Stigmella alticosma Remeikis & Stonis, 2016

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 : 11-12

2. Stigmella alticosma Remeikis & Stonis, 2016

( Figs 1, 4 , 33 , 37 )

Stigmella alticosma Remeikis & Stonis ; in Stonis et al. 2016d: 63 .

Material examined. Holotype: 1 ♂, PERU, Dept. Lima, 10 km N of Oyón, Quabrada Quichas, Pueblo Quichas , 10°34'17"S, 76°46'03"W, elevation ca. 4000 m, 24–26.ii.1987, O. Karsholt, genitalia slide no. Diškus 188♂ ( ZMUC) .

Diagnosis. Belongs to the Stigmella schoorli group. The combination of a golden shining base of forewing and unequally developed horn-like cornuti (rate: 1:1.9; the longer cornutus 1.5 times exceeds the width of phallus) distinguishes S. alticosma from the most resembling members of the group ( S. epicosma and S. paracosma sp. nov.). From similar S. schoorli and S. hamata , S. alticosma may be easily distinguished by the shiny median fascia of forewing and rounded inner lobe of valva.

Forewing dark brown with golden gloss and purple iridescence, with two silvery shining fasciae (median and apical) and (concolorous with thorax). The combination of: forewing possesing two silvery shining fasciae and shiny golden base, deeply divided uncus, specific set of two large but unequal horn-like cornuti in male genitalia (with cornuti ratio 1:2) distinguishes S. alticosma sp. nov. from all other Stigmella species.

Male ( Fig. 33 ). Described in Stonis et al. 2016d: 63, figs 174, 175. Wingspan: about 5.0 mm.

Female. Unknown.

Male genitalia. Illustrated in Stonis et al. 2016d: 63, figs 177–179.

Bionomics. Adults fly in February. Otherwise biology unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ). This species occurs in the high Peruvian Andes ( Peru: Lima Departamento) at altitudes about 4000 m ( Fig. 4 ).

Figures

FIGURE 33. 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.