Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) aequalis ( Flint, 1963 )

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 96-97

Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) aequalis ( Flint, 1963)

Fig. 79

Mexitrichia aequalis Flint : 1963: 472.

Mortoniella aequalis (Flint) : Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008: 70 [member of ormina group].

This species probably compares most closely to M. macarenica (Flint) and M. usseglioi (Rueda Martín and Gibon) , particularly in the shape of tergum X, which is elongate and narrow, and in the shape of the dorsal phallic spine, which is also elongate and narrow and lacks lateral wings. It can be distinguished from either of those species by having the apex of tergum X only shallowly notched, rather than deeply invaginated, and by having only one elongate paramere spine, as opposed to 2 in M. macarenica and 3 in M. usseglioi . The structure of the rod-like appendage of the phallobase, which is short, but distinctly inflated apically, along with the inflated mesal pockets of the inferior appendages, each with a greatly enlarged and elongate apical spine, is similar to M. zamora , new species. These two species are otherwise morphologically dissimilar and not likely to be confused.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.0 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with fork II only; both wings narrow, acute apically. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color (in alcohol) pale brown. Forewing with membrane pale at anastomosis. Presence of scale-like setae on fore- and hind wings of male not ascertained.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, short, narrow basally, length about 2½ times width at base. Segment VIII relatively narrow. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin nearly straight; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by more than ½ width of segment. Tergum X elongate, lateral margins, as viewed dorsally, distinctly invaginated in middle; apex of tergum with very shallow apicomesal invagination, thus without distinct apicolateral lobes; tergum, in lateral view, with shallow rounded apicolateral incision, forming angularly projecting ventrolateral lobe. Inferior appendages small, with short, posteriorly directed lobes. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage large, with elongate and relatively wide, posteriorly-directed, spine-like, apicoventral projections, apices narrowed and slightly decurrent. Paramere with elongate, narrow projection, apparently from enlarged basal lobe of appendage, extending about as far as apical inflection of dorsal phallic spine; paramere appendage probably vestigial, composed of short, lightly sclerotized, projection, mesal to basal lobe. Phallobase with short, rounded, lightly sclerotized, dorsomesal apodeme; ventrally with short ventral rod-like projections, widely flared apically. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, nearly uniform in width, strongly upturned in about apical ¼, slightly widened preapically, apex rounded; as viewed dorsally, nearly uniform in width, slightly enlarged preapically, apex subacute, entire. Structure of phallicata not completely evident, apparently tubular, unmodified. Endophallic membrane simple, without spines; phallotremal spines not evident.

Material examined — PERU: Puerto Bermudez , Rio Pichis, 17.vii.1920, male Holotype, type 3892 ( CUIC).

Distribution — Peru.

Figures

Figure 79. Mortoniella (Nanotrichia) aequalis (Flint), male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.