Smicridea (Smicridea) caldwelli Ross 1947

Smicridea (S.) caldwelli Ross

Smicridea caldwelli Ross, 1947:145.—Fischer, 1972:144.

This species appears to be most closely related to S. dampfi, new species, on the basis of general structure of the male genitalia. They are easily distinguished by the aedeagus which in S. caldwelli bears only a single lateral process, but bears 2 processes in S. dampfi.

The female of S. caldwelli is easily recognized by the form of the vaginal sclerites: in no other species is the inner margin of the lateral supports so strongly crenulate.

ADULT.—Length of forewing 4–5.5 mm. Color black, legs paler basally, head with white hair anteromesally; forewing with 2 transverse white bands (cf. Figure 20). Male genitalia: Ninth segment with anterior margin produced into a right-angled lobe. Tenth tergite narrow and upturned in lateral aspect, tip produced into a dorsally directed point; in dorsal aspect broad basally, evenly rounded apically and laterally. Clasper with basal segment long and slender, slightly inflated apically; apical segment produced into a pointed apex in dorsal aspect. Aedeagus enlarged basally, open apically; apex with ventral lobe truncate mesally, lateral margin bearing an elongate pointed process; with 2 long, slightly curved mesal spines; with a tubular dorsomesal structure. Female genitalia: Ninth tergum greatly produced anterolaterally. Vagina with central sclerite ovoid, with a circular opening; lateral support V-shaped, inner margin strongly crenulate, with sclerotized folds posteriorly.

IMMATURE STAGES.—Unknown.

MATERIAL.—MEXICO: VERACRUZ: Fortin, 9 October 1941, DeLong, Goodnight and Caldwell, holotype (INHS). SAN LUIS POTOSI: Rancho Quemado (4 miles S of Tamazunchale), route 85, km 353, 27 June 1965, O. S. Flint, Jr., 3 1 ; same, but 4–6 August 1966, 3 . Tierra Blanca, route 85, km 348, 5 August 1966, O. S. Flint, Jr., 1.

BIOLOGY.—Adults have been taken at ultraviolet lights and by sweeping. Both of my collection sites were at small, tumbling mountain brooklets.