Mortoniella (Mortoniella) cressae, Blahnik & Holzenthal, 2017

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 57-58

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) cressae , new species

Fig. 39

This is perhaps the most distinctive of the South American species placed in the leroda subgroup.

It has a very narrow and lightly sclerotized ventromesal process on the inferior appendages, without an enlarged scabrous apex. Because the process is very reduced and lightly sclerotized, it may not always be readily evident. The species is easily diagnosed by the distinctive form of the dorsal phallic spine, which has its apex very much narrowed and recurved downward.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.8-3.2 mm; female 3.0- 3.5 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsal segments and basal segments of antennae whitish. Tibial spurs slightly darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis relatively indistinct, marked with light brown setae.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, short, ventrally projecting, truncately rounded apically, length slightly greater than width at base, process slightly retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin convexly rounded dorsally, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by much less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X elongate, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal projection only weakly developed, apicolateral lobes short, acute, slightly mesally curved, with small acute lateral point at flexure with ventrolateral lobe; ventrolateral lobes rounded, weakly developed. Inferior appendages without dorsal lobes, apicoventral lobes relatively broad, acute apically, ventromesal projection short, very narrow, lightly sclerotized, and asymmetrically curved to one side. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes short, posteroventrally curved. Paramere appendage moderate in length (shorter than dorsal phallic spine), relatively broad, apex scabrous; base of appendage emerging from projecting membranous lobe. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, strongly curved at base, dorsal margin nearly straight, ventral margin widened in basal 1/2, apex very narrow, acute, and ventrally recurved; spine in dorsal view, somewhat widened in middle, apex very acutely narrowed. Phallicata with rounded sclerotized projections on dorsal margin; laterally with crease-like projection, ventrolateral margins with weakly developed longitudinal sclerites. Endophallic membrane simple in structure, without ventromesal spine; phallotremal spines very lightly sclerotized, indistinct, appearing as acutely tapering membranous projections.

Holotype male (pinned) — VENEZUELA: Lara: Parque Nacional Terepaima, Río Auro, near Sabana Alta , 9.74567° N, 69.27690° W, 480 m, 16.vi.2001, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki, Cressa ( UMSP000074409 ) ( UMSP).

Paratypes — VENEZUELA: Aragua: Est. Exp. Cataurito, ca. 32 km E Villa de Cura, 1100 m, OS Flint, Jr – 1 male, 1 female (alcohol) ( NMNH) ; Guárico: Parque Nacional Guatopo, Quebrada Guatopo, 0.5 km N Estacion L Colina , 10.014° N, 66.363° W, 600 m, Holzenthal, Cressa, Rincón– 3 males, 10 females (alcohol) ( UMSP), 1 male, 5 females (alcohol) ( MIZA) .

Etymology —We take pleasure in naming this species M. cressae for Dra. Claudia Cressa, (Central University of Venezuela, Caracas), who helped in collecting the type specimen, in recognition of our numerous collaborations and also gratitude for organizing the collecting expedition during which the type specimen was collected.