Stigmella azulella Diškus & Stonis, 2017

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 : 48-49

38. Stigmella azulella Diškus & Stonis , sp. nov.

( Figs 9 , 25–28 , 32 , 37 , 92–94 )

Type material. Holotype: ♂, BOLIVIA: Nor Yungas Province , Coroico, 16°11'49˝S, 67°43'07˝W, elevation 2030 m, mining larvae on leaves of an unidentified plant 25.iv.2014, ex pupa v.2014, field card no. 5164, A. Diškus, genitalia slide no. AD 666♂ ( ZMUC) .

Diagnosis. Belongs to the S. pseudodigitata species group. The combination of blue and purple scales on the forewing, closely juxtaposed caudal processes of gnathos, and specific set of cornuti distinguishes S. azulella sp. nov. from all other Stigmella species, including the most similar and probably closely related S. pseudodigitata .

Male ( Fig. 32 ). Forewing length about 2.1 mm; wingspan about 4.6 mm. Head: palpi pale ochre cream; frontal tuft dark ferruginous; collar and scape golden cream to ochre cream; antenna slightly longer than half the length of forewing; flagellum with 24–26, dark brown to grey with some golden gloss and blue iridescence. Thorax, tegula, forewing and its fringe concolorous, pale brownish grey with strong blue and little purple iridescence (on certain angle of view forewing may look ferruginous with a fuscous apical spot); underside of forewing dark grey, without spots. Hindwing and its fringe pale brownish grey on upper side and underside, with golden gloss but without spots or blue iridescence. Legs dark grey-brown on upper side, grey on underside. Abdomen fuscous grey, metallic glossy on upper side, grey on underside; anal tufts grey cream to cream; genital plates yellowish cream.

Female. Unknown.

Male genitalia ( Figs 92–94 ). Capsule longer (225 µm) than wide (155 µm). Uncus truncated ( Fig. 97 ). Gnathos with two closely juxtaposed caudal processes. Valva ( Figs 97, 98 ) 110–115 µm long, 45–50 µm wide, with very long apical process and slightly bulged inner lobe; transtilla with corners extended into very short sublateral processes ( Fig. 92 ). Vinculum with short ventral plate and pointed lateral lobes. Phallus ( Fig. 94 ) 230 µm long, 60– 75 µm wide; vesica with a specific set of cornuti comprised of one large, faceted cornutus, four wide spine-like cornuti and three long digitate cornuti.

Bionomics. Host-plant unknown (remains unidentified). Larvae mine in leaves in April. Leaf-mine as a very long and narrow gallery along the leaf margin. Cocoon orangish beige, almost round; length about 2.5 mm, width about 1.5 mm. Adults fly in May.

Distribution ( Figs 9 ). This species occurs in the Bolivian Andes ( Bolivia: Nor Yungas Departamento) at altitudes about 2030 m ( Figs 25–28 ).

Etymology. The species name is derived from Spanish azul (blue) in reference to the numerous distinctive blue and purple scales on the male forewing.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Adults of the central Andean Nepticulidae.

FIGURE 37. Diagnostics of the central Andean Stigmella.

FIGURES 9 – 11. Distribution of the central Andean Nepticulidae. 9, species recorded at altitudes below 3700 m; 10, 11, some collecting areas in Peru. * — Stigmella epicosma Meyrick is also known from Arica Province, northern Chile (Vargas 2011); ** – S. inca sp. nov. is also discovered in southern Ecuador.

FIGURES 19 – 28. Distribution of some central Andean Nepticulidae. 19 – 28, habitats, Bolivia.

FIGURES 92 – 94. Male genitalia of Stigmella azulella Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. 92, 93, capsule, holotype, genitalia slide no. AD 666; 94, same, phallus (ZMUC).

FIGURES 97 – 98. Male genitalia of Acalyptris murex Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov., holotype, genitalia slide no. AD 850 (ZMUC). 97, details of capsule; 98, phallus.