Mortoniella (Mortoniella) foersteri ( Schmid, 1964 )

Blahnik, Roger J. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2017, Revision of the northern South American species of Mortoniella Ulmer 1906 (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) *, Insecta Mundi 2017 (602), pp. 1-251 : 38

Mortoniella (Mortoniella) foersteri ( Schmid, 1964)

Fig. 22

Mexitrichia foersteri Schmid 1964: 311 .

Mortoniella foersteri (Schmid) : Sykora 1999: 378 [sic M. foesteri , member of bilineata subgroup]; Blahnik and Holzenthal 2008: 70 [member of bilineata group]

Mortoniella foersteri (Schmid) is most readily diagnosed from all other species of the bilineata group, except M. longiterga n. sp., and M. irid escens Flint by the combination of the rounded posterior margin of segment IX and the very angular ventral development of the dorsal phallic spine. It is distinguished from M. longiterga by its larger size and its distinctly shorter tergum X, and from M. iridescens by its absence of iridescent wing bars, longer and less apically truncate tergum X, and longer paramere appendages. The specimen illustrated is from a paratype specimen, with the genitalia preserved in lateral view on a mini balsam slide mount attached to the pin. The apex of the dorsal phallic spine is strongly reflexed, but this is undoubtedly an artifact of the mounting technique, since it was not featured in the illustration accompanying the original description. The dashed outline of the dorsal phallic spine in the illustration provided shows the configuration of the spine as figured in the original illustration.

Adult —Length of forewing: male 6.2 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present, hind wing with forks II, III, and V. Spur formula 0:4:4. Overall color brownish-black (fuscous). Tibial spurs slightly darker than legs, but not greatly contrasting in color. Forewing without white wing bars, but anastomosis distinct because of unpigmented veins.

Male genitalia —Ventral process of segment VI posteriorly projecting, moderately prominent, narrow basally, length about 2-2½ times width at base. Tergum VIII relatively narrow, subtending ventral margin of segment IX, membranous connection to tergum IX (apparently) elongate. Segment IX with anterolateral margin rounded and produced in ventral half, posterolateral margin broadly rounded; segment deeply mesally excised dorsally and ventrally, forming lateral lobes, separated dorsomesally by more than ½ width of segment. Tergum X moderately elongate, basal part distinctly inflated and set off from short sclerotized apical part, laterally with very short rounded ventrolateral lobes, each with 1 or 2 prominent setae; apex of tergum distinctly sclerotized, with ventrolateral margins incurved and converging mesally, mesal notch (apparently) either small or nearly absent; tergum ventromesally with paired, lightly sclerotized ventromesal lobes in basal half, each with short setae. Inferior appendages with short upright dorsolateral lobes, ventromesal lobe either very short or absent. Mesal pockets of inferior appendage with very short curved, spine-like, apicoventral projections. Paramere appendage elongate, narrow, nearly uniform in width, slightly widened preapically, apex acute, extending about same length as dorsal phallic spine; fused basal segments of appendage articulating near base of dorsal phallic spine. Phallobase with rounded, laterally compressed, dorsomesal apodeme. Dorsal phallic spine, as viewed laterally, relatively narrow, with dorsal margin curved basally, very strongly upturned in apical 1/3, slightly deflected before apical inflection, apex of spine rounded; base of spine narrow, curved and stalk-like, abruptly and strongly widened on ventral margin at about basal 1/2, forming very acute, spine-like, ventral projection, narrowing apically from projection. Phallicata with sclerotized basodorsal projection, articulating with spine-like ventral projection of dorsal phallic spine, sclerotization extending dorsally from spine and conforming to ventral margin of dorsal phallic spine; phallicata ventrally with pair of sclerotized and projecting basal lobes, ventral sclerotization not extending much beyond lobes. Endophallic membrane simple in structure, without apparent membranous lateral lobes; small phallotremal sclerite present, but without distinct spines.

Material examined — COLOMBIA: Cundinamarca: Monterredonda, 10.xii.1958, JE Foerster– 1 male Paratype (pinned) (NMNH).

Distribution — Colombia.