Galapagos Species Database

The forewing markings of this species are unlike any others among the gelechiids recorded from the galapagos, except Stegasta francisci sp. n., described below. The dorsally connected subbasal and median ochreous triangular patches and the patches of silver, shining scales at 1/10, 1/4, 1/2, and 2/3 are especially diagnostic of these two species. Within the genus, S. zygotoma resembles the new speciesdescribed below, S. comissata Meyrick, 1923, and S. bosqueella (Chambers, 1875). itdiffers from Stegasta francisci sp. n. externally by the paler head, presence of dark brown at apex of labial palpus, and presence of three rings of paler, beige scales b. landry 704 & l. roque-albelo towards the apex of the flagellum, i.e. the apical 2 flagellomeres are dark brown, the previous one is beige distally, the previous 3 are dark brown, the previous one beige distally, etc. The differences in genitalia are discussed below in the diagnosis of the new species. Stegasta comissata appears to be a smaller species as its lectotype is 8 mm in wingspan (10 mm for a paralectotype female) and that of zygotoma is 11 mm. in addition, the head of S. comissata is cream coloured, whereas that of S. zygotoma is brown with the scales mostly pale brown with their tips dark brown (in galapagos specimens) (Landry & Roque, 2010).

Host plant is unknown. Specimens have been collected near sea level in March.