A review and checklist of the Neotropical Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera)

SYNOPSIS. Fieldwork in2000-2001 hasaddedsubstantially toourknowledge ofthe Nepticulidae of the upper Amazon basin and the Andes and increased the number of species known from the Neotropical Region from 58 to 74. Two species - Manoneura basidactyla(Davis) and Ectoedemia fiiscivittata Puplesis & Robinson - are recorded from equatorial America for the first time here and areredescribed, withamplifieddescriptions andillustrations. A revisedchecklistof the Neotropical Nepticulidaeis given together withan updateddistributionmapfor Central and SouthernAmerica. Fomoria latipennata Puplesis& Robinsonis transferredto Acalyptris, comb. n. Four new speciesgroups (Stigmella tiliella-group, S. barbata-gmup, Fomoria molybditis-group and Acalyptris latipennata-group) are defined. Hostplant data are reviewed and further hostplant genera from which mines or cocoons have been collected are noted. The diversity and distribution of the Neotropical Nepticulidae are discussed.