Triplectides nathaliae, new species

Figs 57–64, 96.

Diagnosis. This species is separated from most New Caledonian Triplectides species by the presence of 4 hind tibial spurs. The species is easily distinguished from smithi, aequalichelatus, new species, and dawnae, new species, by having shorter mesal lobes of the inferior appendages, and by the shape of tergum X. It resembles wardi, and mariannae, new species, from which it is separated by the absence of fork 1 in the hind wings.

Male: Body colour light to medium brown (in alcohol). Tibial spur formula 2:2:4. Claws on all legs unmodified. Forewing (Figs 57, 59) length 10.0– 12.5 mm (N=35); colour straw to medium brown (in alcohol), with dark, rugged area around junction of R and Sc, and dark area around crossvein m-cu and basally in fork 5; light area present around base of S4 and crossvein m-cu; forks 1, 2 and 5 present; fork 1 stalk slightly longer than half length of fork 1; branching of m with stalk slightly shorter than 1/3 fork length; Dc narrow, about 4/5 as long as Tc; distance between crossveins s and S4 about equal to length of S4, S4 meeting M close to crossvein m-cu. Hind wing (Fig. 58) forks 2, 3 and 5 present; S4 arising slightly apically to mid-length of Dc. Nygma present in all wings in fork 2.

Genitalia (Figs 60–64): segment IX widest dorsally and ventrally, in ventral view (Fig. 62) with small central, posterad projection. Superior appendages (Figs 60, 61) about half as long as tergum X; slightly dorsoventrally flattened, broad, roughly triangular (Fig. 61). Tergum X with two dorsobasal projections, one minute present dorsally of prominent, bipartite, projection; in ventral view (Fig. 62) roughly rectangular, except with concave lateral margins; lateral carinae present along basal 2/3; apex with wide mesal excavation, apicolateral corners often with small lateral protuberances (not seen in illustrated specimen); dorsal surface bearing minute setae. Inferior appendages (Figs 60, 62) broad; apicodorsal lobes about 2 times length of harpagones; basoventral processes long, digitate, directed posterad, exceeding mesal lobes, reaching half-length of harpagones; mesal lobes wide, smooth, apically concave, lateral corners produced, shallowly separated from major branch. Phallus (Figs 63, 64) straight along its length, except curving posterad along basal 1/3; slightly widening posteriorly after anterior 1/ 3 in ventral view; apex straight with lateral flanges.

Distribution. This species is found in the southern part of Grande Terre (Fig. 96).

Etymology. This species is named after Dr Nathalie J. Mary, in recognition of her previous work on the Triplectides species and other Trichoptera genera of New Caledonia.

Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Sud: stream draining to Marais de la Rivière Blanche, 1.35 km S Pont Pérignon, 22º08.496’S, 166º42.152’E, 180 m, 6–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#009 [KA Johanson].

Paratypes: Province Sud: same data as holotype – 4 males; same data as holotype, except 05–18.x.2006 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 1 male; W part of Plaine des Lacs, 150 m downstream bridge at La Capture, 22º15.967’S, 166º49.493’E, 261 m, 04–22.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#007 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; stream draining to Marais de la Rivière Blanche, 2.25 km SW Pont Pérignon, 22º14.158’S, 166º67.993’E, 157 m, 6– 16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#010 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; ditto, except 05–18.x.2006 [KA Johanson & M Espeland] – 3 males; stream draining to Marais de la Rivière Blanche, 5.0 km SW Pont Pérignon, 22º09.513’S, 166º39.942’E, 180 m, 6–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#011 [KA Johanson] – 1 male; Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, 800 m N Pont des Japonais, 22º11.043’S, 166º43.566’E, 120 m, 7–16.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#015 [KA Johanson] – 3 males; ditto, except 16–30.xi.2003 – 5 males; Mt Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, downstream cross-point to mountain track, 22º01.997’S, 166º28.486’E, 795 m, over about 30 m waterfall, 18.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#031 [KA Johanson] – 5 males; Mt Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, at cross-point to mountain track, 22º02.218’S, 166º28.566’E, 797 m, 18.xi.2003, light trap, loc#032 [KA Johanson] – 2 males; Haute Yaté Fauna Reserve, 1760 m S bridge Pont Perignon, 50 m upstream bridge over stream, 22º14.954’S, 166º70.1211’E, 180 m, 14.xii.2003 – 13.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#081 [KA Johanson] – 8 males.