Mortoniella (Mortoniella) limona ( Flint, 1981 )

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 67-68

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) limona ( Flint, 1981)

Fig. 52 , 100

Mexitrichia limona Flint, 1981: 9 .

Mortoniella limona (Flint) : Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008: 69 [member of leroda group].

Mexitrichia macuta Botosaneanu, 1998: 460 . New Synonym.

Mortoniella macuta (Botosaneanu) : Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008: 69 [member of leroda group].

Mortoniella limona is closely related to M. variabilis , n. sp. and M. gracilis , n. sp. All of these species have the ventral margin of the phallicata modified into elongate projecting lobes, and the apex of the dorsal phallic spine compressed, with a preapical ventral expansion. Among these, M. limona can be distinguished by having the ventral projection of the dorsal phallic spine very strongly produced and rounded. The posterior margin of the compressed apex may be somewhat serrate or laciniate (as in species of the subgroup in general), but without a distinct angulate projection. For other character differences, see the diagnoses for M. variabilis and M. gracilis .

The male holotype of Mexitrichia macuta Botosaneanu was examined. It differs in no substantial way from M. limona and we consider it to be a synonym. The setae on dorsal phallic spine, discussed by Botosaneanu as a distinguishing feature, appear to have been either an artifact, or minute striae that may have appeared to be setae. The dorsal phallic spine, in many species of the limona subgroup, is often minutely serrate or laciniate on the apicocaudal surface; this may alternatively account for what Botosaneanu described as setae.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 2.9-3.3 mm; female 3.2-3.9. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II and III. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color medium brown, apices of tarsal segments and basal segments of antennae pale brown. Tibial spurs darker than legs, contrasting in color. Wing bar at anastamosis indistinct, marked with light brown setae, most evident at arculus.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI laterally compressed, ventrally projecting, large, subtriangular, length about equal to width at base, process not retracted anterobasally. Segment IX nearly evenly rounded anterolaterally, length greatest midlaterally, posterolateral margin weakly rounded, narrowing ventrally; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by less than ½ width of segment. Tergum X relatively short, lateral margins subparallel, apicomesal margin concavely emarginate between apicolateral lobes, emargination extending about 1/3 length of segment, apicolateral lobes tapered, rounded apically, lobes short and narrow as viewed laterally; apicomesal lobes visible in lateral view, rounded apically; ventrolateral lobes distinct, projecting. Inferior appendages irregular in shape, with short tapering dorsolateral projections and short narrow paired apicoventral projections. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with apical processes moderately large, posterodorsally curved. Paramere appendage elongate (subequal to dorsal phallic spine), narrow, nearly uniformly in width, apex acute. Dorsal phallic, as viewed laterally, compressed apically, with very prominent rounded apicoventral expansion, posterior margin often evidently serrulate or micro-laciniate; spine in dorsal view, nearly uniform in width, apex acute. Phallicata with dorsal margin sclerotized, extending into endophallic membrane, with apical depression to accommodate apicoventral projection of dorsal phallic spine, basoventrally with pair of very prominent sclerotized, curved, apically rounded projections. Endophallic membrane short, with 2 pairs of enlarged sclerotized spines (possibly phallotremal complex); ventromesal spine absent.

Material examined — VENEZUELA: Macuto, Río del Teleferico, 26.ii.1982, L Botosaneanu – male Holotype of Mexitrichia macuta (ZMA) ; Aragua: Est . Exp. Cataurito, 1.ii.1983, OS Flint , Jr – 1 male (pinned) ( NMNH): Falcón: P. N. Sierra de San Luis , Cataratas del Río Hueque , 11.17847° N, 69.56220° W, el 583 m, 6.vi.2001, Holzenthal , Blahnik , Paprocki , Cressa – 14 males, 51 females (pinned), 22 males, 63 females (alcohol) ( UMSP); Guarico: P. N. Guatopo , Quebrada Guatopo , 0.5 km N Est. La Colina , 10.014° N, 66.363° W, el 600 m, 22.i.1994, Holzenthal , Cressa , Rincón – 1 male (pinned), 30 males, 21 females (alcohol) ( UMSP); Lara: P. N. Terepaima , Quebrada San Antonio , 9.86257° N, 69.21830° W, el 631 m, 17.vi.2001, Holzenthal, Blahnik, Paprocki, Cressa– 10 males, 4 females (pinned), 1 male, 1 female (alcohol) ( UMSP).

Distribution — Venezuela.

Figures

Figure 52. Mortoniella (Mortoniella) limona (Flint), male genitalia. A—lateral; B—segment IX and tergum X, dorsal; C—phallic ensemble, ventral; D—dorsal phallic spine, dorsal; E—ventral process of segment VI, lateral.