Nectopsyche gemmoides Flint 1981

Nectopsyche gemmoides

This species is closely related to N. gemma (Müller). In coloration it differs by lacking the lines of silvery scales on the head, mesonotum, and basal fourth of the forewing. The male genitalia of the two species, although very similar, are definitely different. I am unable to find any trace of the basodorsal process of the clasper in the type material of N. gemma.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 10–11 mm (male), 6 mm (female). Eyes of male small, about one-third width of dorsal interocular distance. Head, thorax and appendages, stramineous, scape, head dorsally, and mesonotum with yellow scales and hairs; forewing covered mostly with bright yellow hairs marked with metallic silvery patches as follows: costal cell basally (rather sparse scales), a pair of crossbands near midlength more widely separated on anterior margin, a series of small dots below stigma, and 2 crossbands apically; posteroapical angle with a series of black and silver eye-spots bordered inwardly by white scales; all these marks are underlain by dark marks in the wing membrane. Male genitalia: Ninth segment with a small truncate middorsal lobe from posterior; posterolateral arms long, apex distinctly bifid. Tenth tergum with ventral arms long, parallel, and slightly compressed. Clasper with basodorsal process tapering to a point, generally directed laterad, and semimembranous; basal portion not enlarged, barely tapering apicad, apex with a series of enlarged setae, apicomesal process in ventral aspect elongate, only slightly enlarged apicad; basal lobe very broad in ventral aspect, multisetae with posterior margin divided into several lobes. Aedeagus sclerotized ventrally, internally with a small sac of spines and a small sclerite.

MATERIAL.—Holotype, male: VENEZUELA, ARAGUA, Maracay, Río Limón, Estacion Piscicultura, 3–6 Feb 1976, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr. USNM Type 76633.

Paratypes: Same data as holotype, 7; 22–23 Oct 1974, F.H. Weibezahn, 1, 5–6 Nov 1974, 1 2; 4–5 Dec 1974, 3 9; 18–19 Dec 1974, 5 2; 3–4 Jan 1975, 8 3; 29–30 Jan 1975, 13 9; 12–13 Feb 1975, 16 5; 25–26 Feb 1975, 8 3; 11–12 Mar 1975, 3 10; 24–25 Mar 1975, 10; 7–8 Apr 1975, 24 6; 22–23 Apr 1975, 22 7; 6–7 May 1975, 19 5; 19–20 May 1975, 5 2; 3–4 Jun 1975, 6 4; 17–18 Jun 1975, 1 4; 1–2 Jul 1975, 4 18; 15–16 Jul 1975, 16 29; 11–12 Aug 1975, 3 9; 25–26 Sep 1975, 15 18. Maracay, El Limón, 2–6 Feb 1976, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 4 6; 3 Jun 1973, C.J. Rosales, 1. Ocumare de la Costa, 4 Jul 1974, Gelvez and Olivo, 1. BARINAS: Barinitas, 22–23 Feb 1969, P. and P. Spangler, Duckworth and Dietz, 3 1. Río Santo Domingo, Barinas, 17 Feb 1976, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 4. BOLIVAR: Río Cuyuni, El Dorado, 10 Feb 1976, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 4.

ECUADOR, PICHINCHA: Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 6 Feb 1958, R.W. Hodges, 1 (Michigan State University); 29 km W Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 6 May 1975, Spangler, et al., 4 4. NAPO: Lago Agrio, 16 Aug 1975, Spangler et al., 5 25; 19 Sep 1975, 2. 3 km NE Lago Agrio, 17 May 1975, 2 2. 4 km NW Lago Agrio, 23 Aug 1975, 4. 5 km N Lago Agrio, 26 Sep 1975, 8 14. 18 km NW Lago Agrio, 30 Aug 1975, 3 1. 3 km SW Lago Agrio, 25 Aug 1975, 1 1. Rio Aguarico, 18 km E Lago Agrio, 23 Sep 1975, 1 2; 28 Aug 1975, 1.

TRINIDAD, Simla, Arima Valley, 13–19 Feb 1966, S.S. and W.D. Duckworth, 1; 20–22 Feb 1966, 2.

PARAGUAY, 2 km S Cerro Cora, 28 Nov 1973, O.S. Flint, Jr., 11 1. Rio Aquidaban, Cerro Cora, 29 Nov 1973, O.S. Flint, Jr., 6. Arroyo Tapiracuay, San Estanislao, 27 Nov 1973, O.S. Flint, Jr., 1.

COLOMBIA, Río Frio, Magdalena, G. Salt, 1 (MCZ).

PANAMA, CANAL ZONE: Barro Colorado Island, 18–28 Apr 1964, S.S. and W.D. Duckworth, 2; 10–17 May 1964, 1 1. Naval Reserve [Pipeline Road], near Gamboa, 29 Mar 1975, S.S. and W.D. Duckworth, 2 1. Pipeline Road, Río Agua Salud, 30 Mar 1965, 5; 8–12 Jul 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 1 1. Pipeline Road, Río Frijoles, 6–7 Jul 1967, 1.

COSTA RICA, Arenal, Quebrada Tronadorcita, 24 Jul 1967, O.S. Flint, Jr., 8.

NICARAGUA, Puente Quinama, E Villa Somoza, 29 Jul 1967, O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 14.

GUATEMALA, Purulha, Jul, Schaus and Barnes, 1. SUCHITEPEQUEZ, Puente Ixtacapa, 18–19 Jun 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 4.

MEXICO, VERACRUZ: Río Tacalopan, rt 180, km 551, 25–26 Jul 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 16 6. TABASCO: Río Chacamax, Palenque, 6 Dec 1975, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 3. Río Puyacatingo, E Teapa, 28–29 Jul 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 4 2. CHIAPAS: 7.8 miles E Pichucalco, 27–28 Jul 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 2 9; 7 Dec 1975, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 3. San Cristobal las Casas, 6–8 Aug 1965, Flint and Ortiz, 5; 1 May 1959, H.E. Evans, 3 1 (Cornell University).