Phyllonorycter inopinata nov. spec.

Fischer, Thilo C., 2021, In search for the unlikely: Leaf-mining caterpillars (Gracillariidae, Lepidoptera) from Upper Cretaceous and Eocene ambers, Zitteliana 95, pp. 135-145 : 135

Phyllonorycter inopinata nov. spec.

Etymology.

The species name ‘’ Phyllonorycter inopinata " “surprising” refers to the seemingly unlikely find of a leaf mining caterpillar preserved in amber.

Holotypus.

Specimen ex coll. Fischer no. 8182, Fig. 1

Locus typicus.

Amber mine of Yantarni, RUS

Stratum typicum.

"Blaue Erde" (Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene)

Repository.

Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Munich, Germany; accession number SNSB-ZSM-LEP amb003.

Description of holotype.

The caterpillar is 5 mm long and subcylindrical, maximum width 0.73 mm (in A4). The head is 0.36 mm long and 0.5 mm broad, depressed, triangular, and prognathous. Mandibles and antennae are developed. The legs are small (0,15-0.2 mm long). The thorax (T1 to T3) is 0.45 mm long and 0.63 mm broad. The longest abdominal segment is 0.61 mm (A4), the shortest abdominal segment is 0.3 mm (A9). Prolegs at abdominal segments A3 to A5 are small. There are three setae in lateral positions on either side of each segment, these are maximal 0.2 mm in length and could not be exactly positioned. The terminal segment is 0.21 mm long and 0.43 mm broad.

Diagnosis.

A differential diagnosis to other Phyllonorycter species is currently impossible. The holotype is the only known specimen of the new species P. inopinata . Consequently, there is no information on variability and differences between subsequent instars. A comparison to similar extant species like P. leucographella or P. platani suffers from the same insecurities. Future findings from Baltic amber may enable a differential diagnosis.

Figures

Figure 1. Holotype of Phyllonorycter inopinata, A: larva, dorsal view, B: ventral view, C: head and thoracic segments, dorsal view, D: ventral view, E: terminal segments, dorsal view, F: terminal segments, dorsal view. Scale bar 1 mm.