Itauara stella Robertson & Holzenthal

Robertson, Desiree R. & Holzenthal, Ralph W., 2011, Revision of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Itauara Mueller, 1888 (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae), ZooKeys 114, pp. 41-100 : 72-73

Itauara stella Robertson & Holzenthal sp. n. Fig. 23 A–C

Description.

This species is associated with Itauara alexanderi sp. n., Itaura emilia sp. n., and Itaura lucinda sp. n., as discussed under each of those species. Each of these species possess an inferior appendage process, a dorsomesal process on tergum X, and rather sinuous parameres. Of these species, Itaura stella is most similar to Itaura alexanderi . Both of these species have similarly shaped elongate dorsomesal processes and broad ventrolateral processes of tergum X. Both also have apically bifid inferior appendage processes. Itauara stella can be distinguished from by the length of the parameres; those of Itaura stella are longer and more strongly directed laterally than those of Itaura alexanderi . Additionally, the inferior appendage process of Itaura alexanderi is broader than that of Itaura stella . Itauara stella can be differentiated from Itaura emilia by the shape of the dorsomesal process and from Itaura lucinda by the shape of the parameres and inferior appendage process.

Adult. Body, wings, and appendages pale or tawny brown in alcohol. Wings with white transverse line along anastomosis. Forewing slightly broader past anastomosis, but with margins nearly parallel, apex rounded. Forewing venation incomplete, with apical forks I, II, and III present; Sc and R1 distinct along their entire lengths; fork I sessile; stem about the same length as fork; fork III petiolate, stem about the same length as fork; Cu1 complete, reaching wing margin; Cu1 and Cu2 intersecting near anastomosis; row of erect setae present along Cu2; A3 absent; crossveins forming a relatively linear transverse cord. Hind wing margins nearly parallel, tapering only slightly past anastomosis; apical forks II and V present; Sc and R1 fused basally; A2 absent. Tibial spurs 1,4,4, foretibial spur extremely reduced and hairlike. Sixth sternal process thumb-like, apex attenuate and pointed, associated with weak oblique apodeme posteriorly.

Male genitalia. Preanal appendages absent. Segment IX ventrally narrow, broad medially; anterior margin rounded; posterolateral margin lightly sclerotized; sternum IX without modification. Tergum X incompletely fused to tergum IX with membrane or lightly sclerotized region ventrolaterally; dorsomesal margin with single, downturned, elongate process; dorsolateral margin irregular and setose; ventrolateral margin with paired, broad flange-like setose process consisting of small upper lobe and larger subtriangular lower lobe. Inferior appendages present as apically bifid, setose process produced mesally, broadest at base and fused to phallobase ventrobasally, with 2 pairs of small digitate lobes ventrolaterally, each bearing a seta. Parameres present, paired, inserted in membranous lobe, arising laterally from endotheca, sclerotized and rod-like, long, sinuous, directed outward and posteriorly, apex pointed. Phallobas e reduced, lightly sclerotized. Phallicata forming a long sclerotized dorsal sheath extending from phallobase, broadest basally, narrowed slightly, distal portion curving dorsally. Endophallus membranous, enlarged and convoluted when invaginated, with 1 tubular upper lobe and 1 smaller lower lobe.

Material examined.

Holotype male: BRAZIL: Sao Paulo: Estação Biológica Boraceia: Rio Venerando & tribs, 23°39'11"S, 045°53'25"W, 850 m, 18-21.ix.2002 (Blahnik, Prather, Melo, Froehlich, Silva) (UMSP000052589) (MZUSP)

Paratypes: BRAZIL: Sao Paulo: same data as holotype - 9 males, 9 females (UMSP).

Etymology.

We are delighted to name this species for the senior author’s daughter, Stella Claire Thompson.