Pliocaloca fidesria, Shackleton, Michael, 2010

Shackleton, Michael, 2010, Two new species of Pliocaloca Neboiss (Trichoptera: Calocidae) from eastern Australia, with descriptions of the immature stages of one species, Zootaxa 2476, pp. 30-38 : 31-34

Pliocaloca fidesria , sp. nov.

Figs 1–4 , 9–10

Diagnosis. The similarity between features of Pliocaloca fidesria and P. kleithria suggests that these two species are more closely allied to each other than to any of the previously described species. Of those species that have been described, the number of characteristics shared with P. fidesria is greatest in P. dasodes ( Neboiss 1984) . In both of these species the forewings ( Fig. 9 ) lack a thyridial cell and possess a setose, sclerotised knob on the underside of vein Cu1. Morphology of the genitalia is similar in both species and a slender process rises medially from the base of the inferior appendage ( Fig. 2 ).

The following characters separate Pliocaloca fidesria from P. dasodes : the preanal appendages ( Fig. 1 ) and the slender processes of the inferior appendages ( Fig. 2 ) are much longer, segment X ( Fig. 1 ) is not as tapered and has a much wider apical incision, and the sclerotised knob on vein Cu1 of the forewing ( Fig. 9 ) is located more basally.

The shapes of the genital features distinguish Pliocaloca fidesria from P. kleithria . The slender process arising from the inferior appendage ( Fig. 2 ) is abruptly curved outwards at about 1/3rd the length of the segment in P. f i d e s r i a, while in P. kleithria it is gently curved outwards ( Fig. 6 ). In P. f i d e s r i a, segment X ( Fig. 1 ) bears a pair of strong parallel ridges dorsally and the lateral margins of the posterior 1/3rd are relatively straight and tapered inwards. In P. k l e i t h r i a the dorsal ridges diverge apically ( Fig. 5 ). The apices of the segment are somewhat rounded, with the lateral margins curved outwards.

Description. Male. Length of fore wing 6.8–7.4 mm. Wings brown. Fore wing ( Fig. 9 ): thyridial cell absent; vein A1 joins Cu1b at arculus but basal of where Cu1b separates from Cu1a; base of Cu1 with oval sclerotised knob bearing tuft of dark, long, setae on underside of wing; membrane between veins A1 and Cu1 with long setae. Hind wing ( Fig. 10 ): fork 1 sessile; R2 joining with R1 at wing margin. Genitalia ( Figs 1–3 ): Segment X long and narrow, deeply incised in apical 1/3rd, 2 strong parallel ridges on dorsum extending along most of length of segment; preanal appendages slender, rounded apically, curved medially, extending to approximately half length of segment X; inferior appendages in dorsal view broad, strongly angled inwards at mid-length with apices almost in contact at midline, each with darkly sclerotised ridge extending from base to 1/2 length on dorsal surface, in lateral view broad at mid-length, apices projecting dorsad and terminating in dark point, in ventral view with darkly sclerotised ridge extending almost full length of segment, slender process attached medially at base; slender processes extending almost to apices of inferior appendages, abruptly curved outward at about 1/3rd length, apical 2/3rds gently curved inwards, terminating parallel, tapered to points. Phallus ( Fig. 4 ): with a pair of lobes within distal1/2, laterally compressed, apically rounded, projecting from the dorsolateral margin.

Female and immature stages unknown.

Holotype male: Queensland, Bunya Mountains National Park, 15 Oct 1973, A. Neboiss, (MV TRI– 26408).

Paratypes: 4 males, collected with holotype, (MV TRI–26406, TRI–26407, TRI–26409, TRI–26410 (specimen figured)); 1male, Queensland, Bunya Mountains National Park, 12 Dec year unknown, A. Neboiss (MV TRI–26287).

Etymology. From the Latin fides, meaning “stringed instrument such as a lyre,” pertaining to the shape formed by the pair of slender processes that extend from the inferior appendages.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Male genitalia of Pliocaloca spp., dorsal (Figs 1, 5), ventral (Figs 2, 6), and left lateral views (Figs 3, 7) and phallus in left lateral view (Figs 4, 8). 1 – 4. Pliocaloca fidesria, sp. nov.; 5 – 8. Pliocaloca kleithria, sp. nov.

FIGURES 9 – 12. Male right fore wings (Figs 9, 11) and hind wings (Figs 10, 12) of Pliocaloca spp. 9 – 10. Pliocaloca fidesria, sp. nov.; 11 – 12 Pliocaloca kleithria, sp. nov.