Hydroptila criokera, 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 : 2-3

Hydroptila criokera sp. n.

( Fig. 2)

Diagnosis. This new species appears most similar to H. maculata (Banks) ( Fig. 3 ), which is widespread in Florida east of the Apalachicola River, and several related species, with the tenth tergum having elongate processes and a posteroventral extension of segment VIII. From H. maculata , H. criokera is distinguished by strongly diverging inferior appendages, which are not diverging in H. maculata , and by the elongate, stout setae from the posterodorsal margin of segment IX, which are lacking in H. maculata .

Description, male. Length 1.9 -2.1 mm. Antenna broken after 15 segments. Brown in alcohol. Abdominal segment VII annular with short posteromesal process ventrally. Segment VIII narrow dorsally, elongate extension ventrolaterally. Segment IX annular in lateral view with dorsolateral process bearing numerous elongate, stout setae; ventrally with deep mesal excision; dorsally with lateral lobes bearing elongate setae on posterior margin. Segment X in lateral view shelf-like, with elongate process distally; tubular dorsally and ventrally, elongate distal process thin, extending anteriorly and narrowing to acute apex. Inferior appendage thin and tubular in lateral view, gradually tapering to rounded apex bearing a thin process; in ventral view appendages narrow over length, strongly curved basally and diverging posteriorly. Subgenital plate thin and indistinct, seemingly fused with venter of segment X. Phallus thin and tubular; ejaculatory duct thin and sinuate, extending beyond end of phallus apex; short paramere encircling shaft near midlength.

Material examined. Holotype, male. FLORIDA: Liberty County, Gregory Mill Creek at CR-379, Apalachicola National Forest , N30 o 10'26" W85 o 00'48", 6 May 2004, M. Pescador, A. Rasmussen and B. Richard ( NMNH) . Paratype. FLORIDA: same locality and date, 1 male ( FAMU).

Etymology. From the Greek “krios” ram, and “keras” horn, referring to the ram-like appearance of the tenth tergum.

Figures

Figure 3. Hydroptila maculata (Banks). Male genitalia. A) Lateral, B) Ventral, C) Dorsal, D) Phallus, ventral.