Redescription of the immature stages of Angelabella tecomae (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) with notes on mandibular morphology and leaf damage on Tecoma fulva (Bignoniaceae)

Angelabella tecomae Vargas & Parra, 2005, is a leaf-mining micromoth inhabiting xerophytic environments along the western slopes of the Andes in northern Chile and southern Peru, where it is associated with plants of the genus Tecoma Jussieu. Its hypermetamorphic development includes two larval forms: a sap-feeding form during the first four instars, and a spinning form in the final instar. Recent evidence suggests the existence of cryptic diversity within Angelabella Vargas & Parra, 2005 across its geographic range, indicating that the genus may comprise several candidate species that remain unrecognized under current taxonomy. To contribute to the accurate identification of A. tecomae, we provide a detailed redescription of its immature stages based on current standards of descriptive morphology. The sap-feeding and spinning larvae, as well as the pupa, are described in detail using scanning electron microscopy images and illustrated with detailed chaetotaxal maps. In addition, histological sections of leaflets of Tecoma fulva (Cavanilles) D. Don (Bignoniaceae), were examined to characterize the leaf damage produced by the sap-feeding instars and to assess their ontogenetic relationship with changes in mandibular morphology.