RESUMEN
Our investigation centered on the tropical dry forests along the Pacific coast of Honduras, aiming to elucidate the presence and abundance of minuscule grey moths during the dry season. Through specimen dissections and the taxonomic identification of the collected material, we have described three new species: Acalyptris podenasi sp. nov., A. palpiformis sp. nov., and A. tortoris sp. nov. Additionally, we documented two species previously known from neighboring countries, A. lascuevella Puplesis & Robinson and A. basicornis Remeikis & Stonis. The females of A. lascuevella were previously unknown and are documented here for the first time. Morphological examinations were complemented by DNA barcoding, particularly highlighting variation in A. lascuevella. The paper's primary significance lies not only in the description of new species but also in uncovering their taxonomic, morphological, and molecular importance. We found that these species are unique and indicative of the previously unstudied dry forests as a distinct ecosystem. Our findings revealed several novel atypical morphological traits within the studied Nepticulidae, including unusually large signum cells in the female genitalia, a dorso-ventrally divided uncus, and asymmetrical valvae in the male genitalia. These discoveries underscore the morphological diversity of Acalyptris Meyrick and their significance in evolutionary biology. Consequently, the paper addresses a previously unknown phenomenon of the occurrence and astonishing abundance of minuscule plant-mining micromoths in dry deciduous forests during the peak of the dry season. We hope that this paper will encourage Lepidoptera taxonomists to explore micromoths in other tropical dry forests, which, while limited in distribution, hold global importance. The paper is extensively illustrated with photographs of Acalyptris adults and their genitalia, along with maps, habitats, and molecular phylogenetic trees.
RESUMEN
We describe seven new Neotropical species of Tischeriidae: Astrotischeria dondavisi Stonis Diskus, sp. nov., A. bacchariphaga Diskus Stonis, sp. nov., A. guatemalica Diskus Stonis, sp. nov., A. sanjosei Stonis Diskus, sp. nov., A. truncata Diskus Stonis, sp. nov., Coptotriche parvisacculata Diskus Stonis, sp. nov. and C. carmencita Stonis Diskus, sp. nov. We report the discovery of Coptotriche Walsingham in South America and provide the following new host-plant records for the Neotropical Tischeriidae: Terminalia australis Cambess. (Combretaceae), Baccharis latifolia (Ruiz Pav.) Pers., and B. emarginata (Ruiz Pav.) Pers. (Asteraceae). We update the biology of Astrotischeria ochrimaculosa Diskus, Stonis Vargas with the discovery that Wissadula (Malvaceae) is a new, verified host plant. The new species are illustrated with photographs of the adults, male and, if available, female genitalia, and the leaf mines. We expect broader distributions of tisheriid species in South America inferred from known host-plant distributions.
Asunto(s)
Baccharis , Lepidópteros , Malvaceae , Mariposas Nocturnas , Animales , Femenino , Masculino , Hojas de la Planta , América del SurRESUMEN
The genus Simplimorpha Scoble is recognized for the first time from South America. We describe a subgenus, Myrtinepticula Stonis Diskus, subgen. nov., for three new species from the southern Andes (Chile and Argentina): Simplimorpha (Myrtinepticula) cercaria Diskus Stonis, sp. nov., S. (M.) nielseni Remeikis Stonis, sp. nov., S. (M.) sapphirella Remeikis Stonis, sp. nov.; and one new species from the southwestern Amazon (Peru): S. (M.) kailai Stonis, sp. nov. We provide a pictorial differentiation scheme for Simplimorpha Scoble and Pectinivalva Scoble. We synonymize the recently erected, predominantly Australian Menurella Hoare, syn. nov. and Cosanovula Hoare, syn. nov. with Pectinivalva Scoble. We also revise the taxonomic status of the Australian Roscidotoga Hoare as a subgenus of Simplimorpha which now exhibits a Gondwanan distribution in the Southern Hemisphere, with the presence of a single species in the Mediterranean. All new taxa are illustrated with photographs of the adults and the genitalia; the leaf mines of Simplimorpha (Myrtinepticula) nielseni sp. nov. are also provided.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Nocturnas , Animales , Argentina , Australia , Chile , PerúRESUMEN
In addition to numerous new species that can be placed to genera, our recent study of a large collection sample of Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) from Central and South America revealed a few odd-looking new species, the taxonomic position of which seems rather problematic and, therefore, preliminary. Here we describe three new species of pygmy moths (Nepticulidae) from the Amazonian rainforest (Venezuela) and southern Andes (Chile and Argentina) possessing uncommon morphology. We also provide the first photographic documentation of the Central American Acalyptris argentosa (Puplesis Robinson, 2000) with rather odd and hitherto unknown hindwing scaling. All species treated in the paper are extensively illustrated with drawings and (or) photographs of the adults and genitalia.
Asunto(s)
Lepidópteros , Animales , Argentina , Chile , Mariposas Nocturnas , Bosque Lluvioso , Estados Unidos , VenezuelaRESUMEN
We provide diagnostic characters for the genus Glaucolepis Braun, re-examine the type series of the type species of the North American G. saccharella Braun, describe two new species from Chile and Argentina (G. flagellata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. and G. pseudoflagellata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.), and provide the first photographic documentation of the central Andean G. aerifica (Meyrick). We synonymize Neotrifurcula van Nieukerken, 2016, syn. nov. with Glaucolepis and provide one new combination for the south Andean G. gielisorum (van Nieukerken, 2016), comb. nov. All species treated in the paper are illustrated with drawings and (or) photographs of the adults and genitalia.
Asunto(s)
Lepidópteros , Distribución Animal , Animales , Argentina , Chile , Genitales , Mariposas Nocturnas , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
We provide a report on Nepticulidae feeding on Lamiaceae plants in South America and describe two new species from the Andes: Stigmella lamiacifoliae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., feeding on Salvia palifolia in Colombia, and S. scutellariae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., feeding on Scutellaria volubilis in Ecuador. The leaf mines, adults, genitalia, and habitats of the new species are illustrated.
Asunto(s)
Lepidópteros , Animales , Colombia , Ecuador , Lamiaceae , Mariposas Nocturnas , América del SurRESUMEN
We review forty-five species of Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) based on an analysis of samples collected in the central Andean region of Peru and Bolivia. Thirteen of these species are new to science, and are named and described here: Stigmella paracosma Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. expressa Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. acalyphae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. lepida Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. misera Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. inca Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. eiffeli Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. arequipica Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. coronaria Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. azulella Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. sparsella Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., Manoneura forcipis Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., and Acalyptris murex Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. Some of the central Andean species are recorded here as leaf-miners on Euphorbiaceae (Acalypha), Fabaceae (Collaea), Rosaceae (Polylepis), Malvaceae (Sida), Calceolariaceae (Calceolaria), Lamiaceae (Clinopodium), and Asteraceae (Ageratina and Trixis). We create eleven new species groups based on morphological characters designated in Stigmella and one in Acalyptris. A pictorial key to the species groups and distribution maps are provided. All new species are illustrated with 150 photographs and drawings of the adults and genitalia, and, where known and/or available, photographs of host-plants and leaf-mines.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Nocturnas , Animales , Bolivia , Perú , Hojas de la PlantaRESUMEN
The paper treats fifteen species of leaf-mining pygmy moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae) discovered in the Neotropics (British Virgin Islands, Belize, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Ecuador), and Ando-Patagonian region (Argentina and Chile). Except for two species, all belong to Stigmella Schrank. Twelve species are new, and are named and described in the current paper: Stigmella apicibrunella Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. decora Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. unicaudata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. sanmartini Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. patula Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. torosa Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. monstrata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. huahumi Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. venezuelica Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. virginica Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; Fomoria miranda Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; and Hesperolyra robinsoni Stonis, sp. n. Newly discovered variation of male genitalia of the Andean Stigmella rudis Puplesis & Robinson, 2000 is briefly discussed, and the formerly poorly understood Stigmella hylomaga (Meyrick, 1931) is redescribed and documented with photographs for the first time. We also present more photographs and add some addtional information on Stigmella gallicola van Nieukerken & Nishida, a recently described gall-maker from Costa Rica.The paper also provides new host-plant data: some of the described (or redescribed) species are reported for the first time as leaf-miners on plants belonging to Euphorbiaceae (Acalypha padifolia Kunth), Salicaceae (Azara microphylla Hook. f.), Fabaceae (Inga spectabilis (Vahl) Willd. or I. edulis Mart.), Rhamnaceae (Colletia spinosissima J. F. Gmel.), Geraniaceae or Vivianiaceae (Rhynchotheca spinosa Ruiz & Pav.), and Asteraceae (Mutisia decurrens Cav.). All species treated in the paper are illustrated with photographs of the adults and genitalia, a distribution map, and also photographs of the leaf-mines and host plants when available.
Asunto(s)
Lepidópteros , Animales , Argentina , Belice , Chile , Costa Rica , Ecuador , Masculino , Plantas , VenezuelaRESUMEN
On the basis of morphological studies of collection samples from the Andes (Ecuador, Peru and Argentina), we describe five new species of Stigmella Schrank (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae): S. varispinella Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. (Ecuador), S. olekarsholti Remeikis Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. magnispinella Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (Peru), S. dolia Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., and S. patagonica Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (Argentina). All treated taxa belong to the newly designated S. magnispinella group. Images of adults and genitalia, pictorial keys, a distribution map, and photographs of the leaf-mines of S. olekarsholti are included.
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Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Animales , Argentina , Ecuador , Femenino , Geografía , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histologíaRESUMEN
The monograph treats 29 species of leaf-mining pygmy moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae) discovered in the northern Andean bush and grass páramo and the central Andean puna at altitudes above 3700 m. They represent the world's highest-altitudinal Nepticulidae fauna known. The height record belongs to Stigmella nivea sp. nov. from Peru collected at an elevation of 4700 m. Except for one species, all belong to Stigmella Schrank. Twenty-two of the species recorded are new and are named and described in the current paper: Stigmella paramica Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. lachemillae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. gynoxyphaga Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. calceolariae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. rigida Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. altiplanica Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. robusta Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. pseudorobusta Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. auriargentata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. altimontana Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. pandora Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. ampla Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. evanida Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. mustelina Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. angusta Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. alticosma Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. nivea Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. kristenseni Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. lobata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. ageratinae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; S. clinopodiella Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.; and S. calceolarifoliae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. Some of these species are leaf-miners on Asteraceae (Pentacalia, Baccharis, Gynoxys, and Ageratina plants), Calceolariaceae (Calceolaria), Lamiaceae (Clinopodium), and Rosaceae (Lachemilla). Twenty species are known only from adults with no data on their biology and host-plants. In addition, we present data and discuss recently discovered nepticulid taxa associated with Polylepis forests that is the natural vegetation in much of the High Andes. All High-Andean Stigmella species treated are illustrated with photographs of the adults and genitalia, distribution maps, including some with photographs of the leaf-mines and habitats.
Asunto(s)
Altitud , Ecosistema , Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Animales , Femenino , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , América del SurRESUMEN
Despite taxonomic and conservation interest in the Chilean endemic plant genus Podanthus Lag. (Asteraceae: subfamily Asteroideae, tribe Heliantheae), no Podanthus-feeding Nepticulidae or Tischeriidae have ever been recorded. Here, on the basis of material reared from Podanthus from central Mediterranean Chile, we present the description of Stigmella podanthae sp. nov. (Nepticulidae) and a re-description of Astrotischeria chilei Puplesis & Diskus, 2003. Females and host-plant of the latter species were previously unknown. Both treated species are illustrated with numerous photographs of the leaf-mines, adults of both sexes, and male and female genitalia.
Asunto(s)
Asteraceae/parasitología , Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Enfermedades de las Plantas/parasitología , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Femenino , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Nocturnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Tamaño de los Órganos , Hojas de la Planta/parasitologíaRESUMEN
We record the first Nepticulidae species found to feed on Baccharis L. (Asteraceae). Despite the high species richness of Baccharis in the Western Hemisphere, no nepticulid has ever been recorded feeding on Baccharis. In this paper we describe six new Stigmella Schrank species feeding on Baccharis: S. emarginatae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. bipartita Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. tripartita Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. latifoliae Remeikis, Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. baccharicola Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., and S. confertae Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. The remaining two taxa are left unnamed. All taxa are illustrated with photographs of adults, their genitalia, and their leaf-mines. Additionally, leaf-mines on Baccharis salicifolia are documented.
Asunto(s)
Baccharis/parasitología , Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Ecosistema , Femenino , Especificidad del Huésped , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Nocturnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Mariposas Nocturnas/fisiología , Tamaño de los Órganos , Hojas de la Planta/parasitología , América del SurRESUMEN
On the basis of morphological studies of a collection sample from the southern Andes of Argentina and Chile, we describe and name two new species of Stigmella Schrank (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae): S. sinuosa Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. and S. mevia Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. Other two new species are documented but left unnamed. All treated taxa belong to a newly designated S. sinuosa complex that belongs to the S. salicis group. The S. sinuosa complex contains cryptic species. We also discuss the differentiation of the species of the complex by using morphological characters.
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Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Argentina , Tamaño Corporal , Chile , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Nocturnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Tamaño de los ÓrganosRESUMEN
In this paper we describe three new species of Acalyptris Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae): Acalyptris nigrisignum Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. from the Country of Curaçao (formerly the Netherlands Antilles), A. trigonijuxtus Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. from British Virgin Islands, and A. dominicanus Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. from Dominica. A pictorial key is provided for two newly established species complexes: bicornutus and tenuijuxtus. The newly described species are illustrated with photographs of the adults and the genitalia.
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Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Región del Caribe , Dominica , Ecosistema , Femenino , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Nocturnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Tamaño de los ÓrganosRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Distribución Animal , Estructuras Animales/anatomía & histología , Estructuras Animales/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Tamaño Corporal , Conducta Alimentaria , Femenino , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , Mariposas Nocturnas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Mariposas Nocturnas/fisiología , Tamaño de los Órganos , Quercus/parasitología , América del SurRESUMEN
Ten new Stigmella Schrank species are described: Stigmella purpurimaculae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. cana Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. truncata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. sceptra Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. concreta Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. pseudoconcreta Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. quadrata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (all belonging to the newly designated S. purpurimaculae group), and S. semilactea Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. brutea Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. pseudodigitata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (not attributed to a species group) are described from the Andes (Patagonia: Argentina and Chile). For the species of the purpurimaculae group, a partial reduction of phallus, dentate cornuti, and strong development of utriculus (which can be equal or longer of the corpus bursae) are characteristic. Some of the species of the purpurimaculae group were collected near Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser, Nothofagaceae, but there is still no confirmation that Nothofagus is a host-plant. All new Stigmella species are illustrated with photographs and drawings of the adults and genitalia.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Nocturnas/clasificación , Animales , Argentina , Chile , Ecosistema , Femenino , Genitales/anatomía & histología , Masculino , Mariposas Nocturnas/anatomía & histología , Alas de Animales/anatomía & histologíaRESUMEN
Despite the high taxonomic diversity of oaks in Mexico and Central America, no Quercus feeding Nepticulidae have ever been recorded from the region. Here, we present seven species whose larvae are leaf-miners of Quercus (section Lobatae) in Guatemala. Except Stigmella nigriverticella (Chambers 1875), which was previously known from the United States, all other discovered species are new. We describe and name five new species (Stigmella jaguari Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. lauta Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., S. sublauta Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., S. aurifasciata Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. and S. guatemalensis Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov.); the remaining new species is described but left unnamed because of lack of adults (i. e. moths and genitalia are described from developed pupae). All seven treated species are illustrated with photographs of the leaf-mines, adults, and genitalia.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Nocturnas , Animales , América Central , Larva , QuercusRESUMEN
This paper describes four new species: Acalyptris basicornis Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., A. peteni Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov., A. caribbicus Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. (host-plant: Lantana involucrata L., Verbenaceae), and A. statuarius Diskus & Stonis, sp. nov. Another species, Stigmella pruinosa Puplesis & Robinson, is re-described, with new distribution records in Guatemala and with the first documentation of leaf-mines on Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Malvaceae). All five species are illustrated with photographs of the leaf-mines, adults, and genitalia.
Asunto(s)
Mariposas Nocturnas , Distribución Animal , Animales , Belice , Tamaño Corporal , Genitales , GuatemalaRESUMEN
Thirty-eight species of Nepticulidae are known from the Yucatán Peninsula and adjacent areas (mainland Mexico and Be-lize). This paper describes two new species: Stigmella maya Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (a leaf-miner of Karwinskia hum-boldtiana, Rhamnaceae), and Acalyptris yucatani Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (a leaf-miner of Schinus sp., Anacardiaceae). S. maya is among the smallest Lepidoptera in the world. In its male genitalia S. maya resembles a sizeable group of undescribed species occurring in the Andes (Patagonia: Argentina). The adults of both new species are illustrated with photographs of adults, genitalia and leaf-mines.