Dolophilodes scopula

Dolophilodes (Sortosa) scopula

This species seems to be a highly derived relative of the preceding new species, D. prolixa. The cercus is more highly modified, bearing a dense brush of setae rather than a row of spines, and the apical segment of the clasper is even shorter and broader apically.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 6.5 mm. Color in alcohol, brown. No sternal processes.

Male Genitalia: Eighth tergum deeply divided mesally but without depressed area. Ninth segment very broad laterally. Tenth tergum elongate, in dorsal aspect gradually tapering apicad, dorsal surface with many sensillae, especially apicad. Cercus a bit shorter than tenth tergum, slender, with a ventral carina bearing a brush of long setae directed posteriad. Clasper with basal segment short, about as broad as long, almost triangular in outline; apical segment very short, much widened apicad, apicomesally with a large, dense patch of black, peglike setae. Aedeagus internally with an indistinct basal sclerite, apparently lacking spines.

MATERIAL.—Holotype (male): CHILE, PCIA. MAULE, Alto Tregualemu, ~20 km SE Chovellén, 500 m, 26–27 Jan 1979, D. Davis et al., USNM Type 100477.

This is a tremendously large genus found in all regions of the world and is especially diverse in the hilly and mountainous tropical zones. Almost 100 species have been recorded from the Neotropics, including all the Antilles, but none have been found in the Chilean Subregion. Even so, only a small percentage of the regional species have been discovered and described.

Several subgenera have been proposed, but, lacking a worldwide revision, the systematics at this level is anything but satisfactory. I am, however, recognizing the subgenus Curgia, which was defined by Ross (1956) on the basis of the tenth tergum, which is undivided, sclerotized, and frequently knobbed or upturned at the apex. The typical subgenus is not further subdivided, although it too apparently contains several evolutionary lines probably deserving subgeneric status.

The larvae have been described for a number of Antillean species (Flint, 1964b, 1968b) as well as those from other regions (Wiggins, 1977, etc.). The larvae of the genus, like those of the preceding genus, construct finger-shaped, silken nets with which they secure fine particulate organic matter from the water.