Neotrichia alabamensis Kelley and Harris

Harris, Steven C. & Rasmussen, Andrew K., 2010, The Neotrichia caxima Group (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) in the southeastern United States, Zootaxa 2608, pp. 25-44 : 34-36

Neotrichia alabamensis Kelley and Harris

( Figs 11 , 12 )

Kelley and Harris (1983): 182, 3

Neotrichia alabamensis is fairly common on the Coastal Plain of Alabama extending westward into Mississippi and eastward into the western Florida panhandle. Males are separated on the basis of the inferior appendages which are acutely narrowed in ventral view ( Fig. 11 B). As well, the inferior appendages have a large, prominent dorsal process which is sharply downturned apically ( Fig. 11 A).

Female. Length 1.6–2.0mm, 18 antennal segments, brown in alcohol. Abdominal segments typical for genus ( Fig. 12 B), with mesal plate of sternum VIII similar to that of N. falca , differing in the curving lateral sclerites ( Fig. 12 A). Bursa copulatrix with posterior copulatory channel slightly longer than genital chamber ( Fig. 12 C), this chamber with narrow sclerotized bands on lateral margins which extend anteriorly as thin processes; mesal bell-shaped sclerite deeply split anteriorly.

Females of N. alabamensis are most similar to N. falca and the following new species in possessing a narrow sternal sclerite on segment VIII. From N. falca , females of N. alabamensis are separated on the basis of the curved shape of the sclerites, and from the new species below on the basis of the shorter posterior process of the bursa copulatrix.

Material examined. Alabama, Perry County, Oakmulgee Creek @ Hwy. 219, 18 September 1991, Harris/O’Neil, 1973, 23Ƥ.

Distribution. AL, FL, MS.

Figures

FIGURE 11. Neotrichia alabamensis, male genitalia. A. Left lateral view, B. Ventral view, C. Dorsal view, D. Phallus, left lateral view. Abbreviations: abdominal segments = VIII, IX, X; bracteole = BR; inferior appendage = IA; dorsal process of inferior appendage = DP; subgenital plate = SGP.

FIGURE 12. Neotrichia alabamenis, female genitalia. A. Abdominal segment VIII, ventral view, B. Abdominal segments VII – X, ventral view, C. Bursa copulatrix, ventral view. Abbreviations: abdominal segments = VII, VIII, IX, X; sternal plate = SP; posterior copulatory channel = PCC; genital chamber = GC; mesal sclerite = MS.