Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) signata (Banks 1903)

Smicridea (R.) signata (Banks)

Pellopsyche signala Banks, 1903a:243.

Rhyacophylax signatus (Banks).—Ulmer, 1907b:176; 1913:391.—Milne, 1936:72–73.—Fischer, 1963:137; 1972:145.

Smicridea signata (Banks).—Ross, 1947:145.

This is probably the most frequently encountered species of the genus in Mesoamerica, and is also often extremely abundant. The males are easily recognized by the presence of a lateral serrate process and a pair of apicodorsal lobes on the aedeagus. There is considerable variation in the degree to which the serrate process of the aedeagus and the ventral lobe of the tenth tergite are developed. However, these lobes are present, in some degree, in all the males here identified as S. signata. It is possible that S. bifida, new species, and S. inarmata, new species, are individuals or populations in which these structures are lost. In the case of S. bifida, at least, this seems unlikely as it is generally sympatric with S. signata.

The female genitalia are less distinctive than those of the male, although generally sufficient for identification. The dorsal bridge of the ninth segment in lateral aspect is proportionately much longer than in the closely related S. bifurcata and the anterior bridge of the internal plate is broad and often hoodlike.

The anterior margin of the larval frontoclypeus is very distinctive. The three or four lobes on each side are unlike those of any other known species. The pupae differ from those of the fasciatella group in possessing only a single row of hooks anteriorly on plate 3P. In this regard they agree with the pupae of S. dispar (Banks), but may be distinguished by being slightly smaller.

ADULT.—Length of forewing 4–6 mm. Color generally pale yellowish brown; forewings pale yellowish with darker marks along crossveins and beyond anastomosis (some females have the forewing almost uniformly brown with a transverse white band along anastomosis) (Figure 30). Fifth sternum in male with anterolateral process slightly longer than sternum; about half length of sternum in female. Male genitalia: Ninth segment with anterolateral margin slightly produced into an upturned lobe. Tenth tergite in lateral aspect with tip narrowly produced into an upturned point, ventral margin at midlength bearing a small lobe which may vary from rounded and barely produced to distinctly projecting and bifurcate; in dorsal aspect with apex produced into a long, rounded lobe. Clasper with basal segment long and slightly inflated apically; apical segment with tip rounded in dorsal aspect. Aedeagus tubular, with basal section enlarged and meeting apical section at about 120°; with a lateral serrate lobe nearly at midlength (lobe varying considerably in length); apex with a bilobed, erect, dorsal plate, and a tonguelike, slightly sinuate ventral lobe, internally with long, paired, eversible rods. Female genitalia: Ninth segment produced posteriad, dorsal bridge about two-thirds length of segment. Internal plate in lateral aspect sharply angled at midlength, in posterodorsal aspect U-shaped, with anterior bridge broad and produced anteromesally, often appearing hoodlike. Vagina with ends of anterior bar pointed, directed posteriad; posteromesally with a pair of lightly sclerotized ovoid plates darkened on mesal margins.

LARVA.—Length to 6 mm. Sclerites generally pale yellowish brown; head usually darker dorsally and ventrally, pale around eyes. Anterior margin of frontoclypeus with pronounced sublateral projections consisting of 3 or 4 lobes each. Mandibles with molar tooth small, that of right mandible consisting of rounded lobes only. Metasternum with I pair of gill stalks.

PUPA.—Length 4.5 mm. Hook plates anteriorly lacking small secondary points; plate 3P with a single row of spines along anterior margin.

MATERIAL.—U.S.A.: COLORADO: No further data, 1 holotype (MCZ). Garfield County, Colorado R. bottom near Rifle, 20 July 1941, B. Patterson, I 6 (INHS). UTAH: Near Moab, 27 June 1943, G. F. Knowlton, 42 (INHS); same, but on willows along Colorado River, 36 . NEW MEXICO: Catron County, Gila National Monument, 6000′, 4 July 1964, D. R. Davis, 2 . ARIZONA: Clear Creek Campground, SE of Camp Verde, 17 June 1968, Flint and Menke, l 12 .

MEXICO: SAN LUIS POTOSI: Palitla, 25 June 1965, O. S. Flint, Jr., 3 5 ; same, but 5 June 1966, 100 ; same, but 5 August 1966, 1 . 2 miles N of Tamazunchale, 400′, 2 August 1963, Duckworth and Davis, 5 . Rancho Quemado, route 85, km 353, 4–6 August 1966, O. S. Flint, Jr., 3 2 . Huichihuyan (25 miles N of Tamazunchale), 3–4 August 1963, Duckworth and Davis, 14 17 . VERACRUZ: Cordoba, 11–20 November 1966, A. B. Lau, 1 I ; same, but 13 August 1964, P. J. Spangler, 2 . Cuitlahuac, 10–12 August 1964, P. J. Spangler, 200 . Puente Nacional, 23–24 July 1965, Flint and Ortiz, 4 5 ; same, but 31 July 1966, 7 5 Rió Tacolapan, route 180, km 551, 25–26 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 100 . DISTRITO FEDERAL: Lomas de Chapultepec, 19 July 1938, A. Dampf, 1 (INHS). JALISCO: 8 miles N of Guadalajara, 4 July 1964, P. J. Spangler, 4 . Tejuila, 29 July 1934, A. Dampf, 2 l (INHS). NAYARIT: Tepic, 3000′, 21 August 1964, Blanton and Broce, 2 . MICHOACAN: Huetamo, stream bank 20 km from Rió Balsas, 22 August 1933, A. Dampf, 25 (INHS). Cutzamala, 20 August 1930, A. Dampf, 14 (INHS). GUERRERO: Cocula, 5 March 1935, A. Dampf, 1 (INHS); same, but 6 August 1930, T. Parra, 4. Acataln del Rio, 10 August 1930, T. Parra, 20 (INHS). Tetla, 11 August 1930, A. Dampf, 4 6 (INHS). Vejulo, Rió Balsas, 3 September 1930, A. Dampf, 4 (INHS). MORELOS: Acatilpa, 16 July 1965, Flint and Ortiz, 5 . Xochitepec, 12–14 July 1965, Flint and Ortiz, 1 13 . Near Xochitepec, route 95, km 91, 1 August 1965, O. S. Flint, Jr., 60 . Cuautla, 2 September 1937, A. Dampf, 100 (INHS); same, but 28 August 1937, l. Cuernavaca, 16 July 1930, A. Dampf, 16 (INHS). OAXACA: near El Camaron, route 190, km, 687, 12 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 3 . Tehuantepec, 23 July 1964, P. J. Spangler, 6 32 . Valle Nacional, 2 March 1932, A. Dampf, 1 (INHS). Rancho Moter, 16 December 1973, A. Dampf, 3 (INHS). Laguna Superior de Juchitan, 30 April 1932, A. Dampf. 50 (INHS). Chiltepec, 9 December 1937, A. Dampf, 1 (INHS); same but 12 December 1937, 4 . CHIAPAS: 7.8 miles E of Pichucalco, 27–28 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 4 . El Chorreadero, near Chiapa de Corzo, 11 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 27 11 . Mazatan, 12 November 1932, A. Dampf, 2 (INHS). Chiapa de Corzo, 26 July 1926, A. Dampf, 4 (INHS). Arriaga, 22 August 1965, P. J. Spangler, 200 . E of Arriaga, route 185, km 135, 7–8 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, metamorphotype, larvae. Puente Arroyo Viejo, route 200, km 141, near Mapastepec, 7 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 3 ; same, but 9 June 1967, 200 . Near Pijijiapan, 5 July 1965; P. J. Spangler, 32 24 . Acapatehua, 7 November 1932, A. Dampf, l (INHS). Finca Vergel, 22 May 1935, A. Dampf, 1 (INHS). Escuintla, bank mountain stream, 11 November 1930, A. Dampf, 35 (INHS). Mapastepec, 5 November 1932, A. Dampf, 2 (INHS). San Cristobal, 1 June 1926, A. Dampf, 6 (INHS). Copainala, 5 November 1946, A. Dampf, 3 (INHS). Tonala, 27 November 1932, A. Dampf, 55 (INHS); same, but 3 November 1932, 5 ; same, but 2 November 1932, 162 . Santa Lucia, 29 July 1926, A. Dampf, 3 (INHS). Tuxtla Gutierrez, 29 May 1926, A. Dampf, 3 (INHS). Huixtla, Sierra Madre, 9 November 1932, A. Dampf, 2 (INHS). Ocosingo Valley, Finca El Real, 1–7 July 1950, C. and M. Goodnight and L. S. Stannard, 9 6 (INHS); same, but Rió Santa Cruz, 1 July 1950, 250 . TABASCO: Balancan, 2 January 1939, A. Dampf, 2 (INHS). Las Mercedes, 25 June 1938, A. Dampf, 1 (INHS). Pocvicuc, 1 January 1939, A. Dampf, 4 (INHS). Villahermosa, 13 August 1937, A. Dampf, 3 (INHS). Rió Puyacatengo, E of Teapa, 28–29 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 300 , 1 metamorphotype, 5 larvae. CAMPECHE: Salto Grande, 11 January, 1939, A. Dampf, 5 1 (INHS).

GUATEMALA: SAN MARCOS: Puente Ixben, 6 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 2 . RETALHULEU: Puente El Nino, 16 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, l 13 . SUCHITEPEQUEZ: Cuyotenango, 10–20 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 4 7 ; same, but 30 December 1965, J. M. Campbell, 2. Puente Ixtacapa, near San Antonio, 18–19 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 23 50 . San Antonio, 6 July 1965, P. J. Spangler, 1 1 . Finca Mocá, 12 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 5 6. Rió Sis, 22 km S. of Finca La Maquina, 11 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 10 7. ESCUINTLA: Tequisate, 4–12 May 1929, G. Heinrich, 1 . Escuintla, Grutas de San Pedro Martir, 10 July 1965, P. J. Spangler 100 . Rió Metapa, 10 km SE of Escuintla, 5–6 March 1970, E. J. Fee, 5 3 . JUTIAPA: Laguna Nisguaya, 4 August 1965, P. J. Spangler, 11 14 . ZACAPA: Rió Teculutan, 18 August 1965, Flint and Ortiz, 100 . EL PROCRESSO: San Agustin Acasaguastlan, 11–21 August 1965, Flint and Ortiz, 12 20 . IZABAL: Near Matias de Galvez, 26–27 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 3 . ALTO VERA PAZ: Coban, 22–23 June 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 1 .

EL SALVADOR: LA LIBERTAD: Quezaltepeque, 11 February 1965, S. S. and W. D. Duckworth, 7 10 . Rió El Palmar, near La Libertad, 2–3 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 2 . SAN SALVADOR: Lago Ilopango, 5 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 3 ; same, but 2 August 1965, P. J. Spangler, 4 . USULUTAN: San Nicholas Lempa, 31 July 1965, P. J. Spangler, 6.

HONDURAS: VALLE: Nacaome, 4 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 200 , metamorphotypes, larvae and pupae. 5 miles W of Jicaro Galan Junction, 9 July 1965, P. J. Spangler, 70 . CHOLUTECA: Pespire, 1 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 100 .5 miles E of Choluteca, 28 July 1965, P. J. Spangler, 300 . COMAYAGUA: Rancho Chiquito, SE of Flores, 2–3 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 6 2 - Rió Hu muya, NW of Comayagua, 3 August 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 100 - Y0R0: 12 km W of Olanchito, 11 May 1949, E. C. Becker, 5 9 (INHS); same, but 17 May 1949, 50 3; same, but 24–25 May 1949, 300 500 ; same, but 20 June 1949, 2 ; same, but 21 June 1949, 25 ; same, but 5–7 July 1949, 3 14 ; same, but 13 July 1949, 2 . ATLANTIDA: La Ceiba, 27–29 March 1920, W. M. Mann, 2 ; same, but 27 May 1949, E. C. Becker, 2 2 (INHS); same, but 29 May 1949, 5 ; same, but 2 June 1949, 2 ; same, but 7 June 1949, 1 ; same, but 16 June 1949, 1 ; same, but 21 June 1949, 2 ; same, but 22 June 1949, 35 ; same, but 14 July 1949, 4 5 ; same, but 19–21 July 1949, 4 7 ; same, but 29–30 July 1949, 2 ; same, but 22 August 1949, 4 9 . Lancetilla, August, Stadelmann, 4 6 (MCZ). SANTA BARBARA: Casas Viejas, 250′, 20 May 1966, J. M. Malta, 30 .

NICARAGUA: NUEVA SECOVIA: Rió Coco, Ocotal, 31 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 75 . ESTELI: Ducuali, 13 June 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 3 21 . CHONTALES: Puente Quinama, E of Villa Somoza, 29 July 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 300 .

COSTA RICA: GUANACASTE: 1.5 miles S of Potrerillos, 27 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 2 . Quebrada Tronadorcita, Arenal, 24 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 8 24 . Rió Corobici, Las Canas, 26 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 36 7 . Las Canas, 13 July 1965, P. J. Spangler, 28 20 . Rió Canas, Las Canas, 28 june 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 1 . Taboga, 26–29 June 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 2 2 . PUNTARENAS: Rió Seco, NW of Esparta, 23 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 75 .9 miles NW of Esparta, 22 July 1965, P. J. Spangler, 25 22 . Rió La Vieja, near Lagarto, 2–3 July 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 5. 2.8 miles E of Golfito, 3–4 July 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 7 3 ; same, but 18–19 July 1967, 43 16 . CARTAGO: Turrialba, 17–21 February 1965, S. S. and W. D. Duckworth, 1 . LIMON: La Lola, near Matina, 11 March 1965, S. S. and W. D. Duckworth, 24 42 . SAN JOSE: Rió General, pacuare, 1 July 1967, Flint, Spangler and Ortiz, 2 1.

PANAMA: CHIRIQUI: Rió Caimito, 10 miles N of David, 4 July 1967, Flint, Spangler and Ortiz, 4 23 . Dolega, 17 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 300 . David, Rovira, 2200′, 13 July 1964, A. Broce, 2 1 . David, Doleguita, 3 June 1964, A. Broce, 11 21. COCLE: El Valle, 15 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 1 . CANAL ZONE: Pipeline Road, Rió Agua Salud, 8–12 July 1967, Flint and Ortiz, 14 ; same, but 30 March 1965, S. S. and W. D. Duckworth, 6 2 . Pipeline Road, near Gamboa, July 1967, W. W. Wirth, 1 . Madden Dam, 10–13 July 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr., 2 .

BIOLOGY.—The immature stages have been collected a number of times on rocks in shallow riffles in full sun. The streams vary greatly in size, from small ones barely a meter wide, to larger ones 10–20 meters in width. If proximity of adult collections are an indication, they may well breed in rivers too large and deep to be worked easily on foot.

The adults come freely to lights, both white and ultraviolet, and may be beaten from overhanging foliage.

Smicridea signata is a species of netspinning caddisfly in the family Hydropsychidae. It is found in North America.