Oxyethira (Pacificotrichia) spicula, 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 : 65

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Oxyethira (Pacificotrichia) spicula sp. n. Figs 64-66, 108

Diagnosis.

Males are most similar to Oxyethira melasma , Oxyethira nehoue and Oxyethira ouenghi all of which have more or less triangular median ventral processes in the male genitalia, but can be recognised by the expanded apex of the phallic apparatus with a prominent acute spine, the very long, proximally rounded, abdominal segment VIII that tapers distally and completely obscures segment IX, and the shape of the plate formed from fused gonopods and subgenital processes.

Description.

Male antennae damaged, at least with 19 flagellomeres, flagellomeres rectangular in profile, without sensilla placodea; anterior wing length 1.9 mm (n=1); tibial spurs 0,3,4; abdominal sternite VII with a coarse spur medially.

Male, genitalia (Figs 64-66). Abdominal segment VIII pear-shaped, ventrally with narrow distal margin excavated apically; abdominal segment IX obscured by VIII; gonopods fused forming a triangular plate ventrally with subgenital process a short knob-shaped lobe apically and a deep mid ventral apodeme reaching almost full length of segment; phallic apparatus elongate and slender in proximal 3/4, irregularly dilated distally, with sharp apical spine and short lateral process.

Female unknown, although a single unknown female of an Oxyethira species was collected with the holotype and could be of this species. The terminalia of this female are slender and elongate, of the form seen in Oxyethira oropedion and Oxyethira scutica , with a V-shaped marking ventrally on abdominal segment VIII.

Material examined.

Holotype. Male (slide), New Caledonia, Province Sud, Rivière des Lacs, 1.1 km NW Lac en Huit, 4.9 km NW summit of Pic du Grand Kaori, 22°15.195'S, 166°52.178'E, 10.xii.2003, light trap, loc#078, leg. K.A. Johanson (MNHP).

Etymology.

Name being descriptive of the spicule-like spine on the phallic apparatus.

Remarks.

This species is known only from the type specimen, collected in the far south (Fig. 108) and now on a prepared slide. It is impossible to know if the state of abdominal segment IX of the type is the usual situation, or simply unusual that segment has retracted in this particular specimen. Regardless, the form of the phallic apparatus is highly distinctive.