Phylloicus auratus Prather 2003, new species

Phylloicus auratus, new species

Figs. 21, 22

Phylloicus "n. sp. 4" Flint, 1996:425

This species is similar in color to P. adamsae, but differs in the length of the preanal appendages and phallic morphology (Fig. 21). The male abdomen is most similar to those of P. brevior and elektoros, however, in P. auratus, tergum III is uniquely modified, with an acute anterolateral projection (Fig. 21F), and there is a single tapered dorsal lobe of the phallic endotheca (Fig. 21D, E).

Adult. Forewing length 10­11.6 mm, n = 6.

Head golden brown, dark anteriorly, setae on warts golden. Maxillary palps dark brown, covered with golden setae. Antenna twice forewing length; dark brown, with narrow patches of pale sensilla on anteromesal surface of each flagellomere. Dorsal pterothorax golden brown, with golden setae; ventrolateral thorax chestnut brown. Legs chestnut brown. Metathoracic leg of male with posterior fringe of long setae, setae light brown. Tibial spur formula 2,4,4. Forewing flat; dark brown; covered with golden setae. Hind wing basal brush present in male.

Male. Preterminalic abdominal terga with anteromesal notch. Corematic structures present. Tergum III with acute, apically setose lateral projection. Tergum IV with expanded lateral flanges, lateral coremata; lateral coremata accordion­pleated expansion of dorsal­pleural membrane. Tergum V without sclerotized modifications (Fig. 21F). Sternum VII with short, acute anteromesal process. Sternum VIII enclosing base of elongate sternum IX; posteromesal process absent (Fig. 21A, C). Tergum IX without mesal ridge; posterior margin smoothly rounded; anterior margin indistinct, thinly sclerotized anteromesally (Fig. 21B); lateral ridge present; dorsal pleural setae approximately 20, ventral pleural setae absent (Fig. 21A). Preanal appendage less than 2/3 length of tergum X, of uniform diameter throughout length, setae long, but not filamentous or longer than appendage (Fig. 21A, B). Tergum X without basal lobes; basodorsal process absent; basolateral processes short, length less than or equal to diameter; apex, in lateral view, rounded, in dorsal view, entire; with shallow dorsal projection at mid­length (Fig. 21A, B). Harpago slightly tapered; peglike setae few, apical (Fig. 21A, C). Phallic endotheca with single long apical lobe and paired basolateral lobes, basolateral lobes large and round; phallotremal sclerites average size, longest dimension less than diameter of phallobase; dorsal sclerite ovoid, in dorsal view horseshoe­shaped (Fig. 21D, E).

Female. Preterminal abdominal terga with anteromesal notch. Sternum VII with short pointed anteromesal process. Tergum VIII without posterolateral brush; sternum VIII with wide posteromesal notch; sternum VIII (Fig. 22C). Tergum IX without mesal ridge; notched anteriorly (Fig. 22B). Sternum IX anterior and posterior lobes darkly sclerotized and striate, with patch of lightly sclerotized cuticle lateral to vaginal opening (Fig. 22A). Tergum X appendage shorter than mesal lobe, base marked by faint suture line, apex oblique; mesal lobe lightly sclerotized; digitate lateral processes length approximately equal diameter (Fig. 22B). Sternum X with patches of short fine setae posterolaterally to anal opening (Fig. 22A). Vaginal apparatus anterior and posterior sclerites equal in length; anterior sclerite rounded anteriorly, posterolateral projections rounded; posterior sclerite triangular; posterior end of spermatheca membranous (Fig. 22A).

Holotype male: PERU: Madre de Dios: Manu Biosphere Res., Pakitza Bio. Sta., Aquajal, 11°56'00”S, 71°18'00"W, 250 m, 12.ix.1988, Pogue (MHNJP).

Paratypes: BRAZIL: Amazonas: Ega, 03°22'00”S, 64°42'00"W — 1 male (BMNH); PERU: Madre de Dios: Manu Biosphere Res., Pakitza Bio. Sta., trail 2, marker 18, 11°56'00”S, 71°18'00"W, 250 m, 12­23.ix.1989, Adams et al. — 1 female (NMNH); Río Tambopata Res., 30 air km SW Pto. Maldonado, 290 m, 6­10.xi.1979, Heppner — 1 female (MHNJP); 21­25.xi.1979, Heppner — 1 female (UMSP); 26­30.xi.1979, Heppner — 1 male (NMNH).

Distribution. Brazil, Peru.

Etymology. Auratus, from the Latin, meaning “golden,” refers to the golden color of the forewings.