Stigmella imperatoria

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 : 26

The Stigmella imperatoria group ( Stonis et al. 2016b) (species 12, 13)

Diagnostics ( Fig. 37 ): forewing very glossy. In male genitalia, phallus with specific cluster(s) of small cornuti; valva with one or two apical processes; uncus with three to four caudal papillae; gnathos with two long and slender, closely juxtaposed or separated caudal processes and medially slender plate; vinculum with large lateral lobes. Currently the group comprises of three very similar, but distinct Andean species: one from Ecuador ( S. rubiphagiella Diškus & Stonis ) and two from Peru ( S. imperatoria Puplesis & Robinson and S. polylepiella Diškus & Stonis ). Trophic relationships: two species are known to be leaf-miners on Rubus and Polylepis (Rosaceae) . It is expected that all species of the group may be Rosaceae feeders, including S. imperatoria ( Stonis et al. 2016b) . Leaf-mines combined. Cocoon inside of the leaf-mine.

Figures

FIGURE 37. Diagnostics of the central Andean Stigmella.