Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) ventridenticulata Flint 1991

Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) ventridenticulata

This species is very closely related to S. (R.) peruana (Martynov) with which it shares the small apicomesal point on the tenth tergite. S. (R.) ventridenticulata is to be recognized from S. (R.) peruana by the lack of the large patch of spicules dorsolaterally on the phallus and the much longer ventromesal lobe of the ninth sternum. The species is variable in the degree the lateral row of spicules leading to the apicolateral process is developed,—sometimes all are lacking; most often only a few, small ones are present; rarely a rather distinct row is seen. In addition, I am including a number of collections from Ecuador in this species (but not as paratypes) that lack the apicolateral processes of the phallus. These agree in all other manners with S. (R.) ventridenticulata.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, male 6–7.5 mm, female 7–8 mm. Width of eye of male in dorsal aspect slightly less than 1/3 that of interocular distance. Color pale, stramineous, antennae annulate; forewing pale, stramineous, with apical fourth darker, with dark line over chord, and dark nygmal points; female with ground color darker (as in Flint, 1974b, Figs. 34, 35). Male abdomen with processes of fifth sternum about as long as sternum. Male genitalia: Ninth segment with anterior margin strongly produced, dorsal margin nearly horizontal; dorsum with a few spicules posteromesally, and a small mesal process; ventromesally with a large posterior lobe. Tenth tergite elongate, tip in lateral aspect narrowed apicad; in dorsal aspect with apex broadly rounded, with a small apicomesal point. Clasper with basal segment long, inflated apicad; apical segment with tip rounded in dorsal aspect. Phallus tubular, with basal portion slightly inflated, phallotheca with a midventral row of small points and a few lateral small points (these quite variable in number and presence) with a pointed, apicolateral process; internal sclerites long and slender, with a small, lightly sclerotized dorsal sclerite.

MATERIAL.—Holotype, male: COLOMBIA. DPTO. ANTIOQUIA: Quebrada La Agudelo, 2 km E El Retiro, 25 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr. USNM Type.

Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 47, 14; same, but 8 Feb 1983, O.S. Flint, Jr., 6, 6. Quebrada La Cebolla, W La Fé, 21 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 1; same, but trap A, July-Dec 1983, U. Matthias, 3, 2. DPTO. RISARALDA: 4 km E Santa Rosa de Cabal, 29 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 21 3. Termales de Santa Rosa de Cabal, 29 Feb 1984, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 1. DPTO. SANTANDER: San Joaquin, 31 Aug 1965, WD. Duckworth, 1. VENEZUELA. EDO. MÉRIDA: 4 km S Santo Domingo, 19–23 Feb 1976, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., 12 5. ECUADOR. PROV. MORONA-SANTIAGO: Gualaquiza, 14 Jun 1976, A. Langley et al., 1, 1.

OTHER.—ECUADOR. [Cotopaxi Prov.] Pilaló to Tingo, 1000 m, 5 July 1965, L. Peña G., 20, 2. 113 km W Latacunga, 4500 ft [~1350 m], 1 July 1975, A. Langley and J. Cohen, 3. Prov. IMBABURA: Otavalo to Apuela, 2200 m, 8–9 Sep 1977, L.E. Peña G., 1 PROV. PICHINCHA: N Perucho, 18–19 Sep 1977, L.E. Peña G., 2, 14. [Chimborazo Prov.], Huigra, 4509 ft [1366 m], 13–14 Jun 1914, H.S. Parish, 3, 2.