Acritoptila parallela, Wells, Alice & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2014

Wells, Alice & Johanson, Kjell Arne, 2014, Review of the New Caledonian species of Acritoptila Wells, 1982 (Trichoptera, Insecta), with descriptions of 3 new species, ZooKeys 397, pp. 1-23 : 12-13

Acritoptila parallela sp. n. Figs 13, 14, 29, 35

Diagnosis.

This species resembles Acritoptila glossocercus , Acritoptila chiasma , Acritoptila csavar and Acritoptila crinita in having elongate ventro-lateral spiny parameres, but differs in that apico-laterally abdominal segment VIII is produced to form pronounced lateral lobes that extend distally beyond the apices of gonopods, and gonopods and subgenital processes appear in ventral view to form a single broad-base, medially constricted plate. The females have a small elongate anchor-shaped marking ventrally on abdominal segment IX.

Description, male.

Male antennae each with 27-29 flagellomeres, bicoloured, apical 4 segments pale, more proximally 11 dark, rest pale; forewing length 2.0-2.2 mm (n = 6). Female antennae each with 24 flagellomeres; forewing length 2.1-2.2 mm (n = 2). Male genitalia (Figs 13, 14). Abdominal segment VII bearing slender elongate spine midventrally. Abdominal segment IX produced posteriorly, forming parallel-sided lobes, in lateral view segment narrows abruptly towards rounded apices. Gonopods and subgenital processes in ventral view appear to be fused to form a plate, broad at base, constricted medially, bearing a pair of dark knob-like setae at apico-lateral angles. Paired thread-like almost straight parameres extend distally from robust apodemes arising at base of segment IX. Phallic apparatus narrow, dilated towards apex, a sharp, sclerotized spur at right angles apically. Female genitalia (Fig. 29). Abdominal segment IX in ventral view with a pair of lobes laterally and median anchor-shaped gland.

Material examined.

Holotype: male, New Caledonia, Province Nord, Mt Panié, stream at camp, 20.58139°S, 164.76444°E, 1310 m, 9.xii.2003-2.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#074, KAJ, (MNHP); paratypes: 12 males (2 on slides), 12 females (2 on slides), same data as for holotype (NHRS).

Etymology.

parallela, named for the nearly parallel arrangement of several structures in the male genitalia.

Remarks.

Acritoptila parallela is known only from the type locality in the northeast of the island.