Introduction 1

The tribe Ponerini 2

The Plectroctena genus group 2

Loboponera gen. n. 3

List of species 4

Key to species 4

Synopsis of species 5

PsalidomyrmexAndré 8

List of species 8

Key to species 8

Synopsis of species 9

Plectroctena F. Smith 10

List of species 10

Key to species 11

Synopsis of species 12

References 15

The Afrotropical ponerine ant genus Loboponera is newly described. It contains 7 new species and one species previously regarded as a member of Pachycondyla F. Smith (L. nasica (Santschi) comb. n.). The relationships of Loboponera within the Plectroctena genus group and tribe Ponerini are discussed and apomorphy-based diagnoses are provided for all taxa. An identification key and descriptions are provided for the workers of Loboponera. Revised keys and taxonomic synopses are given for Psalidomyrmex (6 species) and Plectroctena (15 species); within the latter Pl. gabonensis is a new junior synonym of Pl. minor.

Synopsis 19

Introduction 19

Material and methods 20

Abbreviations of institutions 20

Acknowledgements 21

Descriptions of new species 21

Enteucha Meyrick 21

Stigmella Schrank 23

Fomoria Beirne 26

Acalyptris Meyrick 27

References 34

Index 34

Fieldwork in 2000–2001 in the upper Amazon basin and the Andes (Ecuador) has yielded 16 new species of Nepticulidae, described here. Four genera are represented: Enteucha Meyrick (two species: E. acuta, E. guajavae), Stigmella Schrank (four species: S. montanotropica, S. nubimontana, S. rubeta, S. austroamericana), Fomoria Beirne (two species: F. repanda, F. tabulosa) and Acalyptris Meyrick (8 species: A. ecuadoriana, A. onorei, A. basihastatus, A. pseudohastatus, A. articulosus, A. rotundus, A. amazonius, A. insolentis); the authors of all new taxa are Puplesis & Diškus. Larvae have been reared from three genera of different plant families: Psidium (Myrtaceae), Acalypha (Euphorbiaceae) and Rubus (Rosaceae). The adult moths of all 16 species treated are illustrated in black and white, with line drawings of genitalia and, for four species, drawings of leaf-mines.

Synopsis 59

Introduction 60

Material and methods 60

Abbreviations of institutions 61

Acknowledgements 61

Redescriptions of Manoneura basidactyla and Ectoedemia fuscivittata 61

Revised checklist of Neotropical Nepticulidae 63

Discussion 63

Definition of species-groups, taxonomic notes 63

Leaf-mine collecting and hostplant data in equatorial America 66

Diversity and geography 66

References 67

Fieldwork in 2000–2001 has added substantially to our knowledge of the Nepticulidae of the upper Amazon basin and the Andes and increased the number of species known from the Neotropical Region from 58 to 74. Two species – Manoneura basidactyla (Davis) and Ectoedemia fuscivittata Puplesis & Robinson – are recorded from equatorial America for the first time here and are redescribed, with amplified descriptions and illustrations. A revised checklist of the Neotropical Nepticulidae is given together with an updated distribution map for Central and Southern America. Fomoria latipennata Puplesis & Robinson is transferred to Acalyptris, comb. n. Four new species-groups (Stigmella tiliella-group, S. barbata-group, Fomoria molybditis-group and Acalyptris latipennata-group) are defined. Hostplant data are reviewed and further hostplant genera from which mines or cocoons have been collected are noted. The diversity and distribution of the Neotropical Nepticulidae are discussed.

Synopsis 78

Introduction 78

Comments on the tribal classification 78

Structures of taxonomic note 79

Layout 80

Depositories of material 80

Acknowledgements 80

Tribe Asthenini 80

Checklist of the genera of Asthenini 81

Genera examined and excluded from Asthenini 81

Key to genera 81

Asthena 82

Hydrelia 85

Agnibesa 89

Euchoeca 89

Epicyme 90

Eschatarchia 91

‘Chalyboclydon’ flexilinea 91

Palpoctenidia 92

Asthenotricha 93

Venusia 95

Nomenia 97

Hastina 98

Macrohastina 99

Bihastina 99

Leucoctenorrhoe 100

Parasthena 101

Poecilasthena 101

Polynesia 104

Anydrelia 105

Genera examined and excluded from Asthenini 105

Minoa 105

Chalyboclydon 106

Cleptocosmia 107

Eois 108

Pseudopolynesia 108

Chaetolopha 109

Trichodezia 109

References 109

The Asthenini (Geometridae, Larentiinae) are reviewed at the generic level. Critical examination of the composition of the tribe has led to the recognition of 18 genera, with the species ‘Chalyboclydon’ flexilinea Warren unplaced. Species are listed under all of the genera identified as Asthenini; their broad distribution is noted; and remarks on peculiarities are noted. Seven other genera that have been associated with the tribe are also considered, and reasons for the exclusion are given. A lectotype is designated for the non-asthenine species Chalyboclydon marginata Warren.