Mortoniella (Mortoniella) croca, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

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 : 84-85

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) croca , new species

Fig. 70

Mexitrichia n. sp. 6: Flint 1996: 382.

This species bears a general similarity to other species in the argentinica subgroup and is perhaps most similar to M. argentinica Flint , especially in having a wide mesal emargination of tergum X and a pair of very differently shaped paramere appendages on each side. It differs in that the recurved dorsal lobe of the inferior appendages is much smaller (nearly degenerate) and the mesal invagination of tergum X of M. coca is broadly V-shaped, rather than U-shaped. Additionally, the ventral process of segment VI is broadly triangular, rather than elongate and narrow, and the shorter of the two paramere appendages is very distinctly hooked apically. In the latter character M. croca more nearly resembles M. spinulata (Flint) , but that species has a very narrow mesal invagination of tergum X, as well as a spined dorsal lobe on the inferior appendages.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.5-3.7 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Head distinctly small. Overall color dark brown, apices of mesotarsal segments whitish. Tibial spurs slightly darker than legs, weakly contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis marked with white setae.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, large, subtriangular, posteroventrally directed, length subequal to width at base, apex acute, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin slightly produced, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderate in length, basally with rounded elevation, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin with very wide, V-shaped emargination, apicolateral lobes subacute, slightly mesally curved; ventrolateral lobes relatively prominent, rounded. Inferior appendages with dorsal projection apparently vestigial, lightly sclerotized, very narrow, attenuate, posteriorly curved. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with spine-like apical processes narrow, very elongate, posteriorly projecting. Paramere appendages doubled, one pair elongate (extending about as far as dorsal phallic spine), slightly widened in apical ½, apex acute, lateral pair about ½ length of other pair, very narrow, apex distinctly hooked. Dorsal phallic spine, in lateral view, narrow, attenuate, apical ½ retrorsely recurved; in dorsal view, relatively narrow throughout. Phallobase with small, but distinct, lightly sclerotized mesal apodeme. Phallicata simple in structure, with pair of short rounded basoventral projections. Endophallic membrane elongate, with prominent paired ventrolateral membranous lobes, phallotremal spines small, apical.

Holotype male (pinned)— PERU: Cuzco: Paucartambo, Puente San Pedro, ca. 50 km W Pilcopata , 1600 m, 2-3.ix.1988, O Flint and N Adams ( UMSP000157345 ) ( MJP).

Paratypes — PERU: Cuzco: same data as Holotype – 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH).

Etymology —This species is named M. croca , from the Medieval Latin word croca , a shepherd’s crook (used as a noun in apposition), referring to the shorter of the two paramere appendages in this species, which is very distinctly hooked apically.

Figures

Figure 70. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) croca, new species, 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.