3.1.4.5. Dasmeusa mendica Young, 1977

Figs 1F, 6A-H

Length.

♂♂ 9.2-9.6 mm (n = 3). Head (Figs 1F, 6A): in dorsal view, well produced anteriorly; median length of crown approximately 8/10 of interocular width and 5/10 of transocular width; anterior margin rounded; ocelli large, located approximately on imaginary line between anterior eye angles; surface of crown slightly concave; antennal ledge, in dorsal view, not protuberant. Thorax (Figs 1F, 6A) with pronotum, in dorsal view, with width slightly greater than transocular width of head. Forewing with base of fourth apical cell approximately aligned with base of third.

Coloration (Fig. 1F).

Head, pronotum, and mesonotum pale yellow. Forewing translucent with transverse broad orange stripe across bases of apical cells.

Male terminalia.

Pygofer (Fig. 6B), in lateral view, with posterior margin rounded; macrosetae distributed mostly on posterior half but some located more anteriorly. Subgenital plate (Fig. 6C), in ventral view, with basal half broad and distal half very narrow; with elongate uniseriate macrosetae on basal half, microsetae distributed along outer lateral margin. Connective (Fig. 6D), in dorsal view, T-shaped; stalk not carinate dorsally, subequal in length to one arm width. Style (Fig. 6D), in dorsal view, slender, elongate, extending posteriorly beyond apex of connective; narrowed apically, apex obtuse. Aedeagus symmetrical (Fig. 6E, F); shaft short; in lateral view, somewhat sinuous; with pair of ventral, preapical sclerotized dentiform processes; dorsal margin dentate; gonoduct distinct, its apical portion slightly curved dorsally, gonopore located apically. Membrane connecting aedeagus to paraphyses with posterior sclerotized rugose lobe located close to aedeagal processes. Paraphyses slightly asymmetrical; elongate, extending well beyond subgenital plate apex; stalk shorter than rami; in dorsal view (Fig. 6G), stalk slender, rami divergent apically; in lateral view (Fig. 6H), stalk slightly arched dorsally, each ramus with dorsal lobe at midlength and acute apex.

Female unknown.

Material examined.

French Guiana • 1 ♂: "FRENCH GUIANA: Montagne \ des Chevaux \ 4°44'56″N - 52°26'28″W, alt. 75 m \ 18.iii.2012 \ light trap (GEML) \ SEAG col." (DZRJ) • 1 ♂: same data as preceding except “30.viii.2011” and " light trap (PSA)" (DZRJ) • 1 ♂: "FRENCH GUIANA: Réserve \ Naturelle de la Trinité \ Zone Aya: 4°36′3″N - \ 53°24′43″W, alt. 140m \ 01.vi.2012 \ light trap (PSA) \ SEAG col." (DZRJ). Guyana • 1 ♂: "British Guiana: \ Essequibo R., \ Moraballi Creek. \ 14.viii.1929. \ Oxf. [Oxford] Uni. [University] Expedn. [Expedition] \ B. M. 1929-485." (DZUP) .

Taxonomic notes.

According to Young (1977), the body of D. mendica (Fig. 1F) is slenderer and more delicate than that of D. pauperata (Fig. 1H). Dasmeusa mendica can be distinguished from D. pauperata, as well as from the remaining known species of the genus, by the short and somewhat sinuous aedeagus, bearing a pair of ventral, preapical sclerotized dentiform processes (Fig. 6E, F).