Mortoniella (Mortoniella) flinti Sykora, 1999

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 : 35

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) flinti Sykora, 1999

Fig. 19

Mortoniella flinti Sykora 1999: 382 [member of flinti subgroup]; Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008: 70 [member of bilineata group].

This species is undoubtedly most closely related to M. bifurcata , as discussed in the diagnosis for that species. Both species are nearly black in color and have 2 white wing bars on the wings, and both species have the apex of the dorsal phallic spine modified. This is very distinctive in M. flinti in being trifurcate. Mortoniella flinti differs from all of the other species in this group by having the apex of tergum X distinctly invaginated, as opposed to being only shallowly notched. The elongate apex of the inferior appendages, as featured in the illustration of the type, appears to be in error, and was not observed in either the holotype or paratype males examined.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 3.1-3.4 mm; female 3.5-3.7 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and V. Spur formula 0:3:4. Overall color dark brownish-black (fuscous). Mesotarsi whitish, except at very apex; antennae with indistinct whitish band or annulus, from about segments 4-6. Tibial spurs only slightly darker than legs, not strongly contrasting with legs. Forewing with 2 distinct white wing bars, 1 at anastomosis, and 1 on proximal part of wing, closer to base than anastomosis.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, prominent, narrow basally, acute apically, length about 3½ times width at base. Tergum VIII narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX moderately elongate. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin nearly straight, without distinct projection; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X elongate, apex with distinct shallow mesal invagination, extending less than ¼ length of tergum, lateral margins slightly converging apically, with paired longitudinal ridges, extending from basolateral margins to past midlength, ridges somewhat converging posteriorly; tergum with bluntly rounded ventrolateral lobes, ventromesal lobes absent. Inferior appendages with short rounded dorsolateral lobes, each with fringing row of very elongate setae, and short ventromesal projection, subtending apical spine-like projections of mesal pockets of inferior appendages. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with relatively short and strongly curved, spine-like, apicoventral projections, projecting below ventral margin of phallicata. Paramere appendage relatively elongate, not extending to apex of dorsal phallic spine, narrow, tapering from base to apex, apex acute, appendage ventrally curved (falcate); fused basal segments of appendages articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with small rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, relatively narrow throughout, tapering apically, slightly dorsally curved in about apical 1/4, apex acutely trifid; base of spine with short curved stalk and distinct rounded ventral deflection in basal 1/3; spine, as viewed dorsally, nearly uniformly narrow in width throughout length, apex trifid ( Fig. 19D ). Phallicata with sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with rounded ventral deflection of dorsal phallic spine, basolaterally with small rounded projection, ventral margin sclerotized and very strongly arched, with protruding rounded lateral lobes near base and in apical 1/2. Endophallic membrane simple in structure, with slightly produced membranous lateral lobes; phallotremal spines absent.

Material examined — VENEZUELA: Aragua: Est. Exp. Cataurito, 1.ii.1983, OS Flint, Jr–male Holotype, 1 male, 2 female Paratypes (pinned) (NMNH).

Distribution — Venezuela.

Figures

Figure 19. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) flinti Sykora, male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.