(Figs. 96–98, 319, Map 18)
Diagnosis.— Glyphidocera plebis is most similar to G. a r a e but differs from the latter by having with larger sex scales between abdominal terga 2–3 in male, a tegumen with a less developed dorsal strut, a narrower cucullus of the valva, and a longer apical furca of the valval costa.
Description.— Head: Vertex and frontoclypeus brownish orange; outer surface of labial palpus dark brown intermixed with brownishorange scales, segment II with brownishorange scales along apical margin; inner surface pale brownish intermixed with few darkbrown scales; scape of antenna brownish orange intermixed with few darkbrown scales, flagellum with alternating bands of pale brownishorange and brown scales; male 4 th flagellomere dorsally protuberant and curved, forming a shallow concavity opposite slightly excavated flagellomeres 5–6 [setiform scales closing concavity on apex of protuberance of 4 th flagellomere missing]; proboscis pale brownish orange.
Thorax: Tegula and mesonotum brownish orange or brownish orange intermixed with darkbrown scales. Legs brownish orange intermixed with darkbrown scales, and brownishorange scales along apical margin of all segments and tarsomeres. Forewing (Fig. 319): Length 5.0– 5.8 mm (n = 10), brownish orange intermixed with few darkbrown scales; cell with 3 darkbrown spots, 1 near middle, 2 near distal end; posterior spot near distal end slightly basal to anterior spot; marginal spots present or absent. Undersurface brown except brownish orange along costa. Hindwing: Pale gray.
Abdomen (Fig. 96): Male with 4 transverse, irregular rows of largesized sex scales on intersegmental membrane between terga 2–3.
Male Genitalia (Figs. 97–98): Uncus elongate, wide at base, broadly constricted near midlength, apex narrowly rounded; gnathos densely setose, protuberant, wide throughout length, apically upturned; tegumen slightly widened basally; dorsal strut of tegumen with arms convergent, fusing medially from posteroventral margin of tegumen, atrophied dorsally near midway from base of uncus; costa of valva broadly emarginate from a shallow depression beyond a slanted, digitate process to apical furca; furca acuminate, upturned, slightly longer than width of distal valva; sacculus twisted apically slightly before midlength, constricting valva, widening distoventrally, forming an elongate and narrow cucullus; cucullus membranous and setose; vesica denticulate, bearing an elongate, hornlike, apical cornutus; cornutus shortened near 2 / 3 length, exposing a hollow, basal cavity.
Female Genitalia: Unknown.
Holotype, ɗ, “Quepos, 120 m, P[arque] N[acional] Manuel Antonio, Prov[incia] Punt[arenas], COSTA RICA, G. Varela & R. Zuniga, Dic. 1990, LS 370900, 449800 ”, “ INBio: COSTA RICA: CRI 000, 228218 ” [bar code label], “ INBio, Genitalia Slide by D. Adamski, Sex ɗ, No. 545 ” [yellow label].
Paratypes (9 ɗ): 4 ɗ, Same label data as holotype except, “ Feb. 1991, R. Zuniga”, “ CRI 000, 347185 ”, “Slide No. 486 ”; “ CRI 000, 346833 ”, “Slide No. 488 ”; “ CRI 000, 347073 ”, “Slide No. 539 ”; “ CRI 000, 625775 ”, “Slide No. 540 ”; 2 ɗ, “ 80 m, May 1993, G. Varela, # 2140 ”, “ CRI 001, 732001 ”, “Slide No. 569 ”; “ CRI 001, 732002 ”, “Slide No. 485 ”; 1 ɗ, “ 120 m, G. Varela & R. Zuniga, Dic. 1990, LS 370900, 449800 ”, “ CRI 000, 229082 ”, “Slide No. 538 ”; 1 ɗ, “ 140 m, Oct. 1990, LS371500, 449450”, “ CRI 000, 222984 ”, “Slide No. 546 ”; 1 ɗ, “Est. Queb. Bonita, 50 m, Res. Biol. Carara, Prov. Punt., COSTA RICA, R. Zuniga, Feb. 1991, LN194500, 469850”, “ CRI 000, 680027 ”, “Slide No. 595 ”, (4 in INBio, 5 in USNM).
Distribution (Map 18): Glyphidocera plebis is known from collecting sites along coastal southcentral Costa Rica.
Etymology: The species epithet plebis is derived from the Latin “plebes,” meaning the multitude.