Oxyethira luanae sp. nov.

Figs. 1–4

Diagnosis. This new species can be distinguished from other species described in the genus by asymmetrical sternum IX, by inferior appendages truncate apically, and by phallus with a long subapical sclerotized process.

Description. Male. Length 1.9 mm (n = 1). General color, in alcohol, brown. Antennae stramineous, with 31 segments each, and covered by short light brown setae; frontal area of head densely covered with brown setae. Wings with brown setae; legs with short brown setae. Male genitalia. Segment VIII dorsally with pair of long winding processes, curved laterad to apex (Fig. 1); deeply incised ventrally (Fig. 2); in lateral views, with posterolateral margins rounded and bearing long stout setae (Fig. 3). Sternum IX asymmetrical, extending anterad right of midline into segment VII, with anterior margin rounded (Fig. 1, 2); segment IX absent dorsally. Segment X indistinct, membranous. Subgenital plate apparently absent. Bilobed processes narrow, each with spine-like apical seta. Inferior appendages elongate, slightly broader basally, truncate and slightly curved laterad at apex (Fig. 2). Phallus tubular, simple, slightly sclerotized, with long subapical sclerotized process, in ventral view, curved to right side (Fig. 4), and curved upward in lateral view.

Female. Unknown.

Remarks. This species appears to be a member of subgenus Tanytrichia Kelley, 1984, and has some similarity to O. teixeirai Harris & Davenport, 1992 in the elongate inferior appendages. However, Oxyethira luanae sp. nov. has asymmetrical sternum IX, whereas Oxyethira teixeirai has symmetrical genitalia. This new species also has inferior appendages with truncate apices, which are pointed in O. teixeirai, and phallus with subapical sclerotized process, which is sinuate and has narrow sclerotized process in O. teixeirai .

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Amazonas: Manaus, tributary to Igarapé da Cachoeira, basin of Rio Cuieiras, 02°41’46.0”S 60°17’42.7”W, 20.viii.2004, J.L. Nessimian & L. Fidelis, light trap (INPA). Etymology. This new species is named in honor to Luana Fidelis, entomologist and researcher of the Igarapés Project, who collected the type.