Leucotrichia kateae Thomson & Holzenthal

Thomson, Robin E. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2015, A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae), ZooKeys 499, pp. 1-100 : 27-28

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Leucotrichia kateae Thomson & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 27

Diagnosis.

Leucotrichia kateae sp. n., is known only from the male holotype. This species is most similar to Leucotrichia tritoven . Similarities between these species in the inferior appendage and the phallus are discussed under Leucotrichia tritoven . Leucotrichia kateae can be easily recognized from Leucotrichia tritoven by the mesoventral process of sternum VII, which is noticeably much larger and has a rugose ventral surface. The inferior appendage of Leucotrichia kateae is longer than that of Leucotrichia tritoven when viewed ventrally, and has a crenulate margin that is lacking in Leucotrichia tritoven . Leucotrichia kateae also bears a pair of small, curved, pointed sclerites on the phallus that are lacking in Leucotrichia tritoven .

Description.

Male. Length of forewing 2.4 mm (n=1). Head missing. Thorax brown with light brown setae dorsally, brown ventrally; leg segments with brown setae. Forewings covered with fine light yellow setae, inner edge with longitudinal stripe of brown setae. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with elongate, rugose mesoventral process. Sternum VIII in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin slightly produced ventrolaterally, posterolateral margin irregular; in dorsal view anterior margin shallowly concave, posterior margin concave. Tergum × with dorsal sclerite slender; ventral sclerite with rounded projection on posterior margin; membranous apex not well developed. Subgenital plate with dorsal arm broadest basally, tapering apically; ventral arm slender, digitate, in ventral view sublanceolate. Inferior appendage dorsomesally “humped,” apex truncate, bearing single dorsal spine; in ventral view inner and outer margins crenulate. Phallus apex bearing multiple obscured internal structures; small pair of pointed, curved, mesal sclerites; pair of mildly sinuate, subapicolateral sclerites; pair of apicodorsal membranous lobes.

Holotype male: VENEZUELA: Aragua: 1 km E Estacíon Biológica Rancho Grande, 10.352°N 67.680°W, el. 1100 m, 27.i.1994, Holzenthal, Cressa, and Rincón, 1 male (UMSP000201690) (UMSP).

Etymology.

Named in honor of R. E. Thomson’s sister, Kate Thomson, who had to put up with a sister who loves bugs.