Palleptocerus kuranishii, Wichard, 2023

Wichard, Wilfried, 2023, Fossil Trichoptera embedded in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Contributions to Entomology 73 (2), pp. 167-179 : 167

Palleptocerus kuranishii sp. nov.

Fig. 6

Holotype.

Mail-specimen deposited in the Systematic Entomology Collection of Hokkaido University Museum, Japan, inventory number: SEHU-54040 (ex coll. Ryoichi B. Kuranishi: Burmite 2).

Preservation.

The fossil is embedded in an oval and polished piece of amber. The adult insect is completely preserved and clearly visible in dorso-ventral aspect. The wings are folded over the body like a saddle roof, making it difficult to see the hind wings. Head is visible, long antennae incomplete in length. Legs also present. In male genitalia, only the anterior paired inferior appendages are often clearly visible ventrally, further genital structures implied visible.

Etymology.

The new species is dedicated in honor of the Japanese entomologist and scientist Ryoichi B. Kuranishi. I got to know and appreciate Ryoichi on the occasion of the 17th International Symposium on Trichoptera in Lunz, Austria, September 2022.

Description.

Head: Laterally protruded compound eyes. Ocelli not present. Filiform antennae longer than forewings - incomplete in length, probably 30-40 flagellomeres; scapus conically thickened, pedipalpus small and globular; flagellomeres cylindrical, elongate (Fig. 6B ). Five-segmented maxillary palps present, 5th segment not annulated. Labial palps three-segmented, terminal segment longest.

Wings (Fig. 6C ): The forewings about 6 mm long. Venation Sc and R1 straight running parallel to the wing margin. R2 + R3 forming fork I present and R4+5 simple, discoidal cells absent. Media two-branched in M1+2 and M3+4. Cu1 two-branched in Cu1a and Cu1b, forming fork V. Crossvein m-cu closing the long thyridial cell. Venation Cu2 running into A at crossvein between Cu1b and Cu2, then A with Cu2 reaching wing margin.

Tibial spurs : 2/4/4.

Genitalia (Fig. 6D, E ): In ventral view, the male genitalia equipped with a pair of inferior appendages, each consisting of a dark coxopodite, narrow at the base, distad slightly broadened, overall slightly conical bent, and attached an apically attached harpago slender than the coxopodite, tapers and curves slightly toward the genital middle.

Diagnosis.

Ocelli absent. Antennae longer than forewings, flagellomeres elongate. Maxillary palps five-segmented, terminal segment not annulated. Forewings light brown, slightly narrow and apically rounded. In male forewing venation with forks I and V present, discoidal cells open and thyridial cells closed, long. Tibial spurs : 2/4/4. Palleptocerus kuranishii sp. nov. is distinguished from P. grimaldii by a slender body shape and size of 6 mm forewing length and by the form and structure of the conical inferior appendages of the male genitalia.

Figures

Figure 6. Palleptocerus kuranishii sp. nov. in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, male holotype (inventory number: SEHU- 54040). A. Male in lateral view; B. Excerpt of the antenna with cylindrical, elongate flagellomeres; C. Drawing of the forewing venation; D, E. Male genitalia with paired inferior appendages in ventral view.