Rhotanella cyclops Zelazny, 2011

Zelazny, B. & Webb, M. D., 2011, 3071, Zootaxa 3071, pp. 1-307 : 115-116

Rhotanella cyclops Zelazny , sp. nov.

( Fig. 256)

Description. Forewings 1.5 times longer than wide, length: male 3.5–3.9 mm (mean = 3.7, n= 3), female about 4.1 mm. Colour stramineous; light brown above the eyes; fore and middle femora with broad red stripes. Forewings light brown; near costal and apical margins with darker and interrupted infuscation; a red stripe along costal margin in basal 2/3rd of 1st costal cell; stripe about 1/6th as wide as 1st costal cell; last subcostal sector accompanied by a narrow red band; in most specimens (including holotype) C, Sc+R, M, first and last subcostal sectors, bases of middle subcostal sectors and veins in apical half of wing red; rarely only veins in apical quarter red; remaining veins light brown, interrupted by numerous light spots. Hindwings colourless; apical part of M reddish; apical margin and apical parts of costal and hind margins red. In profile, vertex curves evenly into frons; rostrum short, not reaching hind coxae. Forewings oval in outline; basal costal cell one third as wide as total width of wing; third subcostal sector directed forward; Sc+R fork slightly distad of middle of wing; Sc+R leaves M slightly distad of base of Ms1; basal median cell narrow; Ms1 branches just before end of its basal third; Ms1b connected to apical part of Cu1 by a cross-vein; a large triangle at base of Ms1. Male genital styles widening towards end which is truncated; proximal dorsal process broad, rounded, nearly merging with the short and thick distal dorsal process. Aedeagus stem with a dorsal projection just before apical portion; apical part with minute lateral teeth near its tip; two long and pointed processes arise from the dorsal side, slightly curving outwards.

Etymology. The species name is a latinized noun used in apposition (Cyclops, from the Greek mythology who had only a single eye, and in reference to the Cyclops Mountains, the type locality).

Type material. Holotype ♂ (forewing 3.8 mm), INDONESIA: PAPUA; labels: 1) NEW GUINEA: NETH./ Cyclops Mts. : IFAR / 300m., XI-24-1958 2) Palm 3) J.L. Gressitt / Collector ( BPBM) . Paratypes. INDONESIA: PAPUA: Cyclops Mts., Sabron, Camp 2, 2000 ft., V.1936, L.E. Cheesman ( BMNH); Ifar , 400–550 m, 23.VI.1959, 1 ♀ (fw. 4.1), T. C. Maa ; PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NE, Huon Peninsula, Finschhafen , 10 m, 9–16.IV.1963, 1 ♂ (fw. 3.5), J. Sedlacek, M. V. Light Trap; Angoram, 20–30m, 15.VIII.1969, 1 ♂ (fw. 3.9), J.L. Gressitt, slender leaf rattan (all BPBM) .

Distribution. Island of New Guinea.

Diagnosis. Rhotanella cyclops is similar to R. thyrsis Fennah and R. sophiae sp. nov., both also from New Guinea. It can be recognized by the forewings having a narrow red band along the base of the costal margin, and by the apical portion of the male aedeagus bearing small teeth near its tip and two long and pointed dorsal processes.