A taxonomic revision of the North American species of Stigmella (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae)

Abstract. A revision of the fifty-one species of the genus Stigmella from North America is presented. Thirty-one species are recorded only from the U.S.A., seventeen species and one subspecies from the U.S.A. and Canada and three species and one subspecies are known only from Canada. Five species are new: Stigmella inconspicuella (U.S.A., California); S.heteromelis (California); S.sclerostylota (Arkansas); S.longisacca (California) and S.plumosetaeella (Arizona). Life histories, mine characteristics and larval habits are given where known. These are collated from field study, material examined, breeding records and the literature. A list of host plants is also provided.
A neotype is designated for Nepticula prunifoliella Clemens, previously considered to be possibly dipterous.
Although most Stigmella species have different genital morphology, some pairs of species do not. In these pairs, however, external features and characteristics of the mine often differ – some pairs also differ in distribution or season. The taxonomic implications are discussed in the individual treatments – not all the problems, however, can be resolved without further rearing studies and collection. Species-groups have been designated on the basis of morphology. Some species are, however, structurally intermediate between species-groups and others may resemble Ectoedemia Busck in aspects of the male genitalia while their female genitalia, external features and venation are typical of Stigmella.