Cariboptila calcigena Flint 1974

Cariboptila calcigena

Although at first sight this species would appear to be a species of the genus Glossosoma (Ripaeglossa), this is a case of remarkable convergence in two distinct subfamilies. The large lateral flap of the ninth segment expresses an extreme development of the condition foreshadowed in C. hispaniolica. The male genitalia of the two species are easily homologized, but differ greatly in the form of every part.

ADULT.—Length of forewing 3.5–4 mm. Color brown; forewings with some white hair at anastomosis, especially at posterior margin, and with small white flecks along apical margin. Sixth sternum with a thin naillike apicomesal lobe. Male genitalia: Ninth tergum very broad in lateral aspect, with posterior margin produced as a large rounded flap, with apicomesal face bearing a pad of fine hairs; with dorsolateral lobes long and rodlike. Tenth tergite in lateral aspect obscured by lobes of ninth tergum; in posterior aspect elongate, with enlarged setae and pointed and rounded lobes apically; a V-shaped sclerite, with enlarged setae mesally dorsad of tergites. Aedeagal complex ventrally with a pair of long rodlike structures projecting posteriad; internally with a pair of long spines whose tips are curved mesad beneath central tube; apicoventrally with a pair of slender, lightly sclerotized lobes; internally with a membranous tube, bearing many short dark spines; with basolateral winglike lobes, which loosely attach entire structure to venter of ninth tergum.

MATERIAL.—Holotype, male: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: La Palma, 12 km E of E1 Rio, 2–13 June 1969, Flint and Gomez, USNM Type 72729. Paratypes: Same data, 23 7 .

The genus was originally established for four Mexican species; since then three species have been described, one from Guatemala, and two from the southwestern United States.

The immature stages have not been described.

Cariboptila calcigena là một loài Trichoptera trong họ Glossosomatidae. Chúng phân bố ở vùng Tân nhiệt đới.