Galomecalpa Razowski, 1990

Brown, John W., 2024, New genera and species of tortricid moths from Chile and Argentina (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Zootaxa 5551 (1), pp. 51-90 : 72

Galomecalpa Razowski, 1990

Galomecalpa Razowski, 1990: 397 , 1997: 89; Razowski and Becker 2002: 19, 2003: 28; Razowski and Brown 2004: 322; Brown 2005: 348; Razowski and Pelz 2006: 295; Razowski and Wojtusiak 2008: 11, 2009: 135, 2010: 92, 2013: 13.

Type-species: Eulia megaloplaca Meyrick, 1932 .

Diagnosis and remarks. Razowski (1990) proposed Galomecalpa for the single Meyrick species Eulia megaloplaca . Razowski (1997), Razowski and Becker (2003), and Razowski and Brown (2004) each added one new species. Razowski and Pelz (2006) presented a comprehensive review of the genus, with descriptions of three new species, along with excellent color images of adults and genitalia of all known species. Razowski and Wojtusiak (2008, 2009, 2010, 2013) described additional species, for a current total of 15, of which the female is known for only one.

Autapomorphies of the genus include the combined shapes of the sacculus and outer margin of the valva, and the extremely elongate, slender socii. Razowski and Pelz (2006) suggested that the projection near the middle of the gnathos arms may also represent an autapomorphy for the genus. According to Razowski and Pelz (2006), the shape of the phallus can be used to define two species group; in one group the phallus is short with a dorsoposterior opening, and in the other the phallus is long with a narrow ventroterminal opening; however, the two character states are not always so discrete.

Distribution and biology. Species of Galomecalpa have been recorded from Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia, and below a new species is described from Argentina. Most species have been collected in cloud forest habitats from 1200 m to 2800 m. Nothing is known of the early stages.