Triplectides noumeiensis, Malm, Tobias & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2008

Malm, Tobias & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2008, Description of eleven new Triplectides species (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 1816, pp. 1-34 : 9

Triplectides noumeiensis , new species

Figs 25–32 , 92 .

Diagnosis. This species is separated from many other Triplectides species by the spur formula 2:2:2. Unlike australis it lacks fork 1 in the hind wings. It is separated from sasali and koghiensis , new species, by the shape of tergum X. It is similar in both genitalia and wings to winstanleyi , mouiensis , minutus and abnormalis , but is distinguished from the first by size, and from the latter three by the inferior appendages basoventral process size and orientation, and the forewing hair patterns. It is most similar to tigrinus , new species, from which it is distinguished by the shape of tergum X and the inferior appendages mesal lobe.

Male: Body colour light straw to light yellow (in alcohol). Tibial spur formula 2:2:2. Claws on all legs unmodified. Forewing ( Figs 25, 27 ) length 8.0–9.0 mm (N=5); colour straw to yellow (in alcohol); diffusely banded, with rugged, darker, banded area around junction of R and Sc; lighter area present at base of S4 and crossvein m-cu; forks 1, 2 and 5 present; fork 1 and branching of m with stalks about half as long as fork lengths; Dc narrow, about 2/3 as long as Tc; distance between crossvein s and S4 equal to or shorter than length of S4, S4 meeting M close to crossvein m-cu. Hind wing ( Fig. 26 ) forks 2, 3 and 5 present; S4 arising at apical 1/3 of Dc. Nygma present in all wings in fork 2.

Genitalia ( Figs 28–32 ): segment IX narrowing ventrad, in ventral view ( Fig. 30 ) with broad central posterior extension. Superior appendages ( Figs 28, 29 ) slightly longer than half-length of tergum X, dorsoventrally flattened, broad, apically pointing posterad in lateral view, truncate to rounded in dorsal view. Tergum X with minute, simple, dorsobasal projection; in ventral view ( Fig. 30 ) widening to broad apex, with rounded lateral corners and shallow mesal incision; apical margin with minute setae; ventrally with carinae tangent apicomesally ( Fig. 30 ). Inferior appendages ( Figs 28, 30 ) robust; apicodorsal lobes exceeding short harpagones; basoventral processes very short, rounded, directed laterad, not reaching posterior margin of mesal lobes; mesal lobes wide, bearing two ventral setae; mesal part slightly produced distad, folded dorsally; lateral corners prominently produced distad, deeply separated from major branch. Phallus ( Figs 31, 32 ) bent ventrad immediately before half-length; in ventral view, apically narrowing before apex, with v-shaped ventral ridge covering lateral flanges at apex.

Distribution. This species is found in the southeastern part of Grande Terre, around Noumea ( Fig. 92 ).

Etymology. Name derived from the limited distribution area of this species around Noumea.

Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Sud: Mt Mou, stream crossing way to Sanatorium 2.3 km E St. Laurent, ca 30 m downstream bridge, 22º04.484’S, 166º19.900’E, 15.xi.2003, light trap, loc #028 [KA Johanson].

Paratypes: Province Sud: same data as holotype – 3 males; Rivière Ouanéoue, at bridge crossing road to Koghi Mts., ca. 1.5 km from road RT1 Noumea-Dumbea, 22º10.861’S, 166º29.531’E, 04.x.2006, light trap, loc#024 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 1 male.

Figures

FIGURES 25 – 32. Triplectides noumeiensis, new species, male holotype. 25, forewing; 26, hind wing; 27, forewing anastomosis detail; 28, genitalia, lateral; 29, genitalia, dorsal; 30, genitalia, ventral; 31, phallus, lateral; 32, phallus, ventral.

FIGURES 92 – 94. Maps of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, with male Triplectides specimen records plotted. 92, Triplectides noumeiensis, new species; 93, Triplectides tigrinus, new species; 94, Triplectides koghiensis, new species.