Culoptila amberia Mosely

Fig. 12

Culoptila amberia Mosely 1954: 338 .

This species is only known from the holotype male, and its relationship to other described species is not immediately evident. The most diagnostic character is the shape of the inferior appendages, which are relatively elongate and enlarged and rounded apically. Other useful characters for distinguishing this species include the shape of the phallobase, which is relatively parallel sided and has an arched, longitudinally subdivided apex, and the shape and relative lengths of the included spines.

Adult. Length of forewing: male 2.8 mm. Color not evident (microscope preparation). Mesothorax of male not present on slide preparation.

Male genitalia. Sternum VI process short, subtruncate. Tergum IX ventral margin subtruncately rounded, not produced posteroventrally. Inferior appendages long, narrowed basally, rounded apically. Tergum X short, about as long as wide, apex in ventral view broadly rounded (specimen mounted on slide in fixed lateral view); ventrolateral processes with apices incurved, nearly planar in caudal view, mesal margin acute; apices not or scarcely posteriorly bent. Phallobase elongate, dorsal and ventral margins subparallel in lateral view, apicodorsal projection arched, subdivided apically, apicodorsal projection elongate, apex subacute. Phallic apparatus with 2 phallic spines, one elongate, narrow, extending about 3/4 length of phallobase, sinuous, somewhat widened at middle, basally with abrupt sclerotized enlargement, the other spine much shorter, stouter, about 1/2 length of longer spine, without distinct basal enlargement.

Material examined

MEXICO: Liquidamber, 19.iii.1931 (A. Dampf) male holotype (NHM).

Distribution

MEXICO (Chiapas).