Neotrichia rancheria, Armitage & Harris & Rodriguez, 2025

Armitage, Brian J., Harris, Steven C. & Rodriguez, Viterbo, 2025, The Trichoptera of Panama XXVIII. Nine new species of microcaddisflies (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae), Neotropical Biology and Conservation 20 (2), pp. 125-147 : 125-147

Neotrichia rancheria sp. nov.

Fig. 6

Type locality.

Panama: Veraguas Province, Soná District, Canales de Afuera Island off the Soná Peninsula nr. Pixvae; 7.69494°N, 81.62649°W; 29 m a. s. l.

Type specimen.

Holotype • ♂, in alcohol. Original label: “ Panama: Veraguas Province, Soná District, Canales de Afuera Island off the Soná Peninsula nr. Pixvae ; 7.69494°N, 81.62649°W; 29 m a. s. l.; 6–22 Mar 2023; leg V. Rodriguez; Malaise trap ”; MUPADI . Paratypes • 9 ♂♂, in alcohol; same as holotype; MUPADI • 1 ♂; ibid., Isla Rancheria ; 7.6396°N, 81.70475°W; 24 m a. s. l.; 6–21 Mar 2023; MUPADI (7 ♂♂), CMNH (2 ♂♂) .

Diagnosis.

The Neotrichia canixa group consists of a cluster of Neotropical species with an elongate dorsal process from segment IX, including N. filifera Flint and N. napoensis Harris & Davenport , but the new species is closest to N. starki Harris & Armitage from Bocas del Toro Province in Panama. Neotrichia rancheria sp. nov. is separated from N. starki by the shorter rods from segment XI, the setose subgenital plate and the closely appressed inferior appendages.

Description.

Male. Total length 1.2–1.4 mm (n = 10), 18 antennal segments, wings and body brown in alcohol. Genitalia (Fig. 6 ). Abdominal segment VIII annular. Segment IX tapering anteriorly, posteriorly incised mesally, round dorsally giving rise to elongate sclerotised rod; in ventral view, incised anteriorly and posteriorly; in dorsal view, narrowing posteriorly with pair of elongate, sclerotised rods. Tergum X tapering to truncate apex; in lateral view, visible as a basal lobe beneath rods of segment IX. Subgenital plate in lateral view wide basally, tapering distally to acute apex with stout seta, setose on dorsal margin; in ventral view, rectangular, divided apically into pair of lobes bearing stout setae and setose on outer margins. Bracteole in lateral view thin over length; in dorsal and ventral views, thin, tapering distally. Inferior appendage in lateral view ovate, slightly widening distally, setose patch on dorsal surface near mid-line; in ventral view, rectangular, apically narrowing mesally and triangular, closely appressed along mid-line. Phallus in dorsal view tubular, widening basally and apically, constricted at mid-length and bearing thin paramere encircling ejaculatory duct, sclerotised.

Female and immature stages.

Unknown.

Etymology.

Named for the Pacific island, Isla Ranchera, off the southern coast of Panama where the type specimens were collected. This island is part of Coiba National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Marine Park. Isla Rancheria, also known as Isla Coibita, is located off the NE coast of Coiba Island. The name is a noun in the genitive case.

Figures

Figure 6. Neotrichia rancheria sp. nov., male holotype, genitalia A left lateral B dorsal C ventral D phallus, dorsal.