Leptohyphes berneri Traver 1958

Leptohyphes berneri Traver, 1958:84; Allen, 1978.

Diagnosis: Traver (1958) distinguished this species from other adult Leptohyphes based upon a pale reddish brown body. Figures of the hind wing and genitalia given by Traver (1958) in the original description are typical of other species of Leptohyphes, as is the described body coloration. The limited knowledge of the adult stages of Leptohyphes prevent a diagnosis of this species from others in the genus.

Description: Male Adult: Length. Body, 3.5–4.5 mm; forewings, 4.0–5.0 mm; hind wings, 1.0–1.5 mm. General coloration reddish-brown with black and grey shading. Head: light reddish brown; black markings along posterior and lateral margins; antennae yellowish. Thorax: pronotum reddish brown, shaded with gray and black; meso- and metathorax light reddish brown, with gray and black shading. Legs: femora yellowish to pale reddish brown; tibia and tarsus grey. Forewing: membrane very pale brown; veins pale reddish-brown; Sc and R light brown; vein CuP not strongly curved towards A; vein ICu 2 united basally with ICu 1; ICu 1 attached basally to CuA by crossvein; MP 2 united basally to CuA and IMP by cross veins. Hind wing: membrane very pale brown; three longitudinal veins present; costal process well developed; hind margin of fore- and hind wings fringed with filiform setae. Legs: yellowish to pale reddish-brown to grey, with basal blackish shading. Abdomen. Pale reddish-brown; black transverse bands on along posterior margin of basal and middle tergites; sternites paler than tergites. Genitalia pale reddish-brown, forceps three-segmented, penes with basal half fused, distal parts divergent, “Y” shaped; cerci and median caudal filament present, well developed. Larva: Unknown.

Distribution: Known only from Veracruz, Mexico.

Discussion: Leptohyphes berneri was described by Traver (1958) on the basis of adults from Metlac, Mexico, evidently in the state of Veracruz (Allen, 1978). The holotype and paratypes appear to have been placed in alcohol after having been dried, and are in very poor condition. Additional rearings and research of Leptohyphes species will be necessary to clarify the identity of this species. There remains a strong possibility that a previously described species of Leptohyphes known only from the larval stage, may prove to be synonymous with this species. The type locality was described as a clear, cold swiftly flowing, fed by snowmelt (Traver, 1958), with adults emerging just before dark “by the thousands” (Traver, 1958).

Type material examined: HOLOTYPE: Leptohyphes berneri Traver: MEXICO: Metlac, 25.xii.1940, male adult, H.H. Hobbs [FSCA (FAMU) E2059.1,2 T]. PARATYPES: Same data as holotype, 4 male adults, [CAS]; 15 male adults, six associated slides [FSCA (FAMU) E2059 T].

Other material examined: None.