Oecetis quadrata, 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 : 98

Oecetis quadrata sp. nov.

Figures 53–56, 118

Material examined. Holotype, male, North Qld , Zarda Creek nr Mt Misery, W of Mossman, 1200 m, 23 Nov 1974, M.S. Moulds ( NMV T-18513).

Other material. Qld : male, Birthday Creek, 6 km NWW Paluma, 18°59'S 146°10'E, 25 Sep 1980, J.C. Cardale ( ANIC) .

Diagnosis. Cu1 and Cu 2 in the hind wing arising at crossvein m–cu, and preanal appendages exceedingly large, rectangular, free.

Description. Tibial spurs 1, 2, 2. Male forewing length 7.6 mm. Wings (Fig. 53) slender, forewing length about 4 times maximum width, footstalk on fork 1 about as long as fork, posterior anastomosis stepped with t2 more distal than t1, t3 distad of t1 and t2; in hind wing Cu1 and Cu2 arise at crossvein m–cu. Male genitalia, Figs 54–56. Segment IX broad ventrally and laterally, narrow middorsally, preanal appendages large, subquadrate. Segment X membranous, bifid. Inferior appendages broad in basal half, strongly constricted medially, narrow distally. Phallus short, apex strongly down-turned.

Distribution. North-eastern Qld (Fig. 118).

Remarks. When viewed laterally, the genitalic features of O. quadrata males generally resemble those of O. inscripta . The species has been collected from two disjunct localities only.

Etymology. Latin, quadrata — four-cornered, for the unusual shape of the preanal appendages.