Stigmella molinensis van Nieukerken & Snyers 2016

42. Stigmella molinensis van Nieukerken & Snyers, 2016

Stigmella molinensis van Nieukerken & Snyers, in van Nieukerken et al. 2016b: 22 –26. (Figs 2, 9)

Diagnosis. The combination of a dark speckled forewing, phallus with numerous but tiny cornuti, and valva with one long apical process in the male genitalia distinguishes S. molinensis from all other American Stigmella species. The host-plant Salix humboldtiana also make this species distinctive.

Male. Described and illustrated in van Nieukerken et al. 2016b: figs 64, 65. Forewing length 1.9–2.0 mm; wingspan 4.4–4.5 mm.

Female. Described in van Nieukerken et al. 2016: 22. Forewing length about 2.3 mm, wingspan 5.1 mm.

Male genitalia. Illustrated in van Nieukerken et al. 2016b: figs 48–53.

Female genitalia. Illustrated in van Nieukerken et al. 2016b: figs 54–57.

Bionomics. Host-plant: Salix humboldtiana Willd., Salicaceae. Larva yellow. Leaf-mine as a gallery with slender central line of black frass. Adults fly in December–January (van Nieukerken et al. 2016b).

Distribution (Figs 2, 9). This species is known from Peru (Lima) at altitudes about 240 m.