Leucotrichia luma, Thomson & Armitage & Harris, 2022

Thomson, Robin E., Armitage, Brian J. & Harris, Steven C., 2022, The Trichoptera of Panama. XIX. Additions to and a review of the genus Leucotrichia (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) in Panama, ZooKeys 1111, pp. 425-466 : 425

Leucotrichia luma sp. nov.

Fig. 10

Type locality.

Panama: Panama Oeste Province: Cuenca 115; Altos de Campana National Park, Río Chileno, PSPSCB-PNAC-C115-2018-028; 8.716502°N, 80.00740°W; 497 m a.s.l.

Type material.

Holotype: male, Panama: Panama Oeste Province • Cuenca 115; Altos de Campana National Park, Río Chileno, PSPSCB-PNAC-C115-2018-028; 8.716502°N, 80.00740°W; 497 m a.s.l.; 27-31 May 2018, T. Ríos, Y. Aguirre, leg.; Malaise trap; in alcohol; COZEM; MIUP-003-T-2021. Paratypes: ibid., 4 males; COZEM and UMSP • ibid., 12 males; Cuenca 138; Río Sajalice, PSPSCB-PNAC-C138-2018-030; 8.67625°N, 79.89748°W; 194 m a.s.l.; 27-31 May 2018; Malaise trap; in alcohol; COZEM and MUPADI.

Diagnosis.

Leucotrichia luma is most similar to L. inflaticornis , a species currently known only from Trinidad. Certain characteristics found on the genitalia of these species make them very similar, such as the symmetrical rows of spines on the phallus apex, a unique arrangement within the genus. Key differences, however, make it possible to separate the two. Inflated antennal segments, a key feature of L. inflaticornis , were not observed in any of the specimens collected in Panama and identified as L. luma . Additionally, L. luma specimens all present three pairs of spines on the phallus apex, while the original description of L. inflaticornis states that there should be four. The first author has observed the holotype specimen of L. inflaticornis and found that the abdomen, including the phallus, was missing and key features of the genitalia cannot be confirmed. Since specimens cannot be compared to the L. inflaticornis holotype, we compare these specimens to the original description and illustration and offer this new species description for the specimens from Panama.

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 1.8-2.0 mm (n = 17). Wings unmodified. Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 1, 3, 4. Color in alcohol brown. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII without apparent mesoventral process. Sternum VIII with acute posteroventral production, in ventral view posterior margin concave (Fig. 10A, D ). Segment IX anterolateral margin convex, posterolateral margin straight (Fig. 10B ); dorsally, anterior margin concave, posterior margin concave (Fig. 10C ). Tergum X with dorsal sclerite simple, slender; ventral sclerite semi-elliptical with rounded emargination mesally on posterior margin; membranous apex small, suborbicular (Fig. 10B, C ). Subgenital plate with dorsal arm digitate, approximately half the length of ventral arm (Fig. 10B ); ventral arm slender, apex truncate, with irregular ventral margin, in ventral view broadest mesally with rounded apical emargination (Fig. 10B, D ). Inferior appendage with base extending anteriorad, with two dorsal subapical spines, apex curved dorsad (Fig. 10B ); in ventral view broadly fused, with digitate basal projections (Fig. 10D ). Phallus tubular basally, constricted at midlength with median complex bearing basal loop and pair of spherical “windows”; apex membranous and bearing 3 sets of symmetrically arranged stout, dark spines (Fig. 10E, F ).

Distribution.

Panama.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is derived from luma, Latin for “thorn”, referring to the spines found on the phallus apex.

Figures

Figure 10. Leucotrichia luma sp. nov. Male genitalia: A segments VII-VIII and segment IX margin, lateral B segments IX-X, lateral (base of phallus crosshatched) C segments IX-X, dorsal D segments VII-IX, ventral E phallus, lateral F phallus, dorsal.