Paroxyethira atypica, Wells & Johanson, 2012

Wells, A. & Johanson, K. A., 2012, Review of the New Caledonian species of Paroxyethira Mosely, 1924 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae), Zootaxa 3478, pp. 330-344 : 335-337

Paroxyethira atypica , new species

Figs 16–18, 37, 38

The male of P. atypica is distinguished by having the paired gonopods in ventral view parallel in midline, and almost equal in length, whereas other New Caledonian species have the gonopods either widely separated or divergent, often unequal in length. The phallic sheath has a long slender curved spine arising apically and curving widely, forming a rounded hook, in contrast to the rather similar phallic sheath in P. dzumac , new species, which has a short, slender, curved process arising at the apex, or P. hamata , new species, which has a broad, strap-like anteriorly directed process arising subapically. The female shares with that of P. dzumac , a single curving process distally on abdominal tergite VIII, but in P. atypica it is swollen and bulbous subapically, in P. dzumac straplike.

Male antennae each with 19 flagellomeres; female antennae each with 16 flagellomeres.

Forewing length. Male 1.2–2.2 mm (n=2); female 2.0– 2.1 mm (n=2).

Male genitalia ( Figs 16–18). Abdominal sternite VII bearing short sharp spur medially. Median process on abdominal sternite VIII stoutly spatulate; length about 2.5x middle width. Abdominal sternite and tergite IX fused, posterolaterally produced to form narrow, elongate lobes. Gonopods fused at base, both bearing brushes of stout black setae distally. Phallic apparatus slender, elongate; constricted at 1/4 length at which constriction short, threadlike titillator arising. Phallic sheath forming elongate sheath, with long, widely curved spine at apex; 1 elongate seta at base of spine, at about 2/3rds length.

Female terminalia ( Figs 37, 38). Abdominal sternites VII–VIII fused into stout cone distally, apically truncate; dorsally forming elongate process arising from tergite IX apex, produced posteriorly, expanded subapically. Segment X undivided apically.

Holotype male: Province Sud, Mt. Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River , downstream crosspoint to mountain track, 22°01.997'S, 166°28.486'E, 795 m, over about 30 m waterfall, 18.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#031, leg. K.A. Johanson ( MNHP).

Paratypes: Same data as for holotype— 2 females (one on slide) ( SMNH); Province Sud, Mt. Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River , near crosspoint to mountain track, 22°02.073'S, 166°28.460'E, 810 m, 18.xi–4.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#030, leg. K.A. Johanson, 1 male (headless), 1 female ( SMNH) .

Etymology: Atypica, referring to the unusual distal process on the female abdominal terminalia.