Neboissomina persona, Cartwright, David I., 2011

Cartwright, David I., 2011, Descriptions of Neboissomina, new genus and 6 new species of Ecnomidae from Australia (Trichoptera), Zootaxa 2736, pp. 17-30 : 20

Neboissomina persona sp. nov.

Figs 3–5, 24

Diagnosis. Neboissomina persona is most similar to, N. krokale and N. mida , in the inferior appendages which are fused into large, ovoid plates, however in N. persona the apex is truncate distally separating it from the 2 other species where the apices are tapered into a single point.

Description. Head, body, and wings light brown, abdomen paler ventrally; wings similar to those of N. jardinei , new species (Fig. 2); length of each forewing: male 2.6–3.5 mm, female 2.6–3.4 mm, about 3.3 times width; length of each hind wing 3.4–3.7 times width. Wing venation: Each forewing with forks 2, 3, 4 and 5 present; fork 2 length 1.4–1.8 times length of fork 3; fork 3 with variable footstalk, fork 3 length 1.3–4.5 times length of footstalk, footstalk fork 3 length 1.1–2.6 times length of cross-vein m; cross-veins r-m and m nearly contiguous at fork 3, r-m and m separated by 0.4–1.0 times length of cross-vein m; fork 5 length about 1.7 times length of fork 4. Hind wings each with forks 2, 3 and 5 present; footstalk of fork 2 length 0.0–2.4 times length of cross-vein r-m, fork 2 length 1.2–1.5 times length of fork 3.

Male. Tergum X membranous, with 1 pair of long, slender dorsal processes, widely separated at base, converging distally (Fig. 5). Superior appendages short, robust, each with length about 3 times width (Fig. 3) in lateral view, length about 2.5 times width in dorsal view, slightly dilated distally (Fig. 5); pair of long, dorso-ventrally flattened (depressed) processes (mesal processes of tergum X) ventro-basal of superior appendages. Phallus simple, tube-like, distal part dorso-ventrally flattened; with pair of long, slender processes (phallic guides) arising from near bases of inferior appendages (Fig. 3). Inferior appendages longer than superior appendages, fused; in ventral view forming large, ovoid shield, truncated distally, length about twice width (Fig. 4); in lateral view slender, about 5 times longer than wide, dilated near middle (Fig. 3).

Female. Genitalia with pair of small robust obliquely truncate lobes on sternite VIII (Fig. 24).

Holotype male: Australia: Queensland, Birthday Creek, 2.5 km NNW Paluma, 18°58'S, 146°10'E, at light, 17 Mar 1989, R. StClair ( NMV, T- 20973).

Paratypes: Queensland. 2 males, same data as for holotype; 1 male (specimen CT-419 figured), 1 female (specimen CT-418 figured), same data as for holotype, except 7 Apr 1990; 2 males, 7 females, same data as for holotype, except 17 Mar 1990; 15 males, Birthday Creek, 18°57'S, 146°10'E, 795 m, light trap, 31 Oct 1993, A.L.Sheldon ( NMV).

Other material examined: Queensland. 13 males, 4 females, Camp Creek tributary, Mt. Spec State Forest, 760 m, 18°57'S, 146°10'E, light trap, 30 Oct 1993 – 15 Mar 1994, A.L. Sheldon; 4 males, Camp Ck proper, Mt Spec State Forest, 760 m, 18°57'S, 146°10'E, light trap, 17 Jan 1994, A.L. Sheldon; 1 male, Yuccabine Creek, Kirrama State Forest, 18°12'S, 145°54'E, Mar 1986, R. Pearson & L. Benson; 2 males, same data, except Oct 1984; 3 females, Mulgrave River, W Gordonvale, 29 Apr 1979, A. Wells; 4 females, Kuranda, 18Jan 1975, N. Quick; 1 male, same data, except 21 Jan 1975; 1 male, same data, except 23 Jan 1975; 4 males, 6 females, same data, except 360 m, 30 Mar 1976, W.N.B. Quick; ( NMV).

Etymology. Persona , “mask” in Latin, refers to the shape and markings on the fused inferior appendages of the male genitalia.

Distribution. Neboissomina persona has been collected from 7 localities in northeastern Queensland (latitudinal range 16°49'– 18°57'S).