Protoptila inflata Blahnik and Armitage, 2019

Blahnik, Roger J. & Armitage, Brian J., 2019, The Trichoptera of Panama. XII. Contributions to the family Glossosomatidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) in Panama, Insecta Mundi 740 (740), pp. 1-17 : 5-6

Protoptila inflata Blahnik and Armitage , new species

Fig. 4

Diagnosis. Protoptila inflata is best diagnosed by the relatively elongate, down-turned lateral lobes of tergum X, greatly inflated apex of the phallus (as viewed laterally), and hooked apices of the paramere appendages.

Description. Length of forewing: male 2.7–2.8 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present; hind wing with fork II only, wing narrow and acute apically, costal margin with pronounced invagination. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color (in alcohol) brown (specimens cleared).

Male genitalia. Sternum VI process relatively prominent, posteriorly directed, longer than wide, apex subacute. Tergum VIII with row of elongate setae along posterior margin; sternum VIII moderately densely setose, setae elongate, posterior margin distinctly produced, slightly curved upward, extending beyond dorsolateral lobes of tergum X; as viewed ventrally, with ventral projection narrow, forked apically, apices of fork subacute. Segment IX with anterior margin broadly rounded, sternum mesally produced into short, acute process, posterolateral margin of segment IX without processes. Preanal appendages absent. Tergum X, as viewed laterally, with lateral lobes not obviously subsegmented, but somewhat bent or flexed basally, posterior margin of lateral lobe with small sclerotized mesal projection at flexion point, dorsal margin between lobes narrow and continuous, textured with minute spines, apex of mesal projection with short, bilobed, membranous projection; lateral lobes simple, moderately elongate and narrow, downturned, with several short marginal setae, apex narrowed and with ventrally-directed, spine-like projection. Phallobase dorsally with large, laterally compressed apodeme, ventrally with pair of short, rod-like, articulated appendages with membranous apices, appendages fitting into sclerotized pockets on ventral margin of phallobase, ventral margin of each pocket with short, hook-like projection. Phallicata, as viewed laterally, tubular, fused to phallobase, relatively short, dorsally arched, distinctly widened apically on ventral margin; as viewed dorsally, relatively narrow, apical enlargement slightly channeled dorsomesally, bilobed apically. Phallotremal sclerite not evident. Parameres each with “nested” membranous basal structure and relatively short, narrow, rod-like, sclerotized paramere appendage, appendage nearly straight, apex hooked or somewhat spirally curved.

Female and immatures. Unknown.

Holotype male (alcohol). PANAMA: Cocle: Cuenca 134, Quebrada Las Yayas, La Pintada , El Harino , PSPSCD-PNGDOTH-C134-2017-004, 8.66168°N and 80.5952°W, 602 m, 22-26.iii.2017, Malaise trap, E. Álvarez, E. Pérez, and T. Ríos ( COZEM).

Paratypes. Same data as holotype, 1 male ( UMSP) .

Etymology. This new species is named for the inflated apex of the phallus in lateral view. The genus name is feminine and the species name adjectival.

Figures

Figure 4. Protoptila inflata, new species, male genitalia, A) Lateral (position of phallic ensemble in genital capsule indicated with cross hatches). B) Phallic ensemble, lateral. C) Sternum VIII, ventral.