Helicopsyche timbira, Silva, André Luiz Ramos Da, Santos, Allan Paulo Moreira & Nessimian, Jorge Luiz, 2014

Silva, André Luiz Ramos Da, Santos, Allan Paulo Moreira & Nessimian, Jorge Luiz, 2014, Helicopsyche (Feropsyche) timbira sp. nov. (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae), a new species from southeastern Brazil, Zootaxa 3847 (3), pp. 446-448 : 446-448

Helicopsyche timbira sp. nov.

Helicopsyche timbira sp. nov. and Helicopsyche cipoensis Johanson & Malm 2006 share similarities in general aspects of male genitalia, particularly in the features of the inferior appendages (gonocoxites according to Johanson 2002). However, the new species has the ventral process of sternum VI slightly curved and apically smooth, whereas in H. cipoensis it is straight and apically lamellate, with ridges. The new species also can be distinguished by the following features: (1) Segment IX has its anterior dorsal and ventral margins more shallowly excavated (more deeply excavated in H. cipoensis ); (2) tergum X, in lateral view, is broader basally and narrowing apically, with a slightly capitate apex (more nearly parallel-sided and with a truncate apex in H. cipoensis ); (3) tergum X, in dorsal view, has a shallow longitudinal groove and a small apical notch (absent in H. cipoensis ); (4) the apically spinose basomesal branch of each inferior appendage is shorter than in H. cipoensis . Helicopsyche timbira sp. nov. is also similar to Helicopsyche neblinensis Johanson & Holzenthal 2004 , especially in segment X bearing an apical notch, in dorsal view. The new species can be easily distinguished from H. neblinensis by having a shallower notch; and particularly by the inferior appendages having no pointed processes (which are prominent on the inferior appendage apices in H. neblinensis ).

Holotype male. Length of each forewing 6.1 mm. Head with cephalic setal warts oval, with many elongate setae and pair of inter-antennal setal warts narrow and elongate, with many long setae. Maxillary palps each 2-articulated, first and second articles long and with similar length. Labial palp 3-articulated, articles I, II, and III very short and with similar lengths. Wings with venation typical for the genus ( Johanson & Malm 2006). Forewings brownish gray; hind wings brownish gray, each with 26 hamuli. Segment VI with ventromesal process more than half as long as segment; slightly curved posterad in lateral view, tubular along its length, rounded apically.

Male genitalia. Segment IX with dorsal and ventral anterior margins excavated; posterolateral margins each slightly emarginated in lateral view; posteriorly fused with tergum X. Tergum X, in lateral view, directed posteroventrad, slightly broader at one-third its length and slightly curved dorsad apically; in dorsal view with shallow longitudinal groove, with pair of dorsolateral rows of short setae; posterior margin with a shallow U-shaped incision. Primary branch of each inferior appendage rounded and elongate, in dorsal view with inner margin irregular and covered by long setae; in lateral view directed posterodorsad and rounded apically; basomesal branch, in ventral view, short and stout, rounded apically and bearing stout spine-like setae on apical half; in lateral view directed caudad and rounded. Superior appendages clubshaped and covered by long setae. Phallus short and tubular; in lateral view with anteroventral region sclerotized and downturned, posterior region with dorsal membranous lobe with very developed folds when relaxed; phallotremal sclerite (phallic sclerite) located apically.

Male variation. Length of each forewing 5.0– 6.1 mm (n=14).

Holotype male: Brazil: Rio de Janeiro: Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Rio Beija Flor, 22°26’50.9”S, 43°00’19.4”W, el. 1,187 m, 11–15.xi.2011, A.P.M. Santos, B. Camisão, J.L. Nessimian leg. ( DZRJ).

Paratypes: same data as holotype, 10 ♂, 28 ♀ ( DZRJ / MNRJ / INPA)

Additional material examined. Brazil: São Paulo: São Miguel Arcanjo, Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, Ribeirão das Pedras, 24°05’22.0”S, 47°59’38.7”W, el. 741 m, 05.x.2011, L.L. Dumas, G.A. Jardim leg., 3 ♂ ( DZRJ).

Etymology. The name timbira refers to an indigenous people who used to live on Serra dos Órgãos Mountain, the area where the type specimens were collected.