Paroxyethira anomala, Wells & Johanson, 2012

Wells, A. & Johanson, K. A., 2012, Review of the New Caledonian species of Paroxyethira Mosely, 1924 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae), Zootaxa 3478, pp. 330-344 : 340-341

Paroxyethira anomala , new species

Figs 29–32, 42

The male of P. anomala is recognised by the short, widely separated gonopods that have only sparse fine setae, in contrast to those of the only other known New Caledonian species with similar short gonopods, P. nigrispina , in which the left gonopod has a brush of dense setae. Paroxyethira anomala has only a very short median process on abdominal segment IX, not VIII, and a short, broad phallic sheath, while P. nigrispina has the median process on VIII and far longer than wide, and an elongate, cylindrical phallic sheath. The female of P. anomala is more similar in form to those illustrated by Leader (1972) for his New Zealand species P. hintoni and P. kimminsi : sternites VII and VIII are fused to form a symmetrical cone, shallowly cleft apico-ventrally, with a small acute ‘spine’ in the cleft directed posterad.

Male antennae each with 23 flagellomeres; female antennae each with 19 flagellomeres.

Forewing length. Male 1.9–2.3 mm (n=10); female 1.9–2.3 mm (n=10).

Male genitalia ( Figs 29–32). Sternite VII with median short sharp spur. Process on abdominal sternite VIII broadly rounded; length about half basal width. Abdominal sternite IX truncate medially. Tergite IX deeply concave apically; laterally scarcely produced distally. Gonopods short, length slightly more than 2x basal width; without dark setae or sclerotised teeth. Phallic apparatus ( Figs 31, 32) stout in comparison with other congeners; elongate; constricted at just less than 1/2 length, at which constriction short, threadlike titillator arising; pair of spines present subapically, with one stout and angled, other slender and sinuous. Phallic sheath forming complicated series of mostly sclerotised structures terminating in stout subapical, left-pointing spur and rounded plate bearing 2 rather prominent setae on its left; in lateral view phallic sheath appearing as broad structure with dorsally directed spur.

Female terminalia ( Fig. 42). Abdominal sternites VII–VIII fused to form stout, symmetrical cone; apically cleft; surface disrupted by pronounced sockets of scattered setae. Segment X not divided apically.

Holotype male: Province Sud, Monts Kwa Ne Mwa , on road between Noumea and Yaté, Rivière des Pirogues, 22°11.225'S, 166°43.338'E, 100 m, 7.xi.2003, light trap, loc#016, leg. K.A. Johanson ( MNHP).

Paratypes: Same data as for holotype – 23 males, 16 females (one on slide) ( SMNHH); Province Nord, 50 m upstream bridge on Hienghène-Tnèdo road, 3.9 km S summit of Mt. Tnèda , 2.2 km E Tnèdo, 20°43.085'S, 164°49.928'E, 29 m, 7.xii.2003, light trap, loc#071, leg. K.A. Johanson, 1 male ( SMNH) .

Etymology: Anomala, descriptive of the unusual male genitalia.