Larval morphology of Central European species of genus Stephensia Stainton, 1858 (Lepidoptera, Elachistidae)

The morphology of last instar larvae of Stephensia abbreviatella and Stephensia brunnichella is described and illustrated in detail. The study is based mainly on chaetotaxy of head capsule, as well as thoracic and abdominal segments. Head chaetotaxy of representatives of the family Elachistidae s.s., and chaetotaxy of Stephensia brunnichella are published for the first time. The larvae of studied species may be differentiated mainly by their size and differences in arrangement and length of some setae. The Stephensia larvae are characterized by some rare in the family but most likely plesiomorphic traits, e. g. by comparatively long tactile setae, trisetose L group on AI-VIII, as well as a set of seven tactile setae (D1-2, SD1, L1, L3, SV1, V1) and two proprioceptors (MD1, MV3) on AIX. A few larval characters of potential phylogenetic importance are discussed. The size reduction of the ventral prothoracic shield is supposed to be a potential autapomorphy for the genus Stephensia.