Stigmella lucida

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Stigmella lucida
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nepticulidae
Genus: Stigmella
Species:
S. lucida
Binomial name
Stigmella lucida
(Philpott, 1919)
Synonyms
  • Nepticula lucida Philpott, 1919

Stigmella lucida is a species of moth of the family Nepticulidae.[1] It is endemic to New Zealand.[2]

Description[edit]

The length of the forewings is about 3 mm. Adults have been recorded in January and from September to December. There are one or two generations per year.[3]

Behaviour[edit]

The larvae mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine starts close to the midrib near the stem as a narrow gallery. At first, only the lower part of the leaf tissue is eaten, but gradually, as the mine becomes wider, it reaches both cuticular layers. The frass is deposited in the middle of the mine, later filling all space. Larva have been recorded from May to August and in October and November. They are about 3 mm long and pale green.[3]

The cocoon is made of white to pale brown silk and is constructed amidst foliage and branches of the food plant.[3]

Host species[edit]

The larvae feed on Nothofagus menziesii.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Erik J van Nieukerken; Camiel Doorenweerd; Robert J B Hoare; Donald R Davis (31 October 2016). "Revised classification and catalogue of global Nepticulidae and Opostegidae (Lepidoptera, Nepticuloidea)". ZooKeys. 628 (628): 65–246. doi:10.3897/ZOOKEYS.628.9799. ISSN 1313-2989. PMC 5126388. PMID 27917038. Wikidata Q28109648.
  2. ^ "Stigmella lucida (Philpott, 1919)". www.nzor.org.nz. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  3. ^ a b c d Hans Donner; Christopher Wilkinson (28 April 1989). "Nepticulidae (Insecta: Lepidoptera)" (PDF). Fauna of New Zealand. 16. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: 21. doi:10.7931/J2/FNZ.16. ISSN 0111-5383. OCLC 924829916. Wikidata Q45079930. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2021.