''Pectinivalva acmenae'' is a
moth of the family
Nepticulidae. It is found in
New South Wales.
The
wingspan is 4.5–5.5 mm for males and 5.2–5.6 mm for females. The thorax, tegulae and forewings are uniform shining dark grey with strong blue reflections. There is an inconspicuous tornal spot consisting of a few white scales. The hindwings are pale grey.
Phylogeny and host-plant relationships of the Australian Myrtaceae leafmining moth genus Pectinivalva (Lepidoptera, Nepticulidae), with new subgenera and species
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The larvae feed on ''Syzygium smithii
''Syzygium smithii'' (formerly ''Acmena smithii'') is a summer-flowering, winter-fruiting evergreen tree, belonging to the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It shares the common name "lilly pilly" with several other plants.It is planted as shrubs or hed ...
''. They mine the leaves of their host plant. The mine has the form of a long, very narrow contorted gallery, filled with brown frass
Frass refers loosely to the more or less solid excreta of insects, and to certain other related matter.
Definition and etymology
''Frass'' is an informal term and accordingly it is variously used and variously defined. It is derived from the G ...
apart from irregular crenulations along the mine edge. The exit-hole is located on the underside and has the form of a semicircular hole. Pupation takes place in a reddish-brown cocoon.
Etymology
The specific name is derived from the former host-plant genus. Because the moth is referred to under this manuscript name in the first author's unpublished thesis, the authors have chosen to retain it for consistency, in spite of the change in classification of the host-plant.
References
Moths described in 2013
Moths of Australia
Nepticulidae
{{Nepticulidae-stub