Pectinivalva Scoble

Hoare, Robert J. B. & Nieukerken, Erik J. van, 2013, Phylogeny and host-plant relationships of the Australian Myrtaceae leafmining moth genus Pectinivalva (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae), with new subgenera and species, ZooKeys 278, pp. 1-64 : 17-18

Genus Pectinivalva Scoble

Pectinivalva Scoble, 1983: 12.

Type species.

Pectinivalva commoni Scoble, 1983, by original designation.

A large and diverse genus, here subdivided into three subgenera on the basis of the phylogenetic reconstruction presented above. The following overview of the morphology of the genus should be taken in conjunction with the more detailed descriptions of the subgenera given below. Because of the great number of species in the genus, a complete revision is impractical at present. Species have been selected for description in order to represent the range of host-plants, morphology and distribution so far known in Pectinivalva .

Description.

Adults. Head capsule (Figs 19-27): labial palpi 2- or 3-segmented. Underside of forewing and upperside of hindwing often with androconial scales in male. Costal bristles of male hindwing absent or replaced by lamellate scales. Legs: fore-tibia of male sometimes thickened with specialized scales. Upperside of abdomen sometimes with androconial scales in male. Anterior edge of T2 weakly sclerotized medially.

Male genitalia (Figs 39, 40, 42-72). Anterior extension of vinculum usually rather short. Lateral arms of vinculum occasionally more or less forked apically. Uncus hood-like, dorsally with a pair of well-defined tufts of strong setae. Gnathos present, 1 central element. Valva (Figs 40, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) rounded, squarish or triangular, usually with well-developed pectinifer along distal edge. Transverse bar of transtilla usually absent. Juxta in the form of 2 elongate sclerotized flaps connecting bases of valvae with apex of aedeagus. Aedeagus very variable (see subfamily description).

Female genitalia (Figs 73-103). S8 usually very broad and squared off. Vestibulum usually with a pair of lateral sclerites associated with apophyses anteriores. Corpus bursae well sclerotized, without diverticulum, usually with single signum.

Larva. Head (Figs 104-108): antennae 2- or 3-segmented; posterior lobes usually not continuously sclerotized caudally. Chaetotaxy (Figs 115, 116): see subgeneric descriptions.

Pupa. As described for subfamily.

Biology.

Most known larvae leaf-miners on Myrtaceae , with one species on Paracryphiaceae ( Quintinia A. DC.).

Diagnosis.

Distinguished from Roscidotoga , the only other known genus of Pectinivalvinae , externally by the forewing pattern (without silver streak from mid-costa or suffusion of metallic scales towards apex); in the male genitalia by the presence of a gnathos and a well-sclerotized uncus with strong tufts of setae; and in the female genitalia by the simple (unexpanded) apophyses anteriores and the well-sclerotized corpus bursae, which lacks a diverticulum.

Distribution.

Australia (known from all states and territories), Borneo (a single species, Pectinivalva xenadelpha , described below).