Oecetis cepaforma, 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 : 104-105

Oecetis cepaforma sp. nov.

Figures 84–87, 127

Oecetis sp. D .— Wells, 1991: 61 (in key).

Material examined. Holotype. Male , Qld, Erwin Falls on Eliot Creek, 100 km S of Bamaga, 7 Nov 1988, K. Walker ( NMV T-18520) (slide).

Paratypes. NT: male, Radon Springs, 13–14 Apr 1989, Suter and Wells ( NTM) ; 2 males, female, same locality and collectors, 18–19

May 1988 ( NTM) ; 2 males, 1 female, same locality and collectors, 14 Apr 1989 ( NTM) ; 1 male, 12°31'S 132°54'E, 9 km N by E of Mudginberri HS, 10–11 Jun 1973, J.C. Cardale ( ANIC) ;

Other material. 35 samples in ANIC, NMV, NTM and QM.

Diagnosis. Forewing broad, length scarcely 3 times maximum width, spotted and moth-like, footstalk on fork 1 sessile. In male genitalia inferior appendages with length about 4 times width, a small spur on the baso-mesial angle; tergite X extended to an elongate-triangular apex, tipped with several short setae.

Description. Spurs 1, 2, 2. Male forewing length 5.5–5.7 mm. Wings, broad, forewing (Fig. 87) with fork 1 sessile and with large dark spots extending across membrane away from veins; posterior anastomosis stepped, t1 more distal than t3 which is more distal than t2. Male genitalia, Figs 84–86. Segment IX widest midlaterally, preanal appendages large, broadly rounded laterally, fused medially. Segment X onion-shaped in outline in dorsal view, without medial process. Inferior appendages clasper-shaped, widely separated at bases, narrower distally beyond a mesial angle bearing a spur and a cluster of short setae; in lateral view with a medial notch dorsally. Phallus very short.

Distribution. Qld, NT and WA (Fig. 127).

Remarks. The soft, broad, spotted wings give this species a truly moth-like appearance. The male genitalia vary as follows: specimens from northern Qld have the inferior appendages more slender than those from NT, with the several setae at the meso-basal angle shorter and stouter. Larvae build cornucopia-shaped sand grain cases.

Etymology. Latin for onion- or minaret-shaped — cepaforma , being descriptive of the shape of segment X,