Stephensia armata

Stephensia armata is a Central American moth of the family Elachistidae and Gelechioidea superfamily, discovered in 1998 at Las Cuevas Research Station, in Belize's Chiquibul Forest Reserve.^[1]

Stephensia armata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Elachistidae
Genus:	Stephensia
Species:	S. armata
Binomial name
Stephensia armata Sruoga, 2003

Physiology

The wingspan is approximately 6.6 millimetres (0.26 in), with a forewing length of 3 millimetres (0.12 in). It is distinguishable by the 2-3 teeth arming the valvae, from which it gets its name. The species is remarkable for the single transverse fascia of the forewing, and long lobes of the valvae and juxta.^[1]

Coloration is largely pale ochre or grey-brown. The underside and head are paler, while its back and wings are grey-brown or dark ochre. Pale ochre scales spread across every segment distally.^[1]

S. armata is distinct from congeneric American species of moth in the deep split between the juxta lobes, and its relatively small uncus. It is noticeably apomorphic in its phylogeny.^[1]

Habitat

Samples of S. armata were collected in April, during the rainy season in Belize. The local vegetation was largely evergreen, with some deciduous trees.^[1]

Discussion of nomenclature

S. armata is named on the convention assigning three genera to Lepidoptera, due to the researchers’ preference for a more stable taxonomy and the characteristics of Armata that place it squarely within Stephensia.^[1]