Protoptila curiosa Flint 1974

Protoptila curiosa

This extremely distinctive species seems at first sight to be unrelated to any other known species of the genus. Upon further analysis, however, it seems to be a rather aberrant member of the dubitans complex. It is immediately recognized by the shape of the ventrolateral lobe of the tenth tergum, which in P. curiosa is divided into a long dorsal arm and a thin, flat ventromesal plate.

ADULT.—Length of forewing 2.5–3 mm. Color in alcohol brown, an indication of a transverse pale band at anastomosis. Fifth sternum with an impressed line along posterior margin, ending in a rounded flap laterally. Sixth sternum with a compressed midventral point. Male genitalia: Eighth sternum broadly produced posteriorly, apex broadly and shallowly emarginate; eighth tergum produced posterolaterally as a rounded shoulderlike lobe. Ninth sternum not produced; tergum sclerotized and complex, consisting of dorsolateral lobes concave ventrolaterally. Tenth tergum borne from venter of ninth tergum, with dorsomesal section developed into a small point posteriorly; ventrolateral section strongly sclerotized, consisting of a long, terete, posteriorly directed arm that is bowed laterally, and a broad, flat plate directed posteroventrally. Aedeagal complex with usual basal lobes; midlength complex, consisting of stout lateral and ventromesal spines; with a long, slender lateral spine arising from a membranous base; central tube slender basally, slightly enlarged apically, dorsoapical surface concave with a small central spine.

MATERIAL.—Holotype, male: COLOMBIA, VALLE: Rió Raposo, January 1965, V. H. Lee, light trap, USNM Type 72750. Paratypes: Same data, 96 ; same, but August 1965, 1 .