Sweltsa palearata Surdick, 2004

Stark, Bill P., Kondratieff, Boris C., Kirchner, Ralph F. & Stewart, Kenneth W., 2011, Larvae Of Eight Eastern North American Sweltsa (Plecoptera: Chloroperlidae), Illiesia 7 (4), pp. 51-64 : 59

Sweltsa palearata Surdick

( Figs. 26-30 )

Sweltsa palearata Surdick, 2004:29 .

Holotype ♂ ( United States National Museum), West Virginia, Hardy Co., Lost River State Park

Material examined. MARYLAND: Allegany Co.: Tributary Fifteenmile Creek, Fifteenmile Creek Rd , 13 May 1995, S.A. Grubbs, 2♂, 5 pharate larvae ( WKU) . Tributary Fifteenmile Creek, Treasure Rd, 13 May 1996, S.A. Grubbs, 16♂, 11♀, 3 pharate larvae. Spring, Sidling Hill Creek drainage, Swain Hollow Rd, 5 May 1996, S.A. Grubbs, 8♂, 4♀, 3 larvae ( WKU) . Tributary Maple River, Twigg Rd , 4 May 1996, S.A. Grubbs, 1♂, 4♀, 8 pharate larvae ( WKU) .

Mature larva. Body length 8.0- 9.5 mm. General color pale brown without distinctive pigment pattern except underlying adult pattern in pharate individuals. Pronotum bearing ca. 12 anterolateral setae and ca. 20 posterolateral setae along margins ( Fig. 26 ); setal length variable but longest set near anterolateral and posterolateral angles. Mesonotum and metanotum with sparse row of long marginal setae; metanotum with ca. 3-5 erect intercalary setae beyond mesonotal apex ( Fig. 27 ). Fore femora and tibiae with few fine fringe setae; tibiae bearing three long thin setae on outer margin ( Fig. 28 ). Abdominal terga with ca. 6 long thin setae interspersed in posterior fringe and with few, mainly lateral intercalary setae on terga 8-9, tergum 10 without intercalary setae ( Fig. 29 ). Cerci with ca. 17 segments ( Fig. 30 ); each segmental whorl beyond ca. segment 10 with 1 or 2 dorsal setae about 1.5 segments in length.

Comments. The known distribution of S. palearata currently includes sites in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, primarily in the drainages of the upper Potomac and North and South Forks of the Shenandoah ( Surdick 2004). Adult characters place this species as a close relative of S. pocahontas but larvae are more similar to S. hoffmani in having few, usually less than five intercalary setae on the metanotal wingpad. Among available specimens these species appear to differ in numbers of intercalary setae on tergum 10 with S. hoffmani usually having two and S. palearata usually with none.

Figures

Figs. 26-30. Sweltsa palearata larval structures. 26. Head and pronotum. 27. Mesonotum and metanotum. 28. Right foreleg. 29. Abdominal terga 8-10. 30. Lateral aspect of cercus, dorsum left.