title: First discovery of Quercus-feeding Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) in South America, with description of new species and designation of the S. nigriverticella complex in the S. saginella group.
abstract: We describe three new species: Stigmella crassifoliae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (a leaf-miner on Quercus crassifolia and Q. crispipilis from the highlands of Guatemala), S. robleae Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov., and S. humboldti Remeikis & Stonis, sp. nov. (leaf-miners on Quercus humboldtii from the Colombian Andes). No Quercus-feeding Nepticulidae species were previously known from South America. All new species are illustrated with photographs of the leaf-mines, cocoons, adults, and genitalia. In the S. saginella species group, for the species possessing in male genitalia M-shaped gnathos with caudal processes closely juxtaposed and phallus without cornuti, a new species complex (the S. nigriverticella complex) is defined. We also provide a pictorial key to the species of the new complex.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos St. 2, Vilnius LT-08412, Lithuania Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences and Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute, Studentų St.39, Vilnius LT-08106, Lithuania.; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Andrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Remeikis
authors.affiliation: Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences and Baltic-American Biotaxonomy Institute, Studentų St.39, Vilnius LT-08106, Lithuania.; Email: stonis@leu.lt.
authors.forename: Jonas R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stonis
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size; D029963:Quercus / Q000469:parasitology; D013020:South America