Holotype.

male, pinned, with genitalia slide no. AD969. Labels: Uruguay, Rocha Department, La Paloma, 34°39'41"S, 54°13'4"W, elevation 5 m, mining larva on Baccharis spicata (Lam.) Baill., Asteraceae, 26 Feb 2019, field card no. 5303, A. Diškus (ZIN).

Diagnosis.

Externally, this new species can be confused with some other speckled Astrotischeria species, including the species described in this paper. Astrotischeria atlantica sp. nov. can be distinguished from similar A. jociui sp. nov. (see described above) by the significantly paler color of forewing: in A. atlantica forewing is cream to pale yellowish ochre, in A. jociui is ochre. In the male genitalia, the shape of dorsal processes of the valva with unique folds (Fig. ​(Fig.75)75) and the presence of additional lobes on the uncus (Figs ​(Figs68,68, ​,69)69) distinguish A. atlantica sp. nov. from all known congeneric species. In the female genitalia, the presence of a highly modified ovipositor (Fig. ​(Fig.78)78) differentiates this new species from other Astrotischeria taxa. This species is also distinctive because no other species in this genus is known to feed on Baccharis spicata (Lam.) Baill. (Asteraceae).

Description.

Male (Fig. ​(Fig.40).40). Forewing length 3.6–4.2 mm; wingspan 7.7–9.3 mm (n = 2). Head: frons and pecten golden cream; frontal tuft glossy cream distally, ochre-grey proximally; collar ochre-grey; antenna slightly longer than one half the length of forewing; flagellum yellowish cream proximally, pale yellowish grey distally. Tegula yellowish grey, distally cream; thorax yellowish cream. Forewing cream to pale yellowish ochre, irregularly speckled with grey and pale grey scales, apically also with some black scales; fringe pale grey, with fringe line comprised of black scales; forewing underside pale ochre-grey to brownish cream, without spots or androconia. Hindwing glossy greyish cream to cream on upper side, pale grey on underside, without androconia, but sometimes with a dark line of grey scales along one third of the fold; fringe cream. Foreleg pale grey or blackish grey on upper side, midleg and hindleg ochre cream to cream, with some pale grey scales on upper side and spurs. Abdomen yellow cream, distally pale grey on upper side, pale ochre with some grey scales on underside; genital plates large, covered with long, yellow cream scales; anal tufts long, merged into one, cream.

Male genitalia (Figs 68–76) with capsule 1120 µm long, 730 µm wide. Uncus (Figs 68–71) comprised of two short, triangular lobes (Fig. ​(Fig.71)71) and two long, slender lobes (Fig. ​(Fig.70);70); the latter possess a unique lobe-like process (Figs ​(Figs68,68, ​,69).69). Socii small, paired, membranous. Valva (Figs ​(Figs72,72, ​,75)75) ca. 730 µm long; dorsal lobe (Figs ​(Figs72,72, ​,75)75) greatly developed, with folds distally (Fig. ​(Fig.75);75); ventral lobe of valva slender. Anellus mostly membranous, thickened only laterally (Fig. ​(Fig.75).75). Vinculum rounded distally (Fig. ​(Fig.72).72). Phallus ca. 970 µm long, apically bifid, with hook-like apices (Fig. ​(Fig.7373).

Female (Fig. ​(Fig.41).41). Forewing length 3.6–4.3 mm; wingspan 7.7–9.4 mm (n = 2). Similar to male, but thorax and forewing tend to be paler, i.e., less speckled with grey scales. Anal tuft long, ochre cream; ovipositor slightly protruding. Otherwise, identical with male.

Female genitalia (Figs 77–80) ca. 3410 µm long. Ovipositor lobes modified into a unique (among Tischeriidae) plate-like ovipositor without peg-like setae (Fig. ​(Fig.78);78); second pair of ovipositor lobes large, with numerous long setae. Posterior apophyses shorter than anterior ones (Fig. ​(Fig.79);79); prela comprised of three pairs of unique projections (Fig. ​(Fig.79).79). Corpus bursae with very slender and long proximal part and small main body without pectination (Fig. ​(Fig.77).77). Ductus spermathaecae with three large coils (Fig. ​(Fig.7777).

Bionomics.

(Figs 1–9). Host plant is Baccharis spicata (Lam.) Baill., Asteraceae (Figs 1–4). Larvae mine leaves in February. The blotch-like mine (Figs 5–9) is irregular, but elongated, pale brown or pale green, without frass. Adults occur in March.

Distribution.

This species is known from a single locality on the Atlantic coast in Uruguay, Rocha Department, La Paloma (Fig. ​(Fig.1),1), at sea level, but the host plant has a much wider distribution (see Discussion).

Etymology.

The species is named after the Atlantic Ocean, in reference to its occurrence on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay.

Holotype.

male, pinned, with genitalia slide no. AD522. Labels: Honduras, Copán Department, Copán, 14°50'13"N, 89°8'37"W, elevation 620 m, from feeding larva (Asteraceae host plant unidentified), 15 Feb 2012, field card no. 5090, A. Diškus (ZIN).

Diagnosis.

Externally, this new species can be confused with some other dark speckled Tischeriidae species, including Paratischeria mesoamericana sp. nov. (described below). In the male genitalia, the presence of pseudotranstilla (Figs ​(Figs83,83, ​,87)87) and a unique, four-furcated phallus (Figs ​(Figs85,85, ​,86)86) distinguish A. cornuata sp. nov. from all known congeneric species. In the female genitalia, the combination of large ovipositor lobes, densely covered with peg-like setae (Fig. ​(Fig.90)90) and a very small corpus bursae (Fig. ​(Fig.89)89) distinguish the new species from other Astrotischeria taxa.

Description.

Male (Fig. ​(Fig.42).42). Forewing length 2.8–3.2 mm; wingspan 6.0–7.2 mm (n = 3). Head: frons grey cream to yellow-ochre; pecten golden pale grey to ochre cream; frontal tuft glossy, metallic grey, distally yellow-ochre; collar yellow-ochre; antenna slightly to distinctly longer than one half the length of forewing; flagellum glossy grey. Tegula grey; thorax grey-ochre medially, grey laterally and distally. Forewing densely irrorated with dark grey scales (in apical half of the forewing majority of these scales are ochre-tipped) and with irregular, oblique patches of bright yellow-ochre scales; fringe dark grey, apically ochre; fringe line distinctive, comprised of dark grey scales; forewing underside blackish grey, without spots or androconia. Hindwing dark grey or black-grey depending on angle of view, without androconia; fringe dark grey with some ochreous-purple tint. Legs dark grey or black-grey, irregularly annulated with ochre cream scales on upper side. Abdomen glossy dark grey-brown on upper side and underside, sometimes with some purple iridescence; genital plates ochreous cream; anal tufts cream to grey cream: two dorsal tufts large, almost merged in one, lateral tufts shorter.

Male genitalia (Figs 81–88) with capsule 880–920 µm long, 410–445 µm wide. Uncus (Figs 81–83) comprised of two short, widely rounded lobes (Fig. ​(Fig.81)81) and two long, slender lobes (Figs ​(Figs82,82, ​,83).83). Socii small, paired, membranous. Valva (Figs ​(Figs83,83, ​,84)84) ca. 780–790 µm long; dorsal lobe (Fig. ​(Fig.83)83) greatly developed, slender, curved inwardly (Fig. ​(Fig.88);88); ventral lobe of valva very slender and straight (Figs ​(Figs83,83, ​,84).84). Valvae connected with a unique transverse band which we call here a pseudotranstilla (Figs ​(Figs83,83, ​,87).87). Anellus mostly membranous, indistinctive (Fig. ​(Fig.83).83). Vinculum rounded distally (Fig. ​(Fig.83).83). Phallus (Fig. ​(Fig.86)86) ca. 475–485 µm long, apically split in two short, weakly chitinized, median lobes and two pointed, lateral lobes, the latter each with an apical spine (Fig. ​(Fig.8585).

Female (Fig. ​(Fig.43).43). Forewing length 3.0–3.5 mm; wingspan 6.6–7.6 mm (n = 4). Similar to male, but with a yellow-ochre postmedian area of forewing, usually larger and often resembling a fascia. Abdomen dark grey on upper side, yellow-ochre with some grey scales on underside. Ovipositor not protruding.

Female genitalia (Figs 89–91) ca. 3150 µm long. Ovipositor lobes unusually large, rounded, densely covered with peg-like setae (Fig. ​(Fig.90);90); second pair of ovipositor lobes very small and slender, with numerous long setae. Anterior and posterior apophyses equal in length (Fig. ​(Fig.90);90); prela comprised of three pairs of unique, rod-like projections (Fig. ​(Fig.91).91). Corpus bursae very long, with a slender proximal part and very small main body without distinctive pectination (Fig. ​(Fig.89).89). Ductus spermathaecae sinuous, without distinctive coils (Fig. ​(Fig.8989).

Bionomics.

(Figs 10–14). Host plant is an Asteraceae, genus and species unidentified (Figs ​(Figs10,10, ​,11).11). Larvae mine leaves in February. The mine is blotch-like (Figs 11–14), irregularly shaped, whitish grey, not transparent, without frass. Adults occur in March.

Distribution.

This species is known from a single locality in Honduras, Copán Department, Copán, at the elevation of 620 m.

Etymology.

The species name is derived from Latin cornuatus (horned), in reference to the large, horn-like lobes of the uncus and valva in the male genitalia.

Holotype.

male, pinned, with genitalia slide no. AD988. Labels: Paraguay, Departamento de Itapúa, Hohenau, 27°5'6"S, 55°40'22"W, elevation 115 m, mining larva on Elephantopus mollis Kunth, Asteraceae, 14 Feb 2019, field card no. 5293, A. Diškus (ZIN).

Diagnosis.

Externally, this new species can be confused with some other brightly colored species, including A. cornuata sp. nov. (described above) or Central American A. guatemalica Diškus & Stonis, and Ecuadorian A. bachariphaga Diškus & Stonis (see Stonis et al. 2019). However, these externally similar Astrotischeria species possess a well-developed dorsal lobe of valva, but all Paratischeria species have no dorsal lobe. In the male genitalia, the combination of very long and slender uncus and a laterally strongly thickened anellus distinguish Paratischeria guarani sp. nov. from all known congeneric species. The characters of the female genitalia are not informative, and, therefore, are of very limited use for species differentiation. This species is also distinctive because no other tischeriid species is known to feed on Elephantopus mollis Kunth, Asteraceae.

Description.

Male (Fig. ​(Fig.44).44). Forewing length 2.8–3.1 mm; wingspan 6.1–6.8 mm (n = 4). Head: frons ochre-grey, pecten pale ochre; frontal tuft glossy grey proximally, pale ochre distally; collar ochre-grey; antenna slightly longer than one half length of forewing; flagellum greyish cream, irregularly annulated with dark grey scales. Tegula and thorax grey-ochre. Forewing variable, pale ochre irregularly speckled with dark grey, apically with black scales; fringe dark grey, with fringe indistinctive or absent; forewing underside brown-black, without spots or androconia. Hindwing grey on upper side and underside, without androconia; fringe grey. Legs grey on upper side, ochre cream on underside. Abdomen black on upper side, glossy ochre with some dark brown scales on underside; genital plates pale ochre to pale grey; anal tufts grey-ochre.

Male genitalia (Figs 92–94) with capsule 760 µm long, 315 µm wide. Uncus (Fig. ​(Fig.93)93) with two very long and slender lateral lobes. Socii small, paired, membranous. Valva (Fig. ​(Fig.92)92) ca. 615 µm long. Anellus strongly thickened laterally, constricted at the middle (Fig. ​(Fig.92).92). Vinculum small, rounded distally (Fig. ​(Fig.92).92). Phallus ca. 670 µm long, apically bifid (Fig. ​(Fig.9494).

Female (Fig. ​(Fig.45).45). Forewing length 3.0–3.3 mm; wingspan 6.5–7.1 mm (n = 2). Similar to male, but sometimes darker, with bright ochre thorax and forewing more intensively speckled with black scales. Abdomen black, ochre only distally; ovipositor very short, but protruding. Otherwise, identical with male.

Female genitalia (Figs 95–97) 680 µm long. Ovipositor lobes oval-shaped, covered with peg-like setae; second pair of ovipositor lobes small, with long setae (Fig. ​(Fig.96).96). Anterior and posterior apophyses equal in length (Fig. ​(Fig.96);96); prela comprised of three pairs of rod-like projections (Fig. ​(Fig.96).96). Corpus bursae very slender, with long proximal part and small main body without pectination (Fig. ​(Fig.95).95). Ductus spermathecae with 7–8 large coils (Fig. ​(Fig.9797).

Bionomics

(Figs 22–31). Host plant is Elephantopus mollis Kunth, Asteraceae (Figs 23–27). Larvae mine leaves in February. Larva greenish white, with dark green intestine and brown head. The blotch-like mine (Figs 28–31) is irregular, but often elongated, pale brown or pale green, without frass. Pupation in a round nidus. Adults occur in March.

Distribution.

This species is known from a single locality in Paraguay, Departamento de Itapúa, Hohenau (Fig. ​(Fig.22),22), at the elevation of 115 m, but the host plant has a much wider distribution (see Discussion).

Etymology.

This species is named after the Guaraní, indigenous people of South America, living in present-day Paraguay between the Uruguay River and lower Paraguay River.

Holotype.

male, pinned, with genitalia slide no. AD1005. Labels: Guatemala, Antigua Guatemala, San Juan del Obispo, 14°31'7"N, 90°43'50"W, elevation 1680 m, feeding larva on Montanoa hibiscifolia Benth., Asteraceae, 25 Feb 2012, field card no. 5109, A. Diškus (ZIN).

Diagnosis.

Externally, P. mesoamericana sp. nov. can be confused with some brightly speckled Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus species, including A. cornuata sp. nov. (described above) or the Central American A. guatemalica Diškus & Stonis, South American A. bachariphaga Diškus & Stonis, and A. truncata Diškus & Stonis (in Stonis et al. 2019). However, all these externally similar species belong to another genus, Astrotischeria, and possess principally different male genitalia with dorsal lobe(s) on the valva. In the male genitalia, the combination of a unique, distally pointed, four-lobed phallus (Fig. ​(Fig.99),99), medially constricted anellus (Fig. ​(Fig.98),98), and the presence of bifid cheatae on the valva (Fig. 101) distinguish P. mesoamericana sp. nov. from all known congeneric species. This species is also distinctive because no other species in this genus is known to feed on Montanoa hibiscifolia Benth., Asteraceae.

Description.

Male (Fig. ​(Fig.46).46). Forewing length 2.6–3.8 mm; wingspan 5.7–8.6 mm (n = 10). Head: frons and pecten ochreous cream; frontal tuft ochre cream, distally whitish cream; collar ochre cream; antenna longer than one half the length of forewing; flagellum glossy cream, usually annulated with dark brown or pale brown scales. Tegula ochre cream, densely irrorated with grey-brown scales; thorax ochre cream. Forewing yellow-ochre with irregular patches of dark scales: most of these scales are cream but black-tipped, others are plain brown; fringe grey, apically ochre; fringe line present, sometimes ill-defined, comprised of brown and black-tipped cream scales; forewing underside ochre-brown, apically sometimes brownish cream, without spots or androconia. Hindwing glossy, pale grey on upper side and underside, at base cream; fringe pale grey. Legs covered with grey-brown scales on upper side, ochreous cream on underside. Abdomen glossy, pale grey to grey-brown depending on angle of view, with some purple iridescence on upper side, ochre cream, densely speckled with grey-brown or ochre-brown scales on underside; genital plates ochre cream; anal tufts long, dorsally paired, cream.

Male genitalia (Figs 98–104) with capsule 890 µm long, 450 µm wide. Uncus comprised of two short, rounded lobes (Fig. 100) and two long, slender lobes (Fig. 104). Socii small, paired, membranous. Valva (Figs ​(Figs98,98, 102) ca. 660 µm long, with bifid chaetae. Anellus thickened laterally and constricted medially (Figs ​(Figs98,98, 103). Vinculum small, rounded distally (Fig. 102). Phallus (Fig. ​(Fig.99)99) ca. 675 µm long, apically split into four pointed lobes.

Female (Fig. ​(Fig.43).43). Forewing length 3.2–4.0 mm; wingspan 7.0–8.7 mm (n = 8). Scaling similar to male, but sometimes can be darker; frontal tuft ochre cream to ochre-brown. Thorax ochre cream to ochre-brown. Forewing sometimes darker than in males. Abdomen ochre-brown to brown, with some purple iridescence on upper side, ochre cream densely covered with brown or dark brown scales on underside. Ovipositor protruding.

Female genitalia (Figs 105–110) 2520–2680 µm long. Ovipositor lobes unusually small, rounded, with peg-like setae (Fig. 109); second pair of ovipositor lobes only slightly smaller. Anterior apophyses slightly shorter than posterior apophyses (Fig. 107); prela with three pairs of long, rod-like projections (Figs 109, 110). Corpus bursae with a very slender but very long proximal part, and a small, oval, main body (Fig. 107); pectination indistinctive. Ductus spermathecae with many large coils (Fig. 108).

Bionomics.

(Figs 32–37). Host plant is Montanoa hibiscifolia Benth., Asteraceae (Figs ​(Figs32,32, ​,33).33). Larvae mine leaves in February. Larva is greenish yellow with a brownish green intestine and brown head. The mine is blotch-like (Figs 33–37), usually slightly angular, fully transparent, without frass. Adults occur in March.

Distribution.

This species is known from a single locality in Guatemala: Antigua Guatemala, San Juan del Obispo, at the elevation 1680 m, but the host plant has a much wider distribution (see Discussion).

Etymology.

The species named after Mesoamerica, a historical region of North America.

Holotype.

female, pinned, with genitalia slide no. AD967. Labels: Argentina, Misiones Province, Puerto Iguazú, 25°41'8"S, 54°26'47"W, elevation 160 m, mining larva on Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Hieron. ex Niederl., Sapindaceae, 10 Feb 2019, field card no. 5291, A. Diškus (ZIN).

Diagnosis.

Externally, this new species can be differentiated from all congeneric species by the distinct forewing pattern with an ochre, oblique, postmedian fascia and ochre subapical spot (Fig. ​(Fig.47).47). Male unknown. In the female genitalia, the new species is characterized by the unique, oval-shaped widening of slender part of corpus bursae proximally (Fig. 111). This species is also distinctive because no other species in Tischeriidae is known to feed on Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Hieron. ex Niederl. (Sapindaceae).

Description.

Male. Unknown.

Female (Fig. ​(Fig.47).47). Forewing length 3.2 mm; wingspan 6.9 mm (n = 1). Head: frons and pecten ochre cream to pale ochre; golden cream; collar glossy ochre-grey; antenna slightly longer than one half the length of forewing; flagellum dark grey on upper side, pale grey on underside. Tegula and thorax glossy ochre-grey. Forewing slender, glossy grey-ochre in basal half, with bright ochre, oblique postmedian fascia and bright ochre subapical spot widely surrounded by black and cream-tipped scales with purple iridescence; fringe black-grey, without fringe line. Hindwing and fringe grey on upper side and underside, without androconia. Legs grey to blackish grey on upper side, ochre cream on underside. Abdomen blackish grey on upper side, glossy pale ochre with some grey scales (especially prominent proximally) on underside; anal tufts absent; ovipositor slightly protruding.

Female genitalia (Figs 111–115) 1310 µm long. Ovipositor lobes large, rounded, clothed with short, modified peg-like setae; area between ovipositor lobes slender, with tiny papillae and some short setae. Second pair of lobes, lateral and anterior to the ovipositor lobes, slightly smaller, triangular, with long slender setae. Posterior apophyses slightly shorter than anterior ones (Fig. 115); prela comprised of three pairs of rod-like projections (Fig. 115); inner pair of these rod-like projections very long (as long as anterior apophyses). Corpus bursae folded, oval-shaped proximally, bulbous distally (Fig. 111), without pectination or signum on wide, basal part, but with some tiny spines proximally (Fig. 113). Ductus spermathaecae very slender, with many coils (Fig. 112).

Bionomics.

(Figs 19–21). Host plant is Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Hieron. ex Niederl., Sapindaceae (Fig. ​(Fig.19).19). Larvae mine leaves in February. Larva very pale green with a bright green intestine and very pale brown head. The mine is blotch-like (Figs ​(Figs20,20, ​,21),21), fully transparent, without frass. Adults occur in March.

Distribution.

This species is known from a single locality in northern Argentina, Misiones Province, Puerto Iguazú, at the elevation ca. 160 m, but the host plant has a much wider distribution (see Discussion).

Holotype.

male, pinned, with genitalia slide no AD1004. Label: Brazil, Nova Teutônia, 27°11'S, 52°23'W, Oct 1944, Fritz Plaumann (USNM).

Diagnosis.

External characters are not informative for species identification: this new species can be confused with many other pale speckled Paratischeria Diškus & Stonis, Coptotriche Walsingham, and Astrotischeria Puplesis & Diškus species. In the male genitalia, the unique, unusually long, rod-like process of vinculum (Figs 120, 121), absence of transtilla, and the unique, spiny phallus (Figs 124–126) easily differentiate P. braziliensis sp. nov. from all known Tischeriidae species (also see Discussion).

Description.

Male (Fig. ​(Fig.38).38). Forewing length 3.9 mm; wingspan 8.4 mm (n = 1). Head: frons and pecten glossy whitish cream; frontal tuft ochre cream, but distally glossy whitish over the frons, laterally with some brown-tipped scales; collar ochre cream; antenna only longer than one half the length of forewing; flagellum glossy yellow cream. Tegula pale ochre-yellow; thorax ochre cream. Forewing pale ochre yellow, with irregularly scattered ochre-brown scales; fringe indistinct or absent; forewing underside pale ochre-brown. Hindwing and fringe yellow-ochre. Legs pale yellow ochre, with some ochre-brown scales on upper side. Abdomen ochre cream on upper side and underside; genital plates cream; anal tufts long, cream.

Male genitalia (Figs 116–126) with capsule 550 µm long, 450 µm wide. Uncus (Fig. 118) comprised of two large, strongly thickened, lateral lobes. Socii membranous, unpaired, unusually large (Fig. 116). Valva (Figs 117, 119, 120) 500 µm long (excluding the basal process), wide (Fig. 119). Transtilla absent. Anellus indistinctive. Vinculum with unusually slender but very long (785 µm), rod-like process (Figs 120, 121). Phallus (Figs 122–126) 1185 µm long, apically with three lobes and some large spines laterally (Figs 124, 126).

Female. Unknown.

Bionomics.

Adults fly in October. Otherwise, biology is unknown.

Distribution.

This species is known from a single locality in southeastern Brazil, Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia.