Tagalopsyche fletcheri Kimmins

Holzenthal, Ralph W. & Andersen, Trond, 2007, Review of the caddisfly genus Tagalopsyche with the description of new species and a related new genus (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Mystacidini), Zootaxa 1483, pp. 1-32 : 11-14

Tagalopsyche fletcheri Kimmins

Figs. 7–8

Tagalopsyche fletcheri Kimmins, 1963b: 280 , figs. 55–60 [Type: India, Palnis, 7000 ft., Kodaikanal, viii.1921 (T.B. Fletcher), male, NHM].

This Indian species is recognized by the strongly projecting dorsolateral corners of the phallic apparatus, the large, heavily rugose dorsal process of sternum IX, and the shape of the inferior appendage and its many seta bearing lobes and ridges. However, in the later character there is some variation in the number of lobes and their size. Also, the degree to which the inferior appendage is curved mesad is variable among individuals and affects the shape of the appendage when viewed laterally. Because of this variation, Tagalopsyche fletcheri might be confused with the other Indian species, T. apratita , new species, and T. udagama , new species, based solely on the inferior appendages. However, T. apratita has a distinct basoventral lobe on the inferior appendage and the dorsal sclerotized region of sternum IX is differently shaped ( Fig. 10 A) while T. udagama has little development of the basoventral region of the inferior appendage and the dorsal region of sternum IX has a different shape ( Fig. 16 A). Of the 3 species, T. fletcheri is the largest in size.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 7.5–8.5 mm (n=5), female 8.1–9.0 mm (n=4). Color brown, covered with scattered cream hairs, with larger patch of cream hairs at arculus; female coloration as in male.

Male. Abdominal segment IX annular, setose, especially ventrally; in lateral view anterior and posterior margins parallel, shortest at insertion of preanal appendage; tergum IX short, produced posteriorly as small shelf; posterior extension of sternum IX short, 1/2 length of sternum, in ventral view base narrow, apex entire, overall shape deltoid, apical margin with shallow infolding, apicolateral corners slightly rugose, setose, in lateral view rounded; posterior process of segment IX extended dorsally to form heavily sclerotized projection, surface entirely rugose, in caudal view projection triangular, lateral margins slightly concave, in lateral view oval, in ventral view subtriangular, entire. Preanal appendage oblong, heavily setose, about as long as segment X, apex acute. Inferior appendage spatulate, setose, apex strongly curved mesad, in lateral view ovate, dorsal and ventral edges slightly convex, apex with V-shaped notch, mesolateral surface with small irregular setose processes, basoventrally with row of short processes bearing apical setae, mesobasally with broad, flat, crenulated process bearing apical setae. Tergum X saddle-shaped, broad, about 1/2 width of segment IX, in lateral view triangular, apex acute, dorsolaterally with pair of short, digitate protuberances, in dorsal view apex rounded. Phallic apparatus short, compact; phallobase tubular, apparently fused with phallicata, basoventrally with short sclerotized flange that apparently articulates with base of fused inferior appendages; phallicata strongly down turned apically at nearly 90 degrees to phallobase, apex of phallicata with rounded lateral sclerotized flanges and mesal membranous region, dorsolateral corners digitate, strongly projecting; parameres absent; phallotremal sclerite not discernable.

Female. Segment IX short, in lateral view posterior margin rounded, anteroventral margin indistinct, semimembranous, setose. Tergum X long, about 1/3 longer than preanal appendages, in lateral view narrowly triangular, apex acute, in dorsal view acutely triangular apically; basolaterally with pair of short papillate processes. Preanal appendage short, digitate, setose (broken on both sides of female paratype illustrated). Lamella very large, very narrowly constricted basally, in lateral view strongly directed ventrad, dorsal and ventral margins broadly rounded, apex rounded, outer and inner surfaces setose; in ventral view lamella slightly curved outward from base, mesal surface concave. Gonopod plate basolateral edges produced in flanges, apex with small excavation, surface with fine striation. Spermathecal sclerite complex, in ventral view rectangular, apex broad, laterally with semimembranous flanges, medially with keyhole-shaped sclerite.

Material examined: INDIA: Kodaikanal [S. India], 7000 ft., Brit. Mus. 1936–512, 24.iii.1936 — male paratype (CNC), same, 23.iii.1936 — male paratype (NHM), 26.iii.1939 — female paratype (NHM); Madras: Avalanche, 28–30.xii.1958, F. Schmid — 35 males, 12 females (CNC); Meppadi, 9.i.1959, F. Schmid — 1 male (CNC); Kodaikanal, 6.xii.1961, F. Schmid — 1 male (CNC); Ottakada, 5.i.1962, F. Schmid — 1 male (CNC); Katagari, 16.i.1959, F. Schmid — 1 female (CNC).

Distribution. India.

Figures

FIGURE 7. Tagalopsyche fletcheri Kimmins. Male genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral; B— same, dorsal; C—abdominal segment IX, ventral; D—inferior appendages and process of sternum IX, caudal; E—phallic apparatus, lateral; F—same, caudal.

FIGURE 8. Tagalopsyche fletcheri Kimmins. Female genitalia: Ai— abdominal segments IX & X, lateral (female paratype); Aii—preanal appendage (specimen from Madras, India); B— abdominal segments IX & X (female paratype), dorsal; C—same, ventral (inset: spermathecal sclerite complex).

FIGURE 10. Tagalopsyche apratita, new species. Male genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral (inset: process of sternum IX); B— same, dorsal; C—abdominal segment IX, ventral; D—inferior appendages and process of sternum IX, caudal; E—phallic apparatus, lateral; F—same, caudal.

FIGURE 16. Tagalopsyche udagama, new species. Male genitalia: A—abdominal segments IX & X, lateral; B— same, dorsal; C—abdominal segment IX, ventral; D—inferior appendages and process of sternum IX, caudal; E—phallic apparatus, lateral; F—same, caudal.