Oxyethira macropennis, Wells, Alice & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2015

Wells, Alice & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2015, Review of New Caledonian species of Oxyethira Eaton, with description of 17 new species, and new records for Hydroptila Dalman and Hellyethira Neboiss (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae), ZooKeys 530, pp. 37-90 : 68-69

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Oxyethira macropennis sp. n. Figs 72-74, 85, 111

Diagnosis.

Immediately recognised by the remarkable form of the phallic apparatus, which has a contorted twist towards the stout seta-bearing apex, and the brush of shorter stout setae medially on abdominal sternite IX. By these features it is distinguished clearly from all other New Caledonian species.

Description.

Male antennae with 22-24 flagellomeres; flagellomeres urn-shaped, few sensilla placodea subapically, dense sensilla auricillica; anterior wing length 1.7-2.1 mm (n=5); tibial spurs 0,3,4; abdominal sternite VII without medial spur.

Male, genitalia (Figs 72-74). Abdominal segment VIII quadrate in profile; abdominal segment IX subrectangular, ventrally bearing a brush of stout setae medially, and on each side a cluster of shorter setae subapically, mid dorsally short, apical margin shallowly excavated; gonopods may be represented by the sclerotised apico-lateral lobes on abdominal segment IX; phallic apparatus strongly twisted in distal half, beyond a short lateral process that may represent titillator, subapically irregular in shape, bearing a stout seta.

Remarks.

Oxyethira macropennis is quite unlike all other New Caledonian species, however it conforms with the diagnostic features of members of the Oxyethira and thus is assigned to this genus, albeit somewhat tentatively.

Material examined.

Holotype. Male (on slide), New Caledonia, Province Sud, south of Plaine des Lacs, 4.0 km N Prony, 22°16.906'S, 166°49.402'E, 9-22.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#017, leg. K.A. Johanson (MNHP).

Paratypes. 6 males (2 on slides), data as for holotype (NMHR); 1 male, Province Sud, Sarraméa, 220 m, forest stream, loc 10, 21°37.883'S 165°51.958'E, Malaise trap, 18-21.xi.2001, leg. K.A. Johanson, T. Pape & B. Viklund (NHRS).

Etymology.

Name descriptive of the relatively large phallic apparatus.

Remarks.

Oxyethira macropennis was taken only at two well-separated sites in the south of the island. A photograph of the type locality with the trap is rendered in Fig. 85.