Triaenodes hornitos Holzenthal & Contents 2004, new species

Triaenodes hornitos, new species

Fig. 16

While perhaps related to other species lacking an apicoventral projection on the inferior appendage, this species is distinct from those species and other Neotropical Triaenodes. The spatulate, but bifid dorsomesal process of tergum X, the long, broad preanal appendage, and the curved apex of the inferior appendage combine to render T. hornitos unique.

Adult (male: n=4). Forewing length 4.9–5.1 mm; hind wing length 4.0–4.4, 4.2 mm. Eye 0.32–0.34, 0.33 mm wide. Antennal scape 0.39–0.42, 0.40 mm long. Maxillary palp segment lengths (in mm): 0.24–0.27, 0.26; 0.29–0.34, 0.31; 0.39–0.40; 0.22–0.23; 0.47– 0.49. Forewing pale yellow, denuded.

Male genitalia. Abdominal segment IX anterior margin nearly straight; pleural region membranous, sparsely setose (or not evident); tergum IX, in dorsal view, with posteromesal margin triangular, dorsomesal papillae not evident; sternum IX in lateral view with posterior margin rounded. Preanal appendage setose, at least twice as long as wide, broad basally, apex rounded. Dorsomesal process of tergum X bifid, originating subapically, short, less than half length of tergum X, with apical setae; tergum X, in dorsal view, with lateral margins subtriangular, apex slightly excavate medially; in lateral view, triangular, apex truncate, slightly upturned, apicolateral margins without microtrichia (or not evident). Inferior appendage rounded basally, setose, without apicoventral projection; recurved process gradually downturned, broad along basal 2/3, apex attenuate, with medial flange; apicomesal lobe heavily setose, elongate, narrow, parallel sided, apex curved caudad. Phallobase small, triangular, endothecal membranes prominent, highly convoluted, with three parameres, two parameres subequal, long, straight, tapering, third shorter, more needlelike; phalicata troughlike, gently curved, widest medially, tapering apically, apex with very slight cleft, phallotremal sclerite not evident.

Holotype male: PANAMA: Chiriqui: Fortuna Dam Site nr. Hornitos, 08°55’00”N, 082°16’00”W, 1050 m, 14–20.xii.1977, H Wolda (UMSP000083372) (NMNH).

Paratypes: PANAMA: Chiriqui: Fortuna Dam Site nr. Hornitos, 08°55’00”N, 082°16’00”W, 1050 m, 13–19.iv.1977, H Wolda — 1 male (NMNH); 25.iv.–29.v.1979, H Wolda — 2 males (NMNH).

Distribution. Panama.

Etymology. Named for the type locality, the town of Hornitos, Panama.