Ochrotrichia spira Thomson & Holzenthal

Thomson, Robin E. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2012, New species and records of Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera) from Venezuela, ZooKeys 185, pp. 19-39 : 23-24

Ochrotrichia spira Thomson & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 5

Diagnosis.

This species is most similar to Ochrotrichia raposa Bueno-Soria & Santiago-Fragoso, 1992. Both have a simple, threadlike phallus and the large inferior appendage bears patches of black pegs on its internal face. The inferior appendage of Ochrotrichia spiralis , however, is parallel-sided with a truncate apex. Also, the sclerotized processes extending from tergum X of Ochrotrichia spiralis are easily distinguishable from those of Ochrotrichia raposa , in particular the large, spiral process.

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 2.6-2.7 mm (n=3). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Tibial spur count 0, 3, 4. Dorsum of head dark brown with pale yellow setae; thorax light brown with light brown setae dorsally, light brown ventrally; leg segments with light brown setae and patches of dark brown. Forewings covered with fine brown setae with small patches of dark brown setae near apex. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with short, rounded mesoventral process. Segment VIII unmodified. Segment IX anterolateral margin concave, posterolateral margin fused dorsally with tergum X. Inferior appendage setose, 3 times longer than wide, parallel-sided, apex truncate, inner surface bearing many short, stout spines distributed as in Figs. 5A, 5C. Tergum X sclerotized, highly developed with 3 processes: 1st simple, slender pointed; 2nd with heavily sclerotized edge, large subapical point, small apical point; 3rd strongly spiraled, extended past other processes. Phallus tubular, elongate, threadlike.

Material examined.

Holotypemale:VENEZUELA: Monagas: Guachero Cave National Park, 10°10.322'N, 63°33.315'W, 1110 m, 20-21.vii.2010, UV light, Holzenthal, Thomson, Cressa (UMSP000095193) (UMSP).

Paratypes.

same data as holotype, 2 males (UMSP, NMNH).

Etymology.

The Latin word spiralis meaing “spiral”, referring to the strongly spiraled process extending from tergum X.