Leucotrichia padera Flint 1991

Leucotrichia padera

This species is a member of the melleopicta group, but it stands alone within the group based on the structure of the phallus. No other described species has such ribbon-like sclerotized bands apically in the phallus, although L. ayura, new species and L. inops, new species do possess elongate internal sclerites that appear somewhat similar. In addition, the dorsal, hoodlike sclerite over the tenth tergites, and hooked apices of the claspers, are distinctive.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 3 mm. Color fuscous, marked with grayish-green; front of head and mesonotum grayish-green, antennae annulate; forewing fuscous, basal ¾ grayish-green with a transverse fuscous band at midlength, anterior and posterior margin of basal green section narrowly fuscous. Head with 3 ocelli, unmodified (as in melleopicta). Male genitalia: Seventh sternum with a long, slender, posteromesal process. Eighth sternum relatively short, with posterior margin produced laterally, deeply concave in ventral aspect. Ninth segment with anterolateral angle slightly less than 90°; posterolateral margin with a row of long setae; anterodorsal margin concave. With a dorsal hoodlike sclerite over tenth tergites which are large, with posterior margins strongly sclerotized; lateral penis sheath short, rounded. Subgenital plate with ventral arm narrow, pointed apically. Clasper elongate, with tip sharply hooked dorsad, with a dorsolateral seta at midlength. Phallus tubular, with a midlength complex bearing a basal loop; apex with dorsal surface deeply concave and with dorsolateral margin sclerotized, venter with an elongate sclerite whose apex is scooplike.

MATERIAL.—Holotype, male: COLOMBIA. DPTO. ANTIOQUIA: Quebrada Espadera, 7 km E Medellín [road to Sta. Elena], 6 Mar 1984, C.M. & O.S. Hint, Jr. USNM Type.