Mesolia currently includes 20 species distributed in all biogeographical regions of the globe (Nuss et al., 2024). In the Neotropical region species have been described only from the northern fringe, i.e., Dominican Republic (one species), Jamaica (one species), and Mexico (one species from Guerrero and one from Presidio, state unknown). The placement of the new Galápagos species in Mesolia is based on the most recent diagnosis of the genus (Bassi, 2013). However, in the species described here as new, the female has a simple corpus bursae (Fig. 51), as opposed to a bilobed corpus bursae in other species. Mesolia was recently (Léger et al., 2019) returned to tribe Ancylolomiini, which includes the Prionypterygini (syn.) of Landry (1995).

Material examined: Holotype: ♀, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Genovesa, Bahia | Darwin, 26.iii.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg[it]. B. Landry'; ‘HOLOTYPE | Mesolia | christinae | Landry & Léger'; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085748’. Deposited in MHNG. Paratypes: 18 ♂, 40 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Genovesa: 3 ♂, 1 ♀, south side of island, 200 yards from beach, 4-6.ii.1967, in flight trap among Bursera graveolans (I.L. Wiggins); 6 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85551), 13 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85552), Bahia Darwin, 10.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 23 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85555), with same data as holotype; 8 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85536), 3 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85537), same data as holotype except 26.iii.1992. Deposited in CAS, CDRS, and MHNG. Additional material examined: 20 ♂, 29 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Fernandina: 2 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85558), Cabo Douglas, GPS: S 00°18.269', W 091°39.098', 9.ii.2005, u[ltra]v[iolet] l[ight] (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, SW side, GPS: 352 m elev., S 00°20.503’, W 091°36.969’, 10.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, Punta Espinosa, 12.v.1992, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] (B. Landry). – Floreana: 1 ♀, close to Las Palmas, GPS: 154 m elev., S 01°17.049’, W 090°28.305’, 15.iv.2004, uvl (P. Schmitz); 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85550), 6 ♀ (one dissected, slide MHNG-ENTO-85557), Punta Cormoran, 21.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Genovesa: 7 ♂, 3 ♀, south side of island, 200 yards from beach, 4-6.ii.1967, in flight trap among Bursera graveolans (I.L. Wiggins). – Isabela: 1 ♀, V[olcan]. Darwin, campamento base, 1.iii.2000, Malaise trap (L. Roque, n° 2000-03); 1 ♂, Volcan Darwin, 200 m s[obre el] n[ivel del]m[ar] [above sea level], 2.iii.2000, uvlw[hite]l[ight] (L. Roque, n° 2000-05); 1 ♂, 9 ♀, Tagus Cove, alt[itude]. ± 10 m, 22-23.iii.1970, at 15 W uv blacklight (R. Silberglied); 1 ♀, V. Alcedo, 200 m [elev.], arida alta [zone], 12.iv.2001, luz fluorescente [fluorescent light] (L. Roque, n° 2001-06); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, [Volcan] Alcedo, lado [side] NE, 200 m [elev.], camp arida alta, 14.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 1 ♂ (dissected, slide MHNG-ENTO-85559), 2 ♀, Alcedo, lado NE, low arid zone, bosq[ue]. palo santo [forest], 18.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque). – Marchena: 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85553), 1 ♀, 12.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Pinta: 1 ♂(dissected, slide MHNG-ENTO-85560), ± 50 m elev., 20.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, 630 m [elev.], xi.1970, B[ritish].M[useum]. 1971-79, Ref[erence]. No. L.100 (collector unknown). – Plaza Sur: 1 ♂, 14 m. elev., S 00°34.982’, W 090°09.936’, 15.iv.2006, uvl (P. Schmitz). – Santa Fe: 1 ♀, tourist trail, 28.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Santiago: 1 ♂, N end Bahia James, 1-2.ii.1967 (I.L. Wiggins); 2 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85554 and 85561), Cerro Inn, 28.iii.1992 MVL (B. Landry). Deposited in CAS, CDRS, MCZ, MHNG, NHMUK.

Etymology: This species is dedicated to MHNG artist Christina Lehmann-Graber for her outstanding work on BL's illustrations of this publication and some others.

Diagnosis: In the Galápagos Islands this species is easily separated from other moths by virtue of its size, narrow forewings, long, porrect labial palpi, and forewing white subterminal line that zigzags from the dorsal margin until the median sector where it is directed outward to almost reach the outer margin and then diverges at 90° to reach the costal margin at distal 1/6. Naturally poorly marked specimens do resemble poorly marked specimens of La galapagensis sp. nov. (Fig. 18) by virtue of their similar ground colour, narrow forewings and long, porrect labial palpi, but in M. christinae sp. nov. the forewing apex is rounded whereas it is pointed in La galapagensis sp. nov. Poorly marked, dark-winged specimens of Parapediasia galapagensis sp. nov. (Fig. 36) are also similar, but specimens of the latter always retain a simple subterminal line and their hindwing is white. With respect to the other Neotropical species of Mesolia, M. christinae sp. nov. is most similar to M. nipis (Dyar, 1914), described from Mexico, Sierra de Guerrero. However, in M. nipis, even though the holotype is in poor condition, one can see that it has no markings at base until the postmedian line, the outer margin is conspicuously produced at M1-M2, the costa is white between the postmedian and subterminal lines, and there are two prominent black dashes in the M3-CuA sector abutting the subterminal line and ending before the outer margin in a white patch along the outer margin.

Description: Male (n=38) (Fig. 1). Head with frons produced, pointed, with vestiture mostly short scaled, white ventrally, brown dorsally; with longer scales laterally over eye white, between antennal bases mostly brown, on occiput and vertex mostly white laterally, brown medially. Antenna laminate with widest flagellomeres about 10% wider than long; vestiture on scape and pedicel white ventrally, on flagellomeres with basal row of scales dark brown and distal row half white and half dark brown on basal 10 flagellomeres, with white replaced by greyish brown on subsequent flagellomeres. Maxillary palpus at base brown laterally and white medially, apically white to greyish white. Labial palpus white on most of first palpomere, white on second ventrally and medially, brown laterally on second and on third. Haustellum white. Thorax mixed white and brown, most often white (or paler) at edges and apex of tegula, beneath tegula, medially on patagium, and as transverse band at junction of mesoscutum and mesoscutellum. Forewing length: 6.0-9.0 mm (holotype: 7.9 mm); wingspan: 13.0-19.0 mm (holotype: 17.7 mm). Wings with colour and pattern as illustrated (Fig. 1). Prothoracic leg coxa and trochanter greyish brown, more or less mottled with white; femur greyish brown with white on ventral edge and medially; tibia white, or at least paler at base and apex, brown in between; tarsomeres I-V as tibia, with paler colour at base less conspicuous or absent on tarsomeres III-V. Mesothoracic leg coxa and trochanter white, tinged with pale brown; femur white to pale greyish brown; tibia pale greyish brown laterally except for white base and apex, white medially; tarsomere I dark greyish brown laterally between white base and apex; tarsomere II white at base and apex, laterally greyish brown in between, sometimes straw-coloured medially; tarsomeres III-V as tarsomere II, but without white at base usually. Metathoracic leg coxa and trochanter as mesothoracic leg; femur white with pale greyish brown apically; tibia mostly white, with pale greyish brown dorsally, sometimes only at apex; tarsomeres as mesothoracic leg. Abdomen dorsally greyish brown, often darker on first tergite, ventrally paler, white to pale greyish brown. Tergum VIII (Fig. 37) with sclerotization as shown. Intersegmental membrane VII-VIII with one digit-like coremata on each side (Fig. 39a), about 1/3 as long as valva, slightly variable in width.

Male genitalia (n=9) (Figs 38, 39). Uncus strong, broadly curved, with dorsodistal crest less thickly sclerotized, with short to medium length setae laterally from about 1/3 until 5/6 of length and dorsally on crest, dorsal edge of crest serrated on distal half, apex laterally compressed. Anal tube ventrally sclerotized as short and narrow plate. Gnathos short, with arms of medium width, more thickly sclerotized on proximal edge, joined at 2/3 to form short, upturned point, with few spinules dorsally along midline in curve of distal section. Tegumen of medium size, with distal edge of lateral arms more thickly sclerotized. Juxta shield like, with apex blunt. Valva medium sized, with dorsal and ventral margins parallel at base until about 1/3 of length, ventral margin then bent upwards, apex broadly rounded, about as wide as half of basal width. Vinculum narrow, about twice as wide towards junction with tegumen arms, with proximal margin medially blunt or slightly concave. Pseudosaccus short, pear-shaped. Phallus straight, about 4/5 valva length, base with ventral and dorsal margins indented, slightly wider at apical ¼ and with more thickly sclerotized, longitudinal striae; vesica without cornuti.

Female (n=70) (Figs 2-4). Head with frons as male's. Antenna simple, with white scaling on most flagellomeres more abundant than in males. Forewing length: 5.5-9.5 mm (wingspan: 12.5-21.0 mm). Frenulum with 1 acantha. Wings with colours and pattern as illustrated, sometimes with markings less distinct than in males. Female genitalia (n=7) (Figs 51, 52). Papillae anales of medium length and densely setose, shortly produced dorsally; narrow basal sclerite along ventral half narrowing and not connecting ventrally. Posterior apophyses straight, reaching basal margin of segment VIII. Tergite VIII sclerotized areas slightly longer than papillae anales, wider dorsally, unconnected ventrally. Anterior apophyses with short support bar diagonally positioned in segment VIII, with small subtriangular enlargement at basal 1/8, about 1/4 longer than posterior apophyses, straight until slight bend at 5/8, then gently curving. Ostium membranous, about half as wide as width of segment VIII. Ductus bursae wide, with smoothly sclerotized colliculum about 1/3 of whole length of ductus, otherwise simply membranous. Corpus bursae slightly longer than wide, about 1/4 longer than ductus bursae, without sclerotization.

Biology: The hostplant is unknown and the fact that some of the paratypes were collected “among Bursera graveolans” does not reflect a direct host-plant association. A shrub or tree reaching 12 m in height, B. graveolans (Kunth) Triana & Planch. (Burseraceae) is a common feature of the arid zone of most islands and many islets of the Galápagos (McMullen, 1999). No host plant is known for Mesolia species. The moths of M. christinae readily come to artificial lights at night.

Distribution: Presently known from the Galápagos islands of Fernandina, Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, Pinta, Plaza Sur, Santa Fé, and Santiago.

Remarks: Although altogether 108 specimens studied are assigned to this species, the type series is restricted to 59 specimens collected on Genovesa Island. This is because 10 more specimens available from Genovesa are too heavily damaged and, more significantly, the populations found on the other islands are insufficiently known. Specimens of these populations appear to be slightly larger on average than on Genovesa and also slightly warmer brown and with the forewing markings less distinct (Figs 3, 4), especially in females. In genitalia, two male paratypes dissected vary slightly in the width of the valva and in the shape of the anterior margin of the vinculum medially, which is convex in one specimen and straight in the other, with the pseudosaccus reaching beyond the anterior margin in the specimen with the convex margin and just reaching it in the specimen with the straight margin. Male genitalia variation also occurs in specimens from other islands such as a slightly thicker and shorter phallus in a specimen from Santiago Island, but not in another from the same island, a less strongly curved uncus as well as narrower valva at base compared to its apex in one specimen from Isabela Island, and a narrower tegumen and a longer and narrower phallus (Fig. 39) in a specimen from Floreana Island. In female genitalia no significant differences could be detected in the dissected specimens.

This genus presently includes 33 species distributed mostly in the Western Hemisphere, from southern Canada to Argentina, except for two of them, possibly misplaced in Argyria, from India and Fiji (Nuss et al., 2024). The bionomics and immature stages are known only for Argyria gonogramma Dyar (see below).

Tinea lacteella Fabricius, 1794: 313. Type locality: US Virgin Island of St Croix (see Landry et al., 2023).

Argyria lacteella (Fabricius): Roque-Albelo & Landry, 2018.

Material examined: 7 ♂, 36 ♀ from Ecuador, Galápagos. – Floreana: Cerro del Asilo, GPS: elev. 366 m, S 01°18.931', W 90°27.232'. – Isabela: Volcan[o] Sierra Negra, Corason [sic] Verde, 360 m; Puerto Villamil; 1 km W Puerto Villamil; 3 km N Puerto Villamil; 11 km N Puerto Villamil; ± 15 km W Puerto Villamil; Sierra Negra [volcano], pampa zone, 1000 m; Alcedo [volcano], NE side, camp arida alta, 200 m; V[olcán]. Alcedo, 830 m elev.; V. Alcedo, 1100 m elev.; V. Darwin, 300 m elev[ation]. – San Cristóbal: 2 km SW P[uer]to Baquarizo [sic]; 4 km SE Pto Baquarizo; 1 km S El Progreso; Chatham I[slan]d., 1000 f[ee]t.; pampa zone; base of Cerro Pelado; La Toma, ca. 5.6 km E El Progreso, GPS: 299 m elev., S 00°55.356', W 089°31.089'. – Santa Cruz: NNW Bella Vista, GPS: 225 m elev., S 00°41.293', W 090° 19.665'; low agriculture zone, GPS: S 00°42.132' W 90°19.156'; Horneman Farm; agriculture zone, near (NNW) Bella Vista, GPS: elev. 223 m, S 00°41.297', W 090°19.670'; C[harles]D[arwin]R[esearch]S[tation], Barranco, 20 m elev. Deposited in CAS, CDRS, CNC, MHNG, NHMUK.

Diagnosis: In the Galápagos Islands this diminutive Crambinae (Fig. 5) with a wingspan between 11 mm for the smallest males and 14 mm for the biggest females cannot be mistaken with any other moth species. Indeed, none other harbours mostly satiny white wings with brown markings on the forewing consisting of three spots medially (one costal, one median, sometimes absent, and one dorsal), a costal triangle bisected by a thin white line subapically, and a thin stripe along the outer margin. The other mostly satiny white species in the Galápagos, i.e., Palpita galapagensis (Landry & Solis) in Landry (2016) and Palpita flegia (Cramer, 1777) are much larger (between 26.5 and 50 mm in wingspan) and lack dark spots medially on the forewing. Other species of Argyria with similar markings are known from the continental Americas and Caribbean Islands. One of these, Argyria centrifugens Dyar, 1914, described from Panama, is very similar, although distinctly larger, with a wingspan of 16 to 19 mm (see Landry et al., 2023). Apart from size these two species differ in the colouration of their palpi as the tip of the maxillary and labial palpi of A. lacteella are satiny white whereas the maxillary palpi of Argyria centrifugens are orange brown while its labial palpi are dark brown with the third palpomere slightly paler brown. Both species are also very different in genitalia. Based on its holotype, the male genitalia of A. centrifugens (see Landry et al., 2023, figs 21, 22) differ most notably in the three-pronged gnathos, the wider valva with a widely rounded apex and without a short hook-like projection at base but with a large membranous structure sporting a thin and pointed rod about half as long as the valva, directed toward the base of the valva and apparently articulated. Other similar species are the North American and Bermudian A. gonogramma Dyar, 1915 and the Antillean A. diplomochalis Dyar, 1913 (see Landry et al., 2023).

Biology: The moths come to light and the species can colonize habitats close to sea level as well as up to 1100 m in elevation in the Galápagos Islands. The larvae most likely feed on Poaceae as does its sister species A. gonogramma (see Landry et al., 2023).

Distribution: This is a widespread American species for which the type locality has been pinpointed to be Saint Croix Island in the United States Virgin Islands by Landry et al. (2023). It is known from southern Florida in the United States of America through the Caribbean Islands and Central and South America (see Landry et al., 2023, for a review). In the Galápagos Islands this species has been found so far only on inhabited islands (Isabela, Floreana, San Cristóbal, and Santa Cruz), potentially indicating one or several introductions from the continent. However, on Isabela Island the species has spread onto the uninhabited slopes of Alcedo and Darwin volcanoes.

This large genus contains 41 species known from the Western Hemisphere (Dyar & Heinrich, 1927; Box, 1931; Solis & Metz, 2016; Nuss et al., 2024). Diatraea saccharalis, the type species, is a well-known pest of sugarcane in the Americas. The absence of ocelli, the presence of pockets with specialized scales on the male second abdominal segment, hair tufts on the hind tibia of the male, and basal extensions of the tegumen in male genitalia of most species define the genus (Solis & Metz, 2016). Host plants are exclusively panicoid grasses (Poaceae, Panicoideae), including several crops such as maize (Zea mays L.), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.), and great millet [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] (Robinson et al., 2010).

Phalaena saccharalis Fabricius, 1794: 238. Type locality: “America meridionalis”.

Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius): Roque-Albelo & Landry, 2018.

Material examined: 2 ♀ from Ecuador, Galápagos. – San Cristóbal: El Chino, z[ona]. agricola, [S]00.9096927, W089.4458128 (genitalia preparation BL 1585); MHNG-ENTO-85752, La Toma, ca. 5.6 km East El Progreso, 299 m elev. S00°55.356', W89°31.089'. Deposited in CDRS and MHNG.

Diagnosis: In the Galápagos Islands this rather large Crambinae known from two females (wingspan 26-30 mm) cannot be mistaken with other species, but males are generally smaller and the wingspan recorded for the species by Dyar & Heinrich (1927) is 18-39 mm. The moths (Fig. 6) harbour brownish forewings thinly striated with dark brown, with two diffuse dark brown oblique lines running from the dorsum at mid length to the apex (more strongly marked in male specimens), and with marginal dark brown spots between veins. Other Diatraea species occur on continental South America and can only be reliably identified by examination of the genitalia (see Solis & Metz, 2016). The male genitalia of D. saccharalis (Fig. 41) are similar to those of D. albicrinella Box, 1931, D. impersonatella (Walker, 1863), and D. tabernella Dyar, 1911, and can be separated based on the following features: lateral lobe of tegumen evenly rounded, basal costal lobe of valva well-marked, globular, protruding at a 90° angle with valva, covered with tiny spines, and juxta arms tapered apically, not pointed. Female genitalia (Fig. 54) share features characteristic of the D. saccharalis group: sternite VIII with broad transverse “pocket” mostly concealing the ostium bursae; lamella antevaginalis composed of a pair of hardened, posteriorly projecting extensions that may cover the genital opening or surround it laterally; cuticle laterad of lamella postvaginalis wrinkled and/or densely setose, contrasting strikingly with a smooth and glabrous medial area (Solis & Metz, 2016). From other species of the D. saccharalis group, it can be separated by the posteriorly projecting triangular extensions of the lamella antevaginalis, the lateral, wrinkled and/ or densely setose cuticle of the lamella postvaginalis not reaching the posterior margin of sternite VIII, the lamella postvaginalis with a distinct pair of elevated transverse ridges posterad, and the glabrous and pear-shaped corpus bursae slightly longer than large (Solis & Metz, 2016). Unambiguous segregation between D. albicrinella and D. impersonatella is possible with the examination of female genitalia only.

Biology: Diatraea saccharalis is a well-known pest of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and has been reported feeding on 26 different Poaceae species (Robinson et al., 2010). Sugar cane has been introduced on the Galápagos for sugar production and spread in the wild. Guézou et al. (2010) record it from all inhabited islands of the Galápagos, except Baltra, and 25.6% overall of the localities visited.

Distribution: Diatraea saccharalis is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical Americas, from Florida, USA, southwards to Argentina (GBIF, 2021). In the Galápagos so far, it has been found only on San Cristóbal.

Remarks: One of the Galápagos specimens was collected at light in February while the other was collected manually in May on a young shoot of corn (“cogollo maiz”).

Occurring in all biogeographical regions of the World except Antarctica and Oceania, this genus of 50 species (Nuss et al., 2024) is most diverse in Africa and least so in Australia and North America, which have one species each, excluding the widespread E. ocellea (Haworth, 1811). The Neotropical fauna is also rather poorly diversified, with four species only, including the Galápagos endemic E. galapagosalis Capps. With respect to bionomics, the larvae of several species have been found to feed on dead plant leaves, sometimes attacking living tissue (Schouten, 1992) and the larva of E. ocellea has been mentioned to feed on the roots of Zea mays L. and Sorghum sp. (Poaceae) (Capps, 1966).

Euchromius galapagosalis Capps, 1966: 5-6, figs 2, 6, pl. 1 fig. 1. Type locality: Ecuador, Galápagos Islands, South Seymour Island.

Euchrombius [sic] ocelleus (Haworth): Lindsey & Usinger, 1966: 163. Misidentification.

Material examined: 27 ♂, 38 ♀ from Ecuador, Galápagos. – Baltra: arid zone; S 00° 28.034', W 90° 15.231', 57 m elev[ation].; without precise locality. – Española: Bahía Manzanillo; Las Tunas Trail, 100 m elev.; Punta Suarez. – Floreana: Punta Cormoran; Las Cuevas. – Genovesa: Bahía Darwin. – Isabela: V[olcan]. Darwin, 300 m elev. – Marchena: no precise locality. – Pinta: Plaja Ibbeston [sic]; Cabo Ibbetson, N 00° 32.819', W90° 44.229', 8 m elev.; ± 15 m elev.; ± 50 m elev.; arid zone. – Pinzón: plaja [sic] Escondida. – Rábida: Tourist Trail. – San Cristóbal: P[uer]to Baquarizo [sic]; near Loberia, GPS: elev. 14 m, S 00° 55.149', W 89° 36.897'; 4 km SE Pto Baquarizo; 1 km S El Progreso; transition zone, SW El Progreso, GPS: elev. 75 m, S 00° 56.359', W 89° 32.906'; base of Cerro Pelado; pampa zone. – Santa Cruz: Bahía Conway; C[harles]D[arwin]R[esearch]S[tation], arid zone; Barranco, arid zone; Academy Bay; Finca Vilema, 2 km W Bella Vista; casa [house of] L. Roque-Albelo & V. Cruz[-Bedon], GPS: 137 m elev., S 00° 42.595', W 090° 19.196'; Finca S. Devine; low agriculture zone, GPS: S00° 42.132', W 90° 19.156'; Indefatigable Is[land]., without precise locality. – Santa Fé: Tourist Trail. – Santiago: Bahía Espumilla; La Bomba; GPS: 6 m elev., S 00°11.151', W 90°42.052'; Cerro Inn. – Seymour Norte: arid zone; GPS: 13 m elev., S 00° 24.013', W 90° 17.422'; without precise locality. Deposited in CAS, CDRS, CNC, MHNG.

Diagnosis: Based on the characteristic Euchromius features of the forewing, i.e., the double yellowish-orange median fascia and the terminal row of black dots distally abutted by shining silver dots (Figs 7, 8), this species is unmistakable in the Galápagos. It can be separated from the other New World species by the homogeneous basal brown field of the forewing, without or with very little (fuscous) irroration, contrasting with the conspicuously irrorated field between the median fascia and the subterminal line. In male genitalia (Figs 42, 43) it can be best separated from the other two New World species with a broadly enlarged cucullus (E. ocellea and E. saltalis Capps, 1966) by the shape of the phallus and the configuration of the cornuti on the vesica (see Capps, 1966). Capps mentioned the wingspan to vary between 16 and 21 mm. However, our material contains a female specimen with a wingspan of only 13 mm, but no specimens larger than 19 mm in wingspan.

Biology: Unknown except that moths readily come to light and can be found mostly at low elevations in the arid and transition zones, but some have been collected also in the pampa zone, probably above 600 m in elevation.

Distribution: Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, this species has been collected on many of them: Baltra, Española, Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, Pinta, Pinzón, Rábida, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Santa Fé, Santiago, and Seymour Norte.

Remarks: One male specimen dissected has a teratological bifid uncus (Fig. 43a).

This is a small genus with four species described from the south-western United States of America, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. The moths of the additional five Galápagos species are often smaller than those from North and South America, the latter reaching between 20 and 29 mm in wingspan for La cerveza Landry, 1995 and La paloma Błeszyński, 1966, the two continental species for which this information is known to us. The general coloration is brown in the species already described whereas two of the Galápagos species are greyish brown. The male genitalia in all species have a pair of costal projections on each valva and the phallus is apically enlarged with pointed projections laterally, the latter having been identified as a synapomorphy for the genus (Landry, 1995). The larval food and morphology are unknown thus far. A possible synapomorphy for the Galápagos species of La is in the male genitalia, which have the manica adorned dorsally with narrow, pointed scales of medium length (see Figs 45b, 47b, 49b). This character is not observed in La paloma. The reduced tympanal organs of the Galápagos species may also represent a synapomorphy (Fig. 44). Following the terminology used in Landry (1995), these organs can be described as follows: tympanic ridge thin, straight or broadly v-shaped; tympanic pockets almost inexistant; venulae secundae well developed; tympanic bridge long, almost half as long as venulae primae; tympanic crest not observed, apparently absent; tympanic drums narrow, very short, extending posteriorly only to base of reduced praecinctorium. The forewing length over width ratio is sexually dimorphic, with the female forewing being slightly narrower in all species of the Galápagos.

The grey-brown cluster of species

This group of two species of grey-brown moths is present on the younger islands of the archipelago (less than 1.55 myo, i.e., Fernandina, Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela, Pinta, and Santiago), but missing from the older islands of Española, San Cristóbal, Santa Fé, and Santa Cruz (more than 2.1 myo) (see Schmitz et al., 2007). They clearly form a separate group of species based on the colour of the moths, but also based on male genitalia characters such as the lateral projection of the costal process shorter than the cucullus, apically rounded, and without setae on the median side, the lack of anterior lobe on the lateral extensions on each side of the phallus apical part, and with the phallus broadly rounded apically in contrast to a more narrowly-rounded apex in the brown cluster of species. In female genitalia, the apical margin of the papillae anales is straight while it is medially produced in the brown cluster of species. Two species are recognized: La florenciae sp. nov., a single island endemic on Floreana, and La grisea sp. nov., occurring on Fernandina, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, and Pinta.

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Floreana, Punta | Cormoran, 21.iv.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg[it]. B. Landry’; ‘HOLOTYPE | La | florenciae | Landry & Léger’; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085358’. Deposited in MHNG. Paratypes: 4 ♂, 9 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Floreana: 4 ♂ (two dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85359 and 85713), 9 ♀ (two dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85360 and 85714), same data as holotype. Deposited in CDRS and MHNG.

Etymology: Dedicated to Florence Marteau, graphic designer at the MHNG, for her fantastic work on the plates of this manuscript and several others by BL.

Diagnosis: Apart from apparently being a strict endemic to Floreana Island, this species can be recognized from the other greyish-brown species by the usually complete median and subterminal transverse fasciae on the forewing, the lack of a clear longitudinal white streak, and the more uniform greyish-brown background. The male genitalia differ from those of the other species in the short costal projections of the valva, only reaching slightly beyond the middle of the cucullus, the apically narrower outer projection of the costal process of the valva, and the phallus with smaller and weak lateral projections. In the female genitalia, the triangular plate of the ostium bursae contrasts with the larger rounded plate of La grisea sp. nov.

Description: Male (n=5) (Fig. 9). Head with frons slightly rounded, not projecting; with mixture of pale-greyish brown scales with paler brown tips to pale grey to white, but mostly white on fronto-clypeus undercover. Antenna laminate, with flagellomeres slightly wider than long; with scape and flagellomeres pale greyish brown and white. Maxillary palpus medially mostly white, laterally dirty white at apex with greyish brown towards base. Labial palpus mostly greyish brown with scales paler at tips, white medially and along ventral edge. Haustellum scales white. Forewing length: 6.5-7.0 mm (holotype: 7.0 mm); wingspan: 14.0-15.0 mm (holotype: 15.0 mm). Forewing length to width ratio in holotype: 2.82. Thorax and wings with colour and pattern as illustrated (Fig. 9). Prothoracic leg coxa mixed pale greyish brown and white; femur dark greyish brown laterally, white medially; tibia greyish brown laterally, white medially; tarsomeres mostly as tibia, laterally with white ring on distal three and medially progressively greyer on distal three. Meso- and metathoracic leg coxa white suffused with light greyish brown towards apex; femur, tibia and tarsomeres white, with greyish brown spot at base of distal four tarsomeres laterally. Abdomen dorsally as shown; ventrally paler, whitish grey. Intersegmental membrane VII-VIII around genitalia narrowly sclerotized, with narrow, pointed scales of medium length. Male genitalia (n=2) (Fig. 45). Uncus short, bulky, about half as long as tegumen dorsal roof, with short apical point. Gnathos short, about as long as uncus, with apex rounded and slightly bent downward. Tegumen rather short and bulky, with lateral arms of medium width. Valva with cucullus narrow, slightly wider at mid-length, with short and broad mediobasal projection apically blunt; costal process with projections slightly curving dorsally and medially; median projection thin, pointed, with rather sparse, short setation at base; lateral projection slightly wider, flat, narrowing to narrowly rounded apex and slightly curving medially, both of equal lengths reaching slightly beyond mid-length of cucullus. Juxta indistinct, lightly sclerotized at base. Vinculum very narrow medially, enlarging laterally into elongate triangles. Pseudosaccus short, broad, diamond shaped. Phallus short, about 835 µm (n=1), slightly enlarging towards apex; coecum penis short, about 20% of whole shaft length; apex broadly rounded, with lateral projections simple and very short, apically with short pointed tip directed backwards; margin of opening v- or broadly u-shaped, with long wrinkles; vesica without cornuti.

Female (n=9) (Fig. 10). Head with frons as male's. Antenna filiform, with flagellomeres more abundantly scaled than in male. Forewing length: 6.5-7.5 mm (wingspan: 14.0-16.0 mm). Forewing length to width ratio (n=1): 3.0. Frenulum with 2 fused acanthae.

Female genitalia (n=2) (Fig. 56). Papillae anales rather small, with more thickly sclerotized area wider at bases of posterior apophyses, then strongly reduced in width dorsally, with apical margin straight although slightly irregular on account of conical bases of marginal setae. Posterior apophyses straight, short, reaching basal margin of segment VIII. Tergite VIII forming a narrow ring. Anterior apophyses straight, short, about as long as length of segment VIII. Ostium bursae triangular with more thickly sclerotized margins. Ductus bursae very short, wide, unsclerotized. Corpus bursae elongate, rather wide at base, pear shaped.

Biology: Unknown except that the moths are attracted to light and that all known specimens have been collected near the seashore.

Distribution: Presently known from the island of Floreana only.

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Marchena, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] | 23.iii.1992 | leg[it]. B. Landry’; ‘HOLOTYPE | La grisea | Landry & Léger’; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085766’. Deposited in MHNG.

Paratypes: 5 ♂, 19 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Marchena: 1 ♂, 17 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85701), 12.iii.1992, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] (B. Landry); 4 ♂ (two dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85702 and 85703), 1 ♀, same data as holotype; 1 ♀, Playa Negra, N0018. 089', W 09030452 [sic], 7.iv.2002, U[ltra]V[iolet]L[ight] (L. Roque). Deposited in CDRS and MHNG.

Additional material examined: 54 ♂, 26 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Fernandina: 2 ♂, North side, 300 m, S00°20.541', W091°36.815', 12.i.2002, U[ltra] V[iolet]L[ight] (L. Roque, C. Causton); 2 ♂, SW side, GPS: 352 m elev[ation]., S00°20.503', W091°36.969', 10.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 7 ♂ (2 dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85736 and 85709), SW side, GPS: 815 m elev., S00°21.270', W091°35.341', 11.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♂, SW side, crater rim, GPS: 1341 m elev., S00°21.910', W091°34.034', 12.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, SW side, crater rim, GPS: 1341 m elev., S00°21.910', W091°34.034', 13.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♂, SW side, GPS: 815 m elev., S00°21.270', W091°35.341', 14.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, zona de vegetacion, 19.vi.1998, B[lack].L[ight].-W[hite].L[ight]. (L. Roque, C. Causton). – Genovesa: 2 ♂, South side, 200 y[ar]ds. from beach, 4-6.ii.1967, in flight trap among Bursera graveolens (I.L. Wiggins). – Isabela: 4 ♂, V[olcán]. Darwin, 200 m, 11.ii.1999, U.V.L. (L. Roque, n°99.16); 1 ♂, V. Darwin, campamento base, 1.iii.2000, BL-WL trap (L. Roque, n°2000-04); 1 ♂, V. Darwin, 300 m s[obre el]n[ivel del]m[ar], 6.iii.2000, BL-WL trap (L. Roque, n°2000-012); 3 ♂, NE slope Alcedo, near shore, GPS: 9 m elev., S00°23.619', W090°59.715', 29.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♂, NE slope Alcedo, GPS: 292 m elev., S00°23.829', W090°01.957', 30.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 3 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85685), NE slope Alcedo, near pega-pega camp, GPS: 483 m elev., S00°24.029', W91°02.895', 31.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 3 ♂, Alcedo, lado NE, 400 m, pega-pega camp, 15.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 5 ♂(one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85686), Alcedo, lado NE, low arid zone, bosq[ue]. palo santo, 18.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 2 ♂, 8 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85687), Tagus Cove, 13.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85688), 1 ♀, n[ea]r Tagus Cove, 100 m elev., 21.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Pinta: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Plaja Ibbeston [sic], 13.iii.1992, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] (B. Landry); 5 ♀, Plaja Ibbeston [sic], 14.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, arid zone, 15.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85715), 400 m elev., 18.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85716), ± 50 m elev., 20.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 4 ♀, ± 15 m elev., 21.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Santiago: 2 ♀, Cerro Inn, 28.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 4 ♂ (2 dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85763 & 85693), Bahía Espumilla, 4.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85694), N side, GPS: 437 m elev., S00°13.316', W090°43.808', 3.iii.2005, uvl (P. Schmitz). Deposited in CAS, CDRS and MHNG.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the general colouration of the known specimens, which is Medieval Latin for grey.

Diagnosis: This species includes the specimens of the grey-brown complex of species of La that show a white longitudinal streak medially on the forewing from the base to its interruption at the transverse postmedial fascia (Figs 11-14), as opposed to the lack of such streak in La florenciae sp. nov. (Figs 9, 10). White scales on veins in the continuity of the white streak are often also present on the veins beyond the postmedian fascia in contrast to the generally more uniformly grey background forewing colour of La florenciae sp. nov. In La grisea sp. nov., the postmedian fascia, when visible, is also more oblique, at 45° from the costa whereas in La florenciae sp. nov. this fascia is almost at right angle from the costa. The subterminal fascia of La grisea sp. nov. is generally weakly marked, often inconspicuous, and almost never reaching the dorsal margin whereas it is usually complete, nicely contrasting, and reaching the dorsal margin in La florenciae sp. nov. The male genitalia (Fig. 46) differ from those of A. florenciae sp. nov. (Fig. 45) notably in the comparatively longer tegumen dorsal roof, in the shape of the outer projection of the costal process of the valva, which is almost equal in girth from base to apex whereas is noticeably narrowing subapically in La florenciae sp. nov., in the shape of the phallus with a longer coecum penis than in La florenciae sp. nov., and in the noticeably bigger and stronger claw-like lateral projections of the phallus. The female genitalia (Fig. 57) differ from those of La florenciae sp. nov. (Fig. 56) mainly in the shape of the ostium bursae, which is broadly rounded in La grisea sp. nov. and triangular in La florenciae sp. nov.

Description: Male (n=60) (Figs 11, 12, 14). Head with frons rounded, slightly produced, grey brown with white around antennal bases. Antenna laminate, with flagellomeres slightly wider than long; scape greyish brown dorsally, white ventrally; flagellum mostly pale greyish white on basal ca 10 basal flagellomeres and then annulated greyish white and greyish brown to dark brown. Maxillary palpus dark greyish brown at base laterally, and white scaled medially, with longer apical scales pale greyish brown with white tip, projecting as fan. Labial palpus porrect with slightly decumbent third segment; vestiture appressed, laterally mostly greyish brown and paler tipped, white ventrally and medially on two basal segments. Haustellum white. Thorax with scales of various shades of greyish brown with paler tips. Forewing length: 5.5-6.5 mm (holotype: 6.0 mm); wingspan: 13.0-15.0 mm (holotype: 14.5 mm). Ratio length/width (n=4): 3.01. Wings with colour and pattern as illustrated (Figs 11, 12, 14). Prothoracic leg coxa pale greyish brown; femur blackish brown laterally, white and pale greyish brown medially; tibia blackish brown laterally, white medially; tarsomere I dark greyish brown laterally, paler greyish brown medially; tarsomeres II-V equally dark greyish brown laterally and medially. Mesothoracic leg coxa white; femur white medially with greyish brown at tip and sometimes base and elsewhere; tibia dirty white, with lateral spur dark greyish brown and about 0.25 shorter than medial spur; tarsomere I as tibia; following tarsomeres greyish brown all around. Metathoracic leg coxa and femur as in mesothoracic leg; tibia and tarsomeres slightly paler than on mesothoracic leg, with tibial spurs subequal in length, the laterals slightly shorter, and darker. Abdomen dorsally pale greyish brown, darker posteriorly on first three tergites; ventrally mostly dirty white, sometimes with posterior half slightly greyish brown. Intersegmental membrane VII-VIII around genitalia broadly sclerotized, with narrow, pointed scales of medium length along apical margin.

Male genitalia (n=13) (Fig. 46). Uncus short, bulky, slightly longer than half as long as tegumen dorsally, with short apical point. Gnathos short, slightly longer than uncus, apically narrowly rounded and slightly bent downward. Tegumen rather short and bulky, with lateral arms of medium width. Valva with cucullus narrow, with basal half slightly wider; with short and broad mediobasal projection apically rounded; costal process with projections subequal in length, reaching beyond middle of cucullus, slightly pointing upward and medially; thin median projection pointed, with few, mostly short setae at base; outer projection flat, of nearly equal girth from base to apex, narrowing from about half of length, curving subapically, apically rounded or appearing blunt depending on angle of view. Vinculum narrow medially, enlarging laterally into rather broad-based elongate triangles. Pseudosaccus medium sized, diamond shaped. Phallus short, about 780 µ (n=1), gradually enlarging slightly towards apex, more evidently so postmedially; coecum penis of medium length, slightly more than 20% of whole shaft length; apex broadly rounded; lateral projections strong, claw-like, pointing directly backwards; margin of opening broadly rounded, with mostly short wrinkles; vesica without cornuti.

Female (n=55) (Fig. 13). Head with frons as in male. Antenna filiform, with flagellomeres more abundantly scaled than in male. Forewing pattern as in males. Forewing length: 5.0-7.5 mm; wingspan: 12.0-17.0 mm. Ratio length/width (n=2): 3.35. Frenulum with 2 fused acanthae, also often with thin white scales from frenulum base, reaching half of frenulum length at most.

Female genitalia (n=4) (Fig. 57). Papillae anales small, with more thickly sclerotized area wider at bases of posterior apophyses, then strongly reduced in width dorsally, with apical margin straight although slightly irregular on account of conical bases of marginal setae. Posterior apophyses short, slightly curved, reaching beyond basal margin of segment VIII. Tergite VIII a narrow ring. Anterior apophyses straight, short, about as long as posterior apophyses. Ostium a broad rounded plate, uniformly sclerotized, with small notch medially on apical margin. Ductus bursae wide, very short, indistinct from base of corpus bursae. Corpus bursae widening to form elongate pouch.

Biology: Unknown apart from the light attraction of the moths and their presence from the seashore to 1341 m, the crater rim on Fernandina.

Distribution: Galápagos islands of Fernandina, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, Pinta, and Santiago.

Remarks: On account of the variation observed in the morphology of this species in the genitalia and to a lesser extent in external characters, the type locality is restricted to Marchena Island, from which a sample of both sexes was obtained, as opposed to the sample from Fernandina, for example, from which only males could be examined. The variation observed in external features is expressed most conspicuously in the darker specimens found on Fernandina (Fig. 11) and also Isabela at Tagus Cove. Specimens from other islands (Figs 13, 14) are like the type series. In male genitalia there is variation especially in the shape of the outer projection of the costal process of the valva, which may be wider medially in specimens from Fernandina, and in the shape of the phallus, which may have a longer coecum penis and a more evenly widening shaft postmedially. In female genitalia, the main variation occurs at the apical margin of the ostium plate, which may have a more pronounced median dent, or none at all.

The brown cluster of species

The ground colour of the moths separates them from those with a greyish-brown colouration. The male genitalia have the outer projection of the costal process of the valva reaching the tip of the cucullus or subequal to it, nearly parallel-margined with a blunt or slightly rounded apex and with minute setae on the inner side at apex and sometimes also along the dorsal margin and medially; the phallus also usually has a short additional sclerotized projection at the base of the lateral extensions on each side and it is not as broadly rounded apically than in the grey-brown cluster of species. The intersegmental membrane VII-VIII around the genitalia is sclerotized mainly laterally, with a narrow band set with long, thin scales. In the female genitalia, the apical margin of the papillae anales is produced medially whereas it is straight in the greyish brown species. The three species described here in this group can be separated based on external characters and island of occurrence, but the genitalia show only few diagnostic characters. One specimen of this group of species has been collected on the island of Santa Fé (Tourist trail, 28.v.1992, leg. B. Landry; MHNG); it is too rubbed to identify based on external characters, and the genitalia characters of the median costal projection of the valva point to La wagneuri sp. nov. whereas the tegumen with the dorsal section longer that the lateral arms point to La galapagensis sp. nov.

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Santa Crúz, Los | Gemelos, 27.v.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg[it]. B. Landry’; ‘HOLOTYPE | La | galapagensis | Landry & Léger’; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085768’. Deposited in MHNG.

Paratypes: 39 ♂, 13 ♀ from the Galápagos Island of Santa Cruz. 3 ♂, NNW Bella Vista, GPS: 225 m elev[ation]., S00°41.293' W090°19.665', 18.ii.2005, u[ltra]v[iolet]l[ight] (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♀, Finca S[teve]. Devine, 17.iii.1989, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] (B. Landry); 1 ♀, Horneman Farm, 220 m, 10.iii.1964 (D.Q. Cavagnaro); 1 ♂, C[harles[D]arwin[R]esearch [S]tation, Base of El Barranco, GPS: S00°44.305', W90°18.105', 18.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 4 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85704), CDRS, wall of Invert[ebrate]s. Lab[oratory]., GPS: 11 m elev., S00°44.478', W90°18.132', 6.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♂, 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85705), agriculture zone, near (NNW) Bella Vista, GPS: 223 m elev., S00°41.297', W90°19.670', 7.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry); 6 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85707), 2 ♀(one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85706), CDRS, Barranco, 20 m elev., 30.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry); 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Los Gemelos, 4.v.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 1 ♂, Horneman Farm, 220 m, 3.v.1964 (D.Q. Cavagnaro); 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Los Gemelos, 4.v.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 13 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-248655), 3 ♀, same data as holotype; 1 ♂, no precise locality, v.-vi.1970 (R. Perry, Tj. De Vries); 1 ♂, Los Gemelos, vi.1997, MVL (L. Roque); 1 ♂, 2 ♀, Horneman Farm, 200 m, 26.vi.1965 (J. DeRoy); 3 ♂, transition zone, 60 m s[obre el]n[ivel del]m[ar], S00°44'14”, W090°19'52”, 19.ix.1996, fluorescent light (L. Roque); 2 ♂, Los Gemelos, Scalesia forest, 580 msnm, S00°37'29.4”, W090°23'05.3”, 14.x.1996, fluorescent light trap (L. Roque); 1 ♀, Hacienda Schiess, xi.1974 (no collector). Deposited in AMNH, CAS, CDRS, CNC, MHNG, and NHMUK.

Additional material examined: 18 ♂, 8 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Pinta: 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85717), 1 ♀, N00°34.591', W90°45.137', 421 m elev., 17.iii.2006 (P. Schmitz, L. Roque); 2 ♂(one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85718), 400 m elev., 17.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – San Cristóbal: 1 ♂(dissected, BL 1194), pampa zone, 15.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂, El Junco, v.1975 (T.J. de Vries). – Santiago: 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85697), 2 ♀(one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85695), N side, GPS: 527 m elev., S00°13.690', W090°44.135', 5.iii.2005, uvl (P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85696), N side, GPS: 686 m elev., S00°14.177', W090°44.619', 6.iii.2005, uvl (P. Schmitz); 1 ♀, Cerro Inn, 28.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂, Aguacate, 520 m elev., 7.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♂, 2 ♀, Central, 700 m elev., 9.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 4 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85698), Central, 700 m elev., 9.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Aguacate, 520 m elev., 12.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry). Deposited in CDRS, CNC, and MHNG.

Etymology: The new name derives from the area of occurrence, the Galápagos Archipelago.

Diagnosis: Among the brown cluster of La species in the Galápagos, this one (Figs 15-20) is recognized by its generally larger size, with a wingspan of 14.0-28.0 mm, versus 11.5-19.0 mm in La wagneuri sp. nov. (Figs 21-26) and 10.5-16.5 mm in La paquitae sp. nov. (Figs 27, 28), and warmer chocolate brown colour of the forewings. La paquitae sp. nov. also differs externally by the longitudinally striped pattern of the forewing. In male genitalia (Fig. 47), the tegumen lateral arms are slightly longer than the dorsal section as opposed to a longer dorsal section in La wagneuri sp. nov. (Fig. 48) and La paquitae sp. nov. (Fig. 49), and the ventral margin is evenly curved towards uncus-gnathos connection, while it is conspicuously concave in the other two species; also, the median projection of the costal process of the valva is thinner and curving upwards at midlength as opposed to the thicker process curving upwards at apical third in La wagneuri sp. nov. and La paquitae sp. nov.; the outer projection of the costal process is not narrowing and only slightly curving subapically whereas in La wagneuri sp. nov. it is distinctly narrowing and curving subapically.

Description: Male (n=58) (Figs 16, 17, 19, 20). Head with frons only slightly rounded, not projecting, mostly chocolate brown of various shades, with thin scales behind eyes blackish brown. Antenna laminate, dark brown, darker, blackish brown on scape and basal flagellomeres. Maxillary palpus vestiture expanded apically as feather duster, brown, darker greyish brown at base laterally, lighter medially, with apical scales sometimes tipped white. Labial palpus with 3rd palpomere slightly drooping, vestiture dark greyish brown, sometimes with few dorsal scales tipped white. Haustellum pale whitish brown. Thorax various shades of brown, darker at base of tegulae, paler at tip of tegulae and laterally on segment III. Forewing length: 7.0-9.0 mm (holotype: 9.0 mm); wingspan: 14.0-20.0 mm (holotype: 19.5 mm). Ratio length/ width (n=4): 2.67-2.82. Wings with colour and pattern as illustrated (Figs 16, 17, 19, 20). Prothoracic leg coxa greyish brown; femur blackish brown, with paler fawn scales along ventral margin apically; tibia and tarsomeres greyish brown with paler, dirty white tips. Mesothoracic leg coxa dirty white; femur greyish brown to pale fawn, darker at tip; tibia dark greyish brown, with paler fawn spot postmedially and whitish apically; tarsomeres greyish brown with paler, dirty white tips. Metathoracic leg coxa dirty white medially, greyish brown laterally; femur greyish brown, darker at base; tibia pale greyish brown, darker towards tip, dirty white at tip; tarsomeres greyish brown with paler, dirty white tips. Abdomen dorsally with scales of various shades of brown and greyish brown, paler on two apical segments, ventrally greyish brown, mixed with dirty white.

Male genitalia (n=8) (Fig. 47). Uncus variable in length (0.6-0.7 length of tegumen dorsally), slightly downcurved and pointed apically. Gnathos variable in length in conjunction with uncus, narrow with downward-bent apical bulge and dorsomedial cleft apically, or bulkier without a pronounced apical bulge and dorsomedial cleft. Tegumen medium-sized, with lateral arms of medium width, equal in length or slightly shorter than dorsal section, with partial extension of sclerotization midventrally. Valva with cucullus narrow, apically rounded, slightly wider at base; with short and broad mediobasal projection apically rounded, with thickened apical margin; costal process with projections clearly differing in length; thin median projection shorter, pointed, curving in basal half, with few, mostly short setae at base laterally; outer projection flat, longer, slightly wider than cucullus, slightly curving subapically, with apex blunt. Vinculum of medium width laterally; basal margin medially straight. Pseudosaccus slightly longer than wide, with short, flat crest. Phallus of medium length and girth, 1.3 mm long (n=1), sometimes shorter and bulkier, nearly parallel-margined medially, with narrower coecum penis 0.25 length of whole phallus, sometimes slightly asymmetrical; apex mediumly rounded; lateral projections well developed, with short spine on apical pair of projections; median margin of opening with deep narrow cleft, with short wrinkles anteriorly; vesica without cornuti.

Female (n=21) (Figs 15, 18). Head with frons as male's. Antenna filiform, with scaling more abundant than in males. Forewing pattern reduced, as shown. Forewing length: 7.5-12.0 mm (wingspan: 16.0-28.0 mm). Ratio length/width (n=2): 2.87-3.14. Frenulum with two fused acanthae, often appearing as one.

Female genitalia (n=4) (Fig. 58). Papillae anales small, with more thickly sclerotized area about twice as wide at bases of posterior apophyses, narrower ventrally, distinctly produced submedially, i.e., ventrally from middle, with short to medium-length setation along distal margins. Posterior apophyses short, reaching anterior margin of segment VIII, straight, thin, slightly enlarged before base. Tergite VIII a narrow ring. Anterior apophyses shorter that posterior apophyses, with wider triangular base, subapically curved. Ostium a large squarish plate with apical margin slightly produced medially, or not, also with a small squarish or tongue-shaped lamella postvaginalis. Ductus bursae rather wide and short. Corpus bursae an elongate simple sac only slightly widening and with short subapical extension.

Biology: Unknown except for the attraction to lights by the moths and that the species occurs at a wide range of elevations, nearly from sea level to the pampa zone, above 700 m.

Distribution: Presently known from the Galápagos islands of Pinta, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Santiago.

Remarks: Because of the morphological variation observed in this species, the type series is restricted to Santa Cruz Island, from where the largest series of specimens also comes. The variation in size and forewing pattern and colouration of the specimens of the type series mostly covers that of the other specimens studied. In wingspan some females reach a much larger 27.0-28.0 mm with respect to others and to the more evenly sized males. In pattern, two specimens from San Cristóbal have the median fascia more distinctly made of two dark brown lines contrasting with a paler background colour (Fig. 19). In male genitalia, within the type series, specimen MHNG-ENTO-85704 has bulkier uncus, gnathos, and phallus than those illustrated (Fig. 47) although both specimens were collected on the grounds of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Beyond the type series the uncus, gnathos and phallus of the specimens dissected are more similar to those illustrated, with the coecum penis narrower and directly in the middle in the San Cristóbal specimen dissected. The outer projection of the costal process of the valva may differ slightly in having a narrower apex, e.g., in a specimen from Santiago Island, but not in the second specimen dissected from that island.

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Isabela, V[olcan]. Darwin | 300 m elev[ation]., 15.v.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg[it]. B. Landry’; ‘HOLOTYPE | La | wagneuri | Landry & Léger’; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085756’. Deposited in MHNG.

Paratypes: 37 ♂, 10 ♀ from the Galápagos Island of Isabela, Darwin Volcano. 1 ♂, V[olcan]. Darwin, 700 m, 13.ii.1999, U[ltra].V[iolet].L[ight]. (L. Roque, n° 99.17); 1 ♂, Volcán Darwin, 700 ms[obre el]n[ivel del]m[ar], 4.iii.2000, UV-W[hite]L[ight] trap (L. Roque, n° 2000-09); 1 ♀, Tagus Cove, 13.v.1992, M[ercury]V[apour] L[ight] (B. Landry); 14 ♂, 1 ♀, same data as holotype; 4 ♂, 2 ♀, V. Darwin, 630 m elev., 16.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂, 3 ♀, V. Darwin, 630 m elev., 17.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 7 ♂, 2 ♀, V. Darwin, 1000 m elev., 18.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♂, V. Darwin, 1240 m elev., 19.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85682), 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85681), V. Darwin, 300 m elev., 20.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85683), n[ea]r Tagus Cove, 100 m elev., 21.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry). Deposited in CDRS and MHNG.

Additional material examined: 34 ♂, 8 ♀ from the Galápagos Islands. – Fernandina: 3 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85710), 1 ♀, SW side, GPS: 352 m elev[ation]., S00°20.503', W091°36.969', 10.ii.2005, u[ltra].v[iolet].l[ight]. (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♂, SW side, crater rim, GPS: 1341 m elev., S00°21.910', W091°34.034', 12.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85712), 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85711), SW side, GPS: 815 m elev., S00°21.270', W091°35.341', 14.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz). Isabela, Alcedo Volcano: 1 ♀, NE slope Alcedo, near pega-pega camp, GPS: 483 m elev., S00°24.029', W91°02.895', 31.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 3 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85678), NE slope Alcedo, ca. 400 m up (S) Los Guayabillos Camp, GPS: elev. 892 m, S00°25.208', W91°04.765', 1.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, V[olcán]. Alcedo, Lado Este [east slope], 200 m[e] ter]s elev., 4.iv.1999, UVL-F[luorescent].L[ight]. (L. Roque); 5 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85679), 1 ♀(dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85680), Alcedo, lado NE, 200 m, camp arida alta, 14.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 1 ♂, Alcedo, lado NE, 400 m, camp pega-pega, 15.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 1 ♂, Alcedo, lado NE, 700 m, camp guayabillos, 16.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque). – Isabela, Sierra Negra Volcano: 1 ♀, 11 km N Puerto Villamil, 9.iii.1989, M[ercury]V[apour] L[ight] (B. Landry); 6 ♂ (2 dissected, BL 182 and 1185), Sierra Negra, pampa zone, 1000 m, 12.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂, 11 km N Puerto Villamil, 13.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85684), 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-248653), ± 15 km N P[uer]to Villamil, 25.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Marchena: 1 ♂, Playa Negra, 3.iii.2001, uvl (L. Roque, A. Mieles); 3 ♂, no precise locality, 12.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85699), 1 ♀(dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85700), no precise locality, 23.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry).

Etymology: This species is dedicated to Philippe Wagneur, photograph at the MHNG, for his beautiful photos of the specimens published here and in other papers by BL.

Diagnosis: Among the brown cluster of La species in the Galapagos, this one is recognized by its generally smaller size (wingspan: 11.5-19.0 mm) and darker blackish brown colour of the forewings (Figs 21-26). From the other smaller species of the cluster, La paquitae sp. nov. (Figs 27, 28), it differs in having transverse markings on the forewing and uniformly coloured hindwings contrasting with the longitudinal forewing pattern and white veins of the hindwing of La paquitae sp. nov. The male genitalia of this species (Fig. 48) and La paquitae sp. nov. (Fig. 49) have the tegumen with the lateral arms shorter than the dorsal section as opposed to a shorter dorsal section in La galapagensis sp. nov. (Fig. 47) and the tegumen arms are at right angle with the tegumen dorsal roof as opposed to presenting a broadly concave ventral margin in La galapagensis sp. nov.; the median projection of the costal process of the valva is thicker and curving in apical half as opposed to the thinner and basally curving process of La galapagensis sp. nov., and the outer projection of the costal process is distinctly narrowing and curving subapically whereas in La galapagensis sp. nov. it is not narrowing and only slightly curving subapically.

Description: Male (n=72) (Figs 21, 22, 24, 26). Head with frons slightly rounded, not produced; vestiture greyish brown, with scales white tipped, more conspicuously white at base of antennae medially, sometimes more uniformly pale greyish fawn, with thin scales behind eyes blackish brown, with some white tipped. Antenna on scape blackish brown, on antennomeres dark greyish brown. Maxillary palpus vestiture expanded apically as feather duster, greyish brown, darker laterally at base, lighter to sometimes white medially, with apical scales tipped white. Labial palpus with third segment slightly drooping; vestiture greyish brown, darker laterally on first two palpomeres, with longer scales projecting anteriorly, especially ventrally on second palpomere, with some scales tipped white on all three segments, especially the last. Haustellum pale greyish brown. Thorax mostly greyish brown with scales white tipped, with darker scales at bases of patagia and tegulae, and on mesoscutellum, with metathorax mostly pale fawn with pale greyish brown medially. Forewing length: 5.0-7.0 mm (holotype: 7.0 mm); wingspan: 11.5-15.5 mm (holotype: 15.5 mm). Ratio length/width (n=4): 3.0-3.2. Wings with colour and pattern as illustrated (Figs 21, 22, 24, 26). Prothoracic leg coxa dirty white, with uniformly pale fawn scales apically; femur greyish brown with some white-tipped scales, darker at apex; tibia greyish brown; tarsomeres greyish brown with apical scales paler on each tarsomere. Mesothoracic leg coxa dirty white with uniformly pale fawn scales apically; femur greyish brown with darker scales at base and apex, with dirty white dorsolaterally on second half; tibia greyish brown at base, dirty white to pale fawn postmedially, pale greyish brown subapically, white at apex; tarsomeres greyish brown, inconspicuously paler at their apices. Metathoracic leg coxa dirty white and pure white, with uniformly pale fawn scales apically; femur pale greyish brown with darker scales at base and apex; tibia white to whitish fawn, with greyish brown subapically; tarsomere I pale fawn to dirty white with lighter apical scaling; tarsomeres II-V darker, greyish brown, with distinct ring of paler whitish scales apically. Abdomen dorsally greyish fawn with darker brown along apical margin on tergites I-III, darker brown on subsequent tergites; ventrally white to pale greyish brown with scattered darker greyish brown scales on median sternites.

Male genitalia (n=9) (Fig. 48). Uncus rather short (0.67 length of tegumen dorsally, n=2), slightly downcurved and pointed apically. Gnathos narrow, with downward-bent apical bulge and dorsomedial cleft apically. Tegumen with lateral arms of medium width, shorter than dorsal section, with more or less complete extension of sclerotization midventrally. Valva with cucullus narrow, tapering toward apex, apically rounded; mediobasal projection reduced, apically rounded, with thickened apical margin; costal process with projections of unequal lengths; median projection shorter, strong, pointed, curving in apical half, with few short setae at base laterally; outer projection flat, longer, almost reaching cucullus apex, slightly wider than cucullus medially, slightly constricted and curving inwards subapically, with apex blunt. Vinculum enlarging laterally; basal margin medially narrowly rounded, forming short, upturned saccus. Pseudosaccus slightly longer than wide, with short, flat crest. Phallus rather short, 750 µm long (n=1), narrow and slightly enlarging along mid-section, with narrower coecum penis slightly curved upward and about 0.2 length of whole phallus, with apex rather narrowly rounded, with basolateral projections weakly sclerotized, with spine of apicolateral projections very short, and with median margin of opening apparently membranous, indistinct, with long wrinkles; vesica without cornuti. Female (n=18) (Figs 23, 25). Head with frons as male's. Antenna filiform, with scaling more abundant than in males. Forewing length: 7.0-9.0 mm (wingspan: 15.0-19.0 mm). Ratio length/width (n=2): 3.30-3.37. Frenulum with 2 fused acanthae. Abdominal segment VII broadly sclerotized medially on sternite, slightly more thickly sclerotized on distal half of tergite.

Female genitalia (n=3) (Fig. 59). Papillae anales small, with more thickly sclerotized area about twice as wide at bases of posterior apophyses, distinctly produced medially, with short to medium length sparse setation. Posterior apophyses short, reaching anterior margin of segment VIII, straight, thin with base slightly enlarged. Tergite VIII a narrow ring. Anterior apophyses shorter than posterior apophyses, with wider triangular base, subapically curved. Ostium bursae a large squarish plate with apical margin sometimes slightly produced and sometimes medially notched, also with a small squarish lamella postvaginalis. Ductus bursae wide and short, not well delimited from corpus bursae. Corpus bursae an elongate simple sac only slightly widening.

Biology: Unknown except that moths come to light and that specimens were found between sea level up to the highest elevations on Isabela and Fernandina, at 1341 m on the latter island.

Distribution: Presently known from Fernandina, Isabela and Marchena islands.

Remarks: On account of the phenotypic variation observed in this species, the type series is restricted to Darwin Volcano, on Isabela Island, where the largest series of specimens available also comes from. The series of specimens from Alcedo Volcano and Fernandina and most from Sierra Negra fall within the range of the phenotypic variation of the paratypes, but four specimens of the Sierra Negra series are more similar in colour and forewing pattern to specimens of La galapagensis sp. nov. (e.g., Fig. 17) while one other from Sierra Negra even has a striped pattern similar to that of La paquitae sp. nov. (Figs 27, 28). The specimens from Marchena island are also small and with a pattern like that of the type series, but theirs is less contrasting. In male genitalia, specimens other than the type series (Fig. 48) may have the outer projection of the costal process of the valva subapically not narrowing and less curved, but the median projection remains stouter than in La galapagensis sp. nov. (Fig. 47). In female genitalia, the apical margin of the ostium plate is slightly variable as seen in all available females from brushing the scales off over the ventral tip of the abdomen, and the corpus bursae may be slightly widened laterally as observed in La galapagensis sp. nov. (Fig. 58).

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Isabela, V[olcan]. Darwin | 1240 m elev[ation]., 19.v.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg[it]. B. Landry’; ‘HOLOTYPE | La | paquitae | Landry & Léger’; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085762’. Deposited in MHNG.

Paratypes: 18 ♂, from the Galápagos Island of Isabela. 1 ♂, V[olcan]. Darwin, 300 m elev[ation]., 15.v.1992, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] (B. Landry); 7 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85761), V. Darwin, 630 m elev[ation]., 16.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 5 ♂ (two dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85689 and 85691), V. Darwin, 1000 m elev[ation]., 18.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85690), same data as holotype; 1 ♂, V. Darwin, 300 m elev[ation]., 20.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, Volcán Darwin, 300 m s[obre el]n[ivel del]m[ar], 6.iii.2000, U[ltra]V[iolet]L[ight] -W[hite]L[ight] trap (L. Roque). Deposited in CDRS and MHNG.

Etymology: This new species is dedicated to Dr Paquita Hoeck, ornithologist and member of the Council of the Association of the Swiss Friends of the Galápagos since 2018 and before that running the office of that association for three years.

Diagnosis: This mostly small species (wingspan 10.5-16.5 mm) is easily separated from the other members of the brown cluster of La in the Galápagos by the white longitudinal stripe in the middle of the forewing with dark blackish brown above and below, and usually without or with very faint transverse pattern elements (Figs 27, 28). The presence of white scales on some of the hindwing veins is also diagnostic. The male genitalia (Fig. 49) are very similar to those of La wagneuri sp. nov. (Fig. 48), but the gnathos apex is ventrally less produced, the outer projection of the costal process of the valva is wider, not narrowing subapically, and its apex is narrowly rounded instead of blunt. The female is unknown.

Description: Male (n=19) (Figs 27, 28). Head with frons slightly rounded, not projecting; vestiture pale greyish brown, mostly white-tipped, with darker, unicolorous greyish brown behind eyes, and paler unicolourous dirty white around antennae. Antenna dark brown, sometimes with paler scales on scape and basal flagellomeres. Maxillary palpus vestiture expanded apically as feather duster, greyish brown, darker laterally, lighter to sometimes white medially, with apical scales tipped white. Labial palpus with third segment slightly drooping; vestiture greyish brown, warmer brown on median segment laterally, with some scales tipped white on all three segments. Haustellum pale greyish brown. Thorax dark brown anteriorly, sometimes with many scales white-tipped; paler, greyish brown on metathorax. Forewing length: 4.5-7.5 mm (holotype: 6.0 mm); wingspan: 10.5-16.5 mm (holotype: 13.5 mm). Ratio length/width (n=2): 3.26-3.33. Wings with colour and pattern as illustrated (Figs 27, 28). Prothoracic leg coxa light greyish brown to dark greyish brown with white along medial margin; femur light greyish brown to dark greyish brown with white along ventral margin; tibia pale to dark greyish brown; tarsomeres greyish brown with inconspicuous paler tips, especially on last three tarsomeres. Mesothoracic leg coxa dirty white; femur pale greyish brown to white, with darker greyish brown base and tip; tibia mostly dirty white or with greyish brown at base dorsally; tarsomeres dirty white to pale greyish brown, sometimes with paler apex on apical segments. Metathoracic leg coxa dirty white medially, greyish brown laterally; femur greyish brown with white along margin dorsally and sometimes on large apical section; tibia mostly dirty white, sometimes with some darker greyish brown subapically; tarsomeres dirty white, with greyish brown on last four at their bases. Abdomen dorsally dirty white to greyish brown, sometimes with some warmer brown on basal three tergites, ventrally dirty white to pale greyish brown, sometimes with scattered darker blackish brown scales on most sternites.

Male genitalia (n=3) (Fig. 49). Uncus rather short (0.66-0.68 length of tegumen dorsal section), slightly downcurved and pointed apically. Gnathos narrow, with downward-bent apical bulge and dorsomedial cleft apically weakly developed. Tegumen medium-sized, with lateral arms of medium width, about as long as dorsal section, with partial extension of sclerotization midventrally. Valva with cucullus narrow, apically rounded; mediobasal projection short, apically rounded, with thickened apical margin; costal process with projections of unequal lengths; median projection shorter, rather strong, pointed, curving medially, with few, mostly short setae at base laterally; outer projection flat, longer, almost reaching cucullus apex, slightly wider than cucullus, slightly curving subapically, with apex slightly rounded. Vinculum of medium width and slightly enlarging laterally; basal margin medially broadly rounded and upturned shortly, forming short saccus. Pseudosaccus slightly longer than wide, with short, flat crest. Phallus rather short, 800 µm long (n=1), narrow and slightly enlarging along mid-section, with narrower coecum penis, slightly curved upward (or sideways as on Fig. 49b) and about 0.2 length of whole phallus, with apex rather narrowly rounded, with basolateral projections short and weakly sclerotized, with spine of apicolateral projections very short; median margin of opening with deep narrow cleft, about 0.2 length of whole phallus, with short wrinkles; vesica without cornuti.

Female: Unknown.

Biology: Unknown other than the facts that moths are attracted to lights and that they were found between 300 m and 1240 m in elevation, at the top of Alcedo.

Distribution: Presently known from Alcedo Volcano only, on the island of Isabela, in the Galápagos.

Remarks: The few diagnostic characters of the male genitalia between this species and La wagneuri sp. nov. invite a cautionary interpretation of this Alcedo population of La as a different species from La wagneuri sp. nov., but the fact that they occur sympatrically and at the same time, as well as their very different forewing patterns, based on the material collected in 1992, are indicative of probable distinctness at the species level. Some behavioral or pheromonal characters may be key to exclude their hybridization, but an in-depth molecular analysis of several genes and several specimens would be necessary to bring forth a more definitive assessment.

This is a relatively small genus known to contain 12 species described from the Western Hemisphere (Nuss et al., 2024), i.e., the United States of America, the Antilles, Colombia, and Brazil. Only P. teterrellus (Zincken, 1821) has been reported from outside its region of origin, i.e., in the Canary Islands, China and Japan, where it is considered an invasive species (Slamka, 2008; Gao et al., 2013). The monophyly of the genus was established by Landry (1995) on the basis of the presence of sclerotized projections on the phallus dorsoapically. The placement of the unique Galápagos species described here is based on the presence of this character. Larval host plants are known for P. teterrellus, an economically important turf grass moth known as the bluegrass webworm, and P. decorellus (Zincken, 1821), both reared on Poaceae.

Material examined: Holotype: ♂, ‘ECU[ADOR]., GALAPAGOS | Santiago, Central [camp] | 700 m elev[ation]., 10.iv.1992 | M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight], leg[it]. B. Landry’; ‘HOLOTYPE | Parapediasia | galapagensis | Landry & Léger’; ‘MHNG | ENTO | 00085740’. Deposited in MHNG.

Paratypes: 39 ♂, 235 ♀, 2 of sex undetermined from the Galápagos Islands. – Fernandina: 1 ♀, North side, 300 m, S 00°20.541', W 091°36.815', 12.i.2002, U[ltra] V[iolet]L[ight] (L. Roque, C. Causton); 1 ♀, North side, 1300 m, S 00°21.862', 091°34.308', 15.i.2002, UVL (L. Roque, C. Causton); 1 ♂, SW side, GPS: 352 m elev[ation]., S 00°20.503', W 091°36.969', 10.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♀, SW side, GPS: 815 m elev., S 00°21.270', W 091°35.341', 11.ii.2005, day time (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 3 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85726), same data except ‘uvl'; 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85727), 2 ♀ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85728), SW side, crater rim, GPS: 1341 m elev., S 00°21.910', W 091°34.034', 12.ii.2005, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 2 ♀, same data except 13.ii.2005; 3 ♀, SW side, GPS: 815 m elev., S 00°21.270', W 091°35.341’, 14.ii.2005, day time (B. Landry, P. Schmitz). – Floreana: 2 ♀ (one MHNG-ENTO-85725), Scalesias near Cerro Pajas, GPS: 329 m elev., S 01°17.743', W 90°27.111', 12.iv.2004, uvl (P. Schmitz).– Isabela (Alcedo volcano): 3 ♀ (one MHNG-ENTO-85746; one dissected MHNG-ENTO-85732), NE slope, about 400 m S Los Guayabillos camp, GPS: 892 m elev., S 00°25.208', W 091°04.765', 1.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♀, cumbre [summit], caseta [cabin], 1200 m elev., 9.iv.1999, UVL-F[luorescent]L[ight] (L. Roque); 1 ♀, lado [side] NE, 200 m [elev.], camp arida alta, 14.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 2 ♀, lado NE, camp pega-pega, 400 m [elev.], 15.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 5 ♀, lado NE, camp guayabillos, 700 m [elev.], 16.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 3 ♀, lado NE, cumbre, caseta Cayot, 1100 m [elev.], 17.iv.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 1 ♀, 850 m elev., 12.x.1998, uvl (L. Roque); 2 ♀, 1100 m elev., 13.x.1998, uvl (L. Roque); 1 ♀, 900 m elev., 30.x.2000, UVL (L. Roque, coll. # 2000-021). – Isabela (Darwin volcano): 2 ♀, 1200 m [elev.], 15.ii.1999, UVL (L. Roque, coll. # 99.19); 5 ♀, 900 m elev., 6.iii.2000, UVL-W[hite]L[ight] trap (L. Roque, coll. #2000-010.); 1 ♀, Tagus Cove, 13.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀(one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85729), 300 m elev., 15.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85730), 5 ♀, 630 m elev., 16.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀, same data except 17.v.1992; 1 ♂, 4 ♀, 1000 m elev., 18.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀, 1240 m elev., 19.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, 300 m elev., 20.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry). – Isabela (Sierra Negra volcano): 2 sex undetermined, Albermarle I[sland]., San[to] Tomas, 1200 f[ee]t., 22.viii.[19]06 (F. X. Williams); 1 ♀, same data except 23.viii.[19]06; 1 ♀, 1 km W Puerto Villamil, 3.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂ (dissected, slide BL 181), 5 ♀, 3 km W S[an]to Tómas, Agr[iculture]. zone, 8.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♀, 11 km N Puerto Villamil, 9.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♂, 9 ♀, pampa zone, 1000 m [elev.], 12.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85731), 2 ♀, ± 15 km N P[uer]to Villamil, 25.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, NE slope, SE volcan Chico, xi.1974 (T. J. de Vries, B.M. 1976-58); 2 ♀, Corazon Verde, 19-20. xii.1975 (T. J. de Vries, B.M. 1976-58). – Pinta: 6 ♂ (one MHNG-ENTO-85721), 1 ♀, 200 m elev., 16.iii.1992, M[ercury]V[apour]L[ight] (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one MHNG-ENTO-85722), 7 ♀ (one MHNG-ENTO-85723; one MHNG-ENTO-85724), 400 m elev., 17.iii.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 2 ♀, same data except 18.iii.1992; 2 ♂ (one MHNG-ENTO-85741), 2 ♀, 400-650 m elev., 18.iii.1992, day [swept with net] (B. Landry). – San Cristóbal: 8 ♀ (one dissected, slide BL 1186), 4 km SE P[uer]to Baquarizo [sic], 12.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀, 1 km S El Progreso, 14.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 4 ♀, pampa zone, 15.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♂ (one dissected, MHNG-ENTO-87618), 12 ♀, pampa zone, 18.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, 4 km SE P[uer]to Baquarizo [sic], 20.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀, base of Cerro Pelado, 22.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 5 ♀ (two dissected: MHNG-ENTO-85733, 85734); 1 ♀, transition zone, SW El Progreso, GPS: 75 m elev., S 00°56.359', W 089°32.906', 15.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♀, shore of El Junco, GPS: 655 m elev., S 00°53.714', W 089°28.869', 17.iii.2004, [swept with a] net, 17h00 (B. Landry, P. Schmitz). – Santa Cruz: 1 ♀, 4 km N Puerto Ayora, 20.i.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 11 ♂, 5 ♀, pampa zone, Media Luna, 21.i.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 5 ♀, Los Gemelos, 31.i.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, pampa zone, Media Luna, 2.ii.1989, swept [with a net] (B. Landry); 3 ♀, Tortuga Res[erve]., W S[an]ta Rosa, 6.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♂, 3 ♀, pampa zone, Media Luna, 8.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, same data except 26.ii.1989; 4 ♀ (one dissected, slide BL 1184), 2 km W Bella Vista, 27.ii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 2 ♀, transition zone, recently cut road, GPS: S 00°45.528', W 090°18.849', 12.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 1 ♀ (dissected, MHNG-ENTO-85735), low agriculture zone, GPS: S 00°42.132', W 090°19.156', 13.iii.2004, uvl (B. Landry, P. Schmitz); 6 ♀, Finca S[teve]. Devine, 17.iii.1989, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, Hornemann Farm, 220 m [elev.], 25.iii.1964 (D.Q. Cavagnaro); 3 ♀, agriculture zone, near (NNW) Bella Vista, GPS: 223 m elev., S 00°41.297, W 090°19.670', 7.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry); 2 ♀ (one MHNG-ENTO-85745), agriculture zone, finca C. Troya, N Bella Vista, GPS: 294 m elev., S 00°40.756', W 090°18.671', 9.iv.2004, uvl (B. Landry); 4 ♀, Los Gemelos, 4.v.2002, uvl (B. Landry, L. Roque); 6 ♀, Los Gemelos, 27.v.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, [no precise locality] v-vi.1970 (R. Perry, Tj. de Vries, Ref No. L-114, B.M. 1970-371); 2 ♀, Miconia pampa zone, Media Luna, 580 msn [elev.], S 00°39'28.7”, W 090°19'37.8”, 14.x.1996, fluorescent light trap (L. Roque). – Santiago: 3 ♀ (one MHNG-ENTO-85719), N side, GPS: 437 m elev., S 00°13.316’, W 090°43.808’, 3.iii.2005, uvl (P. Schmitz); 1 ♂ (MHNG-ENTO-85720), 3 ♀, N side, GPS: 527 m elev., S 00°13.690’, W 090° 44.135’, 5.iii.2005 (P. Schmitz); 1 ♂, NE side, close to caseta, GPS: 686 m elev., S 00°14.177’, W 090°44.619’, 6.iii.2005 (P. Schmitz); 2 ♀, Bahía Espumilla, 4.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀, 200 m elev., MVL (B. Landry); 3 ♀, Aguacate], 520 m elev., MVL (B. Landry); 1 ♀, Jaboncillo [camp], ± 850 m elev., MVL (B. Landry); 13 ♀, Central [camp], 700 m elev., MVL (B. Landry); 19 ♀, same data as holotype (three labelled MHNG-ENTO-85742 to 85744); 3 ♀, Aguacate, 520 m elev., 12.iv.1992, MVL (B. Landry). Deposited in CAS, CDRS, CNC, MHNG and NHMUK.

Additional material examined (in poor condition): – San Cristóbal: 19 ♀, 1 sex undetermined, vic[inity]. “El Junco” (crater lake), Alt[itude]. ± 700 m, 15-16. iv.[19]70 (R. Silberglied). – Santa Cruz: 3 ♂, 15 ♀, vic. “Mirador” (W of Media Luna), Alt. ± 620 m, 26.v.[19]70 (R. Silberglied). Deposited in MCZ.

Etymology: The new name refers to the region of origin, in recognition of the fact that this species is probably endemic to the Galápagos.

Diagnosis: In the Galápagos Islands this species will be recognized among Crambinae by its mostly white hindwings contrasting with the generally darker forewings (Figs 29-36), except for Diatraea saccharalis (Fig. 6), but the latter is a larger species (18-39 mm wingspan) without a continuous subterminal line following the forewing outer margin as can be observed in P. galapagensis sp. nov. However, in the darkest specimens of P. galapagensis sp. nov., the subterminal line can be obscured to the point of obliteration (Fig. 36). Among other species of Parapediasia, P. galapagensis sp. nov. is most similar in male genitalia to P. atalanta Błeszyński, 1963, described from the State of Pará, Brazil, by virtue of the thin cucullus, costal projection of valva, uncus, gnathos, and shape of the apical projection of the phallus. However, in P. atalanta the forewing is grey with a white dorsum and a well-formed postmedian line similar in aspect to the subterminal line, and the veins are overlaid with straw yellow from the base to the subterminal line. Also, in P. atalanta the uncus apically doesn't have a distinct hook, the gnathos is bulging distally, the cucullus and costal projection of the valva are subequal in length, and the phallus has a shorter coecum penis and a larger and ribbon shaped apical process.

Description: Male (n=43) (Figs 34, 35). Head light buff dorsally, white with some light buff on fronto-clypeus; frons slightly rounded, not projecting. Antenna laminate, with flagellomeres slightly wider than long; flagellomeres uniformly buff; scape and pedicel buff, sometimes with white ventrally. Maxillary palpus mostly buff to light greyish brown with white at base, apical scales forming light buff to white fan. Labial palpus with first palpomere mostly white, second palpomere dorsally buff, laterally light greyish brown, ventrally edged white, third palpomere buff with light greyish brown laterally. Haustellum white to light buff. Thorax as illustrated. Forewing length: 5.3-7.0 mm (holotype: 7.0 mm); wingspan: 10.5-15.0 mm (holotype: 15.0 mm). Wings with colours and pattern as illustrated (Figs 34, 35); pattern often poorly expressed. Prothoracic leg coxa laterally greyish brown, medially light buff; femur laterally dark greyish brown, medially and along ventral edge light buff; tibia greyish brown laterally, white to buff medially; tarsomeres I-IV greyish brown laterally, buff ventrally, tarsomere V buff. Mesothoracic leg coxa white; trochanter light buff; femur light buff with touch of light greyish brown at apex laterally; tibia light buff; tarsomeres buff. Metathoracic leg coxa as mesothoracic leg, with tibia slightly paler except on spines. Abdomen dorsally as illustrated, concolorous ventrally, with slightly darker buff band laterally. Tergum VIII with more thickly sclerotized basal band with median triangle reaching before middle of segment. Sternum VIII with more thickly sclerotized basal section sporting short triangular extensions laterally, reaching about 2/3 length of segment. Intersegmental membrane VII-VIII with long, hair-like scales mostly laterally, scattered, except for small, more concentrated patch dorsally.

Male genitalia (n=7) (Fig. 50). Uncus thin, nearly straight, with distinct apical hook. Gnathos thin, straight with rounded apex. Tegumen with dorsal section slightly longer than uncus, with lateral arms rather wide. Valva with cucullus thin, directed dorsally at half right angle, with thinner distal half laterally compressed and slightly curving medially; costal process slender, shorter than cucullus, directed dorsally at almost right angle, slightly curving medially, pointed; basal sclerotized section of valva dorsally adorned subapically with short, flat, triangular projection pointing dorsally at right angle. Juxta shaped like conventional heart symbol. Vinculum narrow medially, with short projecting point, laterally enlarged. Pseudosaccus small, rhomboid. Phallus short, 590 µm long (n=1), straight in dorsal view, with elongate, tapering coecum penis slightly angled from shaft, ending in pointed projection first directly dorsally at half right angle, then directed to right side at right angle, and apically pointing downward; vesica without cornuti. Female (n=275) (Figs 29-33, 36). Head with frons as in male. Antenna filiform, with scape and pedicel coloured as in male; flagellomeres dorsally greyish brown, ventrally paler, buff. Forewing length: 4.5-9.0 mm (wingspan: 10.0-20.0 mm). Frenulum with 2-3 acanthae strongly fused. Abdominal segment VII with tergite widely sclerotized in enlarging truncated triangle apically extending laterally; sternite with sclerotized patch on distal half slightly enlarging to about 2/3 of sternite's width at apex.

Female genitalia (n=13) (Fig. 60). Papillae anales small, very narrowly sclerotized especially at short, rounded, dorsal knob. Posterior apophyses on elongated triangular bases, straight, short, reaching into segment VII. Tergite VIII a narrow ring, wider dorsally, very narrow ventrally and expanded ventrally around base of ostium base. Anterior apophyses short, straight, on well-sclerotized elongated triangular bases, reaching into segment VII. Ostium bursae a short triangular pouch. Ductus bursae from ostium at right angle to left, then turning anteriorly at right angle, just before mid-length, of same rather narrow girth all along, with faintly sclerotized ridges. Corpus bursae globular, 5/6 of ductus bursae length, spiculate throughout, without signum.

Biology: Unknown except that the moths are attracted to lights, but they can be collected in the daytime as well. Also, most specimens were collected at higher elevations, although the species was found also closer to the seashore, for example at Tagus Cove, on Isabela Island.

Distribution: Presently known only from the Galápagos Islands on the islands of Fernandina, Floreana, Isabela, Pinta, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Santiago.

Remarks: The size variation in the female moths, between 10 and 20 mm in wingspan, is noteworthy, as well as the forewing pattern variation; the available males do not vary that much in those respects.