Tagalopsyche aethiopica Kimmins

Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Andersen, Trond, 2007, Review of the caddisfly genus Tagalopsyche with the description of new species and a related new genus (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Mystacidini), Zootaxa 1483, pp. 1-32 : 6-8

Tagalopsyche aethiopica Kimmins

Figs. 3–4

Tagalopsyche aethiopica Kimmins, 1963a: 149 , figs. 79–86 [Type: Ethiopia, Lake Awasa, 6.xi.1960 (A. Tjønneland), male, NHM].

This species, 1 of only 2 members of the genus thus far known from Africa, is recognized most easily by the broadly spatulate shape and relative simplicity of the inferior appendage. In this regard, it is unlike the other African species, T. kjaerandseni , new species, and any of the Oriental species.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 8.0– 8.3 mm (n=3), female 8.1 mm (n=2). Color light brown, with small patches of darker brown and cream hairs alternating along longitudinal wing veins.

Male. Abdominal segment IX annular, setose, especially ventrally; in lateral view anterior and posterior margins nearly parallel, shortest at insertion of preanal appendage; tergum IX short, not produced posteriorly; posterior extension of sternum IX short, less than 1/3 length of sternum, in ventral view base narrow, apex entire, overall shape quadrate, apical margin with very shallow emargination, apicolateral corners smooth, setose, in lateral view subquadrate; posterior process of segment IX extended dorsally to form heavily sclerotized projection, surface entirely rugose, in caudal view projection narrowly triangular, in lateral view oval, in ventral view subtruncate, entire. Preanal appendage oblong, heavily setose, about as long as segment X, apex subacute. Inferior appendage spatulate, setose, apex slightly directed laterad, in lateral view auriculate, broad basally, gradually tapering to rounded apex, mesolateral surface with low setose ridge, basoventrally without processes, mesobasally with broad, flat process bearing apical setae. Tergum X saddle-shaped, broad, about 1/2 width of segment IX, in lateral view triangular, apex acute, dorsolaterally with pair of short, digitate protuberances, in dorsal view apex rounded. Phallic apparatus short, compact; phallobase tubular, apparently fused with phallicata, basoventrally with short sclerotized flange that apparently articulates with base of fused inferior appendages; phallicata strongly down turned apically at nearly 90 degrees to phallobase, apex of phallicata with straight lateral sclerotized flanges and mesal membranous region, dorsolateral corners rounded, projecting; parameres absent; phallotremal sclerite not discernable.

Female. Segment IX short, in lateral view posterior margin straight, anteroventral margin rounded, setose. Tergum X short, less than half length of preanal appendages, in lateral view roughly triangular, apex rounded, in dorsal view broadly rounded apically; basolaterally with pair of long papillate processes. Preanal appendage long, digitate, setose. Lamella very large, constricted basally, in lateral view directed ventrad, dorsal margin broadly rounded, ventral margin straight, apex subtruncate, outer and inner surfaces setose, setae along apicoventral edge strongly recurved mesad; in ventral view lamella sinuate from base, apex straight, mesal surface concave. Gonopod plate basolateral edges produced in flanges, apex divided into 4 short rounded lobes, middle lobes shorter, surface with fine striations. Spermathecal sclerite complex, in ventral view triangular, apex acute, finely rugose and striate, laterally with wide, semimembranous flanges, medially with keyhole-shaped sclerite.

Material examined: ETHIOPIA: Lake Awasa, 6.xi.1960, at light — 1 male paratype (CNC); Bahar Dar, 8.xii.1964, M.E. Smith — 1 male (NMNH), same, 6.xii.1964 — 1 female (NMNH), same, 4.vii.1964, A.B. Gurney — 1 male, 3 females (NMNH); Black River near Awasa, 15.iv.1961, A. Tjønneland — 3 male paratypes, 2 female paratypes (NHM).

Distribution. Ethiopia.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Tagalopsyche aethiopica Kimmins. Male genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral (only base of phallic apparatus indicated in this and subsequent illustrations); B— same, dorsal; C—abdominal segment IX, ventral; D—inferior appendages and process of sternum IX, caudal; E—phallic apparatus, lateral; F—same, caudal.

FIGURE 4. Tagalopsyche aethiopica Kimmins. Female genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral; B—same, dorsal; C—same, ventral (inset: spermathecal sclerite complex).