Polyplectropus buchwaldi (Ulmer)

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 158

Polyplectropus buchwaldi (Ulmer) , nomen dubium

Ecnomodes buchwaldi Ulmer, 1911: 18 . [Type locality: Ecuador; ZSZMH; male; abdomen lost]; 1962: 5 [to Ecnomodellina ].— Weidner, 1964: 74 [lectotype male].— Flint, 1968:21 [to Polyplectropus ].

In the original description by Ulmer of the monotypic genus Ecnomodes he states “Genitalanlänge leider nicht sichtbar, da der Hinterleib beider Stücke verletzt ist” ( Ulmer 1911: 18). Therefore stating the abdomens were damaged. Consequently, no record exists of the specific identity of P. buchwaldi , save detailed descriptions of the wings and types without abdomens housed at the ZSZMH. The holotype and paratype are in poor condition and were not fit for transport in the mail; therefore, they were not examined. The specimens Banks described as E. buchwaldi in 1913 (p. 18) were subsequently described by Flint (1971) as P. banksianus . Flint (1971: 27) wrote:

“…[ P. banksianus ] is being described from that material BANKS recorded as Ecnomodes buchwaldi ULM. Unfortunately , the types of the latter are reported to be lacking their abdomens, and considering the large number of superficially similar species of restricted range in the genus, it seems unlikely that we will ever know the specific identity of buchwaldi , or that these example[s] are actually the latter which was from Ecuador.”

The wing vein pattern, as illustrated by Ulmer (1911: 18, Fig. 4) and the identification by Banks of P. banksianus as E. buchwaldi suggests this species belongs in the P. santiago group. However, Flint may be correct in stating that the identity of P. buchwaldi is unlikely to be resolved. Therefore, P. buchwaldi is here designated as a nomen dubium.

Distribution. Ecuador.