Asteraceae: Host to the Greatest Diversity of Leafmining Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera) in South America?

Pygmy moths (Nepticulidae) associated with Asteraceae are poorly known and very rare worldwide. Recently, we discoveredmany leaf-mining nepticulids in South America feeding on Asteraceae. We review all known records of Asteraceae-feeding Nepticulidae, which in the Neotropics (including the Andes and Patagonia) previously included only Stigmella Schrank. We describe six new species of Stigmella from equatorial South America: S. jungiae Diškus and Stonis, n. sp. (feeding on Jungia L.f.), S. aeneola Diškus and Stonis, n. sp., S. violea Diškus and Stonis, n. sp., S. bracteata Diškus and Stonis, n. sp. (feeding on Liabum Adans.), S. spatiosa Diškus and Stonis, n. sp. (feeding on Ageratina Spach), and S. auripennata Diškus and Stonis, n. sp. (feeding on Baccharis L.). All new taxa are illustrated with photographs of the adults, their genitalia, and leaf mines. Additionally, leaf mines of three unknown nepticulid taxa on Jungia (aff. J. polita Griseb.), Piptocoma discolor (Kunth) Pruski, Gynoxys laurifolia (Kunth) Cass., and G. acostae Cuatrec. are documented for the first time. We diagnose and designate two new species groups and one new species complex in Stigmella.We discuss the origin and diversity of Asteraceae in the Neotropics and illustrate the distribution of Stigmella species feeding on representatives of Asteraceae at the tribal level.Fil: Stonis, Jonas R.. Vytautas Magnus University; LituaniaFil: Arunas, Diskus. Vytatutas Magnus University; LituaniaFil: Katinas, Liliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División de Plantas Vasculares; ArgentinaFil: Solis, M. Alma. National Museum of Natural History; Estados Unido

Exotic-looking neotropical tischeriidae (Lepidoptera) and their host plants

Seven new species of Tischeriidae are described from the Neotropics: Astrotischeria jociui Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (feeding on Wissadula excelsior (Cav.) C. Presl., Malvaceae), A. atlantica Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (feeding on Baccharis spicata (Lam.) Baill., Asteraceae), A. cornuata Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (host plant unknown), Paratischeria guarani Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (feeding on Elephantopus mollis Kunth, Aster-aceae), P. mesoamericana Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (feeding on Montanoa hibiscifolia Benth., Asteraceae), P. suprafasciata Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (feeding on Allophyllus edulis (A. St.-Hil., A. Juss. & Cambess.) Hieron. ex Niederl., Sapindaceae), and P. braziliensis Diškus & Stonis, sp. nov. (host plant unknown). Additionally, an updated distribution map of Paratischeria neotropicana (Diškus & Stonis, 2015), which currently has the broadest distribution range among the Neotropical Tischeriidae is provided along with new host-plant data, a list of all recorded host plants in the Neotropics, and a brief discussion on trophic relationships of Tischeriidae. It is hypothesized that host-plant distribution ranges can provide clues to potential distribution ranges of these specialized, monophagous or oligophagous, leaf miners. All new taxa are illustrated with photographs of the adults, their genitalia, and, if available, leaf mines.Fil: Stonis, Jonas R.. Nature Reseach Centre; LituaniaFil: Diskus, Arunas. Nature Reseach Centre; LituaniaFil: Remeikis, Andrius. Nature Reseach Centre; LituaniaFil: Solis, M. Alma. National Museum of Natural History; Estados UnidosFil: Katinas, Liliana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División de Plantas Vasculares; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

Combination of characterization techniques for atomic layer deposition MoO3 coatings: From the amorphous to the orthorhombic a-MoO3 crystalline phase

Thin films of MoO3 deposited on Si(111) and Al2O3(001) substrates by atomic layer deposition have been investigated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy for detailed characterization of composition and morphology. Comparison of angle resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) and XPS depth profiles based on Arþ sputtering is reported. Sputtering induces a reduction of molybdenum in MoO3 from þIV to metallic Mo as the interface toward Si is approached, whereas ARXPS on a 10 nm thin film shows that Mo(VI) remains outside the interface toward Si where lower valent molybdenum compounds are formed. Upon annealing, the as-deposited amorphous thin films of MoO3 crystallize into b- or a-MoO3 as identified by x-ray diffraction. The current study provides a convenient route toward formation of metastable b-MoO3 and a full crystallization pathway from amorphous to crystalline a-MoO3. Combined AFM and Raman analysis have been performed on thin films of a-MoO3 deposited on Al2O3(001) and prove that the crystallization proceeds via island growth at 600 C. The Raman intensity ratios between different bands depend strongly on morphology and size of crystalites