Itauara bidentata Robertson & Holzenthal

Robertson, Desiree R. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Itauara Mueller, 1888 (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae), ZooKeys 114, pp. 41-100 : 48-49

Itauara bidentata Robertson & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 6 A–C

Description.

Itauara bidentata can be diagnosed by its large, bifid paramere process, and spade-like shaped inferior appendage. It is most similar to Itaura unidentata sp. n., which has a similarly shaped tergum X, dorsomesal spine, and apical sclerites. The 2 species can be separated by their paramere processes; in Itaura unidentata the paramere consists of a single large tooth-like spine, whereas in Itaura bidentata , the paramere process is bifid. Itauara spiralis sp. n., has a similarly shaped tergum X, but is easily distinguished from Itaura bidentata by differences in the shape of the inferior appendage process, parameres, and phallicata.

Adult. Body, wings, and appendages pale or tawny brown in alcohol. Forewing relatively narrow, with margins nearly parallel, apex subacute. Forewing venation incomplete, with apical forks I, II, and III present; fork I sessile; fork II petiolate, stem about the same length as fork; fork III petiolate, stem longer than fork; Cu1 complete, reaching wing margin; Cu1 and Cu2 intersecting near anastomosis; row of erect setae present along Cu2; A3 absent; crossveins forming a relatively linear transverse cord; discoidal cell longer than Rs vein. Hind wing narrow and slightly scalloped past anastomosis; apical fork II present; Sc and R1 fused basally; A2 absent. Tibial spurs 1,4,4, foretibial spur extremely reduced and hairlike. Sixth sternal process short and digitate, apex attenuate and pointed, associated with strong oblique apodeme posteriorly.

Male genitalia. Preanal appendages absent. Segment IX ventrally narrow, broad medially; anterior margin rounded; posterolateral margin membranous or very lightly sclerotized; sternum IX without modification. Tergum X incompletely fused to tergum IX with membrane or lightly sclerotized region ventrolaterally; dorsomesal margin straight, without processes; dorsolateral margin with paired elongate, down-turned, finger-like process; ventrolateral margin with paired, broad flange-like setose process consisting of several small irregular lobes. Inferior appendages present as single, broad, irregular setose process, broadest basally, fused to phallobase ventrobasally, bearing a single pair of small digitate lobes ventrolaterally, each bearing a seta. Parameres present, paired, arising laterally from endotheca, strongly sclerotized, large bifid tooth-like process, curving ventrally and outward, apices pointed. Phallobase reduced, lightly sclerotized dorsally, laterally membranous, with 2 irregular and elongate sclerites arising basolaterally. Phallicata forming a short slerotized dorsal sheath with an elongate dorsomesal spine arising posteriorly to phallobase. Endophallus membranous, enlarged and convoluted when invaginated, apically bearing 3 small sclerotized spines.

Material examined.

Holotype male: GUYANA: KUMU: 25 km. SE Lethem, 03°15'54"N, 059°43'36"W, 4-5.iv.1994 (O.S. Flint) (UMSP000127385) (NMNH)

Paratypes: GUYANA: Kumu: same data as holotype - 1 male, 3 females.

Etymology.

The name bidentata comes from the bidentate form of the paramere process.