Polyplectropus hamulus Flint

Chamorro, Maria Lourdes & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2010, 2582, Zootaxa 2582, pp. 1-252 : 170-171

Polyplectropus hamulus Flint

Figs. 86, 142

Polyplectropus hamulus Flint, 1972: 228 . [Type locality: Argentina, Misiones , Puerto Rico; NMNH; male].

Polyplectropus hamulus is similar to P. brachyscolus Flint in the shape of the phallus and endothecal spines and to P. banksianus Flint in the overall shape of the male genitalia. Polyplectropus hamulus can be distinguished from P. brachyscolus by the less acute apex of the ventral branch of the inferior appendage and by the shorter intermediate appendage. Polyplectropus hamulus differs from P. banksianus in the pandurate apex of the dorsal phallic sclerite (subapically produced and apically oblong in P. banksianus ), in the broader mesoventral process, and the straight endothecal phallic spines (curved in P. banksianus ).

Adult. Length of forewing 4 mm, n = 1. Color of head, thorax, and legs yellowish-brown; setae on body brown with clusters of grey setae on apex of head; tegulae with long, golden brown and grey setae; setae on wings golden brown along costal margin with patches of grey setae interspersed along margin and on most of wing surface.

Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view rounded, anterior margin convex, posterior margin sinuate and submedially concave; in ventral view rectangular, anterior margin highly concave, posterior margin convex, medially shallowly emarginate. Tergum X membranous, oblong, bearing dorsal microsetae; lower lip of tergum X membranous, smooth, without dorsal microsetae; in dorsal view obtuse; in caudal view produced dorsad of phallocrypt. Intermediate appendage longer than inferior appendage, rod-like, with long basal setae; in dorsal view lanceolate, curved mesad; in caudal view lanceolate, curved, directed mesoventrad. Preanal appendage tripartite; dorsolateral process bulbous, originating from dorsum of mesolateral process, bearing dorsal microsetae; mesolateral process setose; in dorsal view oblong, in lateral view deltoid; mesoventral process setose; in lateral view hook-like, with ventrad-directed sclerotized apex, anteroventral margin concave, posterior margin convex; in caudal view not fused basomesally, processes separated, ventral margin of process acute, with ventrolateral margin slightly produced. Inferior appendage bipartite with anterior basal plate extending anterad beyond sternum IX when observed in lateral view; dorsal branch setose, in lateral view clavate; in ventral view narrow, lateral margin slightly convex, slightly undulate, posterior margin truncate, mesal margin sinuate, straight, becoming concave, expanding posterad into ventral branch; ventral branch setose, broad, in lateral view ovate, narrowing posterad; in ventral view broadly rhombate, posteromesal margin produced posterad into pointed apex, shallowly converging mesally. Phallus long; dorsal phallic sclerite in lateral view sinuate, apex pandurate; endothecal membrane with 2 stout, mediumsized, sclerotized spines.

Material examined. ARGENTINA: Misiones: Puerto Rico, 26°48'00"S, 55°02'00"W, 4–8.iv.1971, C & O Flint — 1 male ( NMNH) .

Distribution. Argentina.