Oecetis alicae, Johanson & Mary & Sjöberg & Malm, 2020

Johanson, Kjell Arne, Mary, Nathalie Jeanne, Sjöberg, Tin & Malm, Tobias, 2020, Eighteen new species of Oecetis McLachlan 1877 (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 4809 (2), pp. 201-240 : 213-215

Oecetis alicae sp. nov.

Figs 36–40

Diagnosis. The species is distinguished from many of the Australasian Oecetis species by the absence of modified tergites on segment VIII and forward. It resembles other Oecetis species by having simple coxopodites curving slightly dorsad in lateral view and tergum X divided into a simple dorsal posterior spine and a bilobed main branch. It particularly resembles Oecetis oxybelis sp. nov. in the coxopodites being narrow and each with a dorsal hump at mid-length in lateral view. Oecetis alicae sp. nov. is easily distinguished from O. oxybelis sp. nov. in the much shorter posterior spine and shorter superior appendages.

Description, male. Length of each forewing 5.7–6.0 mm (N = 2). Genitalia ( Figs 36–40 ) clearly longer than tall in lateral view. Segment IX oriented almost vertically, ventral part slightly longer than dorsal part in lateral view; on each side anterior margin convex from dorsum to venter; posterior margin slightly expanded posteriorly by small upper posterolateral projection and nearly indistinguishable lower posterolateral process of segment IX, the latter situated immediately above coxopodite; longitudinal apodeme slender, running between anterior and posterior margins of segment IX at mid-height of coxopodite base; acrotergite of segment IX divided into pair of punctate warts, each slightly wider than posterior spine in dorsal view; dorsal semimembranous processes of segment IX paired, very short, closely situated; membranous areas absent. Main branch of tergum X forming two lobes reaching slightly further posteriorly than posterior spine, about twice as long as superior appendages, semimembranous, curving slightly ventrad, each with one or two apical setae on rounded apex in lateral view; in dorsal view each lobe slightly tapering towards narrowly rounded apex, directed posterad. Posterior spine of tergum X originating at base of main branch, slender, finger-like, as wide as main branch in lateral view, straight. Superior appendages short, tall in lateral view, egg-shaped in dorsal view. Each coxopodite in lateral view curving slightly dorsad along its length, basal half parallel-sided, slightly taller than posterior half, small triangular hump present on dorsal margin at midlength; in ventral view without mesal plate at base or at mid-length; basally broad and tapering along its length, curving mesad towards apex, without large setae. Phallus almost as long as rest of genitalia, drop-shaped, anterior part tall and rounded, in ventral view anterior part wide, narrowing posteriorly; long, slender inner spine starting from upper right part of anterior apex, running along anterior margin and posteriorly along ventral and left margin before escaping posterior apex.

Male holotype: New Caledonia, Province Sud, stream crossing way to Sanatorium 2.3 km E St. Laurent, ca. 30 m downstream bridge, 22°04.484’S, 166°19.900’E, 15.xi.2003, light trap, loc#028, leg. K.A. Johanson, DNA voucher IZ9 .

Paratype: 1 male: New Caledonia, Province Sud, stream crossing way to Sanatorium 2.3 km E St. Laurent, ca. 150 m upstream bridge, 22°04.484’S, 166°19.910’E, 15–30.xi.2003, Malaise trap, loc#027, leg. K.A. Johanson, DNA voucher JA7 .

Etymology. The species is named alicae for Dr. Alice Wells, in honor of her great contributions to Oecetis taxonomy.

Figures

FIGURES 36–40. Genitalia of Oecetis alicae sp. nov., male holotype. 36, left lateral; 37, dorsal; 38, ventral; 39, phallus, left lateral; 40, phallus, ventral.