A single female specimen was found during a visit to the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA). Subsequent searches by L. A. Stange did not yield additional examples. The labels (all white) on the specimen read: [1] “PERU: Amazonas Dept / Huembo Lodge, Km / 315 on N5, 18-21-X- / 2012, 2078 m, JE Eger”; [2] “05°51'28.1S / 077°59'04.8W / MV & UV Light”; [3] “Leptochrysa prisca / Adams & Penny, det. / C. A. Tauber 2019”.

The specimen is well preserved, and its wings are spread. After imaging, the abdomen was cleared for study; it is held in a microvial containing glycerin, attached to the pin. During clearing, several parasitoid larvae were discovered in the abdominal cavity. They were removed, imaged, and preserved in a separate genitalia vial with glycerin.

For comparison, I examined the L. prisca holotype, which also was collected in the Peruvian region of Amazonas. The type locality is: “PERU. DEPT. AMAZONAS: 18 km N of Puente Engenio, km 320, alt 1750 m, 9 Oct. 1964, P. C. Hutchinson & J. K. Wright, collected on Baccharis latifolia #6380”. As noted above, the abdomen of this specimen is in poor condition, and the body and wings are discolored by the intrusion of dark mycelia. However, the wings and external structure of the specimen are well preserved; the gut contents and cleared abdomen are held in separate vials in the unit tray holding the specimen.

The holotype and the specimen described here exhibit the following diagnostic features of adult Nothochrysinae (cf.: Tjeder 1966, as Dictyochrysinae; Adams 1967; Brooks and Barnard 1990; Makarkin and Archibald 2013; Breitkreuz 2018): (i) wing-coupling mechanism consisting of a large jugal lobe on the forewing and a frenulum on the hindwing (Figs 1, 2, 6); (ii) base of the forewing without tympanal organ (Fig. 1); (iii) forewing (and hindwing) with stem of the media (M) extending basally adjacent to the radius (R), not fused with it (see Fig. 1; cf. Breitkreuz 2018: 640); (iv) pseudomedia (Psm) merging (or appearing to merge) with inner gradates (not outer gradates) (Figs 2, 6); (v) pseudocubitus (Psc) merging with outer series of gradates (Figs 2, 6); (vi) forewing with subcostal crossvein present in basal section of wing (Fig. 1a–c); (vii) flagellomeres with five or six whorls of setae (Fig. 4c, d). However, as discussed later, the assignment of this species to Nothochrysinae is an “uncomfortable fit” (Makarkin and Archibald 2013: 125).

This species’ dark, mottled coloration, distinctive wing shape, and compressed venation make it highly recognizable among the Chrysopidae. Except in coloration (because of the fungal contamination in the holotype), the specimen reported here conforms completely to the generic description by Adams and Penny (1992b).

Head (Figs 3, 4). Width 2.1 mm (including eyes); ratio of head width to eye width = 2.8 : 1. Vertex slightly raised, round anteriorly, without prominent posterior fold, surface rugose, pilose, with setae small, pale. Distance between scapes 0.26 mm; distance between tentorial pits 0.65 mm; length of frontal region (midway between scapes to midway between tentorial pits) 0.56 mm. Frons rounded laterally, well delineated, extending caudally between antennae, appearing to terminate in an acute apex at anterior margin of vertex; interantennal surface sculptured longitudinally, with longitudinal crease mesally, small rounded ridges fanning out from between scapes below frontal toruli; anterior section with weak transverse striation. Gena (frontal view, Fig. 3b) appearing as rounded lobe from lateral base of scape to midsection of clypeus; tentorial pits on dorsal margin, near medial tip of lobe; insertion of mandibular base distinct, extending along full genal width. Clypeus relatively narrow basally, broader in center, narrowing distally; dorsal margin convex, lateral margins rounded, frontal margin straight; surface sculptured with transverse ridges except distally where ridges reduced, longitudinal. Frons, gena, base of clypeus rugose, without setae; distal part of clypeus, margins of mandibles with short to medium-length setae. Labrum narrower than clypeal margin, without ridges; dorsal surface somewhat sculptured; distal margin bilobed, with numerous long setae, especially on margin. Palpi elongate, tapered; venter of head with large, well-sclerotized cardo, stipes, narrow, elongate galea with conspicuous papilla; ligula elongate. Antenna length unknown (flagella broken); scape considerably longer than wide (length 0.57 mm, width 0.35 mm), with slight lateral bend; lateral margin slightly concave, mesal margin convex, surface with short setae throughout; pedicel length 0.23 mm, width 0.18 mm, with numerous short setae; flagellum with basal flagellomere distinct, somewhat elongate (length 0.18 mm, width 0.15 mm), midantennal flagellomeres about as long as broad (length 0.13–0.14 mm, width 0.13–0.14 mm); basal flagellomere with six whorls of brown setae extending distally, second to fifth flagellomeres each with four whorls of brown setae extending distally; sixth to distal flagellomeres each with five whorls of brown setae; all flagellomeres each with two elongate setae extending laterally from distal whorl. Flagellar setae in whorls stouter, longer than setae on vertex.

Head coloration (Fig. 3). Antenna: dorsum, lateral sides of scape cream, with tan spot distolaterally; mesal, ventral sides dark brown; pedicel, cream to light brown with darker brown mesal band; flagellum cream to light brown, with eighth to twelfth segments dark brown; elongate setae, setae in whorls light brown to brown. Vertex dark brown; dorsal torulus golden tan; space between torulus and vertex cream; space between vertex and eyes, cranial area behind eyes cream to light brown. Frons mostly cream, with dark brown mark along lateral base of scape, below scape along frontal margin of torulus, across dorsum of frons, between scapes, extending in an acute angle to brown mark on vertex; frontal torulus golden brown. Tentorial pits, frons between pits cream; gena cream with light brown mark at base of eye. Exposed lateral surface of mandible dark brown basally, brown to light brown distally. Clypeus cream to light brown, with large, dark brown band across mesal section. Labrum with basal, lateral margins cream to light brown, central and distal areas dark brown. Exposed dorsal section of labium (ligula) cream basally becoming dark brown distally; ventral surface of labium mostly light brown. Maxilla (ventral) mostly light brown, with galea cream, cardo brown, stipes brown distally. Maxillary, labial palpi brown to dark brown, with intersegmental connections cream to light brown.

Thorax (Figs 3a, 5). Cervix brownish, appearing sclerotized or partially so. Dorsal thoracic surface mostly smooth, with waxy coating, golden orange, mottled with large brown markings, bearing fine, pale setae throughout. Pronotum large, appearing well sclerotized, with small transverse depression mesally, slightly broader than long (dorsal view), length 1.2 mm; width 1.5 mm; ratio of length to width = 0.8 : 1. Mesothorax, metathorax with surface shiny, smooth, appearing well sclerotized; each segment with dark brown markings. Mesopostscutum with bilobed enlargement on posterior margin; anterior margin of metascutum without raised process on anterodorsal margin, but with quadrangular knob on anterior margin extending forward toward bilobed enlargement of mesopostscutum. Legs elongate, slender, cream; each femur, tibia marked with two elongate brown marks, without prominent tibial spurs. Tarsus (ventrolateral side, all legs) with dense, robust, dark brown setae ventrally, more slender setae dorsally; terminus with pair of curved claws laterally, large pad mesally; claw amber, without basal enlargement, acute slender hook terminally.

Wings (Figs 1, 2, 6). Forewing: Elongate, narrow, length 20.3 mm, maximum height 4.7 mm; ratio of length : maximum height = 4.3 : 1. Membrane transparent, uniformly covered with microtrichia. Trichosors (sensu Makarkin and Archibald 2013: 140–142) absent. Costal area narrow; tallest costal cell (#5) height 0.9 mm, 1.1 times width, 0.19 times height of wing; all costal crossveins simple, four c-sc crossveins before 1sc-r, fourteen c-sc after 1sc-r and before stigma, none within stigma. First sc-r crossvein (1sc-r) robust, angled basally; distal section of Sc extending into and fading within stigma, but not appearing to merge with C or RA; from no to two very faint sc-ra crossveins in stigma. Apical costal area (between C and RA) relatively broad apically; RA with ten to eleven anterior branchlets reaching apical region of wing margin. Furcation of R (Rf) distal to 1sc-r crossvein, very much basal to furcation of M (Mf). Radial area (between RA and RP) with single row of thirteen closed cells, only one ra-rp anterior to the first branch (RP₁) stemming from RP; tallest cell (rarp2) height 0.9 mm, 0.9 times width; radial crossveins (ra-rp) straight. Radius with no crossveins to M before Rf; 1rp-ma meeting MA at intramedian cell (im1). Media with one m-cu crossvein (therefore two medial cells, mcu1, mcu2) basal to im1. Mf basal to first r-m crossvein (1rp-ma); angle of MA and MP broadly acute; MA becoming pale, diffuse and constricted between Mf and insertion of 1rp-ma (both forewings) [holotype: MA thin in this area, but not pale]. Intramedian cell (im1) prominent, quadrangular in shape (but not sensu Breitkreuz et al. 2017: 29; see Discussion below), formed by MA anteriorly, MP basally, posteriorly, distally; anterior (MA) and posterior (MP) sides of im1 roughly parallel for most of span; im1 occupying entire vertical space between MA and CuA. MA and MP rejoining at anterodistal corner of im1, subsequently dividing at least once before meeting RP₁, and probably a second time before meeting RP₂. Third medial cell (mcu3) distal to im1, triangular. Two series of gradate veins diverging medially, converging distally. Nine inner gradates (in regular, sinuous series), extending beyond pseudomedia (Psm) in zigzag pattern across center of wing; ten outer gradates in slightly upturned series beyond pseudocubitus (Psc). Radial branches from RP elongate, wavy before inner gradates, less so after. Gradate cells rectangular. Approximately eight primary marginal forks reaching posterodistal margin (radial field) of wing. Cubital furcation (Cuf) near, but basal to m-cua crossvein. CuA with two simple crossveins to CuP, a distal third vein forked, reaching wing margin, and probably three additional simple branches reaching wing margin beyond forked vein. Second cubital furcation (CuPf) below icu2; thus, posterior wing margin with seven to ten cubital veinlets total (five to eight from CuA, two from CuP). A1, A3 simple, unforked; A2 forked before a1–a2 crossvein, with anterior branch reaching wing margin, posterior branch extending to A3, with short distal veinlet ending within cell (both wings). Jugal lobe large, usually folded beneath anal region, with jugal vein dark, extending to basal margin; basal margin with elongate, pale setae.

Hindwing : Length 17.5 mm, maximum height 4.0 mm. Costal base with well-developed frenulum bearing cluster of elongate terminal setae. Costal area narrow, with 15 crossveins before stigma, eight radial veinlets extending to C after stigma; no veins within stigma. Subcostal area without crossveins. M parallel and attached to R until just past 1c-sc; Rf distal to 3c-sc. Radial area with single row of thirteen closed cells between RA and RP (= 13 ra-rp crossveins). Two series of gradate veins, roughly parallel, regularly spaced; nine or ten inner gradates extending beyond Psm; nine or ten outer gradates, regularly spaced, extending beyond Psc. Approximately eight primary marginal forks reaching posterodistal margin (radial field) of wing. Only one r-m crossvein (1rp-ma). First intramedian cell with MA as anterior margin, with MP as posterior margin basally, MP+CuA distally, distal arm either MP, MA₁, or ma-mp crossvein). Cu sinuous, with two crossveins to A1, two branches reaching posterior wing margin before merging with MP. A1 with three veinlets reaching posterior wing margin; A2, A3 simple, unforked; one crossvein (a1–a2) between A1, A2; A3 forming base of jugal lobe; jugal lobe large, rounded.

Coloration of forewing, hindwing (Figs 1, 2, 6): Membrane of both wings appearing clear, somewhat glossy. Stigma prominent, dark brown medially, golden on both ends. All veins dark brown except forewing with Sc golden, anterior base of MA yellowish; hindwing with 1c-sc, 3c-sc3 to 6c-sc, Sc beyond 6c-sc, base of R (including base of RA and RP), base of M, most of MA and its branches, base of Cu, all anal veins golden. Forewing with brownish suffusion around MP, inner gradates, and outer gradates.

Abdomen (female, Figs 7–9; male unknown). Tergites, sternites, pleural region covered with relatively dense setae of uniformly short length; microsetae present, no microtholi. T6 (lateral view) length 1.2 mm, ~2.1× height, approximately same proportions as T7 (length 0.9 mm, ~1.7× height). S6 length 1.2 mm, ~2.0× height; S7 length 1.2 mm, approximately 2.0× height. Tergites roughly rectangular, with edges acute or slightly rounded, ventral margins straight; lateral (dark brown) regions more rigid and robust than mesal section. Sternites quadrate, uniformly colored and rigid throughout. Spiracles located in pleural membrane, slightly closer to sternites than to tergites, roughly oval externally, not enlarged; atria slightly enlarged, rounded, with single tracheae. Coloration mostly dark brown with cream stripe on dorsal midline; distal tip of T7, T8, posterior region of T9, ectoproct, gonapophysis lateralis cream; setae, setal bases pale; callus cerci cream.

Female terminalia (Figs 7c, 7d, 8, 9c–f): Callus cerci (Fig. 8d) approximately circular, diameter 0.14-0.16 mm, with ~30 trichobothria of mixed length. Tergite 8 much narrower than T7 (lateral view), much taller than T7, extending well beyond distal margin of S7, with rounded ventral margins, bearing spiracle in lower sclerotized section. Tergite 9, ectoproct distinctly separate; T9 with dorsal margin narrow, less than half length of T7, becoming broad, bulbous ventrally, completely encasing gonapophyses laterales, ventral margin rounded, over three times length of dorsal margin. Sternite 7 roughly quadrate, with dorsal margin straight, approximately same height as S6, rounded and sloping abruptly in distal quarter, base at ventral margin extending distally as apical ledge, without knob; posteroventral setae slightly longer, more dense than other setae. Ectoproct with dorsal margin twice as long as dorsal margin of T9, ventral margin rounded, tucked below distal bulge of T9, bearing callus cerci near posterior margin; callus cerci about half width of segment. Gonapophysis lateralis well sclerotized, broadly crescent shaped, mostly enclosed by distal extension of T9 (Fig. 9f), with sparse distribution of small setae on distal, exposed surface only, not on basal surface.

Colleterial complex (posterior to anterior) (Fig. 9c, e): Oviduct immediately behind gonapophyses laterales, chamber setose (setae arising from large bulbous bases); no transverse sclerification found. Two sets of glands entering oviduct: posterior gland, fluted, with rough, setose surface, thin duct bearing secondary gland or small reservoir before opening to oviduct; anterior gland (probably the primary colleterial gland) distally with globate colleterial reservoir larger than width of T9, heavily textured surface with numerous rounded folds and some setae, entering oviduct via short, somewhat broad duct. Colleterial gland (anterior end missing) entering colleterial reservoir between T8 and T9 via broad, robust, membranous duct, gland probably large, with broad, structured, circular base, setose membranous sides, at least distally.

Bursal complex (Fig. 9a): Bursa copulatrix with two sections; larger section consisting of delicate, transparent membrane with transverse, angled folds, covering entire spermatheca and spermathecal duct; smaller section leathery, triangular, attached above membranous section; two sections fusing distally before entering chamber above subgenitale; bursal glands not found. Spermatheca bowl-shaped, somewhat transparent, invaginated, apparently open to large section of bursa via slit on basal (proximal) side of bowl and perhaps on spermathecal duct. Spermathecal duct well sclerotized, very long, with coiled section extending about 0.75 length of S7, straight section doubling back almost completely; basal section, tightly coiled, curved on itself, with smooth surface; distal section mostly straight, with some slight bending, dense, surface with brushy covering of setae; region between two sections in contact with subgenitale complex.

Subgenitale (Fig. 9d, g): Basal section well sclerotized, extending from leathery, partially sclerotized, membranous base; distal section elongate, rounded, robust laterally, flat mesally, protruding distally between gonapophyses laterales, well beyond S7, with patch of approximately ten robust setae ventrally, shallow bilobed tip distally. Basal membranous section considerably shorter than sclerotized distal section, extending from sturdy membranous fold within ventral tip of S7, rounded proximally, folded throughout.

Abdominal contents – pollen : A label on the type specimen indicated that it was taken from Baccharis latifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers., a flowering shrub that is common throughout much of South America, including Peru. Adams and Penny (1992b) noted pollen in the gut contents. Thus, it is not surprising that both the foregut and hindgut of the female specimen studied here also were filled with pollen. The pollen grains were of several sizes and shapes: predominately large and round, but also small and round, as well as small and quadrate (Fig. 10a, b).

Abdominal contents – parasitoids : After the abdomen was cleared, it was found to contain a number of parasitoid larvae (probably Hymenoptera). The parasitoids were also cleared during the process, and the resulting specimens consisted of two types. First, there were five robust larvae with a textured, scabriculous integument throughout, a rounded knob at one end, and a pair of small protrusions at the other end. The interior of these specimens appeared empty (Fig. 10c, d)); no mouthparts or other structures were visible. Second, there are five smaller, more delicate specimens, consisting of clear, smooth integuments without structures or setae (Fig. 10e, f). It is possible that these clear specimens are the exuviae of previous instars or a very different form or stage of parasitoid than the robust ones. It is noteworthy that the abdomen of the lacewing host was relatively slender for a well-sclerotized female (Fig. 7).

Larvae : Discovery of L. prisca larvae would greatly help to decipher the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Leptochrysa. Unfortunately, the larvae of this genus remain unknown. Descriptions are available for comparison with the larvae of several Nothochrysinae genera: Kimochrysa Tjeder, Pimachrysa Adams, Dictyochrysa Esben-Petersen, Hypochrysa Hagen (one species each), and several species of Nothochrysa (see review by Tauber et al. 2014). The known Nothochrysa larvae are debris-carriers, whereas the known larvae of other genera are naked.

Thus far, there are only two records for this species, and both are from the Amazonas region of northern Peru. The specimen studied here is from Huembo Lodge, a reserve run by the Ecoan Andean Ecosystems Organization, and located on Hwy 5N southwest of Pomacochas.

Other than the discoloration and damage caused by fungal growth on the holotype and some variation in the number of gradate cells, the two known L. prisca specimens show significant similarity. However, there is one notable area of variation in the forewing – the posterior margin of the intramedian (im1) cell. This variation, although subtle, proves to be useful in deciphering the venation of the Leptochrysa forewing.

In both specimens of L. prisca, the MP forms the posterior margin of the im1 cell, and MP meets CuA at the posterobasal corner of im1. In the left and right wings of the holotype, MP and CuA clearly remain distinct (see insert on Fig. 6a). When the MP reaches the CuA, the two veins do not fuse; they extend distally along separate trajectories. MP alone forms the posterior (lower) border of im1. CuA runs below MP and forms the base of a narrow triangular cell beneath the im1. A very short 2mp-cua crossvein or a branch of the MP extends anteriorly from the posterodistal corner of im1, and CuA continues distally.

In comparison, on the second specimen (left and right wings), MP and CuA appear as a single vein along the full posterior span of the im1 cell. However, on the basis of the holotype’s venation, I assume that the two veins remain juxtaposed, but separate along this span.

The configuration described above appears to be unusual within Nothochrysinae. Although variable, the im1 in Nothochrysinae generally is triangular, being formed by MA, MP, and crossvein 1ma-mp. (Note: Breitkreuz et al. 2017 would consider this configuration as "pseudotriangular", but see reasons presented by Tauber (2019) for identifying this configuration as "triangular".). In contrast, the findings here indicate that the im1 is composed entirely of the anterior and posterior branches of M, without a crossvein. Thus, the im1 cell of L. prisca more closely aligns with a category of im1 cells that is not usually reported for Nothochrysinae: shaped like a triangle or quadrangle, but without a crossvein forming a portion of the cell. Thus, the cell’s quadrate shape and configuration in L. prisca elicit questions concerning the identity of the “crossvein” proposed to close the distal ends of the im1 within other genera of Nothochrysinae. It is also noteworthy that on both the holotype and the second specimen of L. prisca, it is not clear whether the MP furcates at the posterodistal corner of the im1. If it does, then the CuA vein extending from the posterodistal corner of the im1 would be a fused CuA+MP and thus part of the Psc.