Scoble (1983) gave a detailed description of the Pectinivalvinae, but recently much more material of this subfamily (especially immature stages) has become available, and the concept of the Pectinivalvinae has been expanded by Hoare (2000a) to include the previously unrecognized genus Roscidotoga. For these reasons a complete redescription of the subfamily is provided here. A revised diagnosis of the subfamilies of Nepticulidae is provided by Hoare (2000a: table 1).

Adults. Head (Figs 19–30): Labial palpi 2- or 3-segmented; galeae short; maxillary palpi 5-segmented; antennae with sensillum vesiculocladum usually or always 5-branched (needs more detailed study in some species). Collar usually consisting of piliform scales. Forewing: underside sometimes with androconial scales in male; subdorsal retinaculum absent. Hindwing: upperside often with androconial scales in male. Wing venation (Figs 31–36): forewing without closed cell, Cu present, long; 1+2A unthickened, running obliquely from base of wing to meet dorsum before tornus; hindwing with trunk of Rs+M usually more or less deflected towards costa. Abdomen sometimes with specialized scales dorsally in male; S2a more or less pentagonal, usually with transverse rows of minute spines. Legs: fore-tibia of males sometimes thickened with specialized scales.

Male genitalia (Figs 39, 40, 42–72). Tegumen band-like, occasionally with lateral corners extended anteriorly into ‘shoulders’. Uncus either well-sclerotized and hood-like (Pectinivalva) or reduced (Roscidotoga). Gnathos (if present) with single central element. Valva usually with well-developed pectinifer. Aedeagus often with asymmetrical apical processes; striate thickening round base of ejaculatory duct (cathrema) weakly developed; vesica usually with numerous cornuti.

Female genitalia (Figs 73–103). S8 usually broadly squared off. Vestibulum often with lateral sclerites. Corpus bursae with single signum, or without signa.

Larva. Head (Figs 104–108): antennae 2- or 3-segmented (1-segmented in Pectinivalva quintiniae); labial palpi 3-segmented; stipes with 2 setae; frontoclypeus approximately square or rectangular; anterior tentorial arms approximately 2 times as long as posterior. Chaetotaxy (Figs 115, 116): T1 with 13 pairs of setae; T2 with 10 or 11 pairs (3 setae ventral to SV1); T3 with 9 pairs (1 D seta and 2 L setae present); A1–8 with 6 pairs of setae; A9 with 3 pairs; A10 with 3 or 4 pairs. Anal rods apically pointed or forked.

Cocoon. Usually reddish brown; usually spun outside the mine.

Pupa. Head: Clypeus squarish; frons with a pair of conspicuous setae posteriorly; labial palpi distinctly longer than maxillae. Eclosion more or less dorsal, so that suture between eyecaps and frons remains largely intact ventrally. Abdominal segments 2–8 each with 3–4 rows of spines on dorsum, and a prominent pair of dorsal setae.

Most known larvae of Pectinivalva are leaf-miners on Myrtales (Myrtaceae), one species is known from Paracryphiales (Paracryphiaceae); those of Roscidotoga are leaf-miners on Oxalidales (Cunoniaceae (including Eucryphiaceae) and Elaeocarpaceae).

Australia, Borneo. Probably more widespread in Australian and Oriental regions than currently known.

Pectinivalva commoni Scoble, 1983, by original designation.

A large and diverse genus, here subdivided into three subgenera on the basis of the phylogenetic reconstruction presented above. The following overview of the morphology of the genus should be taken in conjunction with the more detailed descriptions of the subgenera given below. Because of the great number of species in the genus, a complete revision is impractical at present. Species have been selected for description in order to represent the range of host-plants, morphology and distribution so far known in Pectinivalva.

Adults. Head capsule (Figs 19–27): labial palpi 2- or 3-segmented. Underside of forewing and upperside of hindwing often with androconial scales in male. Costal bristles of male hindwing absent or replaced by lamellate scales. Legs: fore-tibia of male sometimes thickened with specialized scales. Upperside of abdomen sometimes with androconial scales in male. Anterior edge of T2 weakly sclerotized medially.

Male genitalia (Figs 39, 40, 42–72). Anterior extension of vinculum usually rather short. Lateral arms of vinculum occasionally more or less forked apically. Uncus hood-like, dorsally with a pair of well-defined tufts of strong setae. Gnathos present, 1 central element. Valva (Figs 40, 44, 47, 50, 53, 56) rounded, squarish or triangular, usually with well-developed pectinifer along distal edge. Transverse bar of transtilla usually absent. Juxta in the form of 2 elongate sclerotized flaps connecting bases of valvae with apex of aedeagus. Aedeagus very variable (see subfamily description).

Female genitalia (Figs 73–103). S8 usually very broad and squared off. Vestibulum usually with a pair of lateral sclerites associated with apophyses anteriores. Corpus bursae well sclerotized, without diverticulum, usually with single signum.

Larva. Head (Figs 104–108): antennae 2- or 3-segmented; posterior lobes usually not continuously sclerotized caudally. Chaetotaxy (Figs 115, 116): see subgeneric descriptions.

Pupa. As described for subfamily.

Most known larvae leaf-miners on Myrtaceae, with one species on Paracryphiaceae (Quintinia A. DC.).

Distinguished from Roscidotoga, the only other known genus of Pectinivalvinae, externally by the forewing pattern (without silver streak from mid-costa or suffusion of metallic scales towards apex); in the male genitalia by the presence of a gnathos and a well-sclerotized uncus with strong tufts of setae; and in the female genitalia by the simple (unexpanded) apophyses anteriores and the well-sclerotized corpus bursae, which lacks a diverticulum.

Australia (known from all states and territories), Borneo (a single species, Pectinivalva xenadelpha, described below).

Pectinivalva commoni Scoble, 1983: 13 (original designation and monotypy).

Adults. Head capsule (Fig. 19): labial palpi 3-segmented; interocular index 0.77–0.84. Antennae unmodified. Collar consisting of piliform scales (lamellate scales in one undescribed species). Wingspan ca. 4.5–8.4 mm. Forewing usually more or less unicolorous, greyish to fuscous, without transverse fascia, occasionally yellowish or with yellow costal streak. Hindwing in male often with longitudinal furrow (here termed ‘androconial pocket’) surrounded by androconial scales. Underside of forewing in male often with androconia. Wing venation (Figs 31, 32): R2+3 in forewing present. Abdomen usually without specialized scales; S2a always spinose. Fore-tibia of male usually thickened with blackish scales in those species with an androconial pocket.

Male genitalia (Figs 39, 40, 42, 58, 59). Lateral arms of vinculum not or weakly forked apically. Tegumen occasionally extended laterally. Valva either apically rounded, with conspicuous pectinifer of ca. 25–55 peg-like elements, or elongate and triangular, with pectinifer replaced by stiff setae. Sublateral processes sometimes reduced or absent. Aedeagus (Figs 42, 59): cathrema very weak, associated with 2 or 3 interconnected sclerites of variable length.

Female genitalia (Figs 73, 80–82). Lateral sclerites of vestibulum narrow, occasionally absent. Accessory sac absent. Signum an elongate toothed band with lacunae.

Larva. Head (Fig. 104): antennae 3-segmented, segments 2 and 3 each with 1 sensillum chaeticum and 1 sensillum basiconicum; head-shape distinctly elongate and pyriform. Thorax: prothoracic sternite (Fig. 109) broad, rounded or squarish; chaetotaxy (Fig. 115): T2 with 10 pairs of setae (1 pair of D setae). Abdomen: as described for subfamily. Cuticle of all segments completely lacking spines, and with raised reticulate texture, especially on prothorax.

Host-plants: Eucalyptus L’Hérit. spp. (Myrtaceae). Mine: usually a short gallery leading to a blotch; exit-hole a semicircular slit.

See Table 1.

Australia (known from all states and territories).

In addition to the six previously and newly described species, also approximately 65 undescribed species in the anic, of which the following, cited by their anic rearing numbers, have been studied in detail for the current work: Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 5; Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 34; Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 138; Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 142; Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 163.

Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) is a relatively diverse subgenus, and could probably be subdivided into several species groups. One such group, the Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) caenodora group, was diagnosed above. We do not propose to erect any further named species groups here, but we describe below a species that diverges strongly from most other members of the subgenus, and has several close relatives. Their placement in Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) is argued for below, but as the larvae are as yet unknown, this decision may have to be revised.

Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) is equivalent to the Pectinivalva commoni group of Hoare et al. (1997).

Holotype.♂, 35.16S, 149.06E, Black Mt., A.C.T., light trap, 26.iv.1963, I.F.B. Common. Genitalia slide 10164 (anic).Paratypes.Same locality and collector as holotype: 2♂, 28.xi.1957, 4♀, 9.xii.1957, 28.xi.1963, 14.ii.1964 and 19.ii.1964; same locality, blended light, R.J.B. Hoare: 2♂, 27.xi.1996 and 6.i.1997, slides 10161 and 12064 (anic); 6♂, Wellington, N.S.W., 28.x.1957, I.F.B. Common; 1♂, 1♀, 4 miles [6.5 km] SW of Gosford, N.S.W., 30, 31.iii.1965, I.F.B. Common, M.S. Upton; 1♂, 9 miles [14.5 km] NE of Windsor, N.S.W., 31.iii.1965, I.F.B. Common, M.S. Upton; 2♂, 220m, Mt Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania, m.v. light, 7.i.1980, 14.i.1981, P.B. McQuillan; 1♂, 42.56S 147.20E, Mt. Nelson, Tasmania, 330 m, 7.ii.2009, L. Kaila & J. Kullberg (fmnh), slides 11501–11503, 10165 (anic), EJvN 4106.

Male (Fig. 4). Wingspan 5.8–7.6 mm. Head capsule: labial palpi distinctly longer than galeae; maxillary palpi with ratio of segments from base approximately 0.3: 0.4: 0.6: 1.5: 1.0; interocular index 0.74. Frontal tuft orange; collar inconspicuous, white; eyecaps black, thinly scaled and almost transparent towards base; antennae blackish, 37–42 segments. Thorax and forewing blackish fuscous, weakly shining; cilia concolorous. Hindwing broadened at base, clothed in dark brown scales with iridescent reflections; an elongate androconial pocket in anterior ½ of wing, surrounded by shining granular blackish scales; cilia dark grey. Underside: forewing and hindwing dark fuscous; costa of hindwing with a series of blunt rectangular lamellate scales. Wing venation as in Fig. 31: base of R1 in forewing well separated from base of R2+3; trunk of Rs+M in hindwing not strongly deflected towards costa. Legs: fore-tibia somewhat thickened with blackish scales. Abdomen dark fuscous, with a moustache-like patch of hair-scales on T5 (Fig. 41).

Female (Fig. 5). Wingspan 7.5–8.0 mm. Similar to male, but head broader; antennae shorter, 30 segments; forewing somewhat broader; hindwing unmodified. Wing venation as in Fig. 32: base of R1 in forewing close to base of R2+3; trunk of Rs+M in hindwing strongly deflected towards costa. T5 of abdomen without hair-scales.

Male genitalia (Figs 39, 40, 42, 58, 59). Capsule ca. 480 μm long. Vinculum with anterior margin W-shaped; lateral arms and tegumen forming a triangle. Tegumen very narrow, caudally rounded. Uncus hood-like with well-sclerotized tip. Gnathos with enlarged basal plate, lateral arms slightly curved, central element short, triangular. Valva (Fig. 40) ca. 280–335 μm long, triangular and pointed; a spine-like process at base of medial edge; inner (dorsal) surface with numerous strong flattened setae in apical ½; exterior surface with a tuft of very robust, long setae extending beyond tip of valva (visible without dissection); sublateral processes well developed; pectinifer absent. Aedeagus (Figs 42, 59) ca. 550–575 μm including processes; 3 large blunt interconnected processes at apex, the left hand one curved; vesica with a large field of small cornuti, cathrema with 3 loosely interconnected elongate sclerites.

Female genitalia (Figs 73, 80–82). Total length ca. 935 μm. T9 not forming distinct anal papillae, 8–9 setae on each side. T8 with ca. 9–10 setae on each side. Apophyses anteriores slightly longer than posteriores (Fig. 81). Lateral sclerites of vestibulum absent. Corpus bursae with elongate posterior portion and oval anterior portion; anterior portion with strong transverse folds and numerous strong close-set pectinations. Signum (Fig. 82) an elongate weakly toothed band along anterior edge of corpus.

Both sexes can be distinguished from similar members of the subgenus by the black eyecaps with their weakly scaled transparent bases. In addition, the combination of the pointed valvae with their long, strong setae (visible in undissected males) and the moustache-like patch of hair-scales on T5 of the abdomen is characteristic of the male. In the female genitalia, the absence of lateral sclerites in the vestibulum and the transversely rugose corpus bursaeare diagnostic.

Collected in scattered localities in eastern Australia from Wellington, N.S.W. south to Mt Nelson, Hobart, Tasmania; presumably widespread, but not yet known from Victoria.

RMNH.INS.24106, Genbank KC292479

The specific name is derived from the Greek mystax (a moustache) and notos (a back) and refers to the tuft of hair-scales on T5 in the male. It is an adjective.

Several species related to Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) mystaconota are known: all lack a pectinifer and have more or less dense tufts of setae on the dorsal surface of the valva. The group seems to be best represented in Western Australia. As the larvae are unknown, and the only definite apomorphies for the subgenus Pectinivalva are characters of the larva, the assignment of this group to the subgenus remains to be confirmed. The undivided uncus and the form of the sclerites associated with the cathrema in the male genitalia, and the form of the signum in the female genitalia, are characteristic of the subgenus Pectinivalva, but these features may be plesiomorphic within the genus as a whole. However, in the most parsimonious trees resulting from the cladistic analysis presented above, Pectinivalva mystaconota was placed as sister species to Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 138 + Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) 163. For these reasons, it is here placed in the subgenus Pectinivalva.

Pectinivalva (Casanovula) brevipalpa sp. n.

Adults. Head capsule (Figs 23–30): labial palpi either normal, 3-segmented, or with segments 2 and 3 reduced (Fig. 27), or 2-segmented (Fig. 26); interocular index 0.55–0.68. Antennae sometimes dilated and flattened at base. Head colour blackish or orange; eyecaps white, often blackish posteriorly. Collar consisting of piliform scales. Wingspan 3.8–6.0 mm. Forewing with dark blue or purplish lustre and (except in one species) transverse shining silver or pale gold fascia. Hindwing without androconial pocket. Underside of male forewing without androconia. Wing venation (Fig. 33): R2+3 in forewing absent. Upperside of abdomen in male sometimes with specialized lamellate scales; S2a strongly spinose or without spines. Legs: fore-tibia of male not thickened above with scales.

Male genitalia(Figs 43–48, 60–63). Anterior extension of vinculum more or less H-shaped, with strong medial excavation. Tegumen simple. Uncus apically bifid, basally with 2 weakly sclerotized areas. Gnathos central element narrow and pointed. Valva (Figs 44, 47) relatively stout, apically rounded or squared off, pectinifer consisting of ca. 22–29more or less peg-like elements. Aedeagus (Figs 45, 48, 61, 63): vesica with numerous small cornuti; cathrema moderately weak, with or without associated sclerites.

Female genitalia (Figs 74, 75, 83–88). Lateral sclerites of vestibulum present, narrow. Accessory sac more or less developed. Corpus bursae with numerous pectinations, signum absent.

Larva. Head (Figs 105, 106): antennae 2-segmented; segment 2 with 1 pair of sensilla chaetica and 1 pair of sensilla basiconica; head-shape cordate or pyriform. Thorax: prothoracic sternite (Figs 110, 111) more or less narrow, subtriangular; chaetotaxy (Fig. 116): T2 with 10 or 11 pairs of setae (2 pairs of D setae (except in Pectinivalva (Casanovula) 226, which has 1 pair of D setae); L3 present or absent). Abdomen: as described for subfamily. Cuticle not textured, all segments except T1 and A10 with covering of fine spines.

Host-plants: Lophostemon Peter G. Wilson spp., Tristaniopsis Peter G. Wilson spp., and Melaleuca L. spp. (including species formerly assigned to Callistemon R. Br.) (all Myrtaceae). Mine (Figs 117, 118): either a narrow gallery more or less filled with frass, or a gallery expanding into a blotch; exit-hole a small semicircular slit, a small semicircular hole, or a large slit: in the last case larva pupating in mine.

See Table 1.

Known only from eastern Australia: Queensland, N.S.W., A.C.T. and Tasmania; to be expected in Victoria.

The subgenus is named (in the diminutive) after the famous Italian adventurer and philanderer Giacomo Casanova, in reference to the unusual sexual ornamentation of the males of some species (e.g. Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus sp. n., in which the male has strongly dilated antennae and specialized scales on the abdomen upperside). It is considered feminine (in spite of its derivation) to accord with the gender of Pectinivalva.

No previously described species are referable to this subgenus. The following species are described below: Pectinivalva (Casanovula) brevipalpa sp. n. and Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus sp. n. Also at least five undescribed species in the anic, of which the following, cited by their anic rearing numbers, have been studied in detail for the current work: Pectinivalva (Casanovula) 219; Pectinivalva (Casanovula) 226.

This is the least speciose of the three subgenera of Pectinivalva. Two species-groups can conveniently be recognised. In the Pectinivalva (Casanovula) brevipalpa group (not monophyletic according to the cladistic analysis), the antenna of the male is dilated and flattened at the base, the vertex bears a pair of sclerotized crests, and the labial palpus is modified, with segments 2 and 3 reduced or fused. Abdominal sternite 2a is strongly spinose. The host-plants are Tristaniopsis and Lophostemon spp. and pupation is outside the mine. In addition to Pectinivalva brevipalpa and Pectinivalva minotaurus, a single undescribed species (Pectinivalva 41, feeding on Lophostemon confertus), is referable to this species group. In the Pectinivalva (Casanovula) 219 group, the labial palpi and the vertex are unmodified; S2a lacks spines; the host-plants belong to Melaleuca (including Callistemon), and pupation may be within the mine. About four species are known in this species group.

Holotype. ♂, 34.39S, 150.29E, Fitzroy Falls, N.S.W., emg. 25.x.1996, Tristaniopsis collina, R.J.B. Hoare. Genitalia slide 12111 (anic). Paratypes. 6♂, 5♀, same data as holotype, emg. 17.x.-9.xii.1996; 2♂, 4♀, 34.48S, 150.34E, Cambewarra Lookout, N.S.W., Tristaniopsis collina, emg. 15.x.-22.xii.1995, R.J.B. Hoare and E.S. Nielsen; 1♂, 1♀, 35.37S, 150.16E, 1 km SE of East Lynne, Kioloa State Forest, N.S.W., emg. 26, 28.x.1995, Tristaniopsis collina, R.J.B. Hoare; 1♀, Clyde Mt., N.S.W., [host unidentified], emg. 28.x.1963, I.F.B. Common. Slides 11237, 11238, 11328, 12065, 12136 (anic).

Male (Fig. 6). Wingspan 4.3–5.9 mm. Head capsule (Figs 23–26): labial palpi reduced, 2-segmented; maxillary palpi with ratio of segments from base approximately 0.2: 0.4: 0.5: 1.2: 1.0; interocular index 0.67; vertex with a pair of sclerotized crests. Frontal tuft ferruginous; collar white; eyecaps white; antennae with basal segments dilated and flattened, gradually tapering, shining lead-grey, whitish beneath, ca. 32 segments. Thorax and tegulae dark fuscous with purplish reflections. Forewing to 2/3 dark fuscous with purplish reflections; a shining silver to pale golden fascia at 2/3, slightly broader on costa, apex of wing dark fuscous without reflections; cilia pale grey beyond a line of fuscous-tipped scales. Hindwing grey, unmodified; cilia grey. Abdomen lead-grey, slightly shining.

Female (Fig. 7). Wingspan 4.3–5.2 mm. Similar to male, but antennae not dilated at base, 18 segments.

Male genitalia (Figs 43–45, 60, 61). Capsule ca. 250 μm. Anterior extension of vinculum with semicircular excavation. Uncus squarish, bilobed, with a tuft of 5–6 setae arising from dorsal side of each lobe near tip, centre of uncus with two weakly sclerotized ‘windows’. Gnathos with elongate central element and short lateral arms. Valva (Fig. 44) ca. 190 μm, squarish; pectinifer consisting of ca. 27 narrow elements. Transtilla absent. Aedeagus (Fig. 45, 61) 360 μm, a single rather broad, blunt spine at apex on left. Vesica with numerous close-set rather broad cornuti.

Female genitalia (Fig. 74, 83–85). Total length 520 μm. T9 with 7 setae on each side. Apophyses anteriores rather narrow with slightly incurved tips; apophyses posteriores slightly narrower and longer than anteriores. Lateral sclerotizations of vestibulum narrow, bent inwards, tips unmodified. Ductus spermathecae with 1 indistinct convolution. Posterior part of corpus bursae very convoluted; anterior part with many coarse pectinations; 2 or 3 indistinct elongate sclerotizations ½ way down corpus.

Larva. Green. Head (Fig. 105) elongate, pyriform; length of head ca. 410 μm; width ca. 295 μm. Thorax: prothoracic sternite as in Fig. 110. Chaetotaxy (Fig. 116) as described for subgenus; T2 with 10 pairs of setae (L3 absent); A10 with 4 pairs. Anal rods distinctly forked posteriorly.

Host plant: Tristaniopsis collina Peter G. Wilson & Waterhouse (Myrtaceae). Egg: on underside of leaf. Mine (Fig. 117): commences as very long narrow gallery either filled with greenish frass or with black linear frass, broadens rather abruptly into gallery with central line of black frass; exit-hole on upperside, a semicircular slit. Cocoon: reddish brown. Occupied mines have been collected on 25 June, 1 July, 13 July and 3 August.

The male is superficially similar to that of Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus, but differs in its much less strongly expanded antennae. The male of Pectinivalva (Casanovula) minotaurus also differs in having shell-like androconial scales on the upperside of the abdomen, visible on dissection, and a more distinctly H-shaped vinculum (Figs 46, 62). The female of Pectinivalva brevipalpa is also very similiar to that of minotaurus but can be distinguished on dissection by the presence of the indistinct sclerites ½ way down the corpus bursae.

New South Wales.

The specific name is derived from the Latin brevis (short) and palpus (the sensitive palm of the hand: hence, in zoology, a palp) and refers to the reduced, 2-segmented labial palpi of the adult male. It is an adjective.

Holotype. ♂, 27.36S 151.59E, Leslie St., Toowoomba, Qld, emg. 19.ii.1996, Lophostemon confertus, R.J.B. Hoare, I.F.B. Common. Paratypes. 2♂, 6♀, same data as holotype, emg. 2.-27.ii., 1.iii.1996, slide 11325 (anic); 11♂, 17♀, same locality, emg. 2.i.-2.ii.2001, Lophostemon confertus, R.J.B. Hoare, C. van den Berg, genitalia slides CvdB110, EvN 3539, 3547 (rmnh); 3♀, 27.33S, 151.59E, Prince Henry Heights, Toowoomba, Queensland, emg. 15, 18.ii.1986, Lophostemon confertus, I.F.B. Common, slide 10209 (anic); 1♂, 1♀, Brisbane, Queensland, emg. 30.xii.1957, Lophostemon suaveolens, I.F.B. Common, slides 11507, 11582 (anic); 1♂, Goodna, [Queensland], 8.iv.1906, [A.J. Turner], slide 11506 (anic).

Male (Fig. 8). Wingspan 4.7–5.5 mm. Head capsule (Figs 27–30): labial palpi 3-segmented; segment 2 reduced, maxillary palpi with ratio of segments from base approximately 0.3: 0.8: 0.6: 1.7: 1.0; interocular index 0.57; vertex with a pair of sclerotized crests. Frontal tuft ferruginous; collar ferruginous; eyecaps white, posteriorly leaden; antennae with flagellomeres in basal ½ greatly dilated and flattened, tapering beyond this, shining lead-grey, yellowish beneath, ca. 43–48 segments. Thorax and tegulae dark fuscous with purplish reflections. Forewing to ½ dark fuscous with bluish and purplish reflections; beyond this dark fuscous with bronzy reflections; a shining pale golden fascia at 2/3, apex of wing at base of cilia with purplish reflections; cilia grey beyond a line of fuscous-tipped scales, pale brownish around apex. Hindwing grey, unmodified; cilia grey. Abdomen with T2–3 shining brassy golden, remaining tergites shining dark leaden with green and violet reflections; T4 laterally with contiguous groups of androconial scales of two types: inner scales scallop-shaped, finely ridged; outer scales calyx-shaped, coarsely ribbed; T5 with similar area of androconia consisting entirely of scallop-shaped scales (Figs 37, 38), these showing as velvet black crescents on abdomen in situ.

Female (Fig. 9). Wingspan 4.7–5.8 mm. Similar to male, but antennae not dilated at base, ca 21–24 segments; abdomen entirely leaden with brassy reflections.

Male genitalia (Figs 46–48, 62, 63). Capsule ca. 360–375 μm. Anterior extension of vinculum reduced to curved lateral struts, i.e. vinculum anteriorly H-shaped. Uncus subtriangular, bilobed, with a compact tuft of setae arising from dorsal side of each lobe near tip. Gnathos with elongate central element and short lateral arms. Valva (Fig. 47) ca. 235 μm, squarish, caudal margin very straight; pectinifer consisting of ca. 29 narrow elements. Transtilla absent. Aedeagus (Figs 48, 63) 545 μm, with single broad, blunt apical process. Vesica with numerous close-set spine-like cornuti in several groups.

Female genitalia (Fig. 75, 86–88). Total length 800–880 μm. T9 with ca 9 setae on each side. Apophyses anteriores reduced to rounded stubs; apophyses posteriores narrow, much longer than anteriores. Lateral sclerotizations of vestibulum narrow, bent inwards, tips squared off. Ductus spermathecae with 1 ½ convolutions. Posterior part of corpus bursae very convoluted; anterior part with many coarse pectinations in right half; left half with a few fine pectinations only; no further sclerotizations in corpus.

Larva. Green. Head (Fig. 106) parallel-sided; length of head ca. 250 μm; width ca. 215 μm. Thorax: prothoracic sternite as in Fig. 111. Chaetotaxy as described for subgenus; T2 with 11 pairs of setae (L3 present), A10 probably with 3 pairs (but 1 pair possibly lost in slide examined). Anal rods distinctly forked posteriorly.

Host plants: Lophostemon confertus (R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.and Lophostemon suaveolens (Sol. ex Gaertn.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh. (Myrtaceae). Egg: invariably on upperside of leaf. Mine (Fig. 118): commences as very long narrow gallery with black linear frass, leaving narrow clear margins, broadens rather abruptly into an irregular wide gallery or elongate blotch, sometimes with gallery parts, with central line of black frass or in the case of the blotch, frass concentrated on one or both sides; exit-hole on underside, an almost circular hole. Cocoon (Fig. 125): dark reddish brown. Occupied mines have been collected on 6 and 17 July and 15 August. A male pupa (pharate adult) is shown in Figs 126, 127.

Very similar externally to Pectinivalva (Casanovula) brevipalpa in both sexes; diagnostic characters are listed under that species.

Southern Queensland.

RMNH.INS.23539, Genbank KC292478 and RMNH.INS.23547, Genbank KC292477, both identical.

The species is named after the famous beast of Greek mythology, the Minotaur. The name (a noun in apposition) refers to the extraordinarily expanded and flattened male antennae, which are likened to the Minotaur’s horns.

The antennae of the male are the most strongly modified of any known species of Nepticulidae. Although many male-specific head structures in other insects are utilized in male-male competitive interactions over mates (e.g. the lateral cephalic projections of Phytalmia spp, Tephritidae (Moulds 1977)), such direct competition is unknown in Lepidoptera, and the antennae of minotaurus are more likely to function in close-range courtship, along with the androconial scales on the male abdomen. Similar widened flagellomeres are known from the genus Thisizima Walker, 1864 in Tineidae (Yang et al. 2012). The androconial scales are also remarkable, two distinct types being present in contiguous patches on the abdominal dorsum.

Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes sp. n.

Adults. Head capsule (Figs 21, 22): labial palpi 3-segmented; interocular index 0.49–0.84. Antennae in male occasionally broadened in middle, or with pedicel and segment 1 of flagellum modified as in Fig. 22. Collar consisting of piliform scales (lamellate scales in one undescribed species). Wingspan3.2–7.0 mm. Thorax and forewing usually unicolorous greyish to fuscous, or with transverse pale fascia or opposite pale spots on costa and tornus at 2/3, occasionally yellowish with dark markings. Costa of forewing in male sometimes with a tuft of very narrow stiff scales towards base. Hindwing of male occasionally expanded at base; androconial pocket often present. Underside of forewing in male sometimes with androconia. Wing venation (Figs 34–36): R2+3 in forewing absent. Abdomen: S2a with or without spines. Legs: fore-tibia in male of those species with androconial pocket usually thickened above with blackish scales.

Male genitalia (Figs 49–57, 64–72). Vinculum with lateral arms often conspicuously forked apically; the lower branchsupporting the uncus and the upper branch the tegumen. Uncus apically bifid. Valva (Figs 50, 53, 56) variable in shape; pectinifer with ca. 9–34 (usually fewer than 20) peg-like, spine-like or broad tooth-like elements, or reduced to a thickening along caudal edge of valva. Transverse bar of transtilla absent (present in Pectinivalva (Menurella) 119). Aedeagus (Figs 51, 54, 57, 65, 66, 69, 72): cathrema associated with the apex of a long tubular sclerotization.

Female genitalia (Figs 76–79, 89–103). Lateral sclerites of vestibulum present: forked or thickened. Accessory sac absent. Corpus bursae with extent of pectinations more or less reduced; signum either a small weakly toothed band (Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae, Pectinivalva (Menurella) xenadelpha and Pectinivalva (Menurella) quintiniae) or 2 concentric ovals of fence-like marks.

Larva. Head (Figs 107, 108) always more or less cordate, never pyriform. Chaetotaxy: T2 with 10 or 11 pairs of setae (D1 usually present; L3 present or absent). Otherwise not distinguished from that of Pectinivalva (Casanovula).

Host-plants: Syzygium R.Br. ex Gaertn.species (formerly in Acmena), Leptospermum Forst. et f. spp., Angophora Cav. spp., Corymbia maculata (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson, Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa Benth., Eucalyptus spp., probably other Myrtaceae, and with one species on Paracryphiaceae (Quintinia). Mine (Figs 119–124): usually a narrow gallery more or less filled with frass, occasionally a very short gallery leading to and enveloped by a blotch; exit-hole usually a small semicircular hole.

See Table 1.

Australia (known from all states and territories), Indonesia (Borneo: Kalimantan).

The subgeneric name is the diminutive of Menura, the genus to which the lyre-bird belongs. It stems from a fancied resemblance between the uncus in some species of the group and the tail of the male lyre-bird. It should be treated as feminine.

In addition to eleven described and new species, also approximately 70 undescribed species in the anic, of which the following, cited by their anic rearing numbers, have been studied in detail for the current work: Pectinivalva (Menurella) 2; Pectinivalva (Menurella) 91; Pectinivalva (Menurella) 119.

Menurella is the most diverse of the three subgenera of Pectinivalva, in terms of numbers of species, morphology and host-plant choice. Below we describe the type species Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes, three morphologically unusual rainforest species Pectinivalvaacmenae, Pectinivalva xenadelpha, Pectinivalva tribulatrix, and Pectinivalva quintiniae with unusual morphology and host-plant.

Pectinivalva (Menurella) is equivalent to the Pectinivalva funeralis group of Hoare et al. (1997).

Holotype. ♂, 27.36S, 151.59E, Leslie St., Toowoomba, Queensland, emg. 8.x.1995, Eucalyptus pilularis, R.J.B. Hoare, I.F.B. Common. Paratypes. 6♂, 4♀, same data as holotype, emg. 3–10.x., 9.xi., 13.xii.1995, slides 11330, 12066 (anic); 5♂, 4♀, 27.36S, 151.59E, J.E. Duggan Park, Leslie St., Toowoomba, Queensland, 6.vii.2000, emg. 11.viii.-27.ix.2000, Eucalyptus pilularis, R.J.B. Hoare, C. van den Berg, bred in NL, slide EJvN3548 (rmnh); 4♂, 2♀, McAfee’s Lookout, Brisbane Forest Park, Queensland, emg. 1–10.x.1995, Eucalyptus carnea, R.J.B. Hoare, slides 11262, 11263 (anic).4♂, 3♀, Lisarow, N.S.W., emg. ix.1954, ix.-x.1955, x.1956, Eucalyptus acmenoides, K.M. Moore; 1♀, Mollymook, N.S.W., 21.xii.1996, emg. 28.i.1997, Eucalyptus pilularis, R.J.B. Hoare.

Male (Fig. 10). Wingspan 5.2–5.7 mm. Head capsule (Figs 21, 22): labial palpi distinctly shorter than galeae; maxillary palpi with ratio of segments from base approximately 0.4: 0.3: 0.4: 1.4: 1.0; interocular index 0.69; scape slightly expanded posteriorly into a setose ‘bump’; 1st 2 flagellar segments of antenna fused and narrower than remaining segments so that base of flagellum appears slightly invaginated posteriorly. Frontal tuft black, collar white; eyecaps white, black-bordered posteriorly beneath; antennae shining grey, ca. 42 segments. Thorax and forewing entirely blackish brown; a row of long blackish androconial scales projecting from dorsum; cilia shining dark brown, cilia-line indistinct. Hindwing rather broad, dark brown, with a small narrow androconial pocket basally; cilia shining blackish. Underside: forewing dark brown, costa black with a knob of black granular scales at base forming retinaculum; hindwing dark brown with blackish lamellate scales along basal ½ of costa. Wing venation as in Fig. 35. Legs: fore-tibia thickened above with blackish scales. Abdomen shining blackish.

Female (Fig. 11). Wingspan 5.0–5.2 mm. Head: frontal tuft brownish, collar white; eyecaps shining white, unmodified, antennae shining grey, ca. 24 segments, basal flagellar segments unmodified. Thorax and forewing paler than in male, yellowish overlain more or less extensively with brownish fuscous scales, leaving following markings yellow: a diffuse streak just beneath costa reaching ½ way along wing and diffuse opposite spots on costa and tornus at 2/3, cilia grey with moderately distinct cilia-line. Hindwing narrower than in male, grey; cilia grey. Underside: forewing shining dark brown; hindwing shining grey. Wing venation as in Fig. 34. Legs unmodified. Abdomen shining dark grey, paler beneath.

Male genitalia (Figs 49–51, 64, 65). Capsule ca. 370 μm long. Vinculum with slight anterior excavation; lateral arms inconspicuously forked apically, the caudal bifurcations from each side uniting to form straight bar along base of tegumen. Tegumen narrow, lateral corners produced anteriorly into distinct ‘shoulders’. Uncus small, boat-shaped. Gnathos central element long, spatulate. Valva (Fig. 50) ca. 245 μm long, reaching well beyond tegumen, strongly curved; medial edge smoothly excavated and ending in triangular projection; pectinifer consisting of 12 broad, blunt elements; dorsal surface towards apex with long setae. Juxta consisting of paired plate-like sclerites. Aedeagus (Fig. 51, 65) ca. 455 μm long; a spine-like process projecting from apex on right in ventral view; vesica with ca. 20 rather large cornuti, the 2 apical ones with very broad bases; sclerotized tube supporting cathrema very long, 2/3 length of aedeagus.

Female genitalia (Fig. 76, 89–91). Total length ca. 640 μm. T9 with ca. 10–11 setae on each side. Apophyses posteriores slightly longer than anteriores; apophyses anteriores curved inwards. Segment 7 produced laterally into 2 small evaginations either side of apophyses anteriores. Lateral sclerites of vestibulum broad, their apices associated with a pair of roughened irregular sclerotizations in centre of vestibulum. Ductus bursae strongly folded. Ductus spermathecae with ca. 3–4 poorly defined convolutions. Corpus bursae rounded; a field of concentrically arranged pectinations in posterior ½ on one side; signum a pair of concentric ovals of fence-like spines.

Larva. Appearing translucent whitish or yellowish in mine, becoming dull purplish white on vacating. Head as in Fig. 107; length of head ca. 345 μm; width ca. 270 μm. Thorax: prothoracic sternite (Fig. 112) narrow, I-shaped. Chaetotaxy and spinosity: T2 with 10 pairs of setae (L3 absent); otherwise as described for subgenus Casanovula. Anal rods slightly forked posteriorly.

Host plants: Eucalyptus pilularis Smith, Enteucha carnea R. Baker, Enteucha acmenoides Schauer and probably Enteucha saligna Smith (see below) (Myrtaceae). Egg: on upperside of leaf. Mine (Fig. 119): commences as a tight spiral around the egg, causing a raised red-brown spot on the leaf about 3–5 mm in diameter; later broadens into a more or less contorted linear gallery with black frass leaving narrow clear margins; exit-hole on leaf underside, a crescentic hole. Often several mines to a leaf. Cocoon: reddish brown. Occupied mines were collected on 17 and 20 July 1995, and 21 Dec 1996, and have also been recorded in January, March, April, June and August (Moore 1966).

The male of Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes resembles those of Pectinivalva (Menurella) funeralis (Meyrick), Pectinivalva (Menurella) libera (Meyrick) and Pectinivalva (Menurella) 119. It can be distinguished from all of these by its black head-tuft. The brown and yellow wing pattern of the female is distinctive amongst known species (although the females of Pectinivalva (Menurella) funeralis and Pectinivalva (Menurella) libera are unknown). The unusual larval mine of Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes appears to be diagnostic.

N.S.W, Southern Queensland.

RMNH.INS.23548, Genbank KC292483.

The specific name (an adjective) is derived from the Greek skotodes, meaning either ‘dark’ or ‘dizzy’. It refers both to the blackish coloration of the adult male moth, and to the habit of the young larva, which mines in tight circles.

The two female paratypes reared from mines on Eucalyptus carnea collected near Brisbane have a sparser scattering of brown scales on the yellow ground colour than the females reared from Enteucha pilularis. However, no other differences have been observed between specimens from these two host-plants, and the mines also appear to be identical.

This species was first collected by K.M. Moore, who described and illustrated the mine (Moore 1966: figs 15, 15A). There are specimens in the anic (here designated paratypes) reared by him in the 1950’s. The host-plant is indicated on the labels only by a rearing number; mines from his herbarium with the corresponding number are all in leaves of Eucalyptus acmenoides. He also recorded mines on Enteucha saligna, but no specimens reared from this host-plant have been located. Moore referred to this species as ‘Nepticula sp. 3’ and regarded it as related to Nepticula gilva Meyrick. He was probably misled by the wing-pattern of the female of Pectinivalva (Menurella) scotodes, which bears some resemblance to that of Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) gilva: he would not have seen the type specimen of Pectinivalva (Pectinivalva) gilva in the BMNH. The two species are not closely related and belong to different subgenera of Pectinivalva.

Holotype. ♂, 35.37S, 150.16E, 1 km SE of East Lynne, Kioloa State Forest, N.S.W., Acmena smithii, emg. 12.x.1995, R.J.B. Hoare. Paratypes. 3♂, 3♀, same data as holotype, emg. 10–21.x.1995; 2♂, 36.19S, 150.03E, Mt Dromedary, N.S.W., emg. 22, 24.x.1995, R.J.B. Hoare, E.S. Nielsen and M.J. Matthews, genitalia slides 10213, 11242 (anic); 2♂, 28.42S, 153.37E, Broken Head NR, N.S.W., 13.vii.2000, emg. 15–18.viii.2000, Acmena smithii, R.J.B. Hoare, C. van den Berg, bred in NL, slide EJvN3541 (rmnh).

Male (Fig. 12). Wingspan 4.5–5.5 mm. Head: frontal tuft ferruginous; collar inconspicuous, consisting of white, grey-tipped scales; eyecaps anteriorly white, posteriorly shining grey with bluish reflections; antennae shining dark grey, whitish beneath, ca. 35 segments. Thorax, tegulae and forewing uniform shining dark grey with strong blue reflections; an inconspicuous tornal spot consisting of a few white scales; cilia dark grey. Hindwing unmodified, pale grey; cilia pale grey. Underside: forewing grey with faint brassy reflections; hindwing grey. Abdomen shining dark grey; anal tuft inconspicuous, dark grey.

Female (Fig. 13). Wingspan 5.2–5.6 mm. Similar to male, but antenna with 23–25 segments, and forewing rather broader. Wing venation as in Fig. 36. Abdominal tip not as broad and ‘square’ as in females of other Pectinivalva spp.

Male genitalia(Figs 52–54, 66). Capsule ca. 425 μm long, forming a narrow triangle. Anterior edge of vinculum excavated in a half-oblong. Tegumen rounded, with ventral extensions on each side overlapping lateral arms of gnathos. Uncus rectangular, bilobed, lobes slightly produced, with 3 setae on each. Gnathos central element long, reaching just beyond uncus, ending in small swelling. Valva (Fig. 53) ca. 210 μm long, squarish, more rounded caudally and produced into a short point at exterior corner of apex; apical ½ with numerous spine-like setae on dorsal surface; pectinifer consisting of ca. 18 spine-like elements. Long sublateral processes present. Juxta a weak subcircular plate. Aedeagus (Figs 54, 66) ca. 510 μm long, a curved spine arising towards apex on left, a shorter spine to right of this one, a third spine in line with second and anterior to it. Vesica basally with cathrema surrounded by a field of many broad, short cornuti; a separate field of ca. 9 long narrow cornuti above opening of ejaculatory duct.

Female genitalia(Fig. 77, 92–94). Total length ca. 760 μm. T9 prominent, with a group of 5–6 setae on each side. Apophyses anteriores rather narrow, curved inwards; apophyses posteriores narrow, straight, approximately equal in length to anteriores. Lateral sclerotizations of vestibulum strongly developed, forked, the bifurcations diverging widely, anterior pair blunt, posterior pair pointed. Ductus spermathecae with 4½ convolutions. Posterior part of corpus broad, folded, without markings; anterior part rounded, with rows of inconspicuous pectinations; signum consisting of broken linear sclerotization surrounded by oval sclerotized ring with blunt dentitions.

Larva. Green. Length of head ca. 440 μm; width ca. 350 μm. Thorax: prothoracic sternite in shape of Y with expanded base (Fig. 113); an additional small roundish sclerite on each side of this and antero-dorsal to SV and V group of setae. Chaetotaxy and spinosity: T2 with 11 pairs of setae (L3 present); otherwise as described for subgenus Casanovula. Anal rods distinctly forked posteriorly.

Host plant: Syzygium smithii (Poir.) Nied. (Myrtaceae) (formerly Acmena smithii), common lilly pilly. Egg: almost invariably on upperside, usually near leaf margin. Mine (Fig. 120): a long, very narrow contorted gallery, filled with brown frass apart from irregular crenulations along mine edge; exit-hole on underside, a semicircular hole. Cocoon: reddish brown. Occupied mines were collected on 30 July and 3 August.

This is the one of three known species of Pectinivalva in which the forewings have a bluish lustre but no transverse fascia. The others are Pectinivalva xenadelpha and Pectinivalva quintiniae, both described and diagnosed below. There is an undescribed Australian species of Stigmella which sometimes occurs together with Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae, and in which the forewings are similarly unicolorous dark blue; however, the Stigmella species is distinctly larger (wingspan 6–8 mm), and has a collar consisting of white lamellate scales; its larva is a leaf-miner on Baloghia inophylla (G. Forster) P. Green (Euphorbiaceae).

New South Wales. Vacated mines probably of this species were seen abundantly along the coast near Manley, Sydney.

RMNH.INS.23541, Genbank KC292474.

The specific name is derived from the former host-plant genus, and is a noun in the genitive. Because the moth is referred to under this manuscript name in the first author’s unpublished thesis, we have chosen to retain it for consistency, in spite of the change in classification of the host-plant.

The host-plant genus of Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae, Syzygium, is not closely related to other myrtaceous hosts from which Pectinivalva species have been reared in Australia, and belongs to the tribe Syzygieae (Wilson et al. 2005, Biffin et al. 2006). Vacated mines on Syzygium ingens (F.Muell. ex C.Moore) Craven & Biffin (= Acmena brachyandra) in Lamington National Park have tentatively been identified as this species (Appendix 2 and online Appendix 3).

Holotype. ♀, INDONESIA (Kalim. Timur), Pasir distr.: Gunung Lumut Prot. For., Gunung Lumut, ridge SW of summit, 18–20.xi.2005, 50M LD864441, 950 m, leafmines, undisturbed Acmena dominated low forest, on Acmena acuminatissima (Blume) Merr. & L.M. Perry, emg. 15.xii.2005, RMNH/EvN no 2005185–1, E.J. van Nieukerken, genitalia slide EvN 3738 (mzb).

Additional material: leafmines, larvae, same locality (rmnh).

Male. Unknown.

Female (Fig. 14, 129). Wingspan 4.0 mm. Head: frontal tuft pale ferruginous; collar inconspicuous, white; eyecaps anteriorly white, posteriorly shining grey with bluish reflections; antennae shining dark grey, 24 segments. Thorax, tegulae and forewing uniform shining dark grey with weak blue reflections; cilia dark grey. Hindwing pale grey; cilia pale grey. Underside: forewing grey with faint brassy reflections; hindwing grey. Abdomen shining dark grey, abdominal tip as in acmenae.

Female genitalia (Figs 98–100). Total length ca. 770 μm. T9 prominent, with a group of 5 setae on each side. Apophyses anteriores rather narrow, curved inwards; apophyses posteriores narrow, straight, longer than anteriores. Lateral sclerotizations of vestibulum strongly developed, but not forked. Ductus spermathecae with ca 6 close set convolutions. Posterior part of corpus normal, slightly folded, without markings; anterior part rounded, with rows of inconspicuous pectinations; signum consisting of broken linear sclerotization surrounded by oval sclerotized ring with blunt dentitions.

Larva. Not preserved.

Host-plant: Syzygium acuminatissimum (Blume) A. DC. (Myrtaceae) (formerly Acmena acuminatissima), very closely related to the Australian Syzygium smithii (Biffin et al. 2006), a widespread species in the mountains of south Asia, from India and China to New Guinea and the Pacific islands (Chen and Craven 2007). Egg: almost invariably on upperside, almost always on or near midrib. Mine (Fig. 123): a long, very narrow contorted gallery, first half very narrow, running from midrib to leaf margin, or sometimes along midrib, filled with blackish frass, second half much wider, much contorted, often zigzagging, frass compact, black, leaving narrow clear margins; exit-hole on underside, a semicircular hole. Cocoon: ochreous. Occupied mines were collected on 18 and 20 November; they occurred together with abundant mines of a Heliozela species.

Very similar externally to Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae from Australia, but lacks the pale tornal spot of that species. In the genitalia, the lateral sclerites of the vestibulum are not forked (as they are in acmenae), and the apophyses posteriores are distinctly longer than the apophyses anteriores (same length in acmenae).

Borneo, East Kalimantan: Gunung Lumut.

The species name (a noun in apposition) derives from the Greek xenos (stranger, foreigner) and adelpha (sister) and refers to the close relationship to acmenae as well as the great geographical distance between this and other known Pectinivalva species.

RMNH.INS.23738 (holotype), Genbank KC292487 and RMNH.INS.11968 (larva), genbank KC292486, both identical.

We choose to describe this species here, even on the basis of a single female, to be able to record the genus from outside Australia. The detailed knowledge of its life history and three DNA markers (including CO1 barcode) will make future association with males straightforward.

Holotype. ♂, Tullawalal, Lamington National Park, Qld, [UTM: 56J NP188794], la. 19.viii.2004, 900–940 m, [rainforest], emg. 25.ix.-6.x.2004, Quintinia verdonii, E.J. van Nieukerken, R.J.B. Hoare, RMNH/EvN no. 2004100, genitalia slide 18720 (anic) (= EJvN 3960). Paratypes. 2♂, 6♀, same data as holotype, genitalia slides ♂: EvN 3736, ♀: EvN 3961, 3993 (anic, rmnh); 2♀, 28.28S, 153.07E, Bar Mountain, Border Ranges Nat. Pk, N.S.W., emg. 21–23.viii.2000, Quintinia verdonii, C. van den Berg, R.J.B. Hoare (anic, rmnh).

Additional material: leafmines from same localities.

Male (Fig. 15). Wingspan 4.7–4.8 mm. Head: frontal tuft ferruginous; collar inconspicuous, consisting of shining pale grey scales; eyecaps basally white, exteriorly shining grey with violet reflections; antennae shining dark grey, whitish beneath, ca. 35–38 segments. Thorax, tegulae and forewing uniform shining fuscous with strong blue to violet reflections; cilia greyish fuscous. Hindwing unmodified, grey; cilia grey. Underside: forewing dark greyish fuscous; hindwing grey. Abdomen shining dark greyish fuscous; anal tuft inconspicuous, fuscous.

Female (Figs 16, 128). Wingspan 5.0–5.8 mm. Similar to male, but antenna with ca. 27 segments, and forewing rather broader.

Male genitalia (Figs 55–57, 67–69). Capsule ca. 425–465 μm long, ovoid. Anterior edge of vinculum rounded, without excavation. Tegumen rounded, without ventral extensions. Uncus rectangular, bilobed, lobes strongly produced, with ca. 6 setae on each. Gnathos central element long, reaching just beyond uncus, tapering apically. Valva (Fig. 56) ca. 305–320 μm long, rounded caudally; apically fringed with numerous spine-like setae on dorsal surface; pectinifer absent, but apex of valva thickened and well-sclerotized. Long sublateral processes present. Juxta a subrectangular plate. Aedeagus (Figs 57, 69) ca. 455–480 μm long, a curved spine arising towards apex on left. Vesica basally with many broad, short cornuti, grading into field of much larger longer cornuti towards apex.

Female genitalia (Fig. 78, 79, 95–97). Total length ca. 950 μm. T9 produced on each side into prominent anal papillae, each with a group of 5–6 setae. Apophyses anteriores moderately narrow, curved inwards; apophyses posteriores narrow, straight, distinctly shorter than anteriores. Lateral sclerotizations of vestibulum strongly developed, thick, not forked but with outer tooth-like process at ca. ½ length. Ductus spermathecae with 2½ convolutions. Posterior part of corpus broad, folded, without markings; anterior part rounded, with faint pectinations; signum consisting of broken linear sclerotization surrounded by oval sclerotized ring with blunt dentitions; an elongate band of scobination opposite signum.

Larva. Green. Head as in Fig. 108; length of head ca. 410 μm; width ca. 450 μm. Thorax: prothoracic sternite hourglass-shaped; no additional sclerites. Chaetotaxy and spinosity: T2 with 11 pairs of setae (L3 present); otherwise as described for subgenus Casanovula. Anal rods not forked posteriorly.

Host plant: Quintinia verdonii F. Muell. (Paracryphiaceae). Egg: on either side of leaf. Mine (Fig. 122): a long, meandering gallery, central line of blackish frass taking up most of mine width except near end where gallery broadens and frass takes up only ½ width; exit-hole on underside, a semicircular to oval hole. Cocoon: reddish brown. Occupied mines have been collected on 13 July and 19 August.

Superficially very similar to Pectinivalva (Menurella) acmenae, but lacking the pale tornal forewing spot of that species.

Northern N.S.W. (Border Ranges National Park); Southern Queensland, (Lamington National Park).

RMNH.INS.23736, Genbank KC292482, RMNH.INS.23960 (holotype), Genbank KC292481 and RMNH.INS.23961, Genbank KC292480, with one variable nucleotide.

The specific name (a noun in the genitive) is derived from the host-plant genus.

Currently this is the only species of Pectinivalva known from a host-plant that does not belong to Myrtaceae. Quintinia was formerly placed in Escalloniaceae, but is now assigned to the small family Paracryphiaceae (e.g., Winkworth et al. 2008).

Holotype. ♂, Cape Tribulation, Queensland, [UTM: 55K CC365219], la. 23.vii.2004, [coastal rainforest], emg. 8.ix.2004, Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa, E.J. van Nieukerken, RMNH/EvN no 2004017, genitalia slide 18721 (anic) (= EvN 3962). Paratype. ♀, same data as holotype, genitalia slide EvN 3963 (rmnh).

Additional material: many leafmines from type locality, and 2 km south.

Male (Fig. 17). Wingspan 3.5 mm, forewing length 1.5 mm. Head: frontal tuft yellow to ferruginous, collar white; eyecaps basally white, exteriorly grey; antennae grey, 25 segments. Thorax and forewing entirely shining grey fuscous, cilia-line indistinct. Hindwing basally wide, grey, with androconial pocket in basal half; cilia grey. Underside: forewing and hindwing dark brown. Abdomen grey brown, with small white anal tufts.

Female (Fig. 18). Wingspan 3.2 mm, forewing length 1.4 mm. Head: as male, but eyecaps shining white, no grey, antennae with 17 segments. Coloration as male, but hindwing narrower, grey. Abdomen shining dark grey, wide blunt abdominal tip.

Male genitalia (Figs 70–72). Capsule ca. 235 μm long, ovoid. Anterior edge of vinculum with shallow excavation. Tegumen rounded, without ventral extensions. Uncus triangular, slightly indented in middle, lobes with ca. 3–4 setae on each. Gnathos central element long, not reaching beyond uncus, parallel edges, rounded tip. Valva ca. 190 μm long, reaching well beyond tegumen, strongly curved; medial edge slightly excavated and ending in obtuse angle; pectinifer consisting of 15–16 broad, blunt elements; dorsal surface towards apex with long setae. Sublateral processes short. Juxta not visible. Aedeagus (Fig. 72) ca. 280 μm long; tubelike sclerite associated with cathrema ca 2/3 aedeagus length, anteriorly bilobed; vesica otherwise with a few small cornuti.

Female genitalia (Fig. 101–103). Total length ca. 335 μm. T9 produced on each side into prominent anal papillae, each with a group of 7 setae. Apophyses anteriores moderately narrow, curved inwards; apophyses posteriores narrow, straight, longer than anteriores. Lateral sclerotizations of vestibulum strongly developed, forked, the bifurcations diverging widely. Ductus spermathecae with 6 convolutions. Corpus small, about as long as wide, folded, covered with many pectinations; signum of concentric bands of fence-like spinules, indistinct.

Larva. Green. Fieldnotes state that it feeds with dorsum upwards, which may be incorrect. Larva not preserved.

Host-plant: Rhodomyrtus macrocarpa Benth., finger cherry (Myrtaceae). Many mines and three larvae were collected on the ca. 20 cm long leaves of seedling shrubs. Egg: on either side of leaf. Mine (Fig. 124): a narrow, long gallery, either completely meandering, or partly straight and following a major vein; frass black, broken and dispersed over total gallery width, not leaving clear margins; edges of gallery not straight, irregular; exit-hole on underside, a semicircular to oval hole. Cocoon reddish brown. Occupied mines have been collected on 22 July.

One of the smallest Pectinivalva species we know, recognised by unmarked greyish fuscous wings, grey edged scape in male and androconial pocket on male hindwing.

Northern Queensland, Cape Tribulation.

RMNH.INS.23962 (holotype), Genbank KC292484 and RMNH.INS.23963, Genbank KC292485, identical.

The species name is a noun in apposition, from the Latin tribulare, to press: hence tribulatio, distress, trouble, tribulatrix, one who causes trouble. It refers partly to the type locality (Cape Tribulation), and partly to difficulties the authors encountered in identifying the hostplant.

This species stands out from its relatives amongst the ‘derived’ species of Menurella (those with broad tooth-like pectinifer elements) in its hostplant Rhodomyrtus, which belongs to the tribe Myrteae; other members of this group feed on Eucalypteae.