The first case of gynandromorphism in Enolmis (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Scythrididae)

Gynandromorphism (i.e. organisms with both male and female characteristics) is a rare and interesting phenomenon that has been recorded for several taxa within Insecta, Crustacea, and Aves since the early 20th century. Recently, interest in this phenomenon has been revived, due to its potential contribution in elucidating developmental mechanisms. Gynandromorphism is relatively common in insects, including several examples in Lepidoptera (mainly, in the Macrolepidoptera). Yet, it is rare in the far less striking sexually dimorphic Microlepidoptera, mainly because it is harder to use external features to recognize gynandromorphs in this taxon. Here, we describe the first known case of gynandromorphism in Scythrididae, belonging to the Enolmis genus. Enolmis species have light coloured external features, asymmetrical male genitalia, and developed henia in females. The different parts of male and female genitalia present in the Enolmis gynandromorph individual are described here.