Culoptila tapanti, Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2006

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2006, Revision of the genus Culoptila (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae), Zootaxa 1233, pp. 1-52 : 40

Culoptila tapanti , new species

Fig. 33 A, B

This species is probably most closely related to Culoptila hamata . Both species are similar in having an elongate curved tergum X, a phallobase that is relatively parallel­sided, with an elongate, acute posterodorsal apex, and also in the possession of a single phallic spine, which is inflated mesally and tapers to a very fine needle­like apex. Culoptila tapanti differs from C. hamata (and all other species of Culoptila ) by the shape of tergum X, which is not only elongate, but also deeply incised mesally.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 3–3.3 mm. Color brown; forewing with small whitish mark at arculus on wing margin. Mesothorax of male slightly narrowed anteromesally; mesoscutal wart short, heart­shaped; mesoscutal setae short. Mesothoracic tegulae of male flattened and weakly cupped, distinctly enlarged; tegular setae short; tegular gland short, pleated, concertina­like.

Male genitalia. Sternum VI process short, subtruncate. Tergum IX ventral margin subtruncately rounded, slightly produced posteroventrally. Inferior appendages moderately long, subacute apically. Tergum X long, length greater than width, and distinctly curved, apex in ventral view with deep, broadly rounded mesal incision, apicolateral margins acute; ventrolateral processes with apices incurved and posteriorly bent, bluntly rounded and distinctly sclerotized. Phallobase elongate, dorsal and ventral margins subparallel in lateral view, apicodorsal projection very elongate, straight, apex acute. Phallic apparatus with 1 phallic spine, narrow, needle­like, less than 1/2 length of phallobase, with abrupt, bulbous expansion in basal half.

Material examined

Holotype male: COSTA RICA: Cartago: Reserva Tapantí , Río Grande de Orosí, 09°41’10"N, 083°45’22"W, 1650 m, 18–21.iii.1987 (Holzenthal, Hamilton, & Heyn) ( UMSP 000000484) ( UMSP).

Paratypes: COSTA RICA: Cartago: same data as holotype — 9 males ( UMSP); Lago Orosi, 1.9 km SE Ujarrás, 09°49’26"N, 083°49’30"W, 980 m, 29.i.1986 (Holzenthal, Morse, & Fasth) — 2 males ( UMSP); Quebrada Segunda @ administration building, 09°45’40"N, 083°47’13"W, 1250 m, 9–10.v.1990 (Holzenthal & Blahnik) — 1 male; Turrialba, 26.viii.1972 (G.F. & S. Hevel) — 3 males, 2 females ( NMNH).

Etymology

This species is named tapanti for Tapantí National Park, the nearly pristine and beautiful site in Costa Rica where the type specimens were collected.

Figures

FIGURES 32 – 34. Male genitalia. 32. Culoptila saltena Mosely: 32 A—lateral; 32 B—ventral. 33. Culoptila tapanti, new species: 33 A—lateral; 33 B—ventral. 34. Culoptila tarascanica Flint: 34 A—lateral; 34 B—ventral.