Leucotrichia ayura 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 : 10

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Leucotrichia ayura Flint, 1991 Fig. 8

ayura Flint, 1991: 41 [Type locality: Colombia, Dpto. Antioquia, 12 km NW Medellín, road to San Pedro; NMNH; male].

Diagnosis.

Leucotrichia ayura is most similar to Leucotrichia repanda sp. n. Both species bear a small mesoventral process on sternum VII, an elongate sternum VIII with a concave posterolateral margin, an anterolaterally produced margin on segment IX, an inferior appendage curving slightly dorsad with a truncate apex, and a phallus apex with elongate dorsal sclerites. The elongate sclerites in Leucotrichia ayura are U-shaped in lateral view, making this species distinct from Leucotrichia repanda . The phallus apex of Leucotrichia ayura also bears a pair of small subapicodorsal spines that are absent in Leucotrichia repanda . Additionally, the inferior appendages of Leucotrichia ayura are separate, while they are fused in Leucotrichia repanda .

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 2.3-2.9 mm (n=8). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Dorsum of head dark brown with bright yellow setae; thorax dark brown with bright yellow setae dorsally, brown ventrally; leg segments with dark brown setae. Forewings covered with fine bright yellow setae, apical 1/2 with brown setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with small, digitate mesoventral process. Sternum VIII in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin slightly produced mesally, posterolateral margin with shallow mesal depression; in dorsal view anterior margin concave, posterior margin concave. Tergum × with dorsal sclerite simple; ventral sclerite with rounded projection on posterior margin; membranous apex rounded. Subgenital plate with dorsal arm not apparent; ventral arm digitate with small apical projection, in ventral view with rounded apical emargination. Inferior appendage broadest basally, apex truncate, bearing single dorsal spine; in ventral view digitate, with basal projection on outer margin. Phallus apex bearing pair of elongate dorsal sclerites (U-shaped and with slightly enlarged dorsal apex in lateral view) and pair of small, dark, subapicodorsal spines.

Material examined.

Holotype male: COLOMBIA: Antioquia: 12 km NW Medellín, rd. to San Pedro, 13.ii.1983, O.S. Flint, Jr. (USNM 104529) (NMNH). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 2 males, 1 female (NMNH); COLOMBIA: Antioquia: Quebrada Agua Mala, 34 km NW Medellín, 14.ii.1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 2 males (NMNH); 12 km NW Medellín, rd. to San Pedro, 20.ii.1984, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 male (NMNH); Quebrada La Ayurá above Envigado, 21.ii.1984, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 male (NMNH); Quebrada La Ayurá, Mun. Envigado, elev. 1750 m, 29.iii-28.iv.1983, trap B, U. Matthias, 3 males, 2 females (in alcohol) (NMNH). Nontypes: COLOMBIA: Antioquia: 7 km E San Jerónimo, 23.ii.1984, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 female (NMNH).

Etymology.

Presumably named for Quebrada La Ayurá, the location where some of the paratypes were collected.