Culoptila kimminsi Denning

Fig. 25 A, B

Culoptila kimminsi Denning 1965: 270 .

This species is closely related to Culoptila buenoi and together they comprise a distinctive species pair. They are similar in the general shape of the phallobase and its posterodorsal apex, and in the possession of a curved phallic spine with numerous smaller accessory spines. This curved phallic spine is apparently united basally with a 2nd, elongate spine, which is nearly straight and lacks accessory spines. A distinctive difference between C. kimminsi and C. buenoi is in the shape of the inferior appendages. In both species they are relatively elongate and curved, but they are much narrower in C. kimminsi .

Adult. Length of forewing: male 3.2–3.6 mm; female 3.2 mm. Color light brown; wing with nearly complete, linear whitish bar at wing anastomosis. Mesothorax of male narrow anteromesally; mesoscutal wart elongate, narrowed, rounded anteromesally; mesoscutal setae long. Mesothoracic tegulae of male rounded, greatly enlarged; tegular setae short; tegular gland large, rounded, with several pleated folds.

Male genitalia. Sternum VI process short, subtruncate. Tergum IX ventral margin acutely angled, tapered from anterolateral margin, not produced posteroventrally. Inferior appendages very long, narrow apically, divergent basally, curving mesad apically. Tergum X short, about as long as wide, apex in ventral view broadly rounded to subtruncate; ventrolateral processes with apices incurved, nearly planar in caudal view, mesal margin acute; apices not or scarcely posteriorly bent. Apicodorsal projection arched, moderately elongate, apex subacute. Phallic apparatus with 2 phallic spines, phallic spines united basally, shorter spine much thickened, sinuously twisted around longer spine, with numerous, overlapping accessory spines, longer spine about 2/3 length of phallobase, weakly curved, apically narrowed, acuminate.

Material examined

UNITED STATES: Arizona: Cochise Co., S.W.R.S., 5 mi W Portal, 1646 m, 7.iv.1965 — 1 male (NMNH); same, 23.v.–5.vi.1967 (C.W. Sabrosky,) — 2 males, 3 females (NMNH).

Distribution

UNITED STATES (Arizona).