Hesperolyra robinsoni Stonis

Stonis, Jonas R., Remeikis, Andrius, Diškus, Arūnas & Megoran, Nick, 2017, New species of leaf-mining Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) from the Neotropical and Ando-Patagonian regions, with new data on host plants, Zootaxa 4272 (1), pp. 1-39 : 34

Hesperolyra robinsoni Stonis , sp. nov.

( Figs 1 , 126–131 )

Fomoria species 29122, in Puplesis & Robinson 2000: 44, Figs 44 , 161–163

Type material. Holotype: ♂, BELIZE, Cayo District, Chiquibul Forest Reserve , Las Cuevas, 3–16.iv. 1998, R. Puplesis & S. Hill, genitalia slide no. 29122 ( BMNH).

Diagnosis. The combination of a unique valva, phallus with remarkable set of cornuti, and a brown-black forewing with silvery markings ( Fig. 126 ) distinguishes H. robinsoni sp. nov. from all other congeneric species.

Male ( Fig. 126 ). Documented in Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 26, Fig. 44 . Forewing about 1.8 mm, wingspan about 4.2 mm. Head: palpi cream; frontal tuft pale ochre; collar ill-defined, cream; eye-caps cream; antenna unknown. Thorax and tegula brownish black. Forewing brownish black with golden gloss and little purple iridescence, and with a few silvery markings on forewing; fringe grey with some long lamellar wing scales overlapping fringe; forewing underside cream brown. Hindwing brownish cream; fringe pale brow, with no androconia. Abdomen ochre brown on upper side, ochreous cream on underside; genital segments ochreous cream, not contrasting in color with ventral surface of abdomen.

Female. Unknown.

Male genitalia ( Figs 127–131 ). Description was provided in Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 44. Capsule 310 µm long. Phallus 130–154 µm long;, 45–65 µm wide; vesica with numerous large spine-like and plate-like cornuti.

Bionomics. Adults fly in April. Otherwise biology unknown.

Distribution ( Fig. 1 ). This species occurs in tropical forests of Belize.

Etymology. The species is named after the late Gaden S. Robinson, an outstanding taxonomist, co-author of the first review of the Neotropical Nepticulidae , our former colleague and dear friend.

Remarks. This new species was discovered by J. R. Stonis (formerly R. Puplesis) and G. S. Robinson, but left unnamed and documented as Fomoria species 29122 in Puplesis & Robinson 2000: 44.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Distribution map to the species treated in the current paper.

FIGURES 126 – 131. Holotype of Hesperolyra robinsoni Stonis, sp. nov. 126, male adult, holotype (idealized); 127 – 129, male genitalia, capsule with phallus removed, genitalia slide no. 29122 (BMNH); 130, 131, same, phallus.

FIGURES 44 – 48. Stigmella unicaudata Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. 44, female genitalia, paratype, slide no. RA 314; 45, same, slide no. RA 313; 46 – 48, leaf-mines on Azara microphylla Hook. f. (Salicaceae) (ZMUC).