Saccharodite altissima Zelazny, 2011

Zelazny, B. & Webb, M. D., 2011, 3071, Zootaxa 3071, pp. 1-307 : 119-120

Saccharodite altissima Zelazny , sp. nov.

( Fig. 259)

Description. Forewings 2.1 times longer than wide, length: male 3.8–5.1 mm (mean = 4.3, n = 16), female: 4.9–5.9 mm (mean = 5.3, n = 6). Colour brown to light brown; lower parts of facial carinae and metapleura stramineous; labium and hind tibiae light brown. Forewings slightly powdered; lightly infuscated, but basal ¼ clear (except along veins) and apical ¾ interrupted by pale or clear patches; veins light brown, but some sections of Sc+R darker; no dark spots on base of Sc+R. Hindwings colourless; some apical veins light brown. In profile junction of vertex and face rounded; face slightly produced in front of subantennal processes; carinae of vertex and face separated throughout; subantennal processes well separated from margins of facial carinae; rostrum reaching post trochanters. Forewings with Sc+R fork slightly before middle of wing; basal median cell slightly broader than basal cell between Sc+R and M; a small trapezoid cell at base of Ms1. Male genitalia with pygofer narrow. Genital styles oval; proximal dorsal process short and slender, its pointed tip curved inwards; distal dorsal process long. Apical part of aedeagus short, impressed dorsally, with a small, membranous terminal lobe.

Etymology. The species name is the superlative of the Latin adjective altus (altissimus, -a, -um = very high).

Type material. Holotype ♂ (forewing 4.0 mm), PAPUA NEW GUINEA; labels: 1) NEW GUINEA (NE) / Daulo Pass 2400 m / (Asaro-Chimbu div.) / June 15, 1955 2) J.L. Gressitt / Collector ( BPBM) . Paratypes. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: New Guinea (NE), same data as holotype, 11, 12 , 15. VI.1955, 14 ♂ (fw. 3.8, 5x4.0, 5x4.1) 3 ♀ (fw. 4.9, 2x5.0); W. Highlands, Kubor Range, 3100 m, 23. V .1966 , 1 ♂ (fw. 5.1), J.L. Gressitt; Papua, Mt. Giluwe , 3000–3300 m, 30. V .1961 , 4 ♂ (fw. 4.8, 5.0), J.L. Gressitt (all BPBM). INDONESIA: PAPUA: Lk Habbema , 3250– 3300 m , 21.VIII.1938, 8–12.IX.1938, 1 ♂ (fw. 5.0) 3 ♀ (fw. 5.5, 5.6, 5.9), J.L. Toxopeus ( RMNH) .

Distribution. Island of New Guinea.

Diagnosis. Saccharodite altissima is the only known species of Saccharodite which has separated facial carinae. In addition, it is characterized by its brown colour, its large size, and the profile of its face.