Wormaldia birneyi Muñoz-Quesada and Holzenthal, 2008

Muñoz-Quesada, Fernando J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2008, Revision of the Nearctic species of the caddisfly genus Wormaldia McLachlan (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae), Zootaxa 1838, pp. 1-75 : 19-22

Wormaldia birneyi Muñoz-Quesada and Holzenthal , new species

Figures 21–26, 132

According to the species group proposals of Ross (1956) and Armitage (1996), this new species would belong within the W. anilla Group (Table 1).

This new species and Wormaldia pachita Denning (1956a) are similar to W. shawnee ( Ross 1938a) and W. strota ( Ross 1938b) , but are distinguishable from those two species and the other Nearctic Wormaldia by the wider, deeper, V-shaped posteromesal emargination of the paired basal segments of the inferior appendages. These paired basal segments are clearly incurved and considerably narrower and more elongate in the new species. In addition, W. birneyi differs from W. pachita by the shapes of sterna VII and IX, and the inferior appendages. Sternum VII in W. birneyi has a conspicuous and convexly subtriangular process posteromesally. Sternum VII in W. pachita is straight posteriorly. Sternum IX in W. birneyi is weakly sinuous posteriorly with a shallow mesal concavity. Sternum IX in W. pachita is strongly projected sinuously posteriorly with a slender and elongate process mesally. When viewed ventrally, the basal segment of the inferior appendage in W. birneyi is narrowly elongate, equal in length, slightly wider than the apical segment. The basal segment in W. pachita is robust, elongate, and shorter (about 0.7 times) and wider than the apical segment.

Adult (in alcohol). Length of male forewing 5–6 mm (holotype: 5 mm). Head light brown, and with lighter setae. Antenna long, slender, yellowish, with small, lighter setae. Maxillary palps yellowish, with lighter setae, fifth segment the longest, first segment the shortest, third longer than second and fourth, second and fourth subequal. Labial palps yellowish, with lighter setae, first and second segments sub-equal, third segment the longest. Dorsum of thorax light brown. Legs yellowish, with small, lighter setae. Forewing yellowish, covered with fine, small, light brown setae, with apical forks I, II, III, IV, and V present ( Fig. 25). Hind wing translucent, with very few fine, small, brown setae, with apical forks I, II, III, and V present ( Fig. 26).

Male genitalia ( Figs. 21–24). Sternum VII with wide, convexly subtriangular, posteromesal process conspicuously elongate, about 0.5 times length of sternum VIII. Tergum VIII relatively straight posteriorly. Sternum VIII straight or very slightly convex posteromesally. Segment IX, when viewed dorsally, weakly concave anteriorly; when viewed laterally, nearly rectangular in appearance, convexly projected anteriorly, weakly sinuous posteriorly; when viewed ventrally, concave anteriorly, slightly sinuous posteriorly with shallow, mesal concavity. Segment X, when viewed dorsally, triangularly elongate, narrowest and rounded apically; when viewed laterally, subtriangular, narrowly rounded apically. Superior appendages digitate; when viewed dorsally, parallel with segment X, slender, elongate, narrowly rounded apically; when viewed laterally, very slightly shorter than segment X. Inferior appendages two segmented; when viewed laterally, basal segment stout, rectangular, strongly elongate, broadest and convex anteriorly, relatively straight posteromedially; api- cal segment stout, elongate, slightly rectangular and broader anteromedially, slightly downcurved and slightly projected posteroventrally; when viewed ventrally, basal segments paired, united for about their anterior onefifth, separated posteromesally by a prominent, strongly deep, broad, U-shaped emargination, each basal segment stout, noticeably slender and incurved anteriorly; apical segment conspicuously slender and elongate, relatively equal in length to basal segment, slightly incurved and narrowest posteriorly, with short, black, spine-shaped and peg-shaped setae scattered apicolaterally on inner margin. Phallus, when viewed laterally, pistol-shaped, widest basally, tapering from middle to apex, membranous apically, very lightly sclerotized, with group of many minute, elongate, slender, pointed, internal sclerites ( Fig. 29) surrounded by highly convulated membranes.

Holotype: Male. USA: California: Del Norte Co: Six River National Forest, small creek jct Smith River Hwy 199, 3 mi [= 4.8 km] NE of Hiouchi [~ 41º 51’ N, 124º 00’ W], 1.vi.1991, Baumann and Stark (in alcohol, NMNH).

PARATYPES: USA: California: Humboldt Co.: Mossey stream, Hwy 299, 3 mi [= 4.8 km] E of Berry Summit [~ 40º 5’ N, 124º 00’ W], 22.vi.1985, Baumann and Nelson , 1 male (only the abdomen, in alcohol, BYU); Lake Co. : Trib. E. Fork Middle Creek , 7 mi [= 11.2 km] N of Upper Lake [~ 39º 10’ N, 122º 55’ W], 3.vi.1975, P.A. Peterson (in alcohol, CAS) .

Etymology. Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Elmer C. Birney (1940–2000), in recognition of his numerous and outstanding contributions to Mammalogy. Dr. Birney was a member of the senior author’s Ph.D. advisory committee, giving him the opportunity to have Dr. Birney’s valuable advice and friendship.

Distribution. USA: California.