Heliozela pitangavora sp. nov. Moreira & Fochezato

Figs. 1–7

Type material. Holotype, pinned-dried male; LMCI 316-14; reared from leaf mine collected from a population of Eugenia uniflora L. ( Myrtaceae) at Morro Santana, Campus do Vale /UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil; 13.vi.2017; Silveira, J.L. Jr., Fisher, P.S., Carbajal, V.Q., Vargas, M., and Moreira, G. RP. legs, donated to DZUP. Adult paratypes, 3 male and 3 female paratypes: collection data as for the holotype, pinned-dried, with genitalia mounted on slides: 3 males (LMCI 316-26, -28, -29); one paratype male is donated to DZUP, one paratype male to VOB, 3 females (LMCI 316-22, -23,-24); one paratype female is donated to DZUP and one paratype female to VOB).

Immature stages examined: collection data as for the holotype, fixed in Dietrich fluid and stored in 70% ethanol: 32 larvae (LMCI 316-1, -9, -11); 7 pupae (LMCI 316-18); leaves containing mines, dried and mounted in exsicata (LMCI 316-5) . Additional seven larvae (LMCI 316-7 A-G) were fixed and preserved in 96% ethanol at -20 oC, used in DNA analyses .

Diagnosis. The new species described herein can be distinguished from almost all congeners by the presence of a single clear spot dorsally at postmedian position on the costal margin of the forewing. Notably, the hostplant, Eugenia uniflora L. has not yet been associated with other heliozelids yet. While Heliozela catoptrias Meyrick, 1897 shares a similar wing pattern, it inhabits regions of New Zealand and Australia.Additionally, the adult’s ground colour is pale grey, and larvae mine the leaves of a different myrtacean plants, likely Kunzea ericoides (A.Rich.) Joy Thomps. (for the description of the adult, see Meyrick 1897; a photograph of the adult and host plant record are available at http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/helz/catoptrias.html, accessed on December 17, 2023).

Description

Adults

Male (Figs. 1, 2). Average forewing length = 2.74 mm (n = 5). Ground colour uniform, shiny dark grey except for hind wings, which are pale light grey; a cuneiform whitish spot, dorsally on median position at costal margin of fore wings (Fig. 1). Head and thorax typical for the family (reviewed by Nieukerken & Eisman 2020). Mandibles vestigial; maxillary palpus three-segmented; labial palpus short, 3-segmented, with apical segment ca. 3× wider and longer than basal ones that are similar in size. Foretibia bearing epiphysis; middle and hind tibia with one and two pairs of spurs respectively. Forewing (Fig. 2B) broadly lanceolate; subcosta reaching the costal margin medially; radius with 3 branches, Rs 3+4 terminating on costa, near apex; Rs, M, and Cu coalescent, closing the cell and ending in four branches. A 1+2 without fork, ending medially on ventral margin. Hindwing (Fig. 2B) more slender; Sc reaching middle costa; R strait, ending at apex; M-Cu crossvein absent, discal cell open; M with 2 branches, both faded proximally; CuA ending medially on ventral margin; A 1+2 not forked, ending ca. 1/3 of ventral margin.

Genitalia male (Figs. 2A, C-E). Vinculum progressively narrowing distally, and long (ca. 2× length of valva) reaching anterior margin of the sixth abdominal segment. Tegumen narrow, medially truncate. Gnathos absent. Valvae (Fig. 2E) subtriangular, with tubular distal portion, bearing a pectinifer (pecten with ca. ten aligned, blunt sensillae). Transtilla (Fig. 2C) with subretangular, median projection. Phallus (Fig. 2C) tubular, similar in length to vinculum, narrowing progressively into the anterior portion, bearing on proximal section internally large, asymmetric projections on distal phallotrema, and fine, spineform cornuti.

Female. Similar to male regarding general morphology.

Genitalia female (Figs. 2D, E) with conspicuous, conical “oviscapt” (sensus Kristensen 2003), reaching the anterior margin of the seventh abdominal segment. Posterior apophyses similar to anterior ones in length, posteriorly fused, forming an acute, protractile, flattened ovipositor (Fig. 2G) with tip dentate and slightly furcated. Anterior apophyses narrow and long, reaching anterior margin of the fifth abdominal segment. Reproductive system typical of Monotrysia, with a single genital aperture; vestibulum slightly sclerotized; ductus and corpus bursae membranous; spermatheca small and spherical, with long and narrow associated ductus (Fig. 2F).