Metrichia chiriquiensis, Harris & Armitage, 2023

Harris, Steven C. & Armitage, Brian J., 2023, The Trichoptera of Panama XXII. Sixteen new microcaddisfly species (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae), ZooKeys 1174, pp. 35-74 : 35

Metrichia chiriquiensis sp. nov.

Fig. 11

Type locality.

Panama: Chiriqui Province: Cuenca 108; Boquete District; Volcán Barú NP; Río del Guayabo; PSPSCB-PNVB-C108-2017-018; 8.84939°N, 82.49349°W; 1947 m a.s.l.

Type specimen.

Holotype: male, Panama: Chiriqui Province: Cuenca 108; Boquete District; Volcán Barú NP; Río del Guayabo; PSPSCB-PNVB-C108-2017-018; 8.84939°N, 82.49349°W; 1947 m a.s.l.; Malaise trap; E. Álvarez, E. Pérez, T. Ríos; 5-8.vi.2017; MIUP-009-T-2023 (in alcohol).

Diagnosis.

This species with the ventrally elongate inferior appendage is similar to M. calla Thomson & Armitage, M. plax Thomson & Armitage, and M. sesquipedalis Bueno-Soria & Holzenthal, all of which occur in Panama. The new species is recognized by the deeply incised posterior margin of the inferior appendage, with the dorsal process nearly half as long as the ventral process, which in M. calla and M. plax is short, and absent in M. sesquipedalis ; additionally, the inferior appendage in M. chiriquiensis sp. nov. is prominently serrate on the ventral margin. Also, the abdominal terga of M. chiriquiensis sp. nov. lack modifications as does M. sesquipedalis , while those of M. calla have long hair clusters and M. plax has elongate lobes.

Description.

Male. Total length 2.8 mm, 20 antennal segments, middle segments widening and flat, wings and body brown in alcohol. Abdominal terga without modifications. Genitalia. Segment VII annular with short ventromesal process. Segment VIII triangular, tapering ventrally; in ventral view very narrow, deep mesal incision; in dorsal view truncate. Segment IX triangular, tapering anteriorly into segment VII, posterior margin sinuate; in ventral view slightly incised mesally on posterior margin; anterior margin rounded; in dorsal view narrow. Preanal appendage (cercus) ovate in lateral view, dorsally circular. Dorsolateral hook in lateral view thin basally, then widening subapically, tapering distally, and curving ventrad; in dorsal view narrow, tapering to acute apices, sinuate on outer margins. Segment X in lateral view short, thin, and membranous; in dorsal view short, tapering distally to truncate apex. Inferior appendage in lateral view deeply incised posteromesally forming two thin elongate processes, dorsal process about half length of ventral process, which is serrate on ventral margin; in ventral view lower process wide basally, narrowing subapically, diverging basally with outer edge serrate; in dorsal view upper process thin over length and strongly curving mesad. Phallus in dorsal view narrowing at midlength, where originates a lateral process, distal portion with pair of large spines, lower spine curved, upper spine sinuate; in lateral view, lower spine dorsal in position and about half length of upper sinuate spine, apex with curved sclerotized process.

Distribution.

Panama.

Etymology.

This species is named for Chiriqui Province where the species was collected.

Figures

Figure 11. Metrichia chiriquiensis sp. nov., male holotype, genitalia A left lateral B dorsal C ventral D phallus, dorsal E phallus apex, left lateral.