Stigmella imperatoria Puplesis & Robinson, 2000

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 : 28

12. Stigmella imperatoria Puplesis & Robinson, 2000

( Figs 1 , 32 , 37 )

Stigmella imperatoria Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 30 –31, figs 23, 113–116.

Stigmella imperatoria Puplesis & Robinson, in Stonis et al. 2016d: 49 –51, figs 18, 27, 128–132.

Material examined. 3 ♂ (holotype and paratypes), PERU, Dept. Ancash, 35 km SE of Huaraz, Cerro Cahuish, Quabrada Pucavado , 4100 m, 15–18.ii.1987, O. Karsholt, genitalia slide nos Diškus 195 (holotype), Diškus 196 (paratype) ( ZMUC).

Diagnosis. This relatively large species differs from other Stigmella species, including the Andean species, in the long and narrow uncus, gnathos and phallus, and also by bulged inner lobe of valva and the copper-gold lustre of forewing. The configuration of the cornuti in the phallus is highly diagnostic.

Male ( Fig. 32 ). Described in Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 30–31. Forewing length: 4.1–4.3 mm; wingspan: 9.0– 9.6 mm.

Female. Unknown.

Male genitalia. Illustrated in Stonis et al. 2016d: figs 130–132.

Bionomics. Adults fly in February. Otherwise unknown. As all other members of the same S. imperatoria species group, we expect it will be found to be a Rosaceae leaf-miner ( Stonis et al. 2016b), with cocoons spined inside of mines.

Distribution ( Figs 1 ). This species occurs in the high Peruvian Andes ( Peru: Ancash Departamento) at altitudes about 4100 m.

Figures

FIGURE 32. Adults of the central Andean Nepticulidae.

FIGURE 37. Diagnostics of the central Andean Stigmella.

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.