Protoptila rambala Blahnik and Armitage 2019, new species

Protoptila rambala Blahnik and Armitage, new species

Fig. 6

Diagnosis. The most useful diagnostic features of Protoptila rambala include its relatively short paramere appendages, with broad brush-like apices (Fig. 6B); the structure of the lateral lobes of tergum X (Fig. 6A), which are more or less jointed in their basal half and have their apices shaped somewhat like a bird’s head (with a downward-pointed, acute “beak”); and the forked ventromesal apex of segment IX, which is nearly as long as the subtending and also apically forked ventral projection of sternum VIII (Fig. 6C).

Description. Length of forewing: male 2.5 mm. Forewing with forks I, II, and III present; hind wing with fork II only, wing narrow and acute apically, costal margin with pronounced invagination. Spur formula 0:4:4. Color apparently brown (specimens completely cleared, in alcohol).

Male genitalia. Sternum VI process relatively prominent, posteriorly directed, longer than wide, apex subacute. Tergum VIII with row of setae along posterior margin; sternum VIII densely setose with relatively elongate setae, posterior margin distinctly produced, slightly curved upward, extending nearly as far as dorsolateral lobes of tergum X; as viewed ventrally, with ventral projection relatively narrow, weakly and bluntly forked apically. Segment IX with anterior margin broadly rounded, sternum mesally produced into forked process, slightly wider than and extending nearly as far as ventral lobe of sternum VIII, posterolateral margin of segment IX with weakly sclerotized, broadly rounded, dorsolateral lobe on either side. Preanal appendages absent. Tergum X, as viewed laterally, with lateral lobes jointed (apparently subsegmented), basal lobe short, only slightly longer than width, apical lobe broadly rounded basally, apically narrowed and appearing like a bird’s head, with downward pointing, acute apical “beak,” apex (head) of lobe with small sensilla; tergum with bilobed membranous mesal projection between lateral lobes. Phallobase dorsally with large, laterally compressed apodeme, ventrally with pair of short, rod-like, articulated appendages with membranous apices, appendages fitting into sclerotized pockets on ventral margin of phallobase. Phallicata, as viewed laterally, narrow, tubular, fused to phallobase, projecting nearly straight, apparently with widened lateral flanges (difficult to see). Endophallic membrane narrow and membranous, phallotremal sclerite rather indistinct. Parameres each with membranous basal structure and relatively short sclerotized paramere appendage, appendage somewhat rod-like, broadened apically into brush-like structure with narrow spines.

Female and immatures. Unknown.

Holotype male (alcohol). PANAMA: Bocas del Toro: Quebrada Rambala, Rambala Jungle Lodge, 3.74 km SSE Rambala, 8.91627°N and 82.15469°W, 120 m, 21-31.xii.2016, Malaise trap, Eric Carlson (COZEM).

Paratypes. Same locality as holotype, 6-12.ii.2017, Malaise trap, Eric Carlson, 1 male (COZEM).

Etymology. This new species is named after Quebrada Rambala from whence it was collected. The name is formulated as a noun in apposition.

New Country Records