Phylloicus chalybeus

Phylloicus chalybeus (Hagen)

Figs. 34, 35

Phylloicus chalybeus (Hagen, 1861:285) [Type locality: Cuba; MCZ; male; in Macronema]. Ross

1952:34 [lectotype male]. — Flint 1967:18 [male]. — Botosaneanu 1980:115 [male, restriction of type locality]; 1994:468 [larva].

The genitalia of P. chalybeus are similar to those of the other Antillean species, P. iridescens, cubanus, pulchrus, and superbus and the Amazonian species P. amazonas; however, the forewings of P. chalybeus are nearly uniform golden brown, lacking the broad colored bands.

Adult. Forewing length 9.1­11.4 mm, n = 45.

Head golden brown. Maxillary palps dark brown, covered with dark brown setae. Antenna twice forewing length; chestnut brown, with narrow patches of pale sensilla on anteromesal surface of each flagellomere. Dorsal pterothorax golden brown; ventrolateral thorax golden brown. Femora golden brown; foretibiae golden brown; mesotibiae golden brown; metatibiae dark brown; tarsi golden brown. Metathoracic leg of male without posterior fringe. Tibial spur formula 2,4,2. Forewing flat; golden brown; without colored markings; basal cells clear. Hind wing basal brush absent.

Male. Preterminalic abdominal terga with anteromesal notch. Corematic structures absent, terga III­V unmodified, without membranous lobes or sclerotized processes. Sternum VII with short, acute anteromesal process. Sternum VIII similar to anterior sterna, sternum IX not elongate. Tergum IX deeply notched anteriorly, margins of notch ridged; posterior margin not distinct from base of tergum X (Fig. 34B); lateral ridge present; dorsal pleural setae approximately 10, ventral pleural setae absent (Fig. 34A); sternum IX with paired mesolateral ridges; sternum IX (Fig. 34C). Preanal appendage shorter than tergum X, but greater than 2/3 length, of uniform diameter throughout length, setae long, but not filamentous or longer than appendage (Fig. 34A, B). Tergum X without basal lobes; basodorsal process long and digitate; basolateral processes absent; apex, in lateral view, truncate, in dorsal view, notched, notch triangular (Fig. 34A, B). Harpago rounded; peglike setae many, mesoventral (Fig. 34A, C). Phallic endotheca with single long apical lobe and paired basolateral lobes, basolateral lobes multilobed; phallotremal sclerites very large, longest dimension twice diameter of phallobase; dorsal sclerite two­armed, in lateral view U­shaped (Fig. 34D, E).

Female. Abdominal terga III­IV much darker laterally. Preterminal abdominal terga with anteromesal notch. Sternum VII with short pointed anteromesal process. Tergum VIII without posterolateral brush; sternum VIII cleft posteromesally to anterior ridge; sternum VIII (Fig. 35C). Tergum IX with mesal ridge extending length of segment (Fig. 35B). Sternum IX anterior and posterior lobes darkly sclerotized and striate, with shallow pockets lateral to vaginal opening (Fig. 35A). Tergum X appendage shorter than mesal lobe, base distinct, apex rounded; mesal lobe lightly sclerotized; digitate lateral processes absent (Fig. 35B). Sternum X with numerous fine short setae on membrane lateral to anal opening (Fig. 35A). Vaginal apparatus anterior and posterior sclerites equal in length; anterior sclerite rounded anteriorly, posterolateral projections acute; posterior sclerite ovoid; posterior end of spermatheca a sclerotized sphere with wide anterior ridge (Fig. 35A).

Material examined. CUBA: 31.12.1864, Tocy? — holotype male, 2 male paralectotypes (MCZ); 1877, Loew — 1 male, 1 female (MCZ); 1898, Tocy? — 1 male paralectotype (MCZ); Aguayo — 1 female (NMNH); Rancho Mundito, S Rangel, 1.vi.1950, de Zayas — 1 male (NMNH); Oriente, Yunque de Baracoa, 305­549 m, 13.vii.1936, Darlington — 2 females (MCZ); Holguin: Aguas Claras, 20°57'40”N, 76°16'12"W, 1.v.1955, Layas — 1 male, 1 female (NMNH); Isla de la Juventud: Santa Fé: Arroyo La Talega, 22.iv.1973, Botosaneanu — 10 males — 8 females (UMSP); Las Tunas: Oriente: Cupeyal, Yateras, vi.1974, Garcia — 1 male (NMNH); Pinar del Río: San Vicente, Viñales, v.1963 — 1 male, 1 female (NMNH); Sancti Spíritus: Buenos Aires, Trinidad Mountains, 762­ 1067 m, 8­14.v.1936, Darlington — 4 males, 6 females (MCZ); 17­23.vi.1939, Parsons — 1 female (MCZ); Santiago de Cuba: Oriente, Hongolosongo, 7.vii.1936, Darlington — 1 male, 1 female (MCZ).

Distribution. Cuba.