Abstract

Plesiozela, gen. nov. is described from temperate South America, including two species P. nielseni, sp. nov. and P. patagonica, sp. nov. The adult moths, including their genitalia, are described and figured and the systematic position of the new genus within the family is discussed. Plesiozela considered to represent the sister-group of a clade comprising all previously known heliozelid genera, from which it differs in retaining a cephalic vestiture of exclusively erect piliform scales and long, folded and 5-segmented maxillary palps.