Tagalopsyche apratita, Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Andersen, Trond, 2007

Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Andersen, Trond, 2007, Review of the caddisfly genus Tagalopsyche with the description of new species and a related new genus (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Mystacidini), Zootaxa 1483, pp. 1-32 : 15-18

Tagalopsyche apratita , new species

Figs. 10–11

This Indian species is similar to T. fletcheri and T. udagama , new species, but differs from those in the presence of a distinct basoventral process on the inferior appendage. The 3 species differ in the structure of the sclerotized dorsal region of sternum IX as illustrated.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 6.5–7.0 mm (n=3), female 7.0 mm (n=2). Color brown, male with scattered patches of cream and white hairs and distinct white spots at arculus, stigma, and apical wing margin, larger white spot near base of radius; female coloration as in male, but all patches and spots cream colored.

Male. Abdominal segment IX annular, setose, especially ventrally; in lateral view anterior and posterior margins parallel, shortest at insertion of preanal appendage; tergum IX short, slightly produced posteriorly as small shelf; posterior extension of sternum IX short, 1/2 length of sternum, in ventral view base narrow, apex excised, overall shape subtriangular, apical margin with U-shaped excision, apicolateral corners rugose, setose, in lateral view subtriangular; posterior process of segment IX extended dorsad to form heavily sclerotized projection, surface entirely rugose, in caudal view projection triangular, in lateral view rounded, in ventral view rounded, entire. Preanal appendage oblong, heavily setose, about as long as segment X, apex subacute. Inferior appendage spatulate, setose, apex strongly curved mesad, in lateral view subrectangular, dorsal and ventral edges nearly parallel, apicoventral edge square, mesolateral surface with small digitate setose process, basoventrally with rounded process bearing apical setae, mesobasally with subtriangular process bearing apical setae. Tergum X saddle-shaped, broad, about 1/2 width of segment IX, in lateral view triangular, apex acute, dorsolaterally with pair of small, low protuberances, in dorsal view apex rounded. Phallic apparatus short, compact; phallobase tubular, apparently fused with phallicata, basoventrally with long sclerotized flange that apparently articulates with base of fused inferior appendages; phallicata strongly down turned apically at nearly 90 degrees to phallobase, apex of phallicata with apicoventrally rounded lateral sclerotized flange and mesal membranous region, dorsolateral corners digitate, projecting; parameres absent; phallotremal sclerite not discernable.

Female. Segment IX short, in lateral view posterior margin slightly rounded, anteroventral margin sinuous. Tergum X short, slightly less than length of preanal appendages, in lateral view triangular, apex subacute, ventrally with broad secondary plate-like sclerite, in dorsal view broadly rounded apically (secondary sclerite also broadly rounded); basolaterally with pair of short, spiculate, papillate processes. Preanal appendage long, digitate, setose. Lamella very large, very narrowly constricted basally, in lateral view strongly directed ventrad, dorsal and ventral margins rounded, apex rounded, outer and inner surfaces setose; in ventral view lamella straight, mesal surface concave. Gonopod plate basolateral edges produced in flanges, apex with very slight excavation, surface with fine striation. Spermathecal sclerite complex, in ventral view oval, apex subacute, laterally with semimembranous flanges, medially with keyhole-shaped sclerite.

Holotype male: INDIA: (U.J.K.H.) [Assam, United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District], Nongjni, 19.iv.1960, F. Schmid ( CNC).

Paratypes: same data as holotype — 2 males, 2 females ( CNC); INDIA: Meghalaya: Nongph-Forest, 25–28.iv.1980, A. Freidberg — 1 male, 1 female ( NMNH).

Distribution. India.

Etymology. Fernand Schmid developed the custom of using Sanskrit names when describing the species he collected in India. He applied the name apratita to this new species of Tagalopsyche . According to the Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon (http://webapps.uni-koeln.de/tamil/) the word means unapproached, unattackable or not understood, uncommon (as an expression) or not merry, sad. The epithet is to be regarded as a noun in apposition.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Tagalopsyche apratita, new species. Male genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral (inset: process of sternum IX); B— same, dorsal; C—abdominal segment IX, ventral; D—inferior appendages and process of sternum IX, caudal; E—phallic apparatus, lateral; F—same, caudal.

FIGURE 11. Tagalopsyche apratita, new species. Female genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral; B—same, dorsal; C—same, ventral (inset: spermathecal sclerite complex).