Leucotrichia hispida Thomson & Holzenthal

Thomson, Robin E. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2015, A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae), ZooKeys 499, pp. 1-100 : 23-24

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Leucotrichia hispida Thomson & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 22

Diagnosis.

Leucotrichia hispida sp. n., is most similar to Leucotrichia botosaneanui , Leucotrichia chiriquiensis , Leucotrichia limpia , and Leucotrichia viridis . These species share a similar combination of characteristics present in the phallus and the posterolateral margin of sternum VIII, as discussed under Leucotrichia botoeaneanui . Leucotrichia hispida is distinct from the other 4 species in having an extremely rugose apex on the mesoventral process of sternum VII, a prominent tuft of setae on the posteroventral projection of sternum VIII, and no external spines or sclerites on the phallus apex.

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 4.2-5.0 mm (n=3). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Dorsum of head dark brown with light yellow and dark brown setae; thorax dark brown with light yellow setae dorsally, brown ventrally; leg segments with brown setae. Forewings covered with fine dark brown setae with scattered patches of light yellow setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with large, rugose mesoventral process and row of prominent setae (Fig. 22D). Sternum VIII posteroventral projection bearing stout, prominent setae, in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin broadly produced dorsolaterally, posterolateral margin irregular; in dorsal view anterior margin concave, posterior margin straight. Tergum × with dorsal sclerite simple; ventral sclerite semielliptic with tridentate posterior margin; membranous apex small, suborbicular. Subgenital plate with dorsal arm not apparent; ventral arm broadest basally, apex slightly hooked dorsad, in ventral view oblong with small apical emargination. Inferior appendage broadest basally, apex digitate, bearing single dorsal spine; in ventral view with pair of digitate basal projections, inner margin crenulate. Phallus with median complex bearing elongate basal supports; apex bearing ventral “bulge” (Fig. 22E), pair of small apicodorsal lobes, and small sclerotized internal structure between apical lobes (Fig. 22F).

Holotype male: COSTA RICA: San José, Río Savegre, 9°33.9'N, 83°48'W, 2270 m, 7-8.viii.2001, D. and W.N. Mathis (UMSP000140610) (NMNH). Paratypes: same data as holotype, 1 male (NMNH), 1 male (UMSP).

Etymology.

Hispidus, Latin for “bristly”, referring to the extremely rugose apex of the mesoventral process of sternum VII.