Subspecies limits and hidden <i>Wolbachia</i> diversity in <i>Actinote pellenea</i> butterflies

Actinote pellenea is the most widespread species within genus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Acraeini). The has several generations per year (multivoltine) and also diversified, with 18 formally recognized subspecies, of them morphologically distinct geographically segregated. In present study we investigated lineage limits 12 subspecies A. using sequences one mitochondrial (COI) nuclear gene (EF-1 α) to test if nominal geographic lineages are recovered as genetically differentiated. We surveyed for presence Wolbachia in all field-collected individuals characterized these bacteria wsp gatB. analysis COI alignment failed recover monophyletic only clade composed diaguita from Tucumán, Argentina coastal Atlantic Forest states São Paulo Bahia, Brazil, was differentiated a separate lineage. found Wolbachia-infection frequency 68%, both males females, propose that endosymbionts may explain why delimit groups. showed first time butterflies have an intermediate prevalence infection. However, aspects this infection still unknown concluded open questions relative interaction between butterflies.