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Type: Article
Published: 2015-12-11
Page range: 409–429
Abstract views: 48
PDF downloaded: 2

First discovery of Quercus-feeding Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) in South America, with description of new species and designation of the S. nigriverticella complex in the S. saginella group

Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos St. 2, Vilnius LT-08412, Lithuania Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences and Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute, Studentų St.39, Vilnius LT-08106, Lithuania.
Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences and Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute, Studentų St.39, Vilnius LT-08106, Lithuania.
Lepidoptera Colombia Guatemala leaf-mines Nepticulidae new species Quercus humboldtii Stigmella

Abstract

We describe three new species: Stigmella crassifoliae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (a leaf-miner on Quercus crassifolia and Q. crispipilis from the highlands of Guatemala), S. robleae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., and S. humboldti Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (leaf-miners on Quercus humboldtii from the Colombian Andes). No Quercus-feeding Nepticulidae species were previously known from South America. All new species are illustrated with photographs of the leaf-mines, cocoons, adults, and genitalia. In the S. saginella species group, for the species possessing in male genitalia M-shaped gnathos with caudal processes closely juxtaposed and phallus without cornuti, a new species complex (the S. nigriverticella complex) is defined. We also provide a pictorial key to the species of the new complex.