Polyplectropus anakope, Cartwright & Wells, 2025

Cartwright, David I. & Wells, Alice, 2025, Revision of the Polycentropodidae of Australia (Insecta: Trichoptera). Part I. The genus Polyplectropus Ulmer, 1905, Zootaxa 5666 (4), pp. 567-576 : 570-571

Polyplectropus anakope sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 9–14

Holotype male (PT-1821, figured specimen): Australia: Queensland: 16 km W of Ravenshoe , 2 Jan 1975, M.S. Moulds ( NMV WTH-0274 ).

Paratypes: Same data as holotype, except 2 males (CT-767/768), 3 rd ck on Kirrama Range Rd, 3 km from NP sign, -18.1655, 145.8695, 7 May 2011, M. Shackleton and J. Mynott ( NMV TRI-57083 /57090); 10 males, Rykers Ck on Bloomfield Rd , 2 km N of Cape Tribulation, 16.0720°S, 145.4624°E, 29 Oct 2017, D. Cartwright and R. StClair ( NMV TRI-57084 / QM) .

Other material examined: Australia: Queensland: 2 males,trickle on Bloomfield Rd , 4 km N of Cape Tribulation, 16.0614°S, 145.4622°E, 29 Oct 2017, D. Cartwright and R. StClair ( NMV TRI-57085 ) ; 2 males, Thompson Ck, Bloomfield Rd , 2 km S of Cape Tribulation, 16.1020°S, 145.4585°E, 29 Oct 2017, D. Cartwright and R. StClair ( NMV TRI-57086 ) ; 1 female, Zarda Ck nr Mt Misery , W of Mossman, 1200m, 23 Dec 1974, M.S. Moulds ( NMV WTH-0432 ) ; 1 male, U. Freshwater Ck, Whitfield Range, Cairns , 24 Aug 1974, MV light, M.S. Moulds ( NMV WTH-0275 ) ; 3 males, Zillie Falls nr Millaa Millaa , 22 Feb 1982, M.S. and B.J. Moulds ( NMV WTH-0277 /0278) ; 1 male, 1 female, Bellenden Ker Range, Cableway Base Stn , 100m, 25–31 Oct 1981, Earthwatch / Qld Museum ( NMV WTH-0279 /0280) ; 1 male, Rocky Ck, Tully , 1 May 1979, A. Wells ( NMV WTH-0276 ) ; 1 male, Laceys Ck, Mission Beach , 22 Apr 1970, S.R. Curtis ( NMV WTH-0449 ) ; 1 male, Goddard Ck, Kirrama State Forest , 18°06'S, 145°41'E, Apr 1993, G. Theischinger ( NMV WTH-1018 ) ; 2 males, creek at Bridge 7, Kirrama Range Rd , 3 km from NP sign, 18.1957°S, 145.8697°E, 25 Oct 2017, D. Cartwright and R. StClair ( NMV TRI-57087 ) ; 2 males, 1 female (all teneral), Little Crystal Ck, near Paluma {about lat. 19°S}, 29 Aug 1997, D. Cartwright ( NMV) .

Diagnosis. Polyplectropus anakope sp. nov. appears to be most similar to P. bamboosa and P. chapmani Kumanski, 1979 from New Guinea, but it differs in that the inferior appendages in ventral view appear to have an acute projection ventrobasally.

Description. Adult male. Spur formula: 3:4:4. Wings ( Fig. 1 ) similar to P. lochensis sp. nov. ( Fig. 2 ), except fork 1 in hind wings missing. Length of forewing 5.3–6.1 mm. Head, body and wings light brown. Male genitalia. Sternum IX in lateral view with posterior margin smoothly rounded near middle ( Figs 9, 12 ). Tergum X membranous ( Figs 9, 11 ). Intermediate appendage laterally compressed ( Figs 9, 11 ), in lateral view irregularly subrectangular, length approximately 1.8 times maximum width ( Figs 9, 12 ). Inferior appendages robust, apices subacute ( Figs 9–13 ), with curved basoventral process best viewed in lateral view ( Figs 9, 12 ); in ventral view distal and mesal margins curved, tapered and inflexed slightly posteriorly ( Figs 10, 13 ). Phallus tubelike, with the vesica of the aedeagus inflated and two odd-shaped embedded structures apically ( Figs 10–14 ). Female. Unknown.

Etymology. Anakope —Greek word for recoil (name chosen by Arturs Neboiss).

Distribution. Polyplectropus anakope sp. nov. is commonly recorded from about 13 sites through the Wet Tropics area of NE Queensland (latitudinal range 16.1– 19.0°S).

Figures

FIGURES 1–2. Male wings of the Polyplectropus new species described in this study. 1, Polyplectropus anakope sp. nov. (PT- 1821). 2, Polyplectropus lochensis sp. nov. (CT-899). Abbreviations: F1 to F5 = fork 1 to fork 5.

FIGURES 3–14. Male genitalia of Polyplectropus treated in this study. 3–5, Polyplectropus lascusalbinae Kimmins (CT- 848): 3, lateral view; 4, ventral view; 5, dorsal view. 6–8, Polyplectropus berryensis Cartwright & Dostine (PT-1101): 6, lateral view; 7, ventral view; 8, dorsal view. 9–14, Polyplectropus anakope sp. nov. (PT-1821) (drawings): 9, lateral view; 10, ventral view; 11, dorsal view; (photos): 12, lateral view; 13, ventral view; 14, dorsal view. Abbreviations: d. pro. pre. app. = dorsobasal process of preanal appendage; inf. app. = inferior appendage; s. IX = sternum IX; pre. app. = preanal appendage.