Stigmella rudis Puplesis & Robinson, 2000

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 : 19

Stigmella rudis Puplesis & Robinson, 2000

( Figs 1 , 68–77 )

Material examined. 7 ♂, ARGENTINA, Río Negro Province, San Carlos de Bariloche, Colonia Suiza , elevation ca. 810 m, 13.x.1981 – 7.i.1982, Nielsen & Karsholt / Mision Cientifica Danesa, genitalia slide RA325♂ RA333♂, RA344♂, RA349♂, RA357♂, RA514♂ (ZMUC); 32 ♂, 1 ♀, Neuquen Province, San Martin de los Andes , elevation ca. 640 m, 5.x–26.xi.1981, Nielsen & Karsholt, genitalia slide RA 277♂, RA 342♂, RA 366♂, RA 388♂, RA 518♂, RA 530♂, RA 531♀, RA 536♂, RA 641♂ ( ZMUC) ; 1 ♂, same locality, 15–20.x.1979, M. O. Gentili, genitalia slide no. RA 535♂ ( USNM) ; 7♂, Lágo Lacar, Pucará , elevation ca. 750 m, 25.xi–20.xii.1978, Mision Cientifica Danesa, slide RA 374♂, RA 382♂, RA 389♂, RA 519♂ ; 1 ♂, same locality, 27.xii.1981, caught around Colletia spinosissima J. F. Gmel., Nielsen & Karsholt , genitalia slide no. RA 331♂ ; 16♂, 1♀, 5 km E of Hua-Hum , elevation ca. 640 m, 14.xi–27.xii.1981, Nielseni & Karsholt, genitalia slide RA 515♂, RA 529♂, RA 533♀ ( ZMUC) ; 10 ♂, 1 ♀, Chubut Province, El Bolson, Lago Puelo , elevation ca. 220–250 m, 17.xi–21.xii.1978 and 22– 23.x.1981, Nielsen & Karsholt / Mision Cientifica Danesa, genitalia slide RA 353♂, RA 510♀ ( ZMUC) ; 2 ♂, CHILE, Osorno Province, Parque National Puyehue, Aguas Calientes , elevation 450 m, 10–13.xii.1981, Nielsen & Karsholt, genitalia slide no. RA 383♂ ( ZMUC) .

Diagnosis. Belongs to Stigmella salicis group. The combination of a large speckled forewing, long stout processes of the gnathos, valva with two apical processes, and an unique set of cornuti in the phallus distinguishes S. rudis Puplesis & Robinson from all other Stigmella , including species of the S. salicis group (see Discussion).

Male ( Fig. 68 ). Described in Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 26. Forewing length 2.9–3.8 mm; wingspan 6.6–8.3 mm.

Female. Similar to male.

Male genitalia ( Figs 69–74 ). Described in Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 26. Capsule longer (300–305 µm) than wide (225–235 µm). Valva 195–205 µm long, 90–100 µm wide. Phallus ( Figs 71, 73, 74 ) 245–265 µm long, 75– 100 µm wide; vesica with 5 wide spine-like cornuti ( Figs 71, 73, 74 ) and an unique cluster of slender spine-like cornuti ( Figs 69, 70, 72 ) (see Discussion).

Female genitalia ( Figs 75–77 ). Described in Puplesis & Robinson, 2000: 26.

Bionomics. Some adults have been collected by O. Karsholt around Colletia spinosissima J. F. Gmel. , Rhamnaceae , therefore, we and Karsholt assume that Colletia is possibly the host-plant of S. rudis . No leaf-mines were collected or documented. Adults fly from October to December.

Distribution ( Figs 1 ). This species occurs in the southern Andes ( Argentina and Chile) at altitudes around 200– 800 m.

Figures

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

FIGURES 68 – 77. Stigmella rudis Puplesis & Robinson, 2000. 68, male adult; 69, 70, male genitalia, cluster of cornuti; 71, same, general view; 72, same, cluster of cornuti; 73, 74, same, phallus; 75 – 77, female genitalia, genitalia slide no. RA 510 (ZMUC).