Glaucolepis aerifica ( Meyrick, 1915 )

Stonis, Jonas R., Diškus, Arūnas, Remeikis, Andrius, Karsholt, Ole & Torres, Nixon Cumbicus, 2017, Illustrated review of the leaf-mining Nepticulidae of the central Andes (Peru and Bolivia), Zootaxa 4257 (1), pp. 1-70 : 60-61

45. Glaucolepis aerifica ( Meyrick, 1915)

( Figs 1 , 33 , 99 )

Nepticula aerifica Meyrick, 1915: 255 .

Stigmella aerifica (Meyrick) , in Davis, 1984: 18.

Glaucolepis aerifica ( Meyrick, 1915) , in Puplesis & Robinson 2000: 56 –57, Figs 59 , 203, 204, 222. Glaucolepis aerifica ( Meyrick, 1915) , in Stonis et al. 2016d: 66 , 67.

Material examined. 1 ♂ (lectotype, designated by Puplesis & Robinson, 2000), 1 ♀ (paralectotype), PERU, La Oroya, 3720 m, vii.1914, Parish, genitalia slide nos 28965 (lectotype), 28966 (paralectotype) ( BMNH) .

Diagnosis. The species' taxonomic position still remains unknown. This species differs from other known nepticulids by the combination of a distinct postmedian forewing fascia, wide and bilobed juxta, wide gnathos and unique morphology of the phallus.

Male ( Fig. 33 ). Re-described in Stonis et al. 2016d: 66.

Male genitalia ( Fig. 99 ).

Bionomics. Adults fly in July. Otherwise biology unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ). This species occurs on the Altiplano in the Peruvian Andes ( Peru: Yauli Departamento) at altitudes about 3720 m.

Remarks. This is an outstanding species, whose taxonomic position remains uncertain (Stonis et al. in prep.). The wing venation of this species was studied neither by Puplesis & Robinson (2000) nor us, in order to preserve the already badly damaged lectotype. The head is on a pin and shows a rubbed frontal tuft and indistinct collar; the thorax and wings are pinned separately in a gelatin capsule; the scaling of thorax and wings is well preserved; but damage to the thorax precludes repinning ( Stonis et al. 2016d: 67).

Figures

FIGURE 33. Adults of the central Andean Nepticulidae.

FIGURE 99. Details of male genitalia of Glaucolepis aerifica (Meyrick, 1915), lectotype, slide no. 28965 (BMNH).

FIGURES 1 – 8. Distribution of the central Andean Nepticulidae. 1, high-Andean species recorded at altitudes above 3700 m (after Stonis et al. 2016 d); 2, species recorded at altitudes below 3700 m; 3 – 8, some collecting areas in the Peruvian Andes.

FIGURES 55 – 60. Male genitalia of Stigmella lepida Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., holotype, genitalia slide no. AD 724 (ZMUC); 55, 56, phallus; 57 – 59, capsule with phallus removed; 60, valva.