Byrsopteryx abrelata Harris & Holzenthal, 1994

Santos, Allan Paulo Moreira & Nessimian, Jorge Luiz, 2010, Description of a new species of Byrsopteryx (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, including its immature stages, Zootaxa 2668, pp. 44-54 : 52

Byrsopteryx abrelata Harris & Holzenthal, 1994

( Figs. 22–24 )

Byrsopteryx abrelata Harris & Holzenthal 1994 [type locality: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo, municipal water supply; male and female described; holotype depository: MZSP].

Larva (final instar). Length 2.3–2.8 mm (n=10). Morphological features ( Figs. 22, 23 ) similar to those described for larva of B. carioca sp. nov.

Larval case. Length 2.0– 2.5 mm (n=10). Made entirely of silk with bits of mineral material incorporated; cases are slightly depressed dorsoventrally, with poorly closed dorsal seam; anterior and posterior openings circular.

Pupa. Length 2.6–3.1 mm (n=10). Morphological features similar to those described for pupa of B. carioca sp. nov.

Pupal case. Length 3.1–3.7 mm (n=10). Anterior end (corresponding to posterior end of larval case) with short ventral stalk, attaching pupal case to substrate. Anterior margin truncate; posterior margin rounded. Pupal case laterally compressed ( Fig. 24 ).

Remarks. This species was known previously from only Nova Friburgo municipality in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Recently, specimens of B. abrelata were collected in the municipalities of Resende and Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro State, and also in Ubatuba municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The larva of this species is very similar to that of B. carioca sp. nov. described above, including similarities of the sclerites, setation, and other features. The larval case morphology of B. abrelata differs slightly from that of B. carioca sp. nov., which does not have associated algae, but does have small bits of black mineral material. However, these features might only be due to the mineral material available in the substrate of the type locality. Larvae of B. abrelata from Cachoeiras de Macacu were collected in a medium sized, fast flowing stream with large boulders. In this locality, adults were running on boulders and flying during a rainy day. Adults collected in São Paulo State were also running on boulders during the day, but they exhibited movements as described above for B. carioca sp. nov.

Material examined. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro State, Resende: Córrego da Lapa, BR 354 km 4, 22°24’10.0”S 44°45’31.1”W, 1,298 m, 09.iii.2008, L.L. Dumas & J.L. Nessimian leg., light trap, 2 males ( DZRJ); Cachoeiras de Macacu, Guapiaçu, Rio Guapiaçu, 04.xii.2009, A.P.M. Santos leg., 46 males, 7 females, 3 pharate adults, 10 pupae, 10 larvae ( DZRJ); São Paulo State, Ubatuba: Rio da Fazenda, 23°20’16.7”S 44°50’10.9”W, 15 m, 02.x.2009, A.P.M. Santos leg., 3 males, 10 females ( DZRJ).

Distribution. States of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil.

Figures

FIGURES 18 – 27. Larvae and cases of Byrsopteryx spp. Figs. 18 – 21, Byrsopteryx carioca sp. nov. 18: larva and case, dorsal view; 19: larva and case, left lateral view; 20: larva, left lateral view; 21: pupal case, left lateral view. Figs. 22 – 24, Byrsopteryx abrelata. 22: larva and case, left lateral view; 23: larva, left lateral view; 24: pupal case, left lateral view. Figs. 25 – 27, Byrsopteryx espinhosa. 25: larva and case, left lateral view; 26: larva, left lateral view; 27: pupal case, left lateral view. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.