Andesianidae, a new family of monotrysian moths (Lepidoptera : Andesianoidea) from austral South America

Abstract

The new family Andesianidae is proposed for the genus Andesiana, consisting of three previously described species, A. brunnea Gentili, A. lamellata Gentili and A. similis Gentili, from southern Argentina and Chile. Originally described in the ditrysian family Cossidae, Andesiana has been found to possess a monotrysian female reproductive system. The principal autapomorphies for the family are the elongate second segment of the labial palpi, presence of a male tibial pouch and associated femoral hair pencil and, within the monotrysian Heteroneura, possibly the strongly dimorphic antennae (broadly bipectinate in male, filiform in female). Other significant characters of the group include a greatly reduced haustellum, male genitalia with a broad vinculum, acuminate uncus, scutiform juxta and a pronounced saccular lobe of the valva that bears a subapical, setose appendage within a shallow, mesal cavity. The female genitalia possess a short cloaca and paired anal papillae and lack signa. Although known to be retained only in the female of A. lamellata, the presence of a two-branched Rs in the hindwing may indicate an origin of the Andesianidae basal to the Nepticuloidea. In contrast, the structure of the wing coupling apparatus for the family suggests a later appearance. Because no synapomorphy is known linking the Andesianidae with any other superfamily, the new superfamily, Andesianoidea, is proposed.