Corresponding author: Kjell Arne Johanson (
Academic editor: R. Holzenthal
The New Caledonian endemic hydroptilid genus
The
Sorting of
The peculiarly diverse case forms seen in
Recent authors such as
The distribution of
In support of future studies on New Caledonian
Adult specimens were collected in light traps and Malaise traps situated near running waters, swept from riparian vegetation or from emergent boulders and cobbles in streams, or ‘dabbed’ using an alcohol-dipped finger tip. Specimens were prepared for study as Canada balsam slide mounts following the methods of
Head wider than long, in dorsal view variably rounded to subrectangular; 3 ocelli present; antennae with 22–37 flagellomeres in male, 20–24 flagellomeres in female; tentorium complete, posterior bridge well developed, dorsal arms vestigial; maxillary palps with 2 basal and fourth segments short, other segments elongate; clypeus bearing a dense brush of setae. Forewing length 1.0–3.5 mm, broad to narrowly acuminate, with or without patches of specialised scent scales (androconial scales); jugal lobe present; hind wing with or without scales; venation of both wings modified to a greater or lesser extent, width of wings variable, generally slender with apices acuminate. On thorax, mesoscutellum with transverse suture; metascutellum triangular. Tibial spur formula 0,3,4. Female terminalia forming slender, elongate oviscapt. Male genitalia with abdominal segment IX well developed, broadly to narrowly shield-shaped, or triangular in ventral view and triangular in lateral view. Tergite X membranous, short, longer than wide. Gonopods bilobed, dorsal lobe irregularly elongate, subquadrate to rectangular or rounded, usually longer than ventral lobe, usually bearing a digitiform mesal process, ventral lobe triangular to bean-shaped, or narrowly leaf-shaped; in axil between dorsal and ventral lobe usually a small, rounded, setate process and basally on ventral lobe, a strong elongate seta. Subgenital processes (or plate) in form of pair of sclerotised rods which, in lateral aspect, strongly sinuate. Phallic apparatus elongate, with or without associated parameres.
Male
Male
Diagnoses are given for larvae by
In many respects males of
Head rounded in dorsal view, as in
Antennae with 33 flagellomeres. Forewing length, 2.0–3.2 mm (n=10).
Holotype male: New Caledonia: River near Col d’Amieu (BPBM), examined. 1 pharate male pupa, upper Hienghène R. at Kavatch, 6.ix.1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); 1 pharate male pupa, tributary Hienghène R. at Castex Station 5 km below Kavatch, 6.viii.1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); 1 male, creek at end of Col de Petchékara, 19.xii.1983, A. Wells (ANIC); 3 males, larvae and pupae, Bopope, 18.xii.1983, A. Wells, ANIC; 1 larva, Ck between Négropa and Koh on La Foa-Canal Road, 19.xii.1983,A. Wells (ANIC); 2 males, Forêt Thy Reserve, 150 m, 21.v.1984, G. Monteith, D. Cook, QM; 2 males, 1 female, stream beside Farino road, 20.xii.1998, A. Wells, ANIC; 2 males, approx 15 km SW of Houailou on Houailou-Bourail road, small fall, 26.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 3 males, ~10 km NW Hienghène, small stream, 25.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 4 males, 2 females Rivière du Cap, Pont du Cap, ~8 km NW Naindai on Bourail-Poya road, 22.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 11 males, 12 females, stream approx. 20 km SW Thio on Boulouparis-Thio road, 28.xii. 1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 2 males, UFP-LERVEM, Tay 2, 18.x.1999, N. Mary (ANIC); 24 males, 17 females, Province Sud, Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, Rivière des Pirogues,
Males very closely resemble
Head rounded in dorsal view, as in
Antennae, male with 23–24 flagellomeres, female with 22 flagellomeres; in male, proximal flagellomeres elongate cylindrical, length not more than 2× width, more distal flagellomeres subquadrate. Male maxillary palps (
Genitalia (
Female terminalia (
Holotype male: New Caledonia: approx 10 km SW of Houailou on Houailou-Bourail road, small fall, 26.xii.1998, A. Wells (MNHP).
Paratypes: 10 males, same data as for holotype (ANIC); 4 males, approx 10 km NW Hienghène, small stream, 25.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 3 males, approx 15 km SW Thio on Boulouparis-Thio road, 28.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 1 male, 1 female (on slides), Province Sud, Mt. Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, near crosspoint to mountain track,
Other material examined: 1 male, Chute approx 15 km N Col d’Amieu on Boulouparis-Thio road, 27.xi.1998, A. Wells, ANIC; 1 male, Province Sud, stony stream draining Lac Yaté, 200 m, loc 5,
Steep waterfall at Col d’Amieu, Southern Province, New Caledonia, 2.iv.2012, where adults of
This species appears to be widespread and often abundant but, like most of the
Males very closely resembling
Head. Rounded in dorsal view, as in
Wings. Forewing length, 1.8–2.0 mm (n=5); forewing without scales.
Genitalia (
Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Sud, Sarraméa, 220 m, forest stream, loc 10
Paratypes: New Caledonia: 1 male, collected with holotype; 3 males, Province Sud, W slope Mt. Ningua, Kwé Néco, Stream, at Camp Jacob, 3.7 km WNW summit of Mt. Ningua, on Boulouparis—Thio Road, about 50 m upstream road,
In reference to the bilobed apices of the sclerotised rods in the male genitalia.
Males are recognised by the presence of a tiny jet black spot on the forewing between veins R and M, formed by a cluster of androconial scales; but it is particularly distinguished from all other species by maxillary palps with dense brush of elongate setae on the first segment and bristle-like setae on other segments which give the palps a bottlebrush-like appearance (
Head rounded in dorsal view, as in
Genitalia (
Holotype, male: New Caledonia: Province Sud, Mt. Dzumac, source stream of Ouinne River, near crosspoint to mountain track,
New Caledonia. 3 males, collected with holotype, (NHRS); 1 male (dissected) Province Sud, Monts Kwa Ne Mwa, on road between Noumea and Yaté, 1.5 km E Pic Mouirange,
In reference to the river at the type locality.
Males of
Male head rounded as in
Antennae with 24–28 flagellomeres (n=5); flagellomeres elongate cylindrical. Maxillary palps with basal 2 segments short and rounded, rest cylindrical: segment 3 about 3× maximum width, segment 4 length about 2× width, and 5 elongate slender, length almost 6× width. Forewing (
Holotype, male: New Caledonia: River near Col d’Amieu (BPBM) (examined).
New Caledonia: 1 male, Nékliai River, 5 km above Mission Station [near Poya], 10.viii.1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); 1 pharate male pupa, larvae, Nerihouen River, St Ives, Reg. Ponérihouen, 27.viii. 1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); 30 males, 7 females, Ouenghi River nr Boulouparis, 14.xii.1983, A. Wells (ANIC); 13 males, 8 females, same locality, 19.xii.1983, A. Wells (ANIC); 34 males, 7 females, Bopope, 18.xii.1983, A. Wells (ANIC); 28 males, ~10 km NW Hienghène, small stream, 25.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 2 males (on slides), Prov. Sud, Sarraméa, 220 m, forest stream, loc 10
The mature larva illustrated by
Males lack scales on wings but otherwise in features of male genitalia resemble closely those of
Head (
Forewing (
Genitalia (
Holotype male (on slide): New Caledonia: Parc de Rivière Bleu, approx 1 km W Kaori Giant, 19.xii.1998, A. Wells (MNHP).
Paratypes: New Caledonia. 2 males (1 on slide), collected with holotype (ANIC); 6 males, Parc de Rivière Bleu, Rivière Bleue, approx 1 km W Kaori Giant, 19.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); 4 males, Rivière du Cap, approx 8 km NW Naindai, Bourail to Poya road, 22.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC).
New Caledonia 1 pharate male pupa (damaged), 3 cases, Rivière Bleue, bridge forest road, 21.vii.1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM).
In reference to the vexatious problem of distinguishing this species from others primarily on the basis of internal features.
Males of this small jet black species were collected in bright sunlight as they ran about on an emergent rock in the stream. The three cases collected with the single pharate male pupa from Rivière Bleue, resemble closely those described by Wells (1985: 11) for
Males of this species are readily recognised by the band of elongate-ovoid black scales that stretches almost the length of the forewing; in features of genitalia they closely resemble
Head rounded (
Wings. Forewing (
Genitalia (
Holotype male: New Caledonia: Rivière du Cap, Pont du Cap, ~8 km NW Naindai on Bourail-Poya road, 22.xii.1998, A. Wells (MNHP).
Paratypes: 5 males, same data as for holotype (one on slide) (ANIC).
Named for the type locality, Rivière du Cap.
The specimens of this species were collected as they ran about in sunlight on the surfaces of emergent rocks in the stream.
Like
Male head rounded as in
Several features noted on examination of the type specimen of
Holotype male: New Caledonia: mountain stream up Boulari River (BPBM) [entire animal macerated and stored in vial].
1 male, Ouenghi River nr Boulouparis, 14.xii.1983, A. Wells (ANIC); 37 males, 1 female, Parc de la Rivière Bleue, approx 1 km W Kaori Giant, 19.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC).
As noted by
Head subquadrate; antennae (
Forewing (
Genitalia (
Case of mature larva (
Holotype male: New Caledonia: mountain stream up Boulari River (BPBM).
New Caledonia: 1 cased larva, Ouarou River, source of Tchamba R., N of Ponerinouen, 25.viii.1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); prepupae, pupae, middle Tchamba R., below Tchamba, 26.viii.1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); 8 males, Nerihouen River, St Ives, Reg. Ponérihouen, 27.viii. 1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); larvae, pupae, St Ives Reg. Ponérihouen, 27.viii. 1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); larvae, pupae, 1 female, 3 km from mouth of Mou River, Reg. Ponérihouen, 28.viii. 1965, F. Starmühlner (ROM); 1 prepupa, river Col d’Boa, [no date], F. Starmühlner (ROM); 1 male, Yaté turnoff, 24.viii.1973, A.G. McFarlane & R.A. Savill; 1 male, 1 female, 4 km SW Col de Mouirange, 20 m, 10.viii.1979, G.M. Nishida (BPBM); larvae, pupae, Boghen, Oct. 1996, N. Mary (ANIC); 45 males, Rivière du Cap, Pont du Cap, approx 8 km NW Naindai on Bourail-Poya road, 22.xii.1998, A. Wells; 3 males, stream, approx 15 km SW Thio on Boulouparis-Thio road, 28.xii.1998, A. Wells (ANIC); pupae, River Ni, 25 July 2000, N. Mary (ANIC); 1 male, Province Nord, Ponandou Tiôgé River at Kögi, 3.9 km SSW Touho,
Males of this species are recognised in mixed collections by the clearly visible genitalia (
Additional information, male. Head, rounded as in
New Caledonia: Holotype male, Province Sud, W slope Mt. Ningua, Kwé Néco, Stream, at Camp Jacob, 3.7 km WNW summit of Mt. Ningua, on Boulouparis–Thio Road, about 50 m upstream road,
New Caledonia, Provence Sud, W. slope of Mt Ningua, Kwe Néco Stream, at Camp Jacob, 3.7 km WNW summit of Mt. Ningua, on Boulouparis-Thio Road,
Closely resembling
Head rounded, as in
Wings. Forewing length, 2.2–2.8 mm (n=5).
Male genitalia (
Female terminalia (
Holotype male: New Caledonia: Province Sud, stream crossing way to sanatorium 2.3 km E St Laurent, ca. 150 m upstream bridge,
1 | Forewing bearing at least one area of scales (scent scales or androconia) ( |
2 |
– | Forewing without scales ( |
5 |
2 | Scale patches on forewing large ( |
3 |
– | Scale patches on forewing small ( |
4 |
3 | Scales on forewing in long band extending in a band for about two-thirds the length of wing, and small patch anteriorly of jugal region ( |
|
– | Scale patches on only proximal one-third of forewing ( |
|
4 | Patch of scales on forewing tiny, appearing as small, jet black spot ( |
|
– | Patch of scales on forewing more diffuse, not forming a small jet black spot ( |
|
5 | Abdominal segment IX in ventral view anteriorly triangular ( |
6 |
– | Abdominal segment IX shield-shaped, or anteriorly subquadrate (e.g. |
8 |
6 | Abdominal sternite VII without digitate process on proximal margin; ventral lobe of gonopods well developed, club-shaped, bearing row of short, stout, dark setae ( |
|
– | Abdominal sternite VII bearing digitate process on proximal margin ( |
7 |
7 | In ventral and lateral view abdominal segment IX greatly extended anteriorly in a slender, elongate process ( |
|
– | In ventral view abdominal segment IX slightly extended anteriorly, coarsely triangular ( |
|
8 | Antennae with 33–38 flagellomeres; ventral lobes of gonopods rounded, only slightly longer than wide ( |
|
– | Antennae with 22–25 flagellomeres; ventral lobes of gonopods rounded ( |
9 |
9 | Ventral lobe of gonopods triangular, setae on posterior margin stout ( |
|
– | Ventral lobe of gonopods rounded apically, setae on posterior margin fine, short ( |
10 |
10 | Ventral lobe of gonopods about half length of dorsal lobe ( |
|
– | Ventral lobe of gonopods about same length as dorsal lobe; dorsal broadly rounded ( |
Valuable information on New Caledonian freshwater localities and help in the fieldwork conducted by two of us (KAJ and N M-S) and colleagues was contributed by Dr. Christina Pöllabauer (Etudes et Recherches Biologiques, New Caledonia). We are grateful to the authorities at Direction des Ressources Naturelles (Nouméa, New Caledonia) and the authorities at the Environment Division, Department of Economic Development and Environment, Province Nord (Koné, New Caledonia) for supporting the project with collecting and export permits. Dr. Christian Mille (Institut Agronomique néo-Calédonien, Station de Recherches Fruitières de Pocquereux, Laboratoire d’entomologie, La Foa, New Caledonia) was always enthusiastically helpful during the collecting on New Caledonia. A. Wells thanks Sylvie Cazères, also of the station de Recherches Fruitières de Pocquereux, Laboratoire d’entomologie, for assistance with field work in 2012. Access for A. Wells to laboratory facilities at the Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra is gratefully acknowledged. Dr. Gordon Nishida, formerly of the Bishop Museum, Honolulu provided A. Wells with access to types in that collection in 1995 and Shepherd Meyers facilitated the loan of the type of