Oxyethira (Pacificotrichia) enigmatica, Wells, Alice & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2015

Wells, Alice & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2015, Review of New Caledonian species of Oxyethira Eaton, with description of 17 new species, and new records for Hydroptila Dalman and Hellyethira Neboiss (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae), ZooKeys 530, pp. 37-90 : 59-61

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Oxyethira (Pacificotrichia) enigmatica sp. n. Figs 53-54, 82, 104

Diagnosis.

In having an elongate apical spine on the phallic apparatus, males of this species resemble those of Oxyethira scutica , but in Oxyethira enigmatica sp. n. the spine is shorter and strap-like, not thread-like as in Oxyethira scutica ; abdominal segment VIII tapers and gradually increases in width distally, and distal margin of venter is more widely and shallowly excavated than in Oxyethira scutica in which it is deeply and narrowly excised.

Description.

Male antennae with 23-24 flagellomeres, flagellomeres without sensilla placodea, in profile almost subquadrate, but wider apically than proximally; anterior wing length, 1.5-1.6 mm (n=10); tibial spurs 0,2,4; abdominal segment VII with a sharp spur medially on distal margin.

Male, genitalia (Figs 53-54). Abdominal segment IX in ventral view wider distally than proximally, with distal margin shallowly excavated, proximal margin rounded, midventral apodeme present; in lateral view dorsal margin about half depth of ventral margin. Gonopods fused basally, distally discrete, conical; subgenital processes forming short, subquadrate plate. Phallic apparatus straight, with long sharply twisted apical spine, at right angle to and almost one third length of phallus; without titillator.

Material examined.

Holotype. Male (on slide), Province Sud, W part of Plaine des lacs, 150 m downstream bridge at La Capture, 22°15.967'S, 166°49.493'E, 261 m, 4-22.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#007, leg. K.A. Johanson (MNHP).

Paratypes. 54 males (9 on slides), data as for holotype.

Etymology.

Enigmatica : enigmatic in presenting a puzzle, being so similar to Oxyethira (Pacificotrichia) scutica in some respects, yet distinctive.

Remarks.

This species is known only from the large sample taken at the type locality in the extreme south of the island (Fig. 104). A photograph of the type locality with the trap is rendered in Fig. 82.