Neotrichia matula, Neto & Passos, 2019

Neto, Jaime De Liege Gama & Passos, Mahedy Araujo Bastos, 2019, The genus Neotrichia Morton 1905 (Insecta: Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) in Roraima state, Brazil: New records and description of seven new species, Zootaxa 4695 (6), pp. 516-528 : 525-527

Neotrichia matula sp. nov.

Figures: 9A–9D

Diagnosis. This species belongs to the Neotrichia canixa Species Group of Marshal (1979). The male of Neotrichia matula sp. nov. is similar to that of N. tauricornis Malicky 1980 in that segment X has a pair of symmetrical apicolateral hornlike processes and the phallus is slender distally and has a upwardly curved apex. However, in the new species, the hornlike processes of segment X and the subgenital plate are relatively shorter. Additionally, in the new species the phallic apex ends in a short apical process, from which a long arrow-like process emerges, but in N. tauricornis the phallic tip is bifid and sclerotized.

Description. Male (in alcohol): Dark brown species with length of each forewing 1.8 mm (holotype). Postoccipital setal warts pronounced, large, ovoid. Antennae each with 18 articles; scape normal, cylindrical, slightly longer than pedicel; flagellomeres of pedicel size, long, cylindrical. Maxillary palp formula I-II-IV-III-V (shortest to longest), first two articles extremely short, shorter than wide. Mesoscutellum anterior margin convex; metascutellum convexly subtriangular. Sternum VII without apicomesal process.

Male Genitalia. Segment IX with pair of dorsolateral setal lobes; posterior margins produced into subrectangular lobes in dorsal view. In lateral view, anterior margins nearly vertical, slightly rounded; poster margins slightly sclerotized, sinuous, on each side produced into two processes with apical setae, lower process about half as long as upper one and with slightly convex ventral margin. Segment X fused to dorsum of segment IX; apex giving rise to pair of sclerotized and short horns that project posteroventrad in lateral view; in dorsal view, posteromesal margin rounded and posterolateral margins with paired symmetrically curved horns extending nearly laterad. Inferior appendages in ventral view each with short, digitate basomesal lobe; main body of each inferior appendage with curved inner margin; in lateral view slender, tapering apically and with apex curved slightly upward. Subgenital plate with ventral beak in lateral view; apically rounded in ventral view. Phallus elongate with wide tubular base narrowing to median constriction; paramere around shaft and extending posterad; apical half slender, tapering, ending in short apical process, from which long arrow-like process emerging and curving upward; ejaculatory duct emarginate, protruding subapically.

Female, larva, pupa, and egg. Unknown. Holotype male. BRAZIL: Roraima: Mucajai municipality, RR-325, Vicinal Apiaú, Igarapé Serrinha (Sítio Vaca), 02°33’7.78”N / 61°18’45.06”W, 74 m a.s.l., 13 Dec. 2017, Pennsylvania light trap, J.L. Gama Neto, leg. (alcohol; MPEG). Paratype. 3 males, same data as holotype (alcohol; MPEG) .

Distribution: Brazil (Roraima, type locality only).

Etymology. The epithet “matula”, a noun used in apposition, is the nickname used by the inhabitants of Roraima state to designate a steer donated by a boss to a cowboy employee to be consumed on the farm.