Neoatriplectides desiderata, Dumas, Leandro Lourenço & Nessimian, Jorge Luiz, 2008

Dumas, Leandro Lourenço & Nessimian, Jorge Luiz, 2008, A new species of Neoatriplectides Holzenthal, 1997 (Insecta: Trichoptera: Atriplectididae), from Brazil, including description of the pupa of the genus, Zootaxa 1773, pp. 63-68 : 64-68

Neoatriplectides desiderata sp. nov.

Figs. 1–13

Diagnosis. Neoatriplectides desiderata fits the generic description by Holzenthal (1997), except that in this species the segment IV of maxillary palp is densely setose on its distal half, setae on the mesonotum and scutellum are more numerous and more evidently grouped, there is a spurious vein in the unconstricted forewing cell cu, and there is a short, but conspicuous discoidal cell in the hind wing, while this cell seems to be at least sometimes absent in males of N. froehlichi (absent in male holotype, present in female paratype). Other differences occur in the male genitalia. The newly described species has a more pronounced bifurcation of the abdominal segment X, with acute apices bearing small lateral spines and no lobes, while N. froehlichi has a slight bifurcation without such pronounced projections and with apical spinulate lobes. Inferior appendages are broader and relatively shorter in lateral view. Furthermore, N. desiderata has a robust phallus with an inconspicuous phallothremal sclerite like N. froehlichi , but in the latter there is an anterior digitiform projection. A row of hooked spines, or hamuli, on the base of each hind wing anterior margin, not illustrated for N. froehlichi , is involved in wing coupling, engaging the forewing in such a way to form a single airfoil in flight.

Description. Adult Male ( Figs. 1–9 ): Length of forewing: 13–15 mm. Mostly brown; forewings yellowish-brown, with several small light maculae along basal region of costal margin.

Head ( Figs. 1–2 ): Eyes lateral, ocelli absent. Antenna long, about 2.5 times length of forewing; scape broad, bearing lateral tufts of setae. Frontal setal wart oval; two pairs of antennal setal warts, with internal larger than external; one pair of posterior setal warts large, oval; one pair of setal warts on postgenal area long and slender ( Fig. 1 ). Maxillary palp 5-segmented, segments subequal, slender ( Fig. 2 ). Labial palp 3-segmented, slender.

Thorax ( Figs. 3–4 ): Pronotum short, with setal warts tranverse, long, bearing long setae; mesonotum long, mesoscutum with two longitudinal bands of setal punctures delimiting central lighter rectangular area, scutellum trapezoidal, bearing pair of large and dense setal areas ( Fig. 3 ). Legs long, each tarsus slender, longer than tibia, with row of spiniform setae; tibial spur formula 2-4-4, apparently 1-4-4, with external spur of each foretibia very reduced. Wings with complex pattern of venation; forewings each with forks I, II and V present, discoidal cell small, about 1/6 length of thyridial cell; crossveins r and s not aligned; R5 apparently originating from r -m; M with two branches; thick spurious vein terminating in middle of A1+2+3; Cu2 and A1+2+3 fused next to wing margin, forming arculus ( Fig. 4 A); hind wings each with forks II and V present, discoidal cell small; Sc fused with R1; R5 and M1+2 fused near their bases and most of their length, m -cu crossvein between M3+4 and Cu1a; A1, A2 and A3 reaching wing margin, A4 reduced ( Fig. 4 B).

Abdomen: Simple; exocrine glands of sternum V not apparent.

Male genitalia ( Figs. 5–9 ): Abdominal segment IX with posterolateral margins sinuous, anteromesally concave and posteromesally convex both dorsally and ventrally, posteromesodorsal edge protruding slightly above base of tergum X ( Figs. 5–7 ). Preanal appendices short, oblong, depressed, with long setae, dark on apical half ( Figs. 5–6 ). Segment X large, produced at posterior half into two triangular projections, with narrow and truncated extremities bearing spines directed laterad. Inferior appendices unsegmented, compressed, each wide at base and narrowing apically in lateral view to blunt apex; ventral margin with long setae, dorsal surface with setae scarce; mesal surface bearing small spines and setae ( Figs. 5 and 7 ). Phallus long, robust, curved medially, directed ventrad, apex narrowed and depressed; phallothremal sclerite indistinct ( Fig. 9 ).

Female unknown.

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Minas Gerais: Itamonte, Rio Aiuruoca, 22°20’56.9’’S 44°41’37.9’’W, 1860 m., 20.xi.2004, L.L. Dumas & J.L. Nessimian ( DZRJ 1200)

Paratypes: Minas Gerais: 5 males, same date and locality of holotype ( DZRJ 1201-1205); 2 males, same date and locality of holotype ( MNRJ); 2 males, same date and locality of holotype ( MZSP).

Pupa ( Figs. 10–13 ):

Diagnosis. This is the first description of a pupa of this genus. The pupa of N. desiderata , n. sp., differs from that of Atriplectrides dubius Mosely , described by Neboiss (1978), in that the 2 setae at the base of each mandible are much farther apart and the apical processes of the abdomen have their bases much closer together, they are more tapered, and they are without dorsal bristles in N. desiderata , n. sp. As in A. dubius the last abdominal tergum is covered with short, chitinous spicules.

Description. Body length: 20 mm.

Head ( Figs. 10–11 ): About 2.0 times as wide as long. Eyes well developed. Antennae long; scape broad, with 3 long dorsal setae and 5 ventrolateral ones. Vertex bearing central pair of long setae. Labrum rounded, short, with 8 setae ( Fig. 10 ). Maxillary palps long, each 5-segmented, extending beyond bases of forecoxae; labial palps short, each 3-segmented. Mandibles very long, triangular, tapered to apex, mesal margins serrate, each with 2 thick, dark, dorsolateral setae on basal third ( Fig. 11 ).

Thorax: setal pattern indistinct. Wing pads reaching abdominal segment IV. Legs long, row of long, thin setae on tarsomeres I and II of median legs.

Abdomen ( Figs. 12–13 ): Lateral fringe of setae absent. abdominal tergum I bearing transverse strip of small spines posteriorly, spines wider on lateral edges; tergum II without hook plates; terga III–VII with pair of anterior hook plates, oval, each bearing one stout spine, directed backward; tergum V with posterior pair of hook plates, smaller, rounded, each bearing 2 spines directed forward ( Fig. 12 ); segment IX with tergum covered with short, minute, chitnous spicules, directed forward;, posterior margin slightly bilobed; apical processes long, slender, narrowing to apex, bearing 3 apical microsetae ( Fig. 13 ).

Material examined: BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro: Itatiaia, Maromba, Tributário do Rio Preto, 22°19’67.9’’S 44°36’56.8’’W, 1509 m., 24.xi.2003, litter deposits and sand, A.A.Huamantinco & J.L.Nessimian, 1 male pupa ( DZRJ 1206).

Distribution: Southeastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo states). Etymology: The Latin word desiderata means “desired,” as we have spent several years looking for mature specimens of the species following the first record of the immature forms in 1997.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Neoatriplectides desiderata, sp. nov. 1. Head, dorsal view; 2. Maxillary palp, lateral view; 3. Thorax, dorsal view; 4 A. Male forewing; 4 B. Male hind wing.

FIGURES 5 – 9. Neoatriplectides desiderata, sp. nov. 5. Male genitalia, lateral view; 6. Male genitalia, dorsal view; 7. Male genitalia, ventral; 8. Apex of segment X, dorsal view; 9. Phallus, lateral.

FIGURES 10 – 13. Neoatriplectides desiderata, sp. nov., pupa. 10. Head, frontal view; 11. Right mandible, dorsal view; 12. Abdominal hook plates on terga I and III – VII, dorsal view; 13. Apical processes of abdomen, dorsal view.