Plume moths (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) reared from the Chilean endemic Steviaphilippiana (Asteraceae).

Abstract

The micromoth fauna of the arid environments of the western slopes of central Andes remains poorly explored. Plants native to this area host overlooked species. A survey for micromoth larvae on the Chilean endemic Steviaphilippiana Hieron. (Asteraceae) was performed. The first records of plume moths (Lepidoptera, Pterophoridae) associated with S.philippiana are provided. Adults of Adainajobimi Vargas, 2020 and a new species of Oidaematophorus Wallengren, 1862 were reared from larvae collected on inflorescences and leaves, respectively. Oidaematophorusandresi sp. n. is described and illustrated. A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences clustered each of the two plume moths with the type species of its respective genus. These records expand the host plant range of A.jobimi and add a second species of Oidaematophorus to the Chilean fauna of plume moths.