South African Lepidoptera, 3. Descriptions of new Stigmellidae

In 1955 a first series of new species of this family was described by the author. Many species have since been bred and a second series is now described. A still larger number, not yet described, remain on hand, and no doubt mani"more will be discovered in the near future. A great difficulty in obtaining these is due to the fact that it is usually hard to find leafmines which still contain caterpillars. In the Palaerctic region a strong concentration of occupied mines occurs during the autumn; unfortunately this does not occur in South Africa, and therefore much time must be spent in collecting and breeding these leafmining species,. often with very little success. Many of the caterpillars collected die through being constantly disturbed when pupating; by being transported long distances back to the laboratory. It is thus necessary to make many field trips for. collecting in order to have good results. Nevertheless this research is very much rewarding, since almost all tours result in many new discoveries. The large numbers of new species obtained, not only in Lepidoptera, but also in other groups of leafmining insects, are astonishing and one cannot but wonder how the Creator has brought all these beautiful forms of life into being. Again short descriptions of the leafmines are given and the names of the foodlPlants included; botanical specimens were identified by members of the staff bl''the National Herbarium, Pretoria. This cooperation is much appreciated and gratefully acknoV/ledged by the author. The continued interest of the National Parks Board of South Africa in resea"rch in the parks under their authority is without doubt highly valuable to systematic entomology, and the author acknowledges with thanks the support given to his fieldwork in the parks. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, f()r subsidizing the cost of printing the colour plate; to the National Parks Board for a contribution towards printing of additional copies of the plate, and to the Board of Trustees of the Transvaal Museum for facilities granted. All types and paratypes of the species described are in the collection of the Transvaal Museum, Pretoria.