Stephensia armata

Stephensia armata is a Central American moth of the family Elachistidae and Gelechioidea superfamily, discovered in 1998 at Las Cuevas Research Station, in Belize's Chiquibul Forest Reserve.[1]

Stephensia armata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Elachistidae
Genus:
Stephensia
Species:
S. armata
Binomial name
Stephensia armata
Sruoga, 2003

Physiology

The wingspan is approximately 6.6 millimetres (0.26 in), with a forewing length of 3 millimetres (0.12 in). It is distinguishable by the 2-3 teeth arming the valvae, from which it gets its name. The species is remarkable for the single transverse fascia of the forewing, and long lobes of the valvae and juxta.[1]

Coloration is largely pale ochre or grey-brown. The underside and head are paler, while its back and wings are grey-brown or dark ochre. Pale ochre scales spread across every segment distally.[1]

S. armata is distinct from congeneric American species of moth in the deep split between the juxta lobes, and its relatively small uncus. It is noticeably apomorphic in its phylogeny.[1]

Habitat

Samples of S. armata were collected in April, during the rainy season Belize#Climate. The local vegetation was largely evergreen, with some deciduous trees.[1]

Discussion of nomenclature

S. armata is named on the convention assigning three genera to Lepidoptera, due to the researchers’ preference for a more stable taxonomy and the characteristics of Armata that place it squarely within Stephensia.[1]

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References
  1. Sruoga, V. & R. Puplesis (2003). "A remarkable new species of Stephensia Stainton (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) from Belize rainforest (Central America)" (PDF). Zoological Science. Zoological Society of Japan. 20 (10): 1273–1277. doi:10.2108/zsj.20.1273.


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