Wormaldia moesta (Banks)

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 : 39-43

Wormaldia moesta (Banks)

Figures 67–75, 130, 133

Wormaldia moesta (Banks) 1914: 202 , pl. IX, figs. 18, 20, 23, male, North Carolina, USA (MCZ) (as Paragapetus moestus ); Betten 1934: 169 (mentioned as Dolophilus moestus ); Milne 1934 –1936: 82, 83 (as D. moestus ); Ross 1941a: 51 (as D. moestus ); Ross 1944: 8, 45, 46, 47, 292, figs. 161, 165, 167, 168; Ross 1949: 155, 156 (transferred to Wormaldia ); Ross 1956: 42, 46, 61, 65, figs. 83 A–C ( Paragapetus as synonymy of Wormaldia ); Denning 1956a: 79: Fischer 1961: 48; Fischer 1971: 192; Schmid 1982: 31–33, 72 (map 15), figs. 150, 151, 160, 161; Schmid 1991: 93; Moulton & Stewart 1996: 181, 182, fig. 508; Armitage 1996: [work not paginated].

Dolophilus breviatus Banks 1914: 254 , pl. XX, fig. 61, male, New York, USA (Banks, N. collection, MCZ); Betten 1934: 168, 169, pl. 15, figs. 13, 14, pl. 16, figs. 1–5; Milne 1934 –1936: 82, 83 (as synonym of D. moestus ); Ross 1938c: 7 (lectotype [MCZ 11518] is male, mentioned as D. breviatus ); Ross 1944: 292 (as D. moestus ); Ross 1949: 154–156 ( D. moestus transferred to Wormaldia ).

Ross (1949) established subgroup 2 of the W. moesta Group with W. moesta ( Banks 1914) and W. gabriella ( Banks 1930) , species from Canada and the Uniteds States. In 1956, Ross rearranged his former species group proposal. For the W. moesta Group, he removed subgroup 2 and to the two species formerly mentioned added two species W. chinensis ( Ulmer 1932) from China and W. relicta ( Martynov 1935) from India. Later, Schmid (1991, 1998) suggested that all former species, with the exception of W. moesta , should be placed together within the W. relicta Group instead of Ross’s W. moesta Group. Schmid also added to the W. relicta Group the four following species: W. ephestion Schmid (1991) and W. therapion Schmid (1991) from India, W. simulans Kimmins (1955b) from Burma, and W. uonumana Kobayashi (1980) from Japan. He adopted this change since W. moesta only has one character among those that define the species group. However, Schmid recognized that the characters that define the W. relicta Group are not constant in the seven species of his W. relicta Group ( Schmid 1991). Armitage (1996) maintained the Ross proposal for this species group (Table 1).

This species is similar to Wormaldia gabriella ( Banks 1914) and W. lacerna Denning (1958) , but can be recognized from them by the shapes of tergum VIII, sterna VIII and IX, and the inferior appendage, as discussed in the diagnoses of those species. Wormaldia moesta specimens from Little Pigeon (Tennessee) and Turkey Run S.P., Newby Gulch (Indiana) showed variation in the shape of the posterior margin of tergum VIII from that of the holotype. The posterior margin in those specimens is relatively straight mesally or straight with a small, narrow emargination mesally ( Figs. 72–73).

Adult ( Fig. 133) Length of male forewing 6–7 mm. Head brown, with yellowish setae. Antenna long, slender, yellowish, with small, yellowish and brown rings of small setae. Maxillary palps yellowish, with lighter setae. Labial palps yellowish, with lighter setae. Dorsum of thorax light brown. Legs yellowish, with small, lighter setae. Forewing yellowish, covered with fine, small, brown setae, and with several small, scarce patches of yellowish setae, one conspicuous, mesal patch, slightly elongate anteroposteriorly on posterior margin, with apical forks I, II, III, IV, and V present ( Fig. 74; Betten 1934: pl. 15. fig. 13). Hind wing translucent, with very few fine, small, brown setae, with apical forks I, II, III, and V present ( Fig. 75; Betten 1934: pl. 15, fig. 14).

Male genitalia ( Figs. 67–73). Sternum VII with stout, prominent, digitate, posteromesal process extremely elongate, longer than sternum VIII, narrowly rounded apically. Tergum VIII slightly sinuous or nearly straight posteromesally; when viewed laterally, slightly concave posteriorly. Sternum VIII slightly concave anteriorly, with conspicuous, digitate, posteromesal process, 0.5 times length of posteromesal process of sternum VII, rounded apically. Segment IX, when viewed dorsally, concave anteriorly; when viewed laterally, broad, nearly rectangular in appearance, slightly convex anteriorly, slightly convex posteriorly; when viewed ventrally, concave anteriorly, nearly straight posteriorly with small, slender, subtriangular process arising posteromesally. Segment X, when viewed dorsally, triangularly elongate, very weakly bulged medially, narrowest and rounded apically; when viewed laterally, stout, rounded apically. Superior appendages digitate; when viewed dorsally, parallel with segment X, stout, elongate, rounded apically; when viewed laterally, shorter than segment X, slightly enlarged basally, rounded apically. Inferior appendages two segmented; when viewed laterally, basal segment thick, subrectangular, weakly elongate, broadest and convex medially, apical segment stout, rectangularly elongate, nearly equal in length, narrower than basal segment, and truncately rounded and narrowest posteriorly; when viewed dorsally, apical segment stout, subtriangularly elongate, narrowest and subovate posteriorly, with slightly elongate and apicolateral patch of short, thin, black, spine-shaped setae; when viewed ventrally, basal segments paired, united for about their anterior three-quarters, separated posteromesally by a moderately deep and U-shaped emargination, each basal segment stout, widest medially, with outer margin convexly curved, apical segment as when viewed dorsally. Phallus, when viewed laterally, pistol-shaped, widest basally, tapering from middle to apex, membranous apically, very lightly sclerotized, when viewed dorsally, with many visible, small, spine-shaped, internal sclerites ( Fig. 71), surrounded by highly convulated membranes.

Material examined. CANADA: Nova Scotia: Kentville , 28.vii.1924, R.P. Gorham, 1 male ( CNC) ; Baddle-K, 23.vi.1936, T.N. Freeman, 1 male ( CNC) ; Ontario: Burke Falls , 13.vii.1926, F.P. Ide, 1 male ( INHS) ; Algonquin Park, Costello Lake, Ontario Fish. Res. Lab. , 24.vi.1934, W.M. Sprules, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, 13.vi.1939, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; 20.vi.1939, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Maynooth, Spring # 2, 19.vi.1953, J.F. McAlpine, 11 males, 1 female (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, Spring # 1, 22.vi.1953, 20 males, 9 females (in alcohol, INHS) . USA: Alabama: Lawrence Co.: Rogersville, stream margin WE. Snow , 23.v.1953, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Arkansas: Montgomery Co.: Buttermilk Springs, 3 mi [= 4.8 km] Caddo Gap , T4S R24 W Sec. 6, 19.v.1982. H.W. Robison & D.D. Koyn, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Georgia: Fannin Co.: Chattahoochee, N. F. Roek Creek , 25.x.1971, U. of GA, Ent. Class, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Lumpkin Co.: (Walnut, Cat. N-2938-2), 29.vi.1938, L. Berner, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Towns Co.: Young Harris , 24.iv.1938, Ross & Burks, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Union Co: Helton Creek , 5 mi [= 8 km] N. Neels Gap, 5.vi.1946, P.W. Fatig, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Illinois: Kane Co.: Botanical Garden, Elgin , 23.v.1939, Burks & Riegel, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, 9.vi.1939, Ross & Burks, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; 19.ix.1939, Ross & Mohr, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; 20.iii.1940, B.D. Burks, 2 males, 1 female (in alcohol, 1 male in CNC, 1 male, 1 female in INHS) ; Union Co.: Pine Hills Rec. Area , 1.vi.1958, E.L. Mackford, 1 male, 2 females (in alcohol, INHS) ; Trib. # 7, Ditch 1.7 mi [= 2.7 km] E of Wolf Lake, SW/ NW/ SW Sec. 2 T11S R3W, 4.vi.1986, E.A. Lisowski, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Indiana: Montgomery Co.; Shades State Park , 3–4.vi.1950, M.W. Sanderson, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, 16.iii.1958, Ross & Mohr, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Parke Co.: Turkey Run, Newby Gulch , 9.iv.1940, Frison & Ross, 7 males, 4 females (5 males, 4 females, in alcohol, INHS) ; Kentucky: Menifee Co.: Murder Cave , 23.x.1966, Barr & Norton, 4 males, 6 females (in alcohol, INHS) ; Maine: Bar Harbor , 12.viii.1940, A.E. Brower, 1 male ( MCZ) ; Massachusetts: Middlesex Co.: Waltham , 18.vi.1888, 1 male ( MCZ) ; Worcester Co.: Petersham , 2.vii.1935, Milne & Greene, 1 male (in INHS) ; Missouri: Champion Springs, Annapolis , 5.iv.1953, C.A. Ulrich, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Minnesota: Cook Co.: Hovland , 10.vii.1965, D. Etnier, 1 male (in alcohol, UMSP) ; New Hamsphire: Coos Co.: Glen House, Mt. Washington , 22.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 2 males, 1 female (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, Gibbs Brook , 7 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Imp. Creek, Pinkham, nr. Mt. Washington , 23.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Grafton Co.: Whitcherville Brook, nr. Benton , 21.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 1 male, 1 female (in alcohol, INHS) ; N. Woodstock , 21.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Pemigewasset River, nr. Woodstock , 22.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; W. of Divide at Moosilauke Lake, Benton , 21.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; New York: Fulton Co.: Woodworth Lake , 23.vi.1910, N. Banks, 1 male ( MCZ) ; same except, 25.vi.1910, 1 male ( MCZ) ; St. Lawrence Co.: Bear Brook, nr. Blue Mt. Lake , Adirondack Park , 19.vi.1941, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, High Rock Pound, outlet nr. Eagle Bay, 1 male, 2 females (in alcohol, INHS); Lectotype & Syntype: 2 males, Tompkins Co.: Coy Glen , Ithaca , vii–viii.(?) [in MCZ, Types (2) & (5) 11518] ; North Carolina: Rainbow Gap , 24.iv.1938, Ross & Burks, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Haywood Co.: Great Smoky Mountains N. P., Mt. Sterling Cr. on St. Rte 284, 35º 42.495’ N, 83º 05.870’ W, el. 1057 m, 22.v.1996, Holzenthal & Huisman, 5 males, 1 female ( UMSP) ; same except, Chesnut Cr., Big Cr. cmpg, 35º 45.591’ N, 83º 06.341’ W, el. 500 m, Holzenthal & Huisman, 24.v.1996, 17 males, 4 females ( UMSP) ; Henderson Co.: Smoke Mt. 14.vi.1935, H.H. Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Mt. Mitchell , 6000 ft [= 1829 m], 7.vi.1940, C.P. Alexander, 1 male ( INHS) ; Macon Co.: Shope Creek, Coweeta Exp. Forest , 3 mi [= 4.8 km] W. Otto, 2000 ft [= 610 m], 14.i.1953, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, Ball Creek , 2.vi.1953, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Wayah Creek , cpg spring, 30.v.1981, J.S. Weaver & R.W. Holzenthal, 1 male (in alcohol, UMSP) ; Swain Co.: Deep Creek, Smoky Mts. , Bryson City, 2000 ft [= 610 m], 1 male ( INHS) ; same except, 23.viii.1930, N. Banks, 2 males ( MCZ) ; Yancey Co. - Buncombe Co.: North Fork Swannanoa River , Black Mts. , v.(?), 1 male [ MCZ, Type (3) 11518] ; Ohio: Dean Forest , v.1934, C. Neis Wander, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, vi.1939, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Hocking Co.: 26.v.1938, D.J. & J.N. Knull Collrs, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Pennsylvania: Dauphin Co.: McDonald Creek, Meach Lake , nr. Hill , nr. Harrisburg , 20.vi.1964, W.E. Ricker, 1 male, 4 females (in alcohol, INHS) ; Tennessee: Campbell Co.: Jellico , 13.v.1939, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Cocke Co.: English Creek at Carson's Sp., nr. Newport Cockeco , 3–8.vi.1946, Mike Wright, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Cumberland Co.: Crossville , 27.v.1957, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Decatur Co.: small stream, Perryville , 21.v.1959, Ross & Stawnard, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Lawrence Co.: Loretto , 13.v.1957, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Polk Co.: Parksville , 25.iv.1938, Ross & Burks, 4 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Scott Co.: Smoky Mts. , 2100 ft [= 640 m], 10.vi.1939, C.P. Alexander, 1 male ( INHS) ; Sevier Co.: Fighting Creek, Fork Little Pigeon River, Gatlinburg , 27.v.1934, T.H. Frison, 1 male, 1 female (in alcohol, INHS) ; Fighting Creek Gap, Gatlinburg , 15.vi.1939, Frison & Ross, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Gatlinburg , in town, 11.v.1944, Frison & Ross, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; Great Smoky Mts. National Park [GSMNP], Camp Ground nr. Chimneys , 11.v.1944, Frison & Ross, 9 males, 1 female (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, Cole Branch , 8–10.vi.1949, W.E. Ricker, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Newfound Gap [GSMNP], 19.vi1938, T.H. Jr. & T.H. Frison, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, 5000–5200 ft [= 1524–1585 m], N. Banks, 1 male ( MCZ) ; Between pass & chimneys [GSMNP], 11.v.1944, Frison & Ross, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Trib. Little Pigeon River [GSMNP], 14.v.1939, Frison & Ross, 3 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; nr. Hq., Little Pigeon River [GSMNP], 28–29.ix.1950, W.E. Ricker, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Smoky Mts. National Park, Trout Branch , 3500 ft [= 1067 m], 21.iv.1949, W.E. Ricker, 2 males (in alcohol, INHS) ; same except, Walker Prong [SMNP], 26.v.1949, W.E. Ricker, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; small creek at Walker Prong , 30.vii.1949, 2 males, 1 female (in alcohol, 2 vials, INHS) ; Virginia: Greene Co.: Lydia , 20.iv.1938, Ross & Burks, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Page Co.: Shenandoah Nat. Park, Hog Camp , 8.vii.1961, O. & R. Flint, 1 male ( CNC) ; G. Washington National Forest, Passage Creek, For. Rt. 274, 38.725º N, 78.540º W, 1300 ft [= 396 m], 19.ix.1992, R. Blahnik & A. Contreras, 1 male, 1 female ( UMSP) ; Waynesboro Co.: Creek at Waynesboro , 18.iii.1950, W.E. Ricker, 1 male (in alcohol, INHS) ; Vermont: Windham Co.: Halifax George , 5.vi.1973, G.K. Pratt, 5 males, 1 female (in alcohol, INHS) ; West Virginia: Pendleton Co.: Blow Hole Cave , 13.vii.1969, T.G. Maroh & J.M. Carpenter, 3 males, 4 females (in alcohol, INHS) .

Distribution. Canada: MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PQ. USA: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, ME, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV.