Culoptila moselyi Denning

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2006, Revision of the genus Culoptila (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae), Zootaxa 1233, pp. 1-52 : 31-32

Culoptila moselyi Denning

Figs. 2 , 8 , 27 A, B

Culoptila moselyi Denning 1965: 269 ; Wiggins 1996.

This species bears a general similarity to a number of species, but can be diagnosed by several characters taken in combination. The short, but subacute apex of tergum X is particularly diagnostic and will distinguish it from most other species with which it might be confused. An acute apex of tergum X is also typical of C. rusia and C. pararusia , n. sp., but in these species the apex is longer and more curved. Additional characters useful in diagnosing C. moselyi include an inflated phallobase with an arched posterodorsal apex and 2 relatively straight and prominent included spines, and very short rounded inferior appendages. The divided and arched apicodorsal projection of the phallobase is similar to that of C. amberia , which, however, differs in a number of other points, including its much longer inferior appendages.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 2.8–3.8 mm; female 3.2–3.8 mm. Color light brown; wing with complete, linear whitish bar at wing anastomosis. Mesothorax of male narrow and greatly acute anteromesally; mesoscutal wart short, diamond­shaped, sharply angulate anteromesally; mesoscutal setae short. Mesothoracic tegulae of male rounded, greatly enlarged; tegular setae short; tegular gland elongate, pleated, concertina­like.

Male genitalia. Sternum VI process short, subtruncate. Tergum IX ventral margin acutely angled, tapered from anterolateral margin, not produced posteroventrally. Inferior appendages very short, truncate apically. Tergum X moderately long, length greater than width, apex in ventral view narrowed, subacute; ventrolateral processes with apices incurved, nearly planar in caudal view, mesal margin acute; apices not or scarcely posteriorly bent. Phallobase large, broadly rounded in lateral view, apicodorsal projection arched, subdivided apically, apicodorsal projection elongate, apex subacute. Phallic apparatus with 2 phallic spines, both elongate narrow, relatively straight; longer spine about 2/3 length of phallobase, shorter spine about 2/3 length of longer one.

Material examined

UNITED STATES: Arizona: Oak Creek Canyon, Halfway Camp, 18.vi.1968 (Flint & Menke) — 1 adult (missing abdomen), 7 males, 10 females ( NMNH); Chiricahua Mts., E. Turkey Cr., 9.vi.1968 (Menke & Flint) — 1 male, 3 larvae, 2 pupae ( NMNH); Apache Co., South Fork Little Colorado River, F.R. 560, nr S. Fork Cpgrd, 34°04’41"N, 109°24’38"W, 2347 m, 27.vi.1999 (D.C. Houghton) — 5 males ( UMSP). New Mexico: Catron Co., Whitewater Canyon, 1.vi.1972 (W.W. Wirth) — 2 males ( NMNH); Willow Crk., @ Willow Crk. Cmp. Gnd., 11.vi.1974 (W.P. Stark) — 2 males ( NMNH); Whitewater Ck., Catwalk Picnic Area (W.P. Stark,) — 1 male, 1 female ( NMNH).

Distribution

UNITED STATES (Arizona, New Mexico).

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 3. Larval cases. 2 — Culoptila moselyi Denning, Arizona, U. S. A. 3 — Culoptila unispina, new species, Río Cotón, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica.

FIGURES 4 – 8. Head, mesothorax, and tegular structures, dorsal. 4 — Culoptila hamata, new species. 5 — Culoptila thoracica (Ross). 6 — Culoptila aluca Mosely. 7 — Culoptila cantha (Ross). 8 — Culoptila moselyi Denning.

FIGURES 27 – 28. Male Genitalia. 27. Culoptila moselyi Denning: 27 A—lateral; 27 B—ventral. 28. Culoptila nahuatl Flint: 28 A—lateral; 28 B—ventral; 28 C—ventral process of sternum VI, lateral.