Leucotrichia inops Flint, 1991

Thomson, Robin E. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2015, A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae), ZooKeys 499, pp. 1-100 : 25-26

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Leucotrichia inops Flint, 1991 Fig. 25

inops Flint, 1991: 43 [Type locality: Colombia, Dpto. Antioquia, 12 km E Medellín, road to Sta. Elena; NMNH; male].

Diagnosis.

This species is similar to Leucotrichia forrota and Leucotrichia riostoumae sp. n. These species share a similar combination of characteristics present in the phallus, as discussed under Leucotrichia forrota . Of these species, Leucotrichia inops is most similar to Leucotrichia riostoumae . Each of these species possess a convex posterolateral margin on sternum VIII; an anterolateral projection on segment IX; an unfused inferior appendage that is basally subquadrate, apically hooked, and lacks a dorsal spine; and an apparent lack of midlength complex on the phallus. Leucotrichia inops can be distinguished by the small tuft of apical setae on the phallus and the shape of the membranous apex of tergum X, which is larger and extends further posteriad than that of Leucotrichia riostoumae . Also, in Leucotrichia inops the concave posterior margin of sternum VIII is V-shaped, while it is shallowly rounded in Leucotrichia riostoumae .

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 3.5-4.0 mm (n=3). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Dorsum of head dark brown with light gray-green setae on anterior edge; thorax brown with dark brown and light gray-green setae dorsally, brown ventrally; leg segments with brown setae. Forewings covered with fine mottled light gray-green setae with dark brown setae on apical 1/3. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with acute mesoventral process with small basal ridge, apex enlarged in ventral view. Sternum VIII in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin with curved ventrolateral projection, posterolateral margin irregular; in dorsal view anterior margin concave, posterior margin concave. Tergum × with dorsal sclerite continuous with ventral sclerite; ventral sclerite semielliptic with crenulate posterior margin; membranous apex subtriangular. Subgenital plate with dorsal arm digitate; ventral arm acute, extending dorsad, in ventral view oblong. Inferior appendage basally subquadrate, apex hooked dorsally, without dorsal spine; in ventral view subtriangular, outer margin crenulate. Phallus with median complex not apparent; apex elongate, curved strongly both ventrad and posteriad; with very slender, elongate sclerites; apex bearing tuft of small spines.

Material examined.

Holotype male: COLOMBIA: Antioquia: 12 km E Medellín, rd. to Santa Elena, 6.ii.1983, O.S. Flint, Jr. (USNM 104530) (NMNH). Paratypes: COLOMBIA: Antioquia: Quebrada La Iguaná, 17 km NW Medellín, rd. to San Jerónimo, 14-15.ii.1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 male (NMNH); Quebrada La Iguaná, 17km NW Medellín, rd. to San Jerónimo, 22.ii.1984, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 female (NMNH). Nontypes: ECUADOR: Pichincha: 2.3 km S Tandayapa, elev. 1800 m, 6.ix.1990, O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 male (NMNH).

Etymology.

Unknown.