Plectropsyche alvarezi, Wichard, Wilfried, Solórzano, Mónica M., Kraemer & Luer, Claus, 2006

Wichard, Wilfried, Solórzano, Mónica M., Kraemer & Luer, Claus, 2006, First caddisfly species from Mexican amber (Insecta: Trichoptera), Zootaxa 1378, pp. 37-48 : 41-42

Plectropsyche alvarezi , new species

Figs. 3–4 .

Plectropsyche alvarezi possesses the diagnostic structures of the genus. The new fossil species differs from the 2 extant species by the position of crossvein cu very near crossvein m-cu in the forewing and by the slender, hook-shaped endothecal processes of endophallus.

Adult. Length of forewing 4.9 mm (holotype), 5.3 mm (paratype). General structure and forewing venation typical for genus ( Figs. 3 , 4 A). Maxillary palp segment 1 as long as segment 2, segment 5 equal to or slightly longer than segments 1–4. Proepisternal warts very probably absent, but not discernable in the amber fossil. Tibial spurs 2,4,4. Forewing forks 1–5 and discoidal, median and thyridial cells present, crossvein cu very close to m-cu and Cu2, A1 fused before the forewing margin. Hind wing with forks 1, 2, 3, and 5 present; crossvein m lost (from ventral view of male paratype).

Male genitalia ( Fig. 4 B). The length of the inferior appendage is in a ratio of at least 2:1 (basal segment: apical segment). Basal segment of inferior appendage enlarged, rounded; apical segment finger-like, elongate, bent mesad. Apex of phallus with pair of slender, dorsal rounded hooks (endothecal processes), lateroventrally with lobules (probably a pair, but in amber fossil not clearly visible).

Holotype male: Embedded in Mexican amber in the amber collection of the Instituto de Historia Natural y Ecologia, Museum of Paleontology, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, collection no.: IHNFA 0 67.

Paratype: Embedded in Mexican amber in the amber collection of the Instituto de Historia Natural y Ecologia, Museum of Paleontology, Tuxtla Gutiérrez Chiapas, collection no.: IHNFA 0 88, male.

Etymology: Dedicated to Prof. Miguel Alvarez del Toro (1917–1996), naturalist and founder of the Museum of Natural History and Zoo in Chiapas, Mexico.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Plectropsyche alvarezi, new species. Male (holotype): fossil in Mexican amber.

FIGURE 4. Plectropsyche alvarezi, new species. 4 A, male (holotype): left lateral view; 4 B, male genitalia, (holotype): left lateral view.