Acritoptila glossocercus Kelley

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 : 11-12

Acritoptila glossocercus Kelley Figs 11, 12

Acritoptila glossocercus Kelley (1989: 193, figs 7, 17, 18).

Diagnosis.

This species is distinctive in the genus in having a single mid-ventral very darkly sclerotized tongue-like process, interpreted as the fused gonopods. It groups with Acritoptila crinita , Acritoptila chiasma and Acritoptila csavar in having filamentous parameres, but particularly with Acritoptila crinita in having paired setose processes laterally on tergite X (Figs 11, 12).

Revised description.

Male antennae each with 29-32 flagellomeres, with large sensilla placodea on surfaces; forewing length, 1.9-2.3 mm (n = 7). Male genitalia (Figs 11, 12). Abdominal segment VII bearing a slender elongate process mid-ventrally. Abdominal segment VIII much shorter than IX, which is excavated mid-ventrally, accommodating darkly sclerotized, rugose tongue-like process interpreted as fused gonopods. Abdominal segment X broad based, concave apically, with two small spines medially, and laterally an elongate apically setose process. Subgenital processes, in ventral view, in form of small conical lobes, each bearing a robust seta meso-ventrally; dorsally a pair of membranous setose lobes. Paired thread-like straight parameres extend distally from robust apodemes arising from base of segment IX. Phallic apparatus stout, constricted sub-apically, a strap-like band at apex. Female unknown.

Remarks.

Upon examination, the holotype male was found to be identical in all respects with a group of specimens collected from the sites listed below, save in the form of the mid-ventral structure illustrated and described by Kelley (1989: 193) as "tongue-shaped in caudal view", yet shown as a small rounded structure in his figure of ventral view (Fig. 17, Fig. 11). In fact, in the type this structure has been broken off (from Kelley’s fig. 7, it appears it may have been intact when he drew his lateral view). The few known specimens of Acritoptila glossocercus were all collected in northern New Caledonia (Fig. 35).

Material examined.

Holotype male: New Caledonia, mountain stream up Boulari River, (BPBM); 1 male, Province Sud, Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, Rivière des Pirogues, 22°11.225'S, 166°43.338'E, 100 m, 7.xi.2003, light trap, loc#016, KAJ (NHRS); 9 males (3 on slides), Province Nord, 50 m upstream bridge on Hienghène-Tnèdo road, 3.9 km S summit of Mt Tnèda, 2.2 km E Tnèdo, 20°43.085'S, 164°49.928'E, 29 m, 7.xii.2003, light trap, loc#071, KAJ (NHRS); 3 males, New Caledonia, Province Nord, Ponandou Tiôgé River at Kögi, 3.9 km SSW Touho, 20°49.043'S, 165°13.551'E, 25 m, 26.xii.2003, light trap, loc#100, KAJ (NHRS); 1 male (on slide), Province Nord, Bouérabate Stream, S Mont Ninndo, along road Barabache-Boulagoma, 20°17.409'S, 164°11.242'E, 60 m, 19.xii.2003-7.i.2004, Malaise trap, loc#089, KAJ (NHRS).