fundamental knowledge of the genetic diversity and adaptation of P. rapae.

Current stewardship practices in invasion biology limit the value and secondary use of genomic data

Invasive species threaten native biota, putting fragile ecosystems at risk and having a large-scale impact on primary industries. Growing trade networks and the popularity of personal travel make incursions a more frequent risk, one only compounded by global climate change. With increasing publication of whole-genome sequences lies an opportunity for cross-species assessment of invasive potential. However, the degree to which published sequences are accompanied by satisfactory spatiotemporal data is unclear. We assessed the metadata associated with 199 whole-genome assemblies of 89 invasive terrestrial invertebrate species and found that only 38% of these were derived from field-collected samples. Seventy-six assemblies (38%) reported an 'undescribed' sample origin and, while further examination of associated literature closed this gap to 23.6%, an absence of spatial data remained for 47 of the total assemblies. Of the 76 assemblies that were ultimately determined to be field-collected, associated metadata relevant for invasion studies was predominantly lacking: only 35% (27 assemblies) provided granular location data, and 33% (n = 25) lacked sufficient collection date information. Our results support recent calls for standardized metadata in genome sequencing data submissions, highlighting the impact of missing metadata on current research in invasion biology (and likely other fields). Notably, large-scale consortia tended to provide the most complete metadata submissions in our analysis-such cross-institutional collaborations can foster a culture of increased adherence to improved metadata submission standards and a standard of metadata stewardship that enables reuse of genomes in invasion science.

A salivary GMC oxidoreductase of Manduca sexta re-arranges the green leaf volatile profile of its host plant

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are short-chain oxylipins that are emitted from plants in response to stress. Previous studies have shown that oral secretions (OS) of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, introduced into plant wounds during feeding, catalyze the re-arrangement of GLVs from Z-3- to E-2-isomers. This change in the volatile signal however is bittersweet for the insect as it can be used by their natural enemies, as a prey location cue. Here we show that (3Z):(2E)-hexenal isomerase (Hi-1) in M. sexta's OS catalyzes the conversion of the GLV Z-3-hexenal to E-2-hexenal. Hi-1 mutants that were raised on a GLV-free diet showed developmental disorders, indicating that Hi-1 also metabolizes other substrates important for the insect's development. Phylogenetic analysis placed Hi-1 within the GMCβ-subfamily and showed that Hi-1 homologs from other lepidopterans could catalyze similar reactions. Our results indicate that Hi-1 not only modulates the plant's GLV-bouquet but also functions in insect development.

Extremely high relative growth rate makes the cabbage white, Pieris rapae, a global pest with highly abundant and migratory nature

The small cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, is an extraordinarily abundant migratory pest of cabbage that causes severe damage worldwide without known reasons. I here show that the average relative growth rate (RGR: the ratio of the daily increase of biomass to total biomass) of herbivore (Gh; an indicator of the growth speed of herbivore) of P. rapae on cabbage during the larval period is larger by far than those of all other insect-plant pairs tested. It exceeds 1.15 (/day),-meaning that the biomass more than doubles each day-compared to 0.1-0.7 for most insect-plant pairs, including that of Pieris melete, a sibling of P. rapae which never becomes a pest of cabbage. My data further showed the RGR in the larval stage (larval Gh), positively correlates with abundance and/or migratoriness of insect herbivores. These results together with my mathematical food web model suggest that the extraordinarily high larval Gh of P. rapae is the primary reason for its ubiquitously severe pest status accompanied with its abundance and migratoriness, and that the RGR of herbivores, Gh, characterizing the plant-herbivore interface at the bottom of the food webs is an important factor affecting whole ecosystems, including animal abundance, fauna size, plant damage levels, competitiveness among herbivorous species, determination of hostplant, invasiveness, and the evolution of animal traits involved in the so-called r/K strategy, such as migratoriness. Knowledge about Gh will be crucial to controlling pests and improving the negative effects of human activity on ecosystems including faunal decline (or defaunation).

Sympatric Pieris butterfly species exhibit a high conservation of chemoreceptors

Sensory processes have often been argued to play a central role in the selection of ecological niches and in the formation of new species. Butterflies are among the best studied animal groups with regards to their evolutionary and behavioral ecology and thereby offer an attractive system to investigate the role of chemosensory genes in sympatric speciation. We focus on two Pieris butterflies with overlapping host-plant ranges: P. brassicae and P. rapae. Host-plant choice in lepidopterans is largely based on their olfactory and gustatory senses. Although the chemosensory responses of the two species have been well characterized at the behavioral and physiological levels, little is known about their chemoreceptor genes. Here, we compared the chemosensory genes of P. brassicae and P. rapae to investigate whether differences in these genes might have contributed to their evolutionary separation. We identified a total of 130 and 122 chemoreceptor genes in the P. brassicae genome and antennal transcriptome, respectively. Similarly, 133 and 124 chemoreceptors were identified in the P. rapae genome and antennal transcriptome. We found some chemoreceptors being differentially expressed in the antennal transcriptomes of the two species. The motifs and gene structures of chemoreceptors were compared between the two species. We show that paralogs share conserved motifs and orthologs have similar gene structures. Our study therefore found surprisingly few differences in the numbers, sequence identities and gene structures between the two species, indicating that the ecological differences between these two butterflies might be more related to a quantitative shift in the expression of orthologous genes than to the evolution of novel receptors as has been found in other insects. Our molecular data supplement the wealth of behavioral and ecological studies on these two species and will thereby help to better understand the role of chemoreceptor genes in the evolution of lepidopterans.

Tracking Adaptive Pathways of Invasive Insects: Novel Insight from Genomics

Despite the huge human and economic costs of invasive insects, which are the main group of invasive species, their environmental impacts through various mechanisms remain inadequately explained in databases and much of the invasion biology literature. High-throughput sequencing technology, especially whole-genome sequencing, has been used as a powerful method to study the mechanisms through which insects achieve invasion. In this study, we reviewed whole-genome sequencing-based advances in revealing several important invasion mechanisms of invasive insects, including (1) the rapid genetic variation and evolution of invasive populations, (2) invasion history and dispersal paths, (3) rapid adaptation to different host plant ranges, (4) strong environmental adaptation, (5) the development of insecticide resistance, and (6) the synergistic damage caused by invasive insects and endosymbiotic bacteria. We also discussed prevention and control technologies based on whole-genome sequencing and their prospects.

Taxonomic discoveries enabled by genomic analysis of butterflies

The comparative genomics of butterflies yields additional insights into their phylogeny and classification that are compiled here. As a result, 3 genera, 5 subgenera, 5 species, and 3 subspecies are proposed as new, i.e., in Hesperiidae: Antina Grishin, gen. n. (type species Antigonus minor O. Mielke, 1980), Pompe Grishin and Lamas, gen. n. (type species Lerema postpuncta Draudt, 1923), and Curva Grishin, gen. n. (type species Moeris hyagnis Godman, 1900); in Lycaenidae: Fussia Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Polyommatus standfussi Grum-Grshimailo, 1891) and Pava Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Thecla panava Westwood, 1852); in Hesperiidae: Monoca Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Tagiades monophthalma Plötz, 1884), Putuma Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Tisias putumayo Constantino and Salazar, 2013), and Rayia Grishin, subgen. n. (type species Mastor perigenes Godman, 1900); Cissia wahala Grishin, sp. n. (Nymphalidae; type locality in Mexico: Oaxaca); in Hesperiidae: Hedone mira Grishin and Lamas, sp. n. (type locality in Peru: Apurímac), Vidius pompeoides Grishin, sp. n. (type locality in Brazil: Amazonas), Parphorus hermieri Grishin, sp. n. (Hesperiidae; type locality in Brazil: Rondônia), and Zenis par Grishin, sp. n. (Hesperiidae; type locality in Peru: Cuzco); in Pieridae: Glutophrissa drusilla noroesta Grishin, ssp. n. (type locality in USA: Texas, Cameron Co.) and Pieris marginalis siblanca Grishin, ssp. n. (type locality in USA: New Mexico, Lincoln Co.), and Argynnis cybele neomexicana Grishin, ssp. n. (Nymphalidae; type locality in USA: New Mexico, Sandoval Co.). Acidalia leto valesinoides-alba Reuss, [1926] and Acidalia nokomis valesinoides-alba Reuss, [1926] are unavailable names. Neotypes are designated for Mylothris margarita Hübner, [1825] (type locality in Brazil) and Papilio coras Cramer, 1775 (type locality becomes USA: Pennsylvania, Montgomery Co., Flourtown). Mylothris margarita Hübner, [1825] becomes a junior objective synonym of Pieris ilaire Godart, 1819, currently a junior subjective synonym of Glutophrissa drusilla (Cramer, 1777). Lectotypes are designated for Hesperia ceramica Plötz, 1886 (type locality in Indonesia: Seram Island), Pamphila trebius Mabille, 1891 (type locality Colombia: Bogota), Methionopsis modestus Godman, 1901 and Papias microsema Godman, 1900 (type locality in Mexico: Tabasco), Hesperia fusca Grote & Robinson, 1867 (type locality in USA: Georgia), Goniloba corusca Herrich-Schäffer, 1869, and Goniloba devanes Herrich-Schäffer, 1869; the type localities of the last two species, together with Pamphila stigma Skinner, 1896 and Carystus (Argon) lota (Hewitson, 1877), are deduced to be in South America. Type locality of Junonia pacoma Grishin, 2020 is in Sinaloa, not Sonora (Mexico). Abdomen is excluded from the holotype of Staphylus ascalon (Staudinger, 1876). Furthermore, a number of taxonomic changes are proposed. Alciphronia Koçak, 1992 is treated as a subgenus, not a synonym of Heodes Dalman, 1816. The following genera are treated as subgenera: Lafron Grishin, 2020 of Lycaena [Fabricius], 1807, Aremfoxia Real, 1971 of Epityches D'Almeida, 1938, Placidina D'Almeida, 1928 of Pagyris Boisduval, 1870, and Methionopsis Godman, 1901 of Mnasinous Godman, 1900. Polites (Polites) coras (Cramer, 1775) is not a nomen dubium but a valid species. The following are species-level taxa (not subspecies or synonyms of taxa given in parenthesis): Lycaena pseudophlaeas (Lucas, 1866) and Lycaena hypophlaeas (Boisduval, 1852) (not Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761), Satyrium dryope (W. H. Edwards, 1870) (not Satyrium sylvinus (Boisduval, 1852)), Apodemia cleis (W. H. Edwards, 1882) (not Apodemia zela (Butler, 1870)), Epityches thyridiana (Haensch, 1909), comb. nov. (not Epityches ferra Haensch, 1909, comb. nov.), Argynnis bischoffii W. H. Edwards, 1870 (not Argynnis mormonia Boisduval, 1869), Argynnis leto Behr, 1862 (not Argynnis cybele (Fabricius, 1775)), Boloria myrina (Cramer, 1777) (not Boloria selene ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)), Phyciodes jalapeno J. Scott, 1998 (not Phyciodes phaon (W. H. Edwards, 1864)), Phyciodes incognitus Gatrelle, 2004 and Phyciodes diminutor J. Scott, 1998 (not Phyciodes cocyta (Cramer, 1777)), Phyciodes orantain J. Scott, 1998 (not Phyciodes tharos (Drury, 1773)), Phyciodes anasazi J. Scott, 1994 (not Phyciodes batesii (Reakirt, [1866])), Cercyonis silvestris (W. H. Edwards, 1861) (not Cercyonis sthenele (Boisduval, 1852)), Paramacera allyni L. Miller, 1972 and Paramacera rubrosuffusa L. Miller, 1972 (not Paramacera xicaque (Reakirt, [1867])), Cissia cheneyorum (R. Chermock, 1949), Cissia pseudocleophes (L. Miller, 1976), and Cissia anabelae (L. Miller, 1976) (not Cissia rubricata (W. H. Edwards, 1871)), Tarsoctenus gaudialis (Hewitson, 1876) (not Tarsoctenus corytus (Cramer, 1777)), Nisoniades inca (Lindsey, 1925) (not Nisoniades mimas (Cramer, 1775), Xenophanes ruatanensis Godman & Salvin, 1895 (not Xenophanes tryxus (Stoll, 1780)), Lotongus shigeoi Treadaway & Nuyda, 1994, Lotongus balta Evans, 1949, Lotongus zalates (Mabille, 1893), and Lotongus taprobanus (Plötz, 1885) (not Lotongus calathus (Hewitson, 1876)), Oxynthes martius (Mabille, 1889) (not Oxynthes corusca (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Notamblyscirtes durango J. Scott, 2017 (not Notamblyscirtes simius W. H. Edwards, 1881), Hedone praeceps Scudder, 1872, Hedone catilina (Plötz, 1886), and Hedone calla (Evans, 1955) (not Hedone vibex (Geyer, 1832)), Atalopedes huron (W. H. Edwards, 1863) (not Atalopedes campestris (Boisduval, 1852)), Papias microsema Godman, 1900 (not Mnasinous phaeomelas (Hübner, [1829]), comb. nov.), Papias unicolor (Hayward, 1938) and Papias monus Bell, 1942 (not Papias phainis Godman, 1900), Nastra leuconoides (Lindsey, 1925) (not Nastra leucone (Godman, 1900)), Nastra fusca (Grote & Robinson, 1867) (not Nastra lherminier (Latreille, [1824])), Zenis hemizona (Dyar, 1918) and Zenis janka Evans, 1955 (not Zenis jebus (Plötz, 1882)), Carystus (Argon) argus Möschler, 1879 (not Carystus (Argon) lota Hewitson, 1877), and Lycas devanes (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Lycas argentea (Hewitson, 1866)). Borbo impar ceramica (Plötz, 1886), comb. nov. is not a synonym of Pelopidas agna larika (Pagenstecher, 1884) but a valid subspecies. Parnassius smintheus behrii W. H. Edwards, 1870 and Cercyonis silvestris incognita J. Emmel, T. Emmel & Mattoon, 2012 are subspecies, not species. The following are junior subjective synonyms: Shijimiaeoides Beuret, 1958 of Glaucopsyche Scudder, 1872, Micropsyche Mattoni, 1981 of Turanana Bethune-Baker, 1916, Cyclyrius Butler, 1897 of Leptotes Scudder, 1876, Mesenopsis Godman & Salvin, 1886 of Xynias Hewitson, 1874, Carystus tetragraphus Mabille, 1891 of Lotongus calathus parthenope (Plötz, 1886), Parnara bipunctata Elwes & J. Edwards, 1897 of Borbo impar ceramica (Plötz, 1886), Hesperia peckius W. Kirby, 1837 of Polites (Polites) coras (Cramer, 1775), and Lerodea neamathla Skinner & R. Williams, 1923 of Nastra fusca (Grote & Robinson, 1867). The following transfers are proposed: of species between genera (i.e., revised genus-species combinations): Nervia niveostriga (Trimen, 1864) (not Kedestes Watson, 1893), Leona lota Evans, 1937 (not Lennia Grishin, 2022), Leona pruna (Evans, 1937) and Leona reali (Berger, 1962) (not Pteroteinon Watson, 1893), Mnasinous phaeomelas (Hübner, [1829]) (not Papias Godman, 1900), Saturnus jaguar (Steinhauser, 2008) (not Parphorus Godman, 1900), Parphorus harpe (Steinhauser, 2008) (not Saturnus Evans, 1955), Parphorus kadeni (Evans, 1955) (not Lento Evans, 1955), and Calpodes chocoensis (Salazar & Constantino, 2013) (not Megaleas Godman, 1901); of subspecies between species (i.e., revised species-subspecies combinations): Melitaea sterope W. H. Edwards, 1870 of Chlosyne palla (Boisduval, 1852) (not Chlosyne acastus (W. H. Edwards, 1874)) and Panoquina ocola distipuncta Johnson & Matusik, 1988 of Panoquina lucas (Fabricius, 1793); and junior subjective synonym transferred between species: Rhinthon zaba Strand, 1921 of Conga chydaea (A. Butler, 1877), not Cynea cynea (Hewitson, 1876), Pamphila stigma Skinner, 1896 of Hedone catilina (Plötz, 1886), not Hedone praeceps Scudder, 1872, and Pamphila ortygia Möschler, 1883 of Panoquina hecebolus (Scudder, 1872), not Panoquina ocola (W. H. Edwards, 1863). Proposed taxonomic changes result in additional revised species-subspecies combinations: Lycaena pseudophlaeas abbottii (Holland, 1892), Satyrium dryope putnami (Hy. Edwards, 1877), Satyrium dryope megapallidum Austin, 1998, Satyrium dryope itys (W. H. Edwards, 1882), Satyrium dryope desertorum (F. Grinnell, 1917), Argynnis bischoffi opis W. H. Edwards, 1874, Argynnis bischoffi washingtonia W. Barnes & McDunnough, 1913, Argynnis bischoffi erinna W. H. Edwards, 1883, Argynnis bischoffi kimimela Marrone, Spomer & J. Scott, 2008, Argynnis bischoffi eurynome W. H. Edwards, 1872, Argynnis bischoffi artonis W. H. Edwards, 1881, Argynnis bischoffi luski W. Barnes & McDunnough, 1913, Argynnis leto letona (dos Passos & Grey, 1945), Argynnis leto pugetensis (F. Chermock & Frechin, 1947), Argynnis leto eileenae (J. Emmel, T. Emmel & Mattoon, 1998), Boloria myrina nebraskensis (W. Holland, 1928), Boloria myrina sabulocollis Kohler, 1977, Boloria myrina tollandensis (W. Barnes & Benjamin, 1925), Boloria myrina albequina (W. Holland, 1928), Boloria myrina atrocostalis (Huard, 1927), Boloria myrina terraenovae (W. Holland, 1928), Phyciodes anasazi apsaalooke J. Scott, 1994, Polites coras surllano J. Scott, 2006, and Curva darienensis (Gaviria, Siewert, Mielke & Casagrande, 2018). Specimen curated as the holotype of Acidalia leto valesinoides-alba Reuss, [1926] is Argynnis leto letona (dos Passos & Grey, 1945) (not A. leto leto Behr, 1862) from USA: Utah, Provo. A synonymic list of available genus-group names for Lycaeninae [Leach], [1815] is given. Unless stated otherwise, all subgenera, species, subspecies and synonyms of mentioned genera and species are transferred with their parent taxa, and others remain as previously classified.

Taxonomic changes suggested by the genomic analysis of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

Our expanded efforts in genomic sequencing to cover additional skipper butterfly (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) species and populations, including primary type specimens, call for taxonomic changes to restore monophyly and correct misidentifications by moving taxa between genera and proposing new names. Reconciliation between phenotypic characters and genomic trees suggests three new tribes, two new subtribes, 23 new genera, 17 new subgenera and 10 new species that are proposed here: Psolosini Grishin, new tribe (type genus Psolos Staudinger, 1889), Ismini Grishin, new tribe (type genus Isma Distant, 1886), Eetionini Grishin, new tribe (type genus Eetion de Nicéville, 1895), Orphina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Orphe Godman, 1901), Carystoidina Grishin, new subtribe (type genus Carystoides Godman, 1901), Fulvatis Grishin, new genus (type species Telegonus fulvius Plötz, 1882), Adina Grishin, new genus (type species Nascus adrastor Mabille and Boullet, 1912), Ornilius Grishin, new genus (type species Ornilius rotundus Grishin, new species), Tolius Grishin, new genus (type species Antigonus tolimus Plötz, 1884), Lennia Grishin, new genus (type species Leona lena Evans, 1937), Trida Grishin, new genus (type species Cyclopides barberae Trimen, 1873), Noxys Grishin, new genus (type species Oxynthes viricuculla Hayward, 1951), Gracilata Grishin, new genus (type species Enosis quadrinotata Mabille, 1889), Hermio Grishin, new genus (type species Falga ? hermione Schaus, 1913), Eutus Grishin, new genus (type species Cobalus rastaca Schaus, 1902), Gufa Grishin, new genus (type species Phlebodes gulala Schaus, 1902), Godmia Grishin, new genus (type species Euroto chlorocephala Godman, 1900), Rhomba Grishin, new genus (type species Eutychide gertschi Bell, 1937), Rectava Grishin, new genus (type species Megistias ignarus Bell, 1932), Contrastia Grishin, new genus (type species Hesperia distigma Plötz, 1882), Mit Grishin, new genus (type species Mnasitheus badius Bell, 1930), Picova Grishin, new genus (type species Vorates steinbachi Bell, 1930), Lattus Grishin, new genus (type species Eutocus arabupuana Bell, 1932), Gubrus Grishin, new genus (type species Vehilius lugubris Lindsey, 1925), Koria Grishin, new genus (type species Hesperia kora Hewitson, 1877), Corta Grishin, new genus (type species Eutychide lycortas Godman, 1900), Calvetta Grishin, new genus (type species Hesperia calvina Hewitson, 1866), Oz Grishin, new genus (type species Astictopterus ozias Hewitson, 1878), Praxa Grishin, new subgenus (type species Nascus prax Evans, 1952), Bron Grishin, new subgenus (type species Papilio broteas Cramer, 1780), Turis Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pyrgus (Scelothrix) veturius Plötz, 1884), Tiges Grishin, new subgenus (type species Antigonus liborius Plötz, 1884), Ocrypta Grishin, new subgenus (type species Notocrypta caerulea Evans, 1928), Tixe Grishin, new subgenus (type species Cobalus quadrata Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Nycea Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pamphila hycsos Mabille, 1891), Nausia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Oenus [sic] nausiphanes Schaus, 1913), Flor Grishin, new subgenus (type species Stomyles florus Godman, 1900), Geia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Pamphila geisa Möschler, 1879), Rotundia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Enosis schausi Mielke and Casagrande, 2002), Volus Grishin, new subgenus (type species Eutocus volasus Godman, 1901), Pseudopapias Grishin, new subgenus (type species Papias tristissimus Schaus, 1902), Septia Grishin, new subgenus (type species Justinia septa Evans, 1955), Brasta Grishin, new subgenus (type species Lychnuchus brasta Evans, 1955), Bina Grishin, new subgenus (type species Cobalus gabina Godman, 1900), Balma Grishin, new subgenus (type species Carystoides balza Evans, 1955), Ornilius rotundus Grishin, new species (type locality in Brazil: Santa Catarina), Salantoia metallica Grishin, new species (type locality in Guyana: Acarai Mts.), Dyscophellus australis Grishin, new species (type locality in Paraguay: Sapucay), Dyscophellus basialbus Grishin, new species (type locality in Brazil: Rondônia), Telegonus subflavus Grishin, new species (type locality in Ecuador: Riobamba), Decinea colombiana Grishin, new species (type locality in Colombia: Bogota), Lerema lucius Grishin, new species (type locality in Panama: Colón), Cynea rope Grishin, new species (type locality in Nicaragua: Chontales), Lerodea sonex Grishin, new species (type locality in Peru: Cuzco), and Metiscus goth Grishin, new species (type locality in Costa Rica). Lectotypes are designated for the following 17 taxa: Telegonus gildo Mabille, 1888, Netrocoryne damias Plötz, 1882, Telegonus erythras Mabille, 1888, Telegonus galesus Mabille, 1888, Eudamus cretellus Herrich-Schäffer, 1869, Leucochitonea chaeremon Mabille, 1891, Antigonus aura Plötz, 1884, Pamphila voranus Mabille, 1891, Hesperia pupillus Plötz, 1882, Cobalus lumina Herrich-Schäffer, 1869, Cobalus stigmula Mabille, 1891, Megistias isus Godman, 1900, Cobalopsis latonia Schaus, 1913, Pamphila nubila Mabille, 1891, Metiscus atheas Godman, 1900, Mnasalcas amatala Schaus, 1902, and Hesperia ina Plötz, 1882. The lectotype of Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882 is invalid because it does not agree with the original description and illustration by Plötz, is not from the locality listed in the original description, and therefore is not a syntype. Neotypes are designated for the following five taxa: Telegonus corentinus Plötz, 1882, Hesperia dido Plötz, 1882, Hesperia distigma Plötz, 1882, Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882, and Hesperia pruinosa Plötz, 1882. As a result, the following five taxa are junior objective synonyms: Telegonus diophorus Möschler, 1883 of Telegonus corentinus Plötz, 1882, Pamphila puxillius Mabille, 1891 of Hesperia pupillus Plötz, 1882, Cobalus stigmula Mabille, 1891 of Hesperia distigma Plötz, 1882, Mnasalcas amatala Schaus, 1902 of Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882, and Hesperia pruinosa Plötz, 1882 of Hesperia uza Hewitson, 1877. Morys valerius valda Evans, 1955 is fixed as the type species of Morys Godman, 1900, and Pamphila compta Butler, 1877 is reaffirmed as the type species of Euroto Godman, 1900. Furthermore, the following taxonomic changes are suggested. Prosopalpus Holland, 1896, Lepella Evans, 1937, and Creteus de Nicéville, 1895 are placed in Aeromachini Tutt, 1906. Triskelionia Larsen and Congdon, 2011 is transferred from Celaenorrhinini Swinhoe, 1912 to Tagiadini Mabille, 1878. Kobelana Larsen and Collins, 2013 is transferred from Tagiadini Mabille, 1878 to Celaenorrhinini Swinhoe, 1912. The following nine genus-group names are resurrected from synonymy and treated as valid genera: Abaratha Moore, 1881 (not in Caprona Wallengren, 1857), Bibla Mabille, 1904 (not in Taractrocera Butler, 1870), Kerana Distant, 1886 and Tamela Swinhoe, 1913 (not in Ancistroides Butler, 1874), Metrocles Godman, 1900 (not in Metron Godman, 1900), Alerema Hayward, 1942 (not in Tigasis Godman, 1900), Metiscus Godman, 1900 (not in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Vistigma Hayward, 1939 (not in Phlebodes Hübner, [1819]), and Mnasalcas Godman, 1900 (not in Mnasitheus Godman, 1900). The genus-group names Daimio Murray, 1875 and Pterygospidea Wallengren, 1857 are resurrected from synonymy and treated as valid subgenera of Tagiades Hübner, [1819]. We confirm Apallaga Strand, 1911 as a valid genus. The following 24 genera are placed as subgenera, new status: Pseudonascus Austin, 2008 of Nascus Watson, 1893; Albiphasma Huang, Chiba, Wang and Fan, 2016 of Pintara Evans, 1932; Ctenoptilum de Nicéville, 1890 of Tapena Moore, [1881]; Odontoptilum de Nicéville, 1890 of Abaratha Moore, 1881; Caprona Wallengren, 1857 of Abantis Hopffer, 1855; Timochreon Godman and Salvin, 1896 of Zopyrion Godman and Salvin, 1896; Pulchroptera Hou, Fan and Chiba, 2021 of Heteropterus Duméril, 1806; Stimula de Nicéville, 1898 of Koruthaialos Watson, 1893; Udaspes Moore, [1881] and Notocrypta de Nicéville, 1889 of Ancistroides Butler, 1874; Cravera de Jong, 1983 of Xeniades Godman, 1900; Cobaloides Hayward, 1939 of Oligoria Scudder, 1872; Saniba O. Mielke and Casagrande, 2003 of Psoralis Mabille, 1904; Quinta Evans, 1955 of Cynea Evans, 1955; Styriodes Schaus, 1913 and Remella Hemming, 1939 of Mnasicles Godman, 1901; Repens Evans, 1955 of Eprius Godman, 1901; Morys Godman, 1900 of Lerema Scudder, 1872; Enosis Mabille, 1889 of Lychnuchus Hübner, [1831]; Penicula Evans, 1955 of Vistigma Hayward, 1939; Mnasinous Godman, 1900 of Methionopsis Godman, 1901; and Moeros Evans, 1955, Argon Evans, 1955, and Synale Mabille, 1904 of Carystus Hübner, [1819]. The following 20 genera are treated as junior subjective synonyms: Leucochitonea Wallengren, 1857 of Abantis Hopffer, 1855; Sapaea Plötz, 1879 and Netrobalane Mabille, 1903 of Caprona Wallengren, 1857; Parasovia Devyatkin, 1996 of Sebastonyma Watson, 1893; Pemara Eliot, 1978 of Oerane Elwes and Edwards, 1897; Ankola Evans, 1937 of Pardaleodes Butler, 1870; Arotis Mabille, 1904 of Mnaseas Godman, 1901; Chalcone Evans, 1955, Hansa Evans, 1955, and Propertius Evans, 1955 of Metrocles Godman, 1900; Jongiana O. Mielke and Casagrande, 2002 of Cobaloides Hayward, 1939; Pamba Evans, 1955 of Psoralis Mabille, 1904; Brownus Grishin, 2019 of Styriodes Schaus, 1913; Mnasilus Godman, 1900 of Papias Godman, 1900; Sucova Evans, 1955 of Mnasitheus Godman, 1900; Pyrrhocalles Mabille, 1904 and Asbolis Mabille, 1904 of Choranthus Scudder, 1872; Miltomiges Mabille, 1903 of Methionopsis Godman, 1901; Sacrator Evans, 1955 of Thracides Hübner, [1819]; and Lychnuchoides Godman, 1901 of Perichares Scudder, 1872. Arunena Swinhoe, 1919 is a junior subjective synonym of Stimula de Nicéville, 1898 (not of Koruthaialos Watson, 1893). The following 27 names are species-level taxa (some in new combinations) reinstated from synonymy: Salantoia gildo (Mabille, 1888) (not Salatis cebrenus (Cramer, 1777)), Bungalotis corentinus (Plötz, 1882) (not Bungalotis midas (Cramer, 1775)), Telegonus cretellus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Telegonus cassander (Fabricius, 1793)), Santa palica (Mabille, 1888) (not Chiothion asychis (Stoll, 1780)), Camptopleura cincta Mabille and Boullet, 1917 (not Camptopleura auxo (Möschler, 1879)), Camptopleura orsus (Mabille, 1889) (not Nisoniades mimas (Cramer, 1775)), Metron voranus (Mabille, 1891) and Metron fasciata (Möschler, 1877) (not Metron zimra (Hewitson, 1877)), Limochores catahorma (Dyar, 1916) (not Limochores pupillus (Plötz, 1882)), Pares viridiceps (Mabille, 1889) (not Thoon modius (Mabille, 1889)), Tigasis wellingi (Freeman, 1969) (not Tigasis arita (Schaus, 1902)), Rectava sobrinus (Schaus, 1902) (not Papias phainis Godman, 1900), Nastra subsordida (Mabille, 1891) (not Adlerodea asema (Mabille, 1891), previously in Eutychide Godman, 1900), Lerema pattenii Scudder, 1872 (not Lerema accius (J. E. Smith, 1797)), Lerema (Morys) ancus (Möschler, 1879) (not Cymaenes tripunctus theogenis (Capronnier, 1874)), Cobalopsis zetus (Bell, 1942) (not Cobalopsis nero (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Lerema (Geia) etelka (Schaus, 1902) (not Lerema (Geia) geisa (Möschler, 1879), previously in Morys Godman, 1900), Cymaenes isus (Godman, 1900) (not Cymaenes trebius (Mabille, 1891)), Vehilius labdacus (Godman, 1900) (not Vehilius inca (Scudder, 1872)), Papias amyrna (Mabille, 1891) (not Papias allubita (Butler, 1877), previously in Mnasilus Godman, 1900), Papias integra (Mabille, 1891) (not Papias subcostulata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870)), Metiscus atheas Godman, 1900 (not Hesperia achelous Plötz, 1882), Dion agassus (Mabille, 1891) (not Dion uza (Hewitson, 1877), previously in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Picova incompta (Hayward, 1942) (not Lerema (Morys) micythus (Godman, 1900), previously in Morys Godman, 1900), Lucida melitaea (Draudt, 1923) (not Lucida lucia (Capronnier, 1874)), Methionopsis modestus Godman, 1901 (not Methionopsis ina (Plötz, 1882)), and Thargella (Volus) volasus (Godman, 1901) (not Eutocus facilis (Plötz, 1884)). The following 57 taxa are elevated from subspecies to species, new status (some in new combinations): Dyscophellus doriscus (Hewitson, 1867) (not Dyscophellus porcius (C. Felder and R. Felder, 1862), Phocides vida (A. Butler, 1872) (not Phocides urania (Westwood, 1852)), Tagiades (Daimio) ceylonica Evans, 1932 (not Tagiades litigiosa Möschler, 1878), Tagiades (Daimio) tubulus Fruhstorfer, 1910 (not Tagiades sambavana Elwes and Edwards, 1897), Tagiades (Daimio) kina Evans, 1934, Tagiades (Daimio) sheba Evans, 1934, Tagiades (Daimio) martinus Plötz, 1884, Tagiades (Daimio) sem Mabille, 1883, and Tagiades (Daimio) neira Plötz, 1885 (not Tagiades trebellius (Hopffer, 1874)), Tagiades (Daimio) korela Mabille, 1891 and Tagiades (Daimio) presbyter Butler, 1882 (not Tagiades nestus (C. Felder, 1860)), Tagiades obscurus Mabille, 1876, Tagiades ravi (Moore, [1866]), Tagiades atticus (Fabricius, 1793), Tagiades titus Plötz, 1884, Tagiades janetta Butler, 1870, Tagiades inconspicua Rothschild, 1915, and Tagiades hovia Swinhoe, 1904 (not Tagiades japetus (Stoll, [1781])), Tagiades silvia Evans, 1934 and Tagiades elegans Mabille, 1877 (not Tagiades gana (Moore, [1866])), Tapena bornea Evans, 1941 and Tapena minuscula Elwes and Edwards, 1897 (not Tapena thwaitesi Moore, [1881]), Darpa dealbata (Distant, 1886) (not Darpa pteria (Hewitson, 1868)), Perus manx (Evans, 1953) (not Perus minor (Schaus, 1902)), Canesia pallida (Röber, 1925) (not Carrhenes canescens (R. Felder, 1869)), Carrhenes conia Evans, 1953 (not Carrhenes fuscescens (Mabille, 1891)), Anisochoria extincta Hayward, 1933 and Anisochoria polysticta Mabille, 1876 (not Anisochoria pedaliodina (Butler, 1870)), Anisochoria verda Evans, 1953 (not Anisochoria minorella Mabille, 1898), Bralus alco (Evans, 1953) (not Bralus albida (Mabille, 1888)), Ephyriades jamaicensis (Möschler, 1879) (not Ephyriades brunnea (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865)), Koruthaialos (Stimula) frena Evans, 1949 (not Koruthaialos focula (Plötz, 1882)), Euphyes kiowah (Reakirt, 1866) (not Euphyes vestris (Boisduval, 1852)), Mnaseas inca Bell, 1930 (not Mnaseas bicolor (Mabille, 1889)), Metron hypochlora (Draudt, 1923) (not Metrocles schrottkyi (Giacomelli, 1911), previously in Metron Godman, 1900), Decinea huasteca (H. Freeman, 1969), Decinea denta Evans, 1955, and Decinea antus (Mabille, 1895) (not Decinea decinea (Hewitson, 1876)), Xeniades pteras Godman, 1900 (not Xeniades chalestra (Hewitson, 1866)), Xeniades difficilis Draudt, 1923 (not Xeniades orchamus (Cramer, 1777)), Xeniades hermoda (Hewitson, 1870) (not Tisias quadrata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Hermio vina (Evans, 1955) (not Hermio hermione (Schaus, 1913), previously in Lento Evans, 1955), Cymaenes loxa Evans, 1955, (not Cymaenes laureolus (Schaus, 1913)), Niconiades peri (Evans, 1955) (not Rhinthon bajula (Schaus, 1902), previously in Neoxeniades Hayward, 1938), Gallio danius (Bell, 1941) (not Vehilius seriatus (Mabille, 1891)), Gallio massarus (E. Bell, 1940) (not Gallio garima (Schaus, 1902) previously in Tigasis Godman, 1900), Cymaenes edata (Plötz, 1882), Cymaenes miqua (Dyar, 1913) and Cymaenes aequatoria (Hayward, 1940) (not Cymaenes odilia (Burmeister, 1878)), Lychnuchus (Enosis) demon (Evans, 1955) (not Lychnuchus (Enosis) immaculata (Hewitson, 1868), previously in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Naevolus naevus Evans, 1955 (not Naevolus orius (Mabille, 1883)), Lucida scopas (Mabille, 1891), Lucida oebasus (Godman, 1900), and Lucida leopardus (Weeks, 1901) (not Lucida lucia (Capronnier, 1874)), Corticea schwarzi (E. Bell, 1941) and Corticea sylva (Hayward, 1942) (not Corticea mendica (Mabille, 1898)), and Choranthus orientis (Skinner, 1920) (not Choranthus antiqua (Herrich-Schäffer, 1863), previously in Pyrrhocalles Mabille, 1904). Borbo impar bipunctata (Elwes and J. Edwards, 1897) is a valid subspecies, not a synonym of Borbo impar tetragraphus (Mabille, 1891), here placed in synonymy with Lotongus calathus (Hewitson, 1876), new synonym. We confirm the species status of Telegonus cassius (Evans, 1952) and Lerema (Morys) valda Evans, 1955. Euphyes chamuli Freeman, 1969 is placed as a subspecies of Euphyes kiowah (Reakirt, 1866), new status. The following 41 taxa are junior subjective synonyms, either newly proposed or transferred from synonymy with other species or subspecies: Telegonus mutius Plötz, 1882 of Euriphellus phraxanor (Hewitson, 1876), Telegonus erythras Mabille, 1888 of Dyscophellus damias (Plötz, 1882), Aethilla jaira Butler, 1870 of Telegonus cretellus (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Paches era Evans, 1953 of Santa palica (Mabille, 1888), Antigonus alburnea Plötz, 1884 of Tolius tolimus robigus (Plötz, 1884) (not of Echelatus sempiternus simplicior (Möschler, 1877)), Echelatus depenicillus Strand, 1921 of E. sempiternus simplicior (not of T. tolimus robigus), Antigonus aura Plötz, 1884 of Theagenes dichrous (Mabille, 1878) (not of Helias phalaenoides palpalis (Latreille, [1824])), Achlyodes impressus Mabille, 1889 of Camptopleura orsus (Mabille, 1889), Augiades tania Schaus, 1902 of Metron voranus (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila verdanta Weeks, 1906 of Metron fasciata (Möschler, 1877), Niconiades viridis vista Evans, 1955 of Niconiades derisor (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila binaria Mabille, 1891 of Conga chydaea (A. Butler, 1877) (not of Cynea cynea (Hewitson, 1876)), Psoralis concolor Nicolay, 1980 of Ralis immaculatus (Hayward, 1940), Hesperia dido Plötz, 1882 of Cynea (Quinta) cannae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not of Lerema lochius (Plötz, 1882)), Proteides osembo Möschler, 1883 of Cynea (Cynea) diluta (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not of Cynea (Quinta) cannae (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869)), Cobalopsis brema E. Bell, 1959 of Eutus rastaca (Schaus, 1902), Psoralis panamensis Anderson and Nakamura, 2019 of Rhomba gertschi (Bell, 1937), Cobalus asella Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 of Amblyscirtes alternata (Grote and Robinson, 1867) (not of Amblyscirtes vialis (W. H. Edwards, 1862)), Papias trimacula Nicolay, 1973 of Nastra subsordida (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila bipunctata Mabille, 1889 and Sarega staurus Mabille, 1904 of Lerema pattenii Scudder, 1872 (not of Cymaenes lumina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), previously in Lerema Scudder, 1872), Hesperia aethra Plötz, 1886 of Lerema lineosa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865) (not of Lerema (Morys) compta Butler, 1877), Megistias miaba Schaus, 1902 of Cobalopsis valerius (Möschler, 1879), Phanis sylvia Kaye, 1914 of Lerema etelka (Schaus, 1902) (not of Lerema (Geia) geisa (Möschler, 1879), previously in Morys Godman, 1900), Carystus odilia Burmeister, 1878, Pamphila trebius Mabille, 1891 and Megistias corescene Schaus, 1902 of Cymaenes lumina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Hesperia phocylides Plötz, 1882 of Cymaenes edata (Plötz, 1882) (not of Lerema accius (J. E. Smith, 1797)), Pamphila xenos Mabille, 1898 of Vehilius inca (Scudder, 1872), Mnasilus guianae Lindsey, 1925 of Papias amyrna (Mabille, 1891), Pamphila nubila Mabille, 1891 of Papias integra (Mabille, 1891) (not of Cynea corisana (Plötz, 1882)), Enosis matheri H. Freeman, 1969 of Metiscus atheas Godman, 1900 (previously in Enosis Mabille, 1889), Hesperia infuscata Plötz, 1882 of Mnaseas derasa derasa (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870) (previously Arotis Mabille, 1904), (not of Papias subcostulata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1870)), Pamphila astur Mabille, 1891 of Metiscus angularis (Möschler, 1877) (not of Cymaenes tripunctus theogenis (Capronnier, 1874)), Anthoptus macalpinei H. Freeman, 1969 of Anthoptus inculta (Dyar, 1918), Methionopsis typhon Godman, 1901 of Methionopsis ina (Plötz, 1882), Methionopsis dolor Evans, 1955 of Thargella volasus (Godman, 1901), Hesperia cinica Plötz, 1882 of Dubiella dubius (Stoll, 1781), Cobalus disjuncta Herrich-Schäffer, 1869 of Dubiella dubius (Stoll, 1781) (not of Vettius lafrenaye (Latreille, [1824])), and Saliana vixen Evans, 1955 of Neoxeniades parna (Evans, 1955). The following are new and revised genus-species combinations: Euriphellus cebrenus (Cramer, 1777) (not Salatis Evans, 1952), Gorgopas extensa (Mabille, 1891) (not Polyctor Evans, 1953), Clytius shola (Evans, 1953) (not Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896), Perus narycus (Mabille, 1889) (not Ouleus Lindsey, 1925), Perus parvus (Steinhauser and Austin, 1993) (not Staphylus Godman and Salvin, 1896), Pholisora litus (Dyar, 1912) (not Bolla Mabille, 1903), Carrhenes decens (A. Butler, 1874) (not Antigonus Hübner, [1819]), Santa palica (Mabille, 1888) (not Chiothion Grishin, 2019), Bralus nadia (Nicolay, 1980) (not Anisochoria Mabille, 1876), Acerbas sarala (de Nicéville, 1889) (not Lotongus Distant, 1886), Caenides sophia (Evans, 1937) (not Hypoleucis Mabille, 1891), Hypoleucis dacena (Hewitson, 1876) (not Caenides Holland, 1896), Dotta tura (Evans, 1951) (not Astictopterus C. Felder and R. Felder, 1860), Nervia wallengrenii (Trimen, 1883) (not Kedestes Watson, 1893), Testia mammaea (Hewitson, 1876) (not Decinea Evans, 1955), Oxynthes trinka (Evans, 1955) (not Orthos Evans, 1955), Metrocles argentea (Weeks, 1901) (not Paratrytone Godman, 1900), Metrocles scitula (Hayward, 1951) (not Mucia Godman, 1900), Metrocles schrottkyi (Giacomelli, 1911) (not Metron Godman, 1900), Niconiades derisor (Mabille, 1891) (not Decinea Evans, 1955), Paratrytone samenta (Dyar, 1914) (not Ochlodes Scudder, 1872), Oligoria (Cobaloides) locutia (Hewitson, 1876) (not Quinta Evans, 1955), Psoralis (Saniba) laska (Evans, 1955) (not Vidius Evans, 1955), Psoralis (Saniba) arva (Evans, 1955) and Psoralis (Saniba) umbrata (Erschoff, 1876) (not Vettius Godman, 1901), Psoralis (Saniba) calcarea (Schaus, 1902) and Psoralis (Saniba) visendus (E. Bell, 1942) (not Molo Godman, 1900), Alychna gota (Evans, 1955) (not Psoralis Mabille, 1904), Adlerodea asema (Mabille, 1891) and Adlerodea subpunctata (Hayward, 1940) (not Eutychide Godman, 1900), Ralis immaculatus (Hayward, 1940) (not Mucia Godman, 1900), Rhinthon braesia (Hewitson, 1867) and Rhinthon bajula (Schaus, 1902) (not Neoxeniades Hayward, 1938), Cymaenes lochius Plötz, 1882 (not Lerema Scudder, 1872), Paracarystus ranka (Evans, 1955) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), Tricrista aethus (Hayward, 1951), Tricrista canta (Evans, 1955), Tricrista slopa (Evans, 1955), Tricrista circellata (Plötz, 1882), and Tricrista taxes (Godman, 1900) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), Gallio madius (E. Bell, 1941) and Gallio seriatus (Mabille, 1891) (not Vehilius Godman, 1900), Gallio garima (Schaus, 1902) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900), Tigasis corope (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Cynea Evans, 1955), Tigasis perloides (Plötz, 1882) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Amblyscirtes (Flor) florus (Godman, 1900) (not Repens Evans, 1955), Vidius fraus (Godman, 1900) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Nastra celeus (Mabille, 1891) (not Vehilius Godman, 1900), Nastra nappa (Evans, 1955) (not Vidius Evans, 1955), Vehilius warreni (Weeks, 1901) and Vehilius limae (Lindsey, 1925) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872), Cymaenes lumina (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869) (not Lerema Scudder, 1872), Cobalopsis valerius (Möschler, 1879) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Cobalopsis dictys (Godman, 1900) (not Papias Godman, 1900), Lerema (Morys) venias (Bell, 1942) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Papias latonia (Schaus, 1913) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900), Dion iccius (Evans, 1955) and Dion uza (Hewitson, 1877) (not Enosis Mabille, 1889), Vistigma (Vistigma) opus (Steinhauser, 2008) (not Thoon Godman, 1900), Saturnus fartuga (Schaus, 1902) (not Parphorus Godman, 1900), Phlebodes fuldai (E. Bell, 1930) (not Vettius Godman, 1901), Mnasitheus padus (Evans, 1955) (not Moeris Godman, 1900), Naevolus brunnescens (Hayward, 1939) (not Psoralis Mabille, 1904), Lamponia ploetzii (Capronnier, 1874) (not Vettius Godman, 1901), Mnestheus silvaticus Hayward, 1940 (not Ludens Evans, 1955), Rigga spangla (Evans, 1955) (not Sodalia Evans, 1955), Corticea vicinus (Plötz, 1884) (not Lento Evans, 1955), Mnasalcas thymoetes (Hayward, 1942) (not Mnasicles Godman, 1901), Mnasalcas boyaca (Nicolay, 1973) (not Pamba Evans, 1955), Vertica brasta (Evans, 1955) (not Lychnuchus Hübner, [1831]), Carystina discors Plötz, 1882 (not Cobalus Hübner, [1819]), Zetka irena (Evans, 1955) (not Neoxeniades Hayward, 1938), and Neoxeniades parna (Evans, 1955) (not Niconiades Hübner, [1821]). The following are new or revised species-subspecies combinations: Tagiades neira moti Evans, 1934, Tagiades neira canonicus Fruhstorfer, 1910, Tagiades sheba vella Evans, 1934, Tagiades sheba lola Evans, 1945, Tagiades korela biakana Evans, 1934, Tagiades korela mefora Evans, 1934, Tagiades korela suffusus Rothschild, 1915, Tagiades korela brunta Evans, 1949, Tagiades ravi ravina Fruhstorfer, 1910, Tagiades atticus carnica Evans, 1934, Tagiades atticus nankowra Evans, 1934, Tagiades atticus helferi C. Felder, 1862, Tagiades atticus balana Fruhstorfer, 1910, Tagiades inconspicua mathias Evans, 1934, Tagiades hovia kazana Evans, 1934, Tagiades elegans fuscata de Jong and Treadaway, 2007, Tagiades elegans semperi Fruhstorfer, 1910, Metron hypochlora tomba Evans, 1955, Decinea denta pruda Evans, 1955, and Choranthus orientis eleutherae (Bates, 1934) (previously in Pyrrhocalles Mabille, 1904). In addition to the abovementioned changes, the following new combinations involve newly proposed genus group names: Fulvatis fulvius (Plötz, 1882) and Fulvatis scyrus (E. Bell, 1934) (not Salatis Evans, 1952); Adina adrastor (Mabille and Boullet, 1912) (not Bungalotis Watson, 1893); Nascus (Praxa) prax Evans, 1952, Nascus (Bron) broteas (Cramer, 1780), and Nascus (Bron) solon (Plötz, 1882) (not Pseudonascus Austin, 2008); Chirgus (Turis) veturius (Plötz, 1884); Paches (Tiges) liborius (Plötz, 1884), and Paches (Tiges) mutilatus (Hopffer, 1874) (not Antigonus Hübner, [1819]); Paches (Tiges) exosa (A. Butler, 1877); Tolius tolimus (Plötz, 1884) and Tolius luctuosus (Godman & Salvin, 1894) (not Echelatus Godman and Salvin, 1894); Ancistroides (Ocrypta) caerulea (Evans, 1928), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) renardi (Oberthür, 1878), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) waigensis (Plötz, 1882), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) aluensis (Swinhoe, 1907), Ancistroides (Ocrypta) flavipes (Janson, 1886), and Ancistroides (Ocrypta) maria (Evans, 1949) (not Notocrypta de Nicéville, 1889); Lennia lena (Evans, 1937), Lennia binoevatus (Mabille, 1891), Lennia maracanda (Hewitson, 1876), and Lennia lota (Evans, 1937) (not Leona Evans, 1937); Trida barberae (Trimen, 1873) and Trida sarahae (Henning and Henning, 1998) (not Kedestes Watson, 1893); Noxys viricuculla (Hayward, 1951) (not Oxynthes Godman, 1900); Xeniades (Tixe) quadrata (Herrich-Schäffer, 1869), Xeniades (Tixe) rinda (Evans, 1955), Xeniades (Tixe) putumayo (Constantino and Salazar, 2013) (not Tisias Godman, 1901); Gracilata quadrinotata (Mabille, 1889) (not Styriodes Schaus, 1913); Hermio hermione (Schaus, 1913) (not Lento Evans, 1955); Cynea (Nycea) hycsos (Mabille, 1891), Cynea (Nycea) corisana (Plötz, 1882), Cynea (Nycea) popla Evans, 1955, Cynea (Nycea) iquita (E. Bell, 1941), Cynea (Nycea) robba Evans, 1955, Cynea (Nycea) melius (Geyer, 1832), and Cynea (Nycea) irma (Möschler, 1879); Eutus rastaca (Schaus, 1902) (not Eutychide Godman, 1900); Eutus yesta (Evans, 1955) (not Thoon Godman, 1900); Eutus mubevensis (E. Bell, 1932) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900); Gufa gulala (Schaus, 1902) (not Mucia Godman, 1900); Gufa fusca (Hayward, 1940) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900); Godmia chlorocephala (Godman, 1900) (not Onophas Godman, 1900); Rhomba gertschi (E. Bell, 1937) (not Justinia Evans, 1955); Mnasicles (Nausia) nausiphanes (Schaus, 1913) (not Tigasis Godman, 1900); Amblyscirtes (Flor) florus (Godman, 1900) (not Repens Evans, 1955); Rectava ignarus (E. Bell, 1932) (not Papias Godman, 1900); Rectava vorgia (Schaus, 1902) (not Cobalopsis Godman, 1900); Rectava nostra (Evans, 1955) (not not Vidius Evans, 1955); Lerema (Geia) geisa (Möschler, 1879) and Lerema (Geia) lyde (Godman, 1900) (not Morys Godman, 1900); Contrastia distigma (Plötz, 1882) (not Cymaenes Scudder, 1872); Mit (Mit) badius (E. Bell, 1930) (not Styriodes Schaus, 1913); Mit (Mit) gemignanii (Hayward, 1940), (not Mnasitheus Godman, 1900); Mit (Rotundia) schausi (Mielke and Casagrande, 2002), (not Enosis Mabille, 1889); Picova steinbachi (E. Bell, 1930) (not Saturnus Evans, 1955); Lattus arabupuana (E. Bell, 1932) (not Eutocus Godman, 1901); Gubrus lugubris (Lindsey, 1925) (not Vehilius Godman, 1900); Thargella (Pseudopapias) tristissimus (Schaus, 1902) (not Papias Godman, 1900); Koria kora (Hewitson, 1877) (not Justinia Evans, 1955); Justinia (Septia) septa Evans, 1955; Corta lycortas (Godman, 1900) (not Orthos Evans, 1955); Vertica (Brasta) brasta (Evans, 1955) (not Lychnuchus Hübner, [1831]); Calvetta calvina (Hewitson, 1866) (not Cobalus Hübner, [1819]); Neoxeniades (Bina) gabina (Godman, 1900) (not Orthos Evans, 1955); Oz ozias (Hewitson, 1878) and Oz sebastiani Salazar and Constantino, 2013 (not Lychnuchoides Godman, 1901); and Carystoides (Balma) balza Evans, 1955 and Carystoides (Balma) maroma (Möschler, 1877). Finally, unless stated otherwise, all subgenera, species, subspecies and synonyms of mentioned genera and species are transferred together with their parent taxa, and taxa not mentioned in this work remain as previously classified.

The genome sequence of the small white, Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758)

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Pieris rapae (the small white; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Pieridae). The genome sequence is 256 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 26 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the W and Z sex chromosome assembled. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl has identified 12,390 protein coding genes.

Genomics Reveals the Origins of Historical Specimens

Centuries of zoological studies have amassed billions of specimens in collections worldwide. Genomics of these specimens promises to reinvigorate biodiversity research. However, because DNA degrades with age in historical specimens, it is a challenge to obtain genomic data for them and analyze degraded genomes. We developed experimental and computational protocols to overcome these challenges and applied our methods to resolve a series of long-standing controversies involving a group of butterflies. We deduced the geographical origins of several historical specimens of uncertain provenance that are at the heart of these debates. Here, genomics tackles one of the greatest problems in zoology: countless old specimens that serve as irreplaceable embodiments of species concepts cannot be confidently assigned to extant species or population due to the lack of diagnostic morphological features and clear documentation of the collection locality. The ability to determine where they were collected will resolve many on-going disputes. More broadly, we show the utility of applying genomics to historical museum specimens to delineate the boundaries of species and populations, and to hypothesize about genotypic determinants of phenotypic traits.

De novo genome assemblies of butterflies

BACKGROUND

The availability of thousands of genomes has enabled new advancements in biology. However, many genomes have not been investigated for their quality. Here we examine quality trends in a taxonomically diverse and well-known group, butterflies (Papilionoidea), and provide draft, de novo assemblies for all available butterfly genomes. Owing to massive genome sequencing investment and taxonomic curation, this is an excellent group to explore genome quality.

FINDINGS

We provide de novo assemblies for all 822 available butterfly genomes and interpret their quality in terms of completeness and continuity. We identify the 50 highest quality genomes across butterflies and conclude that the ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus, has the highest quality genome. Our post-processing of draft genome assemblies identified 118 butterfly genomes that should not be reused owing to contamination or extremely low quality. However, many draft genomes are of high utility, especially because permissibility of low-quality genomes is dependent on the objective of the study. Our assemblies will serve as a key resource for papilionid genomics, especially for researchers without computational resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality metrics and assemblies are typically presented with annotated genome accessions but rarely with de novo genomes. We recommend that studies presenting genome sequences provide the assembly and some metrics of quality because quality will significantly affect downstream results. Transparency in quality metrics is needed to improve the field of genome science and encourage data reuse.

Evaluating costs of heavy metal tolerance in a widely distributed, invasive butterfly

Organismal tolerance to environmental pollution is thought to be constrained by fitness costs, where variants with higher survival in polluted environments have lower performance in nonpolluted environments. Yet, costs are not always detected in empirical studies. One hypothesis suggests that whether tolerance costs emerge depends on the degree of heterogeneity populations experience with respect to pollution exposure. For instance, in populations confined to local environments where pollution is persistent, selection may favour alleles that enhance pollution tolerance but reduce performance in nonpolluted environments (costs). However, in broadly distributed populations that undergo selection in both polluted and nonpolluted patches, costs should be eroded. Understanding tolerance costs in broadly distributed populations is relevant to management of invasive species, which are highly dispersive, wide ranging, and often colonize disturbed or polluted patches such as agricultural monocultures. Therefore, we conducted a case study quantifying costs of tolerance to zinc pollution (a common heavy metal pollutant) in wild cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae). This wide ranging, highly dispersive and invasive pest periodically encounters metal pollution by consuming plants in urban and agricultural settings. In contrast to expected costs of tolerance, we found that cabbage white families with greater zinc tolerance also produced more eggs and had higher reproductive effort under nonpolluted conditions. These results contribute to a more general hypothesis of why costs of pollution tolerance vary across studies: patchy selection with pollutants should erode costs and may favour genotypes that perform well under both polluted and nonpolluted conditions. This might partly explain why widely distributed invasive species are able to thrive in diverse, polluted and nonpolluted habitats.

Characterisation of a copper/zinc superoxide dismutase from Pieris rapae and its role in protecting against oxidative stress induced by chlorantraniliprole

Insecticide exposure typically leads to abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage in insects. Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are potent antioxidant enzymes for ROS scavenging that are essential to protect insects against insecticide-induced oxidative injury. The small white butterfly, Pieris rapae, is an economically important lepidopteran pest of cruciferous crops, and the anthranilic diamide insecticide chlorantraniliprole is widely used to control this organism. However, whether chlorantraniliprole causes oxidative stress, and whether SODs are involved in ROS scavenging, remains unclear in P. rapae. In this study, an intracellular copper/zinc SOD (designated PrSOD1) gene was identified and characterised in P. rapae. The gene consists of four exons and three introns, and the PrSOD1 protein encoded by the gene has typical highly conserved features of CuZnSODs, including two signature motifs and seven Cu/Zn-interacting residues. Transcription of PrSOD1 was highest in the larval fat body and at the fifth-instar larval stage. Recombinant PrSOD1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli displayed antioxidant activity and high thermal and pH stability, confirming that PrSOD1 encodes a functional enzyme. Exposure to three sublethal doses of chlorantraniliprole for 6, 12 or 24 h resulted in significantly increased malondialdehyde concentration in P. rapae larvae, indicating insecticide-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, both PrSOD1 transcription levels and CuZnSOD activity were quickly (6 and 12 h, respectively) upregulated in larvae subjected to chlorantraniliprole, strongly suggesting that PrSOD1 plays an important role in protecting against oxidative damage and possibly chlorantraniliprole tolerance in P. rapae.

Spatial phylogenetics of butterflies in relation to environmental drivers and angiosperm diversity across North America

Broad-scale, quantitative assessments of insect biodiversity and the factors shaping it remain particularly poorly explored. Here we undertook a spatial phylogenetic analysis of North American butterflies to test whether climate stability and temperature gradients have shaped their diversity and endemism. We also performed the first quantitative comparisons of spatial phylogenetic patterns between butterflies and flowering plants. We expected concordance between the two groups based on shared historical environmental drivers and presumed strong butterfly-host plant specializations. We instead found that biodiversity patterns in butterflies are strikingly different from flowering plants, especially warm deserts. In particular, butterflies show different patterns of phylogenetic clustering compared with flowering plants, suggesting differences in habitat conservation between the two groups. These results suggest that shared biogeographic histories and trophic associations do not necessarily assure similar diversity outcomes. The work has applied value in conservation planning, documenting warm deserts as a North American butterfly biodiversity hotspot.

Genome Assembly of the Dogface Butterfly Zerene cesonia

Comparisons of high-quality, reference butterfly, and moth genomes have been instrumental to advancing our understanding of how hybridization, and natural selection drive genomic change during the origin of new species and novel traits. Here, we present a genome assembly of the Southern Dogface butterfly, Zerene cesonia (Pieridae) whose brilliant wing colorations have been implicated in developmental plasticity, hybridization, sexual selection, and speciation. We assembled 266,407,278 bp of the Z. cesonia genome, which accounts for 98.3% of the estimated 271 Mb genome size. Using a hybrid approach involving Chicago libraries with Hi-Rise assembly and a diploid Meraculous assembly, the final haploid genome was assembled. In the final assembly, nearly all autosomes and the Z chromosome were assembled into single scaffolds. The largest 29 scaffolds accounted for 91.4% of the genome assembly, with the remaining ∼8% distributed among another 247 scaffolds and overall N50 of 9.2 Mb. Tissue-specific RNA-seq informed annotations identified 16,442 protein-coding genes, which included 93.2% of the arthropod Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO). The Z. cesonia genome assembly had ∼9% identified as repetitive elements, with a transposable element landscape rich in helitrons. Similar to other Lepidoptera genomes, Z. cesonia showed a high conservation of chromosomal synteny. The Z. cesonia assembly provides a high-quality reference for studies of chromosomal arrangements in the Pierid family, as well as for population, phylo, and functional genomic studies of adaptation and speciation.

Identification and Expression Profiles of 14 Odorant-Binding Protein Genes From Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The small white butterfly, Pieris rapae (L.), is an important insect pest of Brassica crops. This species utilize olfactory cues to find their hosts and mates. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the olfactory perception in this species remains unclear. Here, we identified 14 odorant-binding proteins (OBP) genes-essential for insect olfaction-in P. rapae by exploring a previously published transcriptome dataset. Proteins encoded by all of these genes contain N-terminal signal peptides and six positionally conserved cysteine residues, which are characteristic of insect OBPs. These OBPs displayed high amino acid identity with their respective orthologs in other lepidopterans, and several conserved motifs were identified within these OBPs. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these OBPs were well segregated from each other and clustered into different branches. PrapOBP1 and PrapOBP2 were clustered into the 'general odorant-binding protein' clade, and PrapOBP3 and PrapOBP4 fall into the 'pheromone-binding protein' clade. The 14 OBP genes were located on seven genomic scaffolds. Of these, PrapOBP1, 2, 3, and 4 were located on scaffold332, whereas PrapOBP5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 were located on scaffold116. Ten of the 14 genes had antenna-biased expression. Of these, PrapOBP1, 2, 4, and 13 were enriched in male antennae, whereas PrapOBP7 and PrapOBP10 were female-biased. Our findings suggest that these OBPs may be involved in olfactory communication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification and characterization of OBPs in P. rapae, and our findings provide a solid foundation for studying the functions of these genes.

Multi-faceted analysis provides little evidence for recurrent whole-genome duplications during hexapod evolution

BACKGROUND

Gene duplication events play an important role in the evolution and adaptation of organisms. Duplicated genes can arise through different mechanisms, including whole-genome duplications (WGDs). Recently, WGD was suggested to be an important driver of evolution, also in hexapod animals.

RESULTS

Here, we analyzed 20 high-quality hexapod genomes using whole-paranome distributions of estimated synonymous distances (KS), patterns of within-genome co-linearity, and phylogenomic gene tree-species tree reconciliation methods. We observe an abundance of gene duplicates in the majority of these hexapod genomes, yet we find little evidence for WGD. The majority of gene duplicates seem to have originated through small-scale gene duplication processes. We did detect segmental duplications in six genomes, but these lacked the within-genome co-linearity signature typically associated with WGD, and the age of these duplications did not coincide with particular peaks in KS distributions. Furthermore, statistical gene tree-species tree reconciliation failed to support all but one of the previously hypothesized WGDs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses therefore provide very limited evidence for WGD having played a significant role in the evolution of hexapods and suggest that alternative mechanisms drive gene duplication events in this group of animals. For instance, we propose that, along with small-scale gene duplication events, episodes of increased transposable element activity could have been an important source for gene duplicates in hexapods.

Genome of the webworm Hyphantria cunea unveils genetic adaptations supporting its rapid invasion and spread

BACKGROUND

The fall webworm Hyphantria cunea is an invasive and polyphagous defoliator pest that feeds on nearly any type of deciduous tree worldwide. The silk web of H. cunea aids its aggregating behavior, provides thermal regulation and is regarded as one of causes for its rapid spread. In addition, both chemosensory and detoxification genes are vital for host adaptation in insects.

RESULTS

Here, a high-quality genome of H. cunea was obtained. Silk-web-related genes were identified from the genome, and successful silencing of the silk protein gene HcunFib-H resulted in a significant decrease in silk web shelter production. The CAFE analysis showed that some chemosensory and detoxification gene families, such as CSPs, CCEs, GSTs and UGTs, were expanded. A transcriptome analysis using the newly sequenced H. cunea genome showed that most chemosensory genes were specifically expressed in the antennae, while most detoxification genes were highly expressed during the feeding peak. Moreover, we found that many nutrient-related genes and one detoxification gene, HcunP450 (CYP306A1), were under significant positive selection, suggesting a crucial role of these genes in host adaptation in H. cunea. At the metagenomic level, several microbial communities in H. cunea gut and their metabolic pathways might be beneficial to H. cunea for nutrient metabolism and detoxification, and might also contribute to its host adaptation.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings explain the host and environmental adaptations of H. cunea at the genetic level and provide partial evidence for the cause of its rapid invasion and potential gene targets for innovative pest management strategies.

Fifty new genera of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera)

Genomic sequencing and analysis of worldwide skipper butterfly (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) fauna points to imperfections in their current classification. Some tribes, subtribes and genera as they are circumscribed today are not monophyletic. Rationalizing genomic results from the perspective of phenotypic characters suggests two new tribes, two new subtribes and 50 new genera that are named here: Ceratrichiini Grishin, trib. n., Gretnini Grishin, trib. n., Falgina Grishin, subtr. n., Apaustina Grishin, subtr. n., Flattoides Grishin, gen. n., Aurivittia Grishin, gen. n., Viuria Grishin, gen. n., Clytius Grishin, gen. n., Incisus Grishin, gen. n., Perus Grishin, gen. n., Livida Grishin, gen. n., Festivia Grishin, gen. n., Hoodus Grishin, gen. n., Anaxas Grishin, gen. n., Chiothion Grishin, gen. n., Crenda Grishin, gen. n., Santa Grishin, gen. n., Canesia Grishin, gen. n., Bralus Grishin, gen. n., Ladda Grishin, gen. n., Willema Grishin, gen. n., Argemma Grishin, gen. n., Nervia Grishin, gen. n., Dotta Grishin, gen. n., Lissia Grishin, gen. n., Xanthonymus Grishin, gen. n., Cerba Grishin, gen. n., Avestia Grishin, gen. n., Zetka Grishin, gen. n., Turmosa Grishin, gen. n., Mielkeus Grishin, gen. n., Coolus Grishin, gen. n., Daron Grishin, gen. n., Barrolla Grishin, gen. n., Brownus Grishin, gen. n., Tava Grishin, gen. n., Rigga Grishin, gen. n., Haza Grishin, gen. n., Dubia Grishin, gen. n., Pares Grishin, gen. n., Chitta Grishin, gen. n., Artonia Grishin, gen. n., Lurida Grishin, gen. n., Corra Grishin, gen. n., Fidius Grishin, gen. n., Veadda Grishin, gen. n., Tricrista Grishin, gen. n., Viridina Grishin, gen. n., Alychna Grishin, gen. n., Ralis Grishin, gen. n., Testia Grishin, gen. n., Buzella Grishin, gen. n., Vernia Grishin, gen. n., and Lon Grishin, gen. n. In addition, the following taxonomic changes are suggested. Prada Evans is transferred from Hesperiinae to Trapezitinae. Echelatus Godman and Salvin, Systaspes Weeks, and Oenides Mabille are removed from synonymy and are treated as valid genera. The following genera are new junior subjective synonyms: Tosta Evans of Eantis Boisduval; Turmada Evans of Neoxeniades Hayward, Arita Evans of Tigasis Godman, and Alera Mabille of Perichares Scudder. Eantis pallida (R. Felder) (not Achlyodes Hübner), Gindanes kelso (Evans) (not Onenses Godman and Salvin), Isoteinon abjecta (Snellen) (not Astictopterus C. and R. Felder), Neoxeniades ethoda (Hewitson) (not Xeniades Godman), Moeris anna (Mabille) (not Vidius Evans), and Molo pelta Evans (not Lychnuchus Hübner) are new genus-species combinations. The following are species-level taxa: Livida assecla (Mabille) (not a subspecies of Livida grandis (Mabille), formerly Pythonides Hübner) and Alychna zenus (E. Bell) (not a junior subjective synonym of Alychna exclamationis (Mabille), formerly Psoralis Mabille); and Barrolla molla E. Bell (formerly Vacerra Godman) is a junior subjective synonym of Barrolla barroni Evans (formerly Paratrytone Godman). All these changes to taxonomic status of names are propagated to all names currently treated as subspecies (for species), subgenera (for genera) and synonyms of these taxa. Finally, taxa not mentioned in this work are considered to remain at the ranks and in taxonomic groups they have been previously assigned to.

Chromosomal-level reference genome of Chinese peacock butterfly (Papilio bianor) based on third-generation DNA sequencing and Hi-C analysis

BACKGROUND

Papilio bianor Cramer, 1777 (commonly known as the Chinese peacock butterfly) (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Papilionidae) is a widely distributed swallowtail butterfly with a wide number of geographic populations ranging from the southeast of Russia to China, Japan, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its wing color consists of both pigmentary colored scales (black, reddish) and structural colored scales (iridescent blue or green dust). A high-quality reference genome of P. bianor is an important foundation for investigating iridescent color evolution, phylogeography, and the evolution of swallowtail butterflies.

FINDINGS

We obtained a chromosome-level de novo genome assembly of the highly heterozygous P. bianor using long Pacific Biosciences sequencing reads and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture technology. The final assembly is 421.52 Mb on 30 chromosomes (29 autosomes and 1 Z sex chromosome) with 13.12 Mb scaffold N50. In total, 15,375 protein-coding genes and 233.09 Mb of repetitive sequences were identified. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that P. bianor separated from a common ancestor of swallowtails ∼23.69-36.04 million years ago. Demographic history suggested that the population expansion of this species from the last interglacial period to the last glacial maximum possibly resulted from its decreased natural enemies and its adaptation to climate change during the glacial period.

CONCLUSIONS

We present a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of P. bianor using long-read single-molecule sequencing and Hi-C-based chromatin interaction maps. Our results lay the foundation for exploring the genetic basis of special biological features of P. bianor and also provide a useful data source for comparative genomics and phylogenomics among butterflies and moths.

Dissecting the Effects of Selection and Mutation on Genetic Diversity in Three Wood White (Leptidea) Butterfly Species

The relative role of natural selection and genetic drift in evolution is a major topic of debate in evolutionary biology. Most knowledge spring from a small group of organisms and originate from before it was possible to generate genome-wide data on genetic variation. Hence, it is necessary to extend to a larger number of taxonomic groups, descriptive and hypothesis-based research aiming at understanding the proximate and ultimate mechanisms underlying both levels of genetic polymorphism and the efficiency of natural selection. In this study, we used data from 60 whole-genome resequenced individuals of three cryptic butterfly species (Leptidea sp.), together with novel gene annotation information and population recombination data. We characterized the overall prevalence of natural selection and investigated the effects of mutation and linked selection on regional variation in nucleotide diversity. Our analyses showed that genome-wide diversity and rate of adaptive substitutions were comparatively low, whereas nonsynonymous to synonymous polymorphism and substitution levels were comparatively high in Leptidea, suggesting small long-term effective population sizes. Still, negative selection on linked sites (background selection) has resulted in reduced nucleotide diversity in regions with relatively high gene density and low recombination rate. We also found a significant effect of mutation rate variation on levels of polymorphism. Finally, there were considerable population differences in levels of genetic diversity and pervasiveness of selection against slightly deleterious alleles, in line with expectations from differences in estimated effective population sizes.

Global invasion history of the agricultural pest butterfly Pieris rapae revealed with genomics and citizen science

The small cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, is a major agricultural pest of cruciferous crops and has been introduced to every continent except South America and Antarctica as a result of human activities. In an effort to reconstruct the near-global invasion history of P. rapae, we developed a citizen science project, the "Pieris Project," and successfully amassed thousands of specimens from 32 countries worldwide. We then generated and analyzed nuclear (double-digest restriction site-associated DNA fragment procedure [ddRAD]) and mitochondrial DNA sequence data for these samples to reconstruct and compare different global invasion history scenarios. Our results bolster historical accounts of the global spread and timing of P. rapae introductions. We provide molecular evidence supporting the hypothesis that the ongoing divergence of the European and Asian subspecies of P. rapae (∼1,200 y B.P.) coincides with the diversification of brassicaceous crops and the development of human trade routes such as the Silk Route (Silk Road). The further spread of P. rapae over the last ∼160 y was facilitated by human movement and trade, resulting in an almost linear series of at least 4 founding events, with each introduced population going through a severe bottleneck and serving as the source for the next introduction. Management efforts of this agricultural pest may need to consider the current existence of multiple genetically distinct populations. Finally, the international success of the Pieris Project demonstrates the power of the public to aid scientists in collections-based research addressing important questions in invasion biology, and in ecology and evolutionary biology more broadly.

Unprecedented reorganization of holocentric chromosomes provides insights into the enigma of lepidopteran chromosome evolution

Chromosome evolution presents an enigma in the mega-diverse Lepidoptera. Most species exhibit constrained chromosome evolution with nearly identical haploid chromosome counts and chromosome-level gene collinearity among species more than 140 million years divergent. However, a few species possess radically inflated chromosomal counts due to extensive fission and fusion events. To address this enigma of constraint in the face of an exceptional ability to change, we investigated an unprecedented reorganization of the standard lepidopteran chromosome structure in the green-veined white butterfly (Pieris napi). We find that gene content in P. napi has been extensively rearranged in large collinear blocks, which until now have been masked by a haploid chromosome number close to the lepidopteran average. We observe that ancient chromosome ends have been maintained and collinear blocks are enriched for functionally related genes suggesting both a mechanism and a possible role for selection in determining the boundaries of these genome-wide rearrangements.

Compound eyes of the small white butterfly Pieris rapae have three distinct classes of red photoreceptors

The two subspecies of the small white butterfly, the European Pieris rapae rapae and the Asian P. r. crucivora, differ in wing colouration. Under ultraviolet light, the wings of both male and female P. r. rapae appear dark, whereas the wings of male P. r. crucivora are dark and those of females are bright. It has been hypothesized that these sexually dimorphic wing reflections in P. r. crucivora may have induced the evolution of a fluorescing-screening pigment in the violet-opsin-expressing photoreceptors of males, thus facilitating greater wavelength discrimination near 400 nm. Comparing the compound eyes of the two subspecies using genetic, microscopical, spectrographic, and histological methods revealed no differences that would meaningfully affect photoreceptor sensitivity, suggesting that the fluorescing-screening pigment did not evolve in response to sexually dimorphic wing reflections. Our investigation further revealed that (i) the peri-rhabdomal reddish-screening pigments differ among the three ommatidial types; (ii) each of the ommatidial types exhibits a unique class of red photoreceptor with a distinct spectral peak; and (iii) the blue, green, and red photoreceptors of P. rapae exhibit a polarization sensitivity > 2, with red photoreceptors allowing for a two-channel opponency form of polarization sensitivity.

The effects of insecticides on butterflies - A review

Pesticides, in particular insecticides, can be very beneficial but have also been found to have harmful side effects on non-target insects. Butterflies play an important role in ecosystems, are well monitored and are recognised as good indicators of environmental health. The amount of information already known about butterfly ecology and the increased availability of genomes make them a very valuable model for the study of non-target effects of pesticide usage. The effects of pesticides are not simply linear, but complex through their interactions with a large variety of biotic and abiotic factors. Furthermore, these effects manifest themselves at a variety of levels, from the molecular to metapopulation level. Research should therefore aim to dissect these complex effects at a number of levels, but as we discuss in this review, this is seldom if ever done in butterflies. We suggest that in order dissect the complex effects of pesticides on butterflies we need to integrate detailed molecular studies, including characterising sequence variability of relevant target genes, with more classical evolutionary ecology; from direct toxicity tests on individual larvae in the laboratory to field studies that consider the potentiation of pesticides by ecologically relevant environmental biotic and abiotic stressors. Such integration would better inform population-level responses across broad geographical scales and provide more in-depth information about the non-target impacts of pesticides.

Molecular Characterization and Expression Analysis of Two Acetylcholinesterase Genes From the Small White Butterfly Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Acetylcholinesterases (AChEs) are essential for the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and play crucial roles in the termination of neurotransmission. AChEs are encoded by the ace genes. However, the ace genes from the small white butterfly, Pieris rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), remained uncharacterized. In this study, two aces (Prace1 and Prace2) were identified from P. rapae. Prace1 encoded a PrAChE1 protein consisting of 694 amino acid residues, and Prace2 encoded the 638-amino-acid PrAChE2. The two identified PrAChEs both had features typical of AChEs, including the catalytic triad, choline-binding sites, an oxyanion hole, an acyl pocket, a peripheral anionic subsite, an FGESAG motif and 14 conserved aromatic amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Prace1 and Prace2 were clustered into two distinct groups: ace1 and ace2, respectively. The two Praces were distributed on different genomic scaffolds: Prace1 on scaffold 156 and Prace2 on scaffold 430. Additionally, Prace1 consisted of three exons and two introns, whereas Prace2 consisted of six exons and five introns. One amino acid mutation (Gly324Ala) in PrAChE1 and two (Ser291Gly and Ser431Phe) in PrAChE2 were consistent with mutations in other insect AChEs that are associated with insecticide insensitivity. Both Prace1 and Prace2 were highly expressed at the fifth-instar larval stage and in the larval head, and the transcriptional levels of Prace1 were significantly higher than those of Prace2 in all of the tested life stages and tissues. This is the first report characterizing two ace genes in P. rapae. The results pave the way for functional study of these genes.

The molecular genetic basis of herbivory between butterflies and their host plants

Interactions between herbivorous insects and their host-plants are a central component of terrestrial food webs and a critical topic in agriculture, where a substantial fraction of potential crop yield is lost annually to pests. Important insights into plant-insect interactions have come from research on specific plant defenses and insect detoxification mechanisms. Yet, much remains unknown about the molecular mechanisms that mediate plant-insect interactions. Here we use multiple genome-wide approaches to map the molecular basis of herbivory from both plant and insect perspectives, focusing on butterflies and their larval host-plants. Parallel genome-wide association studies in the Cabbage White butterfly, Pieris rapae, and its host-plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, pinpointed a small number of butterfly and plant genes that influenced herbivory. These genes, along with much of the genome, were regulated in a dynamic way over the time course of the feeding interaction. Comparative analyses, including diverse butterfly/plant systems, showed a variety of genome-wide responses to herbivory, yet a core set of highly conserved genes in butterflies as well as their host-plants. These results greatly expand our understanding of the genomic causes and evolutionary consequences of ecological interactions across two of nature’s most diverse taxa, butterflies and flowering plants.

Lepidoptera genomes: current knowledge, gaps and future directions

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are one of the most ecologically diverse and speciose insect orders. With recent advances in genomics, new Lepidoptera genomes are regularly being sequenced, and many of them are playing principal roles in genomics studies, particularly in the fields of phylo-genomics and functional genomics. Thus far, assembled genomes are only available for <10 of the 43 Lepidoptera superfamilies. Nearly all are model species, found in the speciose clade Ditrysia. Community support for Lepidoptera genomics is growing with successful management and dissemination of data and analytical tools in centralized databases. With genomic studies quickly becoming integrated with ecological and evolutionary research, the Lepidoptera community will unquestionably benefit from new high-quality reference genomes that are more evenly distributed throughout the order.

Identification and characterisation of seventeen glutathione S-transferase genes from the cabbage white butterfly Pieris rapae

Insect glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play essential roles in the detoxification of insecticides and other xenobiotic compounds. The cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, is an economically important agricultural pest. In this study, 17 cDNA sequences encoding putative GSTs were identified in P. rapae. All cDNAs include a complete open reading frame and were designated PrGSTd1-PrGSTz2. Based on phylogenetic analysis, PrGSTs were divided into six classes (delta, epsilon, omega, sigma, theta and zeta). The exon-intron organizations of these PrGSTs were also analysed. Recombinant proteins of eight PrGSTs (PrGSTD1, PrGSTD2, PrGSTE1, PrGSTE2, PrGSTO1, PrGSTS1, PrGSTT1 and PrGSTZ1) were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, and all of these proteins displayed glutathione-conjugating activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). Expression patterns in various larval tissues, at different life stages, and following exposure to sublethal doses of abamectin, chlorantraniliprole or lambda-cyhalothrin were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The results showed that PrGSTe3, PrGSTs1, PrGSTs2, and PrGSTs4 were mainly transcribed in the fat body, while PrGSTe2 was expressed predominantly in the Malpighian tubules. Four genes (PrGSTe2, PrGSTo4, PrGSTs4 and PrGSTt1) were mainly expressed in fourth-instar larvae, while others were ubiquitously expressed in egg, larval, pupa and/or adult stages. Abamectin treatment significantly upregulated ten genes (PrGSTd1, PrGSTd3, PrGSTe1, PrGSTe2, PrGSTo1, PrGSTo3, PrGSTs1, PrGSTs3, PrGSTs4 and PrGSTt1). Chlorantraniliprole and lambda-cyhalothrin treatment significantly upregulated nine genes (PrGSTd1, PrGSTd2, PrGSTe1, PrGSTe2, PrGSTe3, PrGSTs1, PrGSTs3, PrGSTs4 and PrGSTz1) and ten genes (PrGSTd1, PrGSTd3, PrGSTe1, PrGSTe2, PrGSTo1, PrGSTo2, PrGSTs1, PrGSTs2, PrGSTs3 and PrGSTz2), respectively. These GSTs are potentially involved in the detoxification of insecticides.

Rapid Increase in Genome Size as a Consequence of Transposable Element Hyperactivity in Wood-White (Leptidea) Butterflies

Characterizing and quantifying genome size variation among organisms and understanding if genome size evolves as a consequence of adaptive or stochastic processes have been long-standing goals in evolutionary biology. Here, we investigate genome size variation and association with transposable elements (TEs) across lepidopteran lineages using a novel genome assembly of the common wood-white (Leptidea sinapis) and population re-sequencing data from both L. sinapis and the closely related L. reali and L. juvernica together with 12 previously available lepidopteran genome assemblies. A phylogenetic analysis confirms established relationships among species, but identifies previously unknown intraspecific structure within Leptidea lineages. The genome assembly of L. sinapis is one of the largest of any lepidopteran taxon so far (643 Mb) and genome size is correlated with abundance of TEs, both in Lepidoptera in general and within Leptidea where L. juvernica from Kazakhstan has considerably larger genome size than any other Leptidea population. Specific TE subclasses have been active in different Lepidoptera lineages with a pronounced expansion of predominantly LINEs, DNA elements, and unclassified TEs in the Leptidea lineage after the split from other Pieridae. The rate of genome expansion in Leptidea in general has been in the range of four Mb/Million year (My), with an increase in a particular L. juvernica population to 72 Mb/My. The considerable differences in accumulation rates of specific TE classes in different lineages indicate that TE activity plays a major role in genome size evolution in butterflies and moths.

Complete Genome of Achalarus lyciades, The First Representative of the Eudaminae Subfamily of Skippers

Background:

The Hoary Edge Skipper (Achalarus lyciades) is an eastern North America endemic butterfly from the Eudaminae subfamily of skippers named for an underside whitish patch near the hindwing edge. Its caterpillars feed on legumes, in contrast to Grass skippers (subfamily Hesperiinae) which feed exclusively on monocots.

Results:

To better understand the evolution and phenotypic diversification of Skippers (family Hesperiidae), we sequenced, assembled and annotated a complete genome draft and transcriptome of a wild-caught specimen of A. lyciades and compared it with the available genome of the Clouded Skipper (Lerema accius) from the Grass skipper subfamily. The genome of A. lyciades is nearly twice the size of L. accius (567 Mbp vs. 298 Mbp), however it encodes a smaller number of proteins (15881 vs. 17411). Gene expansions we identified previously in L. accius apparently did not occur in the genome of A. lyciades. For instance, a family of hypothetical cellulases that diverged from an endochitinase (possibly associated with feeding of L. accius caterpillars on nutrient-poor grasses) is absent in A. lyciades. While L. accius underwent gene expansion in pheromone binding proteins, A. lyciades has more opsins. This difference may be related to the mate recognition mechanisms of the two species: visual cues might be more important for the Eudaminae skippers (which have more variable wing patterns), whereas odor might be more important for Grass skippers (that are hardly distinguishable by their wings). Phylogenetically, A. lyciades is a sister species of L. accius, the only other Hesperiidae with a complete genome.

Conclusions:

A new reference genome of a dicot-feeding skippers, the first from the Eudaminae subfamily, reveals its larger size and suggests hypotheses about phenotypic traits and differences from monocot-feeding skippers.

Mitogenomes of Giant-Skipper Butterflies reveal an ancient split between deep and shallow root feeders

Background: Giant-Skipper butterflies from the genus Megathymus are North American endemics. These large and thick-bodied Skippers resemble moths and are unique in their life cycles. Grub-like at the later stages of development, caterpillars of these species feed and live inside yucca roots. Adults do not feed and are mostly local, not straying far from the patches of yucca plants. Methods: Pieces of muscle were dissected from the thorax of specimens and genomic DNA was extracted (also from the abdomen of a specimen collected nearly 60 years ago). Paired-end libraries were prepared and sequenced for 150bp from both ends. The mitogenomes were assembled from the reads followed by a manual gap-closing procedure and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using a maximum likelihood method from an alignment of the mitogenomes. Results: We determined mitogenome sequences of nominal subspecies of all five known species of Megathymus and Agathymus mariae to confidently root the phylogenetic tree. Pairwise sequence identity indicates the high similarity, ranging from 88-96% among coding regions for 13 proteins, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNA, with a gene order typical for mitogenomes of Lepidoptera. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that Giant-Skippers (Megathymini) originate within the subfamily Hesperiinae and do not warrant a subfamily rank. Genus Megathymus is monophyletic and splits into two species groups. M. streckeri and M. cofaqui caterpillars feed deep in the main root system of yucca plants and deposit frass underground. M. ursus, M. beulahae and M. yuccae feed in the yucca caudex and roots near the ground, and deposit frass outside through a "tent" (a silk tube projecting from the center of yucca plant). M. yuccae and M. beulahae are sister species consistently with morphological similarities between them. Conclusions: We constructed the first DNA-based phylogeny of the genus Megathymus from their mitogenomes. The phylogeny agrees with morphological considerations.

Complete genome of Pieris rapae, a resilient alien, a cabbage pest, and a source of anti-cancer proteins

The Small Cabbage White ( Pieris rapae) is originally a Eurasian butterfly. Being accidentally introduced into North America, Australia, and New Zealand a century or more ago, it spread throughout the continents and rapidly established as one of the most abundant butterfly species. Although it is a serious pest of cabbage and other mustard family plants with its caterpillars reducing crops to stems, it is also a source of pierisin, a protein unique to the Whites that shows cytotoxicity to cancer cells. To better understand the unusual biology of this omnipresent agriculturally and medically important butterfly, we sequenced and annotated the complete genome from USA specimens. At 246 Mbp, it is among the smallest Lepidoptera genomes reported to date. While 1.5% positions in the genome are heterozygous, they are distributed highly non-randomly along the scaffolds, and nearly 20% of longer than 1000 base-pair segments are SNP-free (median length: 38000 bp). Computational simulations of population evolutionary history suggest that American populations started from a very small number of introduced individuals, possibly a single fertilized female, which is in agreement with historical literature. Comparison to other Lepidoptera genomes reveals several unique families of proteins that may contribute to the unusual resilience of Pieris. The nitrile-specifier proteins divert the plant defense chemicals to non-toxic products. The apoptosis-inducing pierisins could offer a defense mechanism against parasitic wasps. While only two pierisins from Pieris rapae were characterized before, the genome sequence revealed eight, offering additional candidates as anti-cancer drugs. The reference genome we obtained lays the foundation for future studies of the Cabbage White and other Pieridae species.