Leucotrichia termitiformis Botosaneanu, 1993

Thomson, Robin E. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2015, A revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Leucotrichia Mosely, 1934 (Hydroptilidae, Leucotrichiinae), ZooKeys 499, pp. 1-100 : 40-41

Taxon classification Animalia Trichoptera Hydroptilidae

Leucotrichia termitiformis Botosaneanu, 1993 Fig. 42

termitiformis Botosaneanu, in Botosaneanu and Alkins-Koo 1993: 13 [Type locality: Trinidad, stream below Maracas waterfall; ZMUA; male; larva]. - Botosaneanu and Sakal 1992: 201 [biology].

Diagnosis.

Leucotrichia termitiformis can be recognized by the shape of the inferior appendage, which is somewhat similar to Leucotrichia tubifex . In lateral view, the inferior appendage is large and truncate; in ventral view, it is large, fused, and slightly spatulate. The inferior appendage of Leucotrichia tubifex differs in having a small mesodorsal spine and in being separate and smaller in size. Additionally, sternum VIII lacks peg-like setae in Leucotrichia termitiformis and is more laterally elongate than that of Leucotrichia tubifex .

Description.

Phallus of holotype missing, redescribed from Botosaneanu and Alkins-Koo (1993). Male. Length of forewing 3.9 mm (n=1). Head unmodified, with 3 ocelli; antennae unmodified. Color in alcohol brown. Genitalia. Abdominal sternum VII with digitate mesoventral process. Sternum VIII in ventral view with posterior margin concave. Segment IX anterolateral margin convex, posterolateral margin convex; in dorsal view anterior margin shallowly concave, posterior margin concave. Tergum × with dorsal sclerite continuous with ventral sclerite; ventral sclerite sinuate; membranous apex not well developed. Subgenital plate fused with ventral sclerite of tergum X; with dorsal arm slender, tapering apically; ventral arm slender, with basal projection, apex slightly hooked dorsad, in ventral view oblong. Inferior appendage large, apex truncate, bearing single dorsal spine; in ventral view entirely fused, with basal projection on outer margin, apex emarginated. Phallus with median complex bearing 2 separate basal filaments; apex bearing dark, U-shaped, dorsomesal sclerite and pair of apicolateral sclerites.

Material examined.

Holotype male: TRINIDAD: stream below Maracas waterfall (in alcohol) (UMSP000140326) (ZMUA).

Etymology.

Specific epithet refers to the typical “termitiform” shape of the larval abdominal segments.