Paroxyethira serrata, Wells & Johanson, 2012

Wells, A. & Johanson, K. A., 2012, Review of the New Caledonian species of Paroxyethira Mosely, 1924 (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae), Zootaxa 3478, pp. 330-344 : 339-340

Paroxyethira serrata , new species

Figs 23–26, 40, 41

The male of P. serrata is unique among New Caledonian congeners in having a row of short sclerotised teeth on the mesal margin of each gonopod. In other respects it resembles most closely those of P. dzumac and P. atypica , both of which also have the phallic sheath elongate. The female has abdominal sternites VII and VIII more clearly delineated than do other known females and abdominal segment VIII is strongly produced latero-distally on the right.

Male antennae each with 21 flagellomeres; female antennae each with 18-20 flagellomeres.

Forewing length. Male 2.1–2.5 mm (n=10); female 2.1–2.5 mm (n=10).

Male genitalia ( Figs 23–26). Abdominal sternite VII bearing short, sharp spur medially. Median process on sternite VIII spatulate in ventral view; length about 5x width at middle. Abdominal sternite and tergite IX fused, in lateral view obliquely truncate apically, in dorsal view deeply concave. Gonopods asymmetric, right longer than left; mesal margin of each lined with short sclerotised serrations along length; left with 3 setae at apex. Phallic apparatus slender, elongate, as in Fig. 5; constricted at about 1/5 length at which constriction arises short, threadlike titillator. Phallic sheath ( Fig. 24) elongate, forming thin sheath with 3 broad angles posteriorly; more proximal on left darkly sclerotised apically; right and apical angles each with small subapical seta.

Female terminalia ( Figs 40, 41). Abdominal sternites VII and VIII scarcely fused ventrally; VIII strongly produced latero-distally to form distal bract; surfaces of segments VII and VIII ventrally bearing setae with prominent bases. Segment X not divided apically.

Holotype male: Province Nord, Mt. Panié , stream at camp, 20.58167°S, 164.76472°E, 1311 m, 9.xii.2003, Malaise trap, loc#073, leg. K.A. Johanson ( SMNH).

Paratypes: Same data as for holotype— 3 males, 7 females (one female on slide) ( SMNH); 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, leg. K.A. Johanson — 9 males, 4 females (1 male on slide) ( NMHP) .

Etymology: Serrata, from Latin serra, meaning saw, for the saw-like teeth on the gonopods.