Leucotrichia botosaneanui Flint, 1996

Thomson, Robin E. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2015, A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae), ZooKeys 499, pp. 1-100 : 11-12

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Leucotrichia botosaneanui Flint, 1996 Fig. 10

botosaneanui Flint, 1996: 86 [Type locality: Tobago, big waterfall 4 km S Charlotteville, NMNH; male]. - Botosaneanu and Sakal 1992: 201 [biology, as limpia ]. - Botosaneanu and Alkins-Koo 1993: 8 [larva, as limpia , according to Flint 1996: 86].

Diagnosis.

Leucotrichia botosaneanui is most similar to Leucotrichia chiriquiensis , Leucotrichia hispida sp. n., Leucotrichia limpia , and Leucotrichia viridis . In all these species, the phallus bears a similar combination of characteristics: elongate basal supports on the midlength complex; a pair of small, membranous, apical lobes; and a membranous “bulge” on the ventral surface. Additionally, the posterolateral margin of sternum VIII is produced in these species. Leucotrichia botosaneanui can be separated from the other 4 species by the small, double-pointed mesoventral process on sternum VII and the pair of lateral sinuate sclerites present ventrolaterally on the phallus apex.

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 2.0-2.3 mm (n=6). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Dorsum of head dark brown with yellow and dark brown setae; thorax dark brown with dark brown and yellow setae dorsally, brown ventrally; leg segments with brown setae. Forewings covered with fine yellow setae, apical 1/4 with dark brown setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with small, double-pointed mesoventral process. Sternum VIII in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin broadly produced dorsolaterally; in dorsal view anterior margin shallowly concave, posterior margin straight. Tergum × with dorsal sclerite simple; ventral sclerite semielliptic with tridentate posterior margin; membranous apex. Subgenital plate with dorsal arm slender, digitate; ventral arm tapering apically, in ventral view with small apical emargination and slightly subapically constricted. Inferior appendage short, with small basal emargination, broadest mesally, bearing single dorsal spine; in ventral view subspatulate, apex slightly produced. Phallus with median complex bearing elongate basal supports, apex bearing pair of apicodorsal lobes, pair of dark dorsal sclerites, and pair of lateral sinuate sclerites.

Material examined.

Holotype male: TOBAGO: Charlotteville, 4 km S, big waterfall, elev. 125 m, 11°19'N, 60 °33'W, 10vi.1993, by net, O.S. Flint, Jr. and W.N. Mathis (USNM 105436) (NMNH). Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 3 males, 2 females (NMNH); same data as holotype, 1 male (in alcohol) (NMNH); TRINIDAD: streamlet below Maracas Waterfall, elev. 250 m, 10°44'N, 61°24'W, 18.vi.1993, UV light, N.E. Adams and W.N. Mathis, 1 female (NMNH); Lalaja Rd. streamlet, elev. 520 m, 10°43'N, 61°17'W, 26.vi.1993, UV light, N.E. Adams and W.N. Mathis, 1 male, 1 female (NMNH).

Etymology.

Named in honor of the late Dr. Lazare Botosaneanu, a naturalist and entomologist formerly of the Zoological Museum of the University of Amsterdam.