Stigmella ageratinae Diskus & Stonis 2016

35. Stigmella ageratinae Diškus & Stonis, 2016

(Figs 1, 19–24, 35, 37, 136–138)

Stigmella ageratinae Diškus & Stonis, in Stonis et al. 2016d: 75 –79, figs 213–229.

Material examined. 1 ♂ (paratype, from mature pupa), 1 ♀ (holotype), BOLIVIA, Copacabana (southern shore of Lake Titicaca), 16°09'42"S, 69°05'19"W, elevation 3930 m, mining larvae on Ageratina pentlandiana (DC.) R.M. King & H. Rob., 28.iv.2014, ex pupa v.2014, field card no. 5171, A. Diškus, genitalia slide nos AD 595♂ (paratype), AD 596♀ (holotype) (ZMUC).

Diagnosis. Belongs to the S. nivea species group. The combination of golden cream forewing with fuscous markings, bilobed uncus, closely juxtaposed processes of gnathos, and specific set of large horn-like cornuti distinguishes S. ageratinae from all other Stigmella species, including the members of the nivea species group. The host-plant Ageratina pentlandiana (Asteraceae) also makes this species highly distinctive.

Male. Similar to female; known only from mature pupa (Stonis et al. 2016d).

Female (Fig. 35). Described in Stonis et al. 2016d: 75, figs 213, 214. Forewing length about 2.4 mm; wingspan 5.5–5.6 mm.

Male genitalia. Illustrated in Stonis et al. 2016d: figs 215–220.

Female genitalia. Illustrated in Stonis et al. 2016d: figs 221–223.

Bionomics (Figs 136–138). Larva mines in leaves of Ageratina pentlandiana (DC.) R.M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae) (Fig. 136). Larva pale yellow with indistinct intestine and dark brown head; mine in April. Leaf-mine as a gallery strongly contorted in distal third (therefore resembling a blotch) (Figs 137, 138). Black-brown to black frass gathered into a wide central line with wide margins of the gallery remaining unfilled. Larval exit slit on upper side of the leaf. Cocoon beige to pale beige; length 2.5–2.7 mm, maximum width 1.5–1.6 mm.

Distribution (Figs 1, 22). This species occurs in the Altiplano of the Bolivian Andes (Bolivia: southern shore of Lake Titicaca) at altitudes about 3930 m (Figs 19–24).