Oecetis pseudolaustra, Wells, 2004

Wells, Alice, 2004, The long-horned caddisfly genus Oecetis (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) in Australia: two new species groups and 17 new species, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 61 (1), pp. 85-110 : 89

Oecetis pseudolaustra sp. nov.

Figures 4–6, 102

Material examined. Holotype, male, Qld, Lakefield NP, Sweetwater Lagoon, 11 Oct 2002, G. Theischinger ( ANIC).

Paratypes. 21 males, 1 female, data as for holotype ( ANIC) ; 18 males, 3 females, Cape York Peninsula , Wenlock River crossing (to Iron Range), 5 Oct 2002, G. Theischinger ( ANIC, NMV, QM) .

Diagnosis. As O. laustra except inferior appendages with a sharp anteriorly directed mesial hook.

Description. Tibial spurs 1, 2, 2. Male forewing length 3.4–5.0 mm. Wings as for O. laustra , mottled fuscous/brown, densely covered with short hair. Male genitalia as in Figs 4–6. Preanal appendages in dorsal view rounded apically and about as long as wide. Tergite X a single membranous plate, narrowly truncate apically. Inferior appendages stout, in lateral view broadly rounded above and below in basal half, distally about one-third maximum basal width, in ventral view with a sharp mesial hook on inner margin. Phallus length in lateral view equal to width.

Distribution. Far north of Cape York Peninsula, northern Qld (Fig. 102).

Remarks. At the Lakefield National Park site, this species was collected together with several specimens of Oecetis laustra , which could be distinguished by their slightly darker colour as well as the distinctive difference in male genitalia. The stouter inferior appendages distinguish O. pseudolaustra and O. laustra from O. atarpa and O. aeoloptera .