New digital identification tool of microlepidoptera on Solanaceae

A new digital identification tool, “Microlepidoptera on Solanaceae” (http://idtools.org/id/leps/micro/) was developed through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Identification Technology Program (ITP) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (FDACS-DPI), with the goal of enhancing the ability of plant inspectors and diagnosticians to identify microlepidopteran pests of Solanaceae. Many crops in this family, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, are economically important in Florida and the Gulf Coast Region, which is Tool's geographic focus. These crops are susceptible to certain complexes of native and invasive pests that are adapted to feed on the family. The ID Tool is the first resource to bring together 24 species in two specific groups of microlepidoptera – Gelechioidea (11 species of Gnorimoschemini (Gelechiidae)) and Pyraloidea (13 species of the Leucinodes group of Spilomelinae (Crambidae)) - which represent the largest radiations of microlepidopterans feeding on Solanaceae. Of 24 species, there are three Western United States species, in particular, that could be confused easily with other native and invasive pest species. The website includes an interactive identification key, fact sheets, descriptions, images of adults and genitalia, and an illustrated glossary of terms. The core of the Tool is a matrix-based digital key developed using the Lucid software. Details of the use of the key with Lucid3 Player and others will be presented.