Abstract
Niveas Rota, new genus, and its two new species, N. agassizi Rota, new species, and N. kone Rota, new species, are described and illustrated. Niveas is assigned to the subfamily Choreutinae based on morphological and molecular data. Niveas agassizi is currently known only from Kenya and only from female specimens. Niveas kone has been found on the Solomon Islands and in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In PNG, larvae of this species have been reared from several species of Ficus (Moraceae). The two species are superficially quite dissimilar from each other. However, they share features in wing pattern and venation, as well as female genitalia, and the molecular data strongly support the monophyly of Niveas.
Highlights
Choreutidae, commonly known as metalmark moths, are a family of micro-moths with a worldwide distribution
Female genitalia with paired concave sclerotizations on A7 sternite are unique to Niveas
The split between N. kone and N. agassizi has presumably happened a long time ago based on the large COI divergence between them and the length of branches in the phylogenetic analysis including the nuclear genes
Summary
Choreutidae, commonly known as metalmark moths, are a family of micro-moths with a worldwide distribution. The family is most species-rich in the tropics, and, as is the case for numerous other small tropical invertebrates, much of its richness is still unknown to science (unpublished data). 406 species of choreutids are described (Nieukerken et al 2011). Choreutids are medium-sized micro-moths with wingspans ranging from about one to two centimeters, often with bright colors and iridescent markings on their wings (Diakonoff 1986). They are diurnal with only some species attracted to lights at night (personal observation), making them a fairly rare group in museum collections. Large-scale rearing projects result in finding more species of choreutids than employing light traps
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