Hydroptila auriscuspa, Harris & Rasmussen & Denson, 2012

Harris, Steven C., Rasmussen, Andrew K. & Denson, Dana R., 2012, An annotated list of the caddisflies (Trichoptera) of Florida: Part I. The family Hydroptilidae, with descriptions of five new species, Insecta Mundi 2012 (273), pp. 1-32 : 3

Hydroptila auriscuspa sp. n.

( Fig. 4)

Diagnosis. This new species appears most similar to H. lloganae Blickle ( Fig. 5) which is fairly common in Florida, with the tenth tergum having posterolateral extensions. From H. lloganae , H. auriscuspa is distinguished by the short, triangular inferior appendages, the rounded subgenital plate, and the truncate apex of segment X.

Description, male. Length 1.8-2.4 mm. 27-29 antennal segments. Brown in alcohol. Abdominal segment VII annular with short posteroventral process. Segment VIII annular, with slight posteroventral protuberance; ventrally with deep mesal incision. Segment IX narrowing anteriorly in lateral view; square in both dorsal and ventral views. Segment X in lateral view square, with apex truncate; dorsally square, posterolateral margins with pointed lobes, mesal area membranous. Inferior appendages tubular in lateral aspect, rounded apically; in ventral view trianguloid, wide basally, narrowing to acute apex, bearing elongate seta at midlength. Subgenital plate thin and trianguloid in lateral view; ventrally rounded posteriorly, bearing pair of setae mesally. Phallus with basal section elongate, narrowing subapically, apical section short, thin and tubular; ejaculatory duct thin, extending slightly beyond end of phallus apex; short paramere encircling shaft below juncture of apical and basal sections of phallus.

Material examined. Holotype, male. FLORIDA: Okaloosa Co., Blackwater River at Florida A&M University Biological Station , 4.5 mi NW Holt, 23 April 1981, W. & J. Peters ( NMNH) . Paratypes. FLORIDA: same locality and date, 21 males ( NMNH, FAMU, INHS) ; Okaloosa Co., Rogue Creek at Base Rd. 233 bridge, Eglin Air Force Base , 14 August 1985, B. Armitage, 1 male ( NMNH) .

Etymology. From the Latin “auris” ear, and “cuspis” pointed, referring to the pointed, ear-like extensions of the tenth tergum.