Polyplectropus costalis (Banks)

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 158-160

Polyplectropus costalis (Banks)

Figs. 79, 131.

Cordillopsyche costalis (Banks), 1913: 238 . [Type locality: Colombia, Tolima, Cañon del Norte; MCZ (on loan to NMNH); female; in Cordillopsyche ].— Lestage, 1925:105.— Flint, 1967: 7 [to Polyplectropus ].

Polyplectropus costalis apparently belongs to the P. robacki subset of species ( P. andinensis , P. bolivianus , P. robacki , and P. brborichorum ). The female of P. brborichorum (from Ecuador) is almost identical to P. costalis . Of the 4 species in the P. robacki species subset, only P. brborichorum had a male/female series. Given the largely homogeneous nature of Polyplectropus female genitalia, we hesitate to specify a male for P. costalis . Females of other species in the P. santiago group also have internal sclerotized rods, however the shape of these rods vary from short and broad to long and narrow ( Figs. 97A, C).

Adult. Length of forewing 6 mm (n = 1). Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown; setae on body grey and golden brown; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings golden brown along costal margin with patches of grey setae interspersed along margin and on most of wing surface.

Female genitalia. Ventral plates of segment VIII setose, in ventral view ovate, narrowing posteromesally; in lateral view deltoid, narrowing posterad, narrowly fused to sternite VIII; external part of gonopod of segment VIII in ventral view with posterior margin truncate; in lateral view clavate, curved posterad. Tergum IX devoid of setae, lightly sclerotized. Segment X setose, apically bearing a pair of sclerotized cerci surrounded by 2 pairs of membranous digitate processes. Genital chamber opening to processus spermathecae through sclerotized circular opening of ductus spermathecae and dorsolaterad to circular opening a pair of sinuate, sclerotized, elongate cylindrical rods.

Material Examined. COLOMBIA: Tolima: Cañon del Norte, 1,700 m, March, Fassl — 1 female ( MCZ) [holotype] .

Distribution. Colombia.