Triplectides wardi, Malm, Tobias & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2008

Malm, Tobias & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2008, Description of eleven new Triplectides species (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 1816, pp. 1-34 : 13-16

Triplectides wardi , new species

Figs 49–56 , 95 .

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from many New Caledonian Triplectides species by the presence of 4 hind tibial spurs. It is easily distinguished from smithi , aequalichelatus , new species, and dawnae , new species, by having shorter mesal lobes of the inferior appendages and by the shape of tergum X. It resembles nathaliae , new species, and mariannae , new species, the former species recognized by the absence of fork 1 in the hind wings, and the latter species by the more truncate apical margin of tergum X.

Male: Body colour light to medium brown (in alcohol). Tibial spur formula 2:2:4. Claws on all legs unmodified. Forewing ( Figs 49, 51 ) length 11.0–12.0 mm (N=21); colour medium brown (in alcohol), with dark, rugged area around junction of R and Sc, and dark area around crossvein m-cu, sometimes as diffuse, longitudinal bands around Tc; light area present around base of S4 and crossvein m-cu; forks 1, 2 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk slightly shorter than half length of fork; branching of m with stalk slightly shorter than 1/ 3 fork length; Dc narrowly pentagonal, about 4/5 as long as Tc; distance between crossveins s and S4 equal to or longer than length of S4, S4 meeting M at a distance shorter than length of S4 apically of crossvein m-cu. Hind wing ( Fig. 50 ) forks 1, 2, 3 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk about as long as fork 1; S4 arising slightly apically to mid-length of Dc. Nygma present in all wings in fork 2.

Genitalia ( Figs 52–56 ): segment IX widest dorsally; in ventral view ( Fig. 54 ) sternite IX with short, small, posterior extension. Superior appendages ( Figs 52, 53 ) broad, slightly longer than half-length of tergum X; dorsoventrally flattened; roughly triangular in dorsal view ( Fig. 53 ). Tergum X with prominent, bipartite, dorsobasal projection ( Figs 52, 53 ); in dorsal and ventral views ( Figs 53, 54 ) roughly parallel-sided; with lateral carinae along basal 2/3; apex rounded, with narrow, central slit; bearing minute setae on dorsal surface. Inferior appendages ( Figs 52, 54 ) broad; apicodorsal lobes in length slightly exceeding harpagones; basoventral processes digitate, directed posteriorly, exceeding mesal lobes and base of harpagones; mesal lobes broad, smooth, apices shallowly concave; lateral corners strongly produced laterad, shallowly separated from major branch. Phallus ( Figs 55, 56 ) straight along its length, except curved posterad at base; widening apically in lateral and ventral views; apex with lateral flanges.

Distribution. This species was found in the central part of Grande Terre around Sarraméa, and in the Panié Mountains in northeast, but there seem to be no morphological differences between populations in these areas ( Fig. 95 ).

Etymology. Named after Dr John B. Ward, in recognition of his previous work on the Triplectides species of New Caledonia, and other works on Trichoptera of the region.

Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Nord: N slope of Mt Rembai, Xwé Méréxwana stream, 21º33.804’S, 165º50.528’E, 309 m, 20.xi–12.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc #037 [KA Johanson].

Paratypes: Province Nord: same data as holotype – 2 males; Mt Panié, stream at camp, 20º58.167’S, 164º76.472’E, 1311 m, 9.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#073 [KA Johanson] – 3 males; Mt Panié, stream at camp, 20º58.139’S, 164º76.444’E, 1310 m, 9.xii.2003 – 2.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#074 [KA Johanson] – 15 males.

Figures

FIGURES 49 – 56. Triplectides wardi, new species, male holotype. 49, forewing; 50, hind wing; 51, forewing anastomosis detail; 52, genitalia, lateral; 53, genitalia, dorsal; 54, genitalia, ventral; 55, phallus, lateral; 56, phallus, ventral.

FIGURES 95 – 97. Maps of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, with male Triplectides specimen records plotted. 95, Triplectides wardi, new species; 96, Triplectides nathaliae, new species; 97, Triplectides mariannae, new species.