Oecetis theischingeri, Wells, 2006

Wells, Alice, 2006, A review of Australian long-horned caddisflies in the Oecetis pechana-group (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae), with descriptions of thirteen new species, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 63 (2), pp. 107-128 : 121

Oecetis theischingeri sp. nov.

Figures 35, 36, 68

Material examined. Holotype. Male , Qld, Booloumba Creek, 8 km SW of Kenilworth, 26°39'S, 152°39'E, 12 Dec 1984, G. Theischinger ( NMV T-18843, on slide).

Paratypes. Qld: 4 males, same data as for holotype ( NMV, 1 on slide) ; 1 male, Finch Hatton Gorge , 21°07'S, 148°38'E, 14 Nov 1982, T. Hinger ( NMV, on slide) ; 13 males, Strathpine , nr Brisbane, 27°19'S, 153°00'E, 3 Dec 1984, G. Theischinger ( NMV, 1 male on slide) .

Other material. Qld: 1 male, 1 female, Upper Brookfield nr Brisbane, 4 Apr 1967, N. Dobrotworsky ( NMV) ; 1 male, West Claudie R., 17 Sep 1974, M.S. Moulds ( NMV) ; 1 male, same locality and collector, 30 Sep 1974 ( NMV) ; 1 male, Middle Claudie R., Iron Range , 29 Sep 1974, M.S. Moulds ( NMV) ; 12 males, 1 female, same locality and collector, 2–9 Oct 1974 ( NMV) ; 2 males, same locality and collector, 23 Oct 1974 ( NMV) ; 1 male, Funnel Creek , 53 km SW of Sarina, 4 Jan 1975, M.S. Moulds ( NMV) ; 1 male, 1 female, Bulimba Creek , Site 5, Boorabbin Park, 9 Oct 1979, J.C. Cardale ( ANIC) ; 2 males, Bulimba Creek , near Brisbane , Site R1, Kimmax Street riffle, 23 Oct 1979, [collector not given], ( NMV) ; 4 males, Bulimba Creek , near Brisbane , Site R3, Willowbend lawns, 13 Mar 1980, A. Neboiss ( NMV) ; 1 male, Obi Obi Creek , 8 km SW of Mapleton, 23 Oct 1980, A. Neboiss ( NMV) ; 1 male, 7 females, Coondoo Creek , 30 km NE Gympie, Toolara State Forest, 28 Oct 1980, A. Neboiss ( NMV) ; 1 male, 28°03'S, 152°24'E, Cunninghams Gap , Western Fall, 1 Sep 1984, G. Theischinger ( NMV) . NSW: 1 male, Kings Gap , S of Sandy Hollow, 5 Dec 1976, G. Daniels ( NMV) . Vic .: 1 male, Dartmouth R. Survey, Stoney Creek , 14 Feb 1973, Loc VB ( NMV) [doubtful record].

Diagnosis. Resembling O. jenniae and O. mouldsi in having short stout inferior appendages, but distinguished by having the apico-mesial angle of the inferior appendages triangular, and triangular apico-mesial lobes on the inferior appendages. In the latter feature, O. theischingeri resembles O. australis ; but O. australis is clearly distinct in having the apico-mesial lobes on the inferior appendages with apices acute and wings with vestiture downy.

Description. Male. Wings with vestiture short, pattern of dark areas at vein anastomoses and at margin; forewing with a large patch of scales. Anterior wing length, 5.0–5.2 mm. Abdominal tergites II–IV darkly sclerotised; abdominal segment IX annulate; segment X elongate-triangular in dorsal view, stout in lateral view, apically capped by a cluster of short setae. Genitalia, see figs 35, 36. Pre-anal appendages almond-shaped. Phallus about length of 2–3 abdominal segments, paramere more sinuous than arched. Inferior appendages wide basally in ventral view with a triangular apico-mesial lobe; in lateral view stoutly rounded dorsally; a basi-dorsal pouch present.

Distribution. Known from north-, central- and south-eastern Qld and from 1 site in NSW. A single specimen bearing locality data of Vic. is undoubtedly this species, but as it is the only specimen from as far south, despite intensive collecting in that area, it is considered a doubtful record until verified by further collecting.

Etymology. Named for Gunther Theischinger.