Oecetis erskinensis, Wells, 2004

Wells, Alice, 2004, The long-horned caddisfly genus Oecetis (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) in Australia: two new species groups and 17 new species, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 61 (1), pp. 85-110 : 94

Oecetis erskinensis sp. nov.

Figures 24, 25

Material examined. Holotype, male, Lord Howe Island , Erskine Valley , Erskine Creek , 21–22 Nov 1996, Wells and Mound ( ANIC).

Paratype. Male, data as for holotype ( ANIC) .

Other material. Larvae, pupa, locality as for holotype, 24 Dec 2001, Wells and Mound ( ANIC) .

Diagnosis. As for O. minasata , but in male genitalia (Figs 24, 25) setae on inturned apices of inferior appendages are all about equal in size and length, and in ventral view the apex of phallus is divided to form 2 apically acute, sclerotised lobes.

Description. Spurs 1, 2, 2. Male forewing length, 7.9 mm. Wings of typical shape, forewing fork 1 with footstalk less than half length of fork, posterior anastomosis with t1 and t2 linear, oblique, t3 slightly more proximal, angled. Male genitalia, Figs 22, 25. Segment IX narrow, preanal appendages more than twice as long as wide, rounded apically. Segment X slender, almost same width throughout length. Inferior appendages in ventral view clasper-shaped, inturned subapically, apices obliquely truncate. Phallus very short, with distal sharply downturned section almost twice length of basal portion, rounded basally, bifurcate, lobes sclerotised, acute apically.

Remarks. Oecetis minasata and O. erskinensis are closely similar, possibly sister species, distinguished by genitalic character states as noted under O. minasata .

Etymology. Named for the collecting site.