Eccoptocera iwipookua, Austin Daniel Rubinoff & nov, 2024

Eccoptocera iwipookua , sp. nov.

Figs. 1I–L View Figure 1 , 4B View Figure 4 , 7E View Figure 7 Diagnosis. Eccoptocera iwipookua (Kauaʻi) is superficially most similar to E. ohiaha (Oʻahu) but can be distinguished by its slightly larger size (FWL: 7.2–7.7 in E. iwipookua males,7.0– 7.4mm in E. ohiaha males; 7.4–8.5 in E. iwipookua females, 5.6–7.7 in E. ohiaha females). However, it may be necessary to examine the genitalia to obtain a positive identification. Males of E. iwipookua have an extremely short, downcurved apicoterminal extension of the phallus (this structure very long and upcurved in E. ohiaha ). Females of E. iwipookua lack the membranous basal extension of the ductus bursae and the long, finger-like process obscuring the ostium found in E. ohiaha .

Type material. Holotype: Kauaʻi: 1♂, Nā Pali-Kona F [orest] R[eserve], Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve , S of Wai [a]koali Bog 1; 22.1292, -159.5782; 1260m; 12–14 vii 2023; K. A. Austin et al.; UVLED light sheet / DNA extraction KA0880 / KAA diss. #1105 ( UHIM) GoogleMaps . Paratypes (15♂♂, 6♀). Kauaʻi: 1♂, 1♀, same data as holotype / DNA extractions KA0879 / KAA diss. #1104 (♀) ( UHIM) GoogleMaps . 7♂♂, 1♀, Nā Pali-Kona F[orest] R[eserve], Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve, NE of Wai [a]koali Bog 1; 22.1300, -159.5774; 1260m; 12–13 vii 2023; K. A. Austin; [UV] bucket trap / DNA extractions KA0878, KA0881, KA0882 / KAA diss. #1103 (♀), #1106 (♂), #1107 (♂) ( UHIM) GoogleMaps . 2♀♀, same as previous except N of Wai [a]koali Bog 1; 22.1300, -159.5780; 1265m ( UHIM) GoogleMaps . 2♂♂, Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve , Alakaʻi Wild [erness] Pres [erve]; edge of Waiakoali Bog 1; 22.1294, -159.5775; 1260m; 8–10 ii 2022; K. A. Austin; UVLED light sheet / DNA extractions KA0440, KA0441 / KAA diss. #0697, #0698 ( UHIM) GoogleMaps . 1♀,NāPali-KonaF[orest] R[eserve], Alakaʻi Swamp Trail ; 22.1391, -159.62442; 1160m; 16–17 iii 2024; K. A. Austin, G. Talaber; UV bucket trap / DNA extraction KA1155/ KAA diss. #1201 ( UHIM) GoogleMaps . 1♂, 1♀, Kahōluamanu ; iv 1920 / J. A. Kusche / slide Z-I-16- 65-B (♂) ( BPBM) . 2♂♂, Mts. ; 3-4000 ft [x m]; vi 1894; Perkins ( BPBM) . 2♂♂, Kahōluamanu ; 4000 ft [x m]; iv 1895; Perkins ( BPBM) .

Description. Male (n=16). Head. Scales on frons with long, erect, pale brown scales on dorsal half, dark brown or black medially and laterally; scaling on vertex pale brown to brown, often gray medially; labial palpus approximately 2× width of compound eye, lateral scaling dark brown or black, often with a small, conspicuous patch of gray scales in the middle of the second segment, scaling on second segment greatly expanded; medial surface pale gray or white. Ocellus moderate, scarcely separated from compound eye. Scape dark brown, pale gray or silver at base; antennal notch present; sensillae short, approximately 0.5× width of flagellomere; dorsal scales of flagellum entirely dark brown. Thorax. Dorsum with scaling silver, with a pair of large dark brown lateral patches and an inverted V-shaped posterior mark, a dark brown medial line often present; tegulae dark brown or black, often with scattered warm orange-red or silver scales. Lateral surface of foreleg dark brown or black, occasionally with silver scales at joints; midleg and hindleg dark brown, often with more extensive silver scaling, especially at joints and along tarsi. Dorsal surface of FW ( Figs 1I, J View Figure 1 ; FWL: 7.2–7.7 mm) with costal fold to approximately 0.55× FW length; ground color dark brown or black; dorsal strigulae light gray or white, incomplete and heavily fractured; basal strigulae incomplete, typically only present as a short pair of parallel bars at the base of the inner margin; median strigulae similarly irregular, often fractured, occasionally complete, forming a 90° bend at base of cell to reach near the base of costa; subterminal fasciae distinct to end of cell; ocelloid patch formed by 2-3 small circular patches of silver scales on the distal and proximal margin and 3-4 short black streaks on the distal half (rarely one of these streaks may be longer, nearly reaching the proximal margin); four pairs of costal strigulae present, with variable development of white scaling; small subapical notch presentalongtermen; fringevariable, with black, white, and gray scales typically all present to some degree. Ventral surface of FW brown, small patches of pale gray or white scales along costal strigulae. Dorsal surface of HW entirely brown, cubitalpectenwell-developed; analregion with small extension. Ventral surface of HW pale brown. Abdomen. Vestiture of abdomen grayish-brown, terminal segments slightly paler. Genitalia ( Fig. 4B View Figure 4 ) with uncus with a short neck and a broad, evenly rounded, semicircular apex; socius weakly developed, reduced to a slightly elevated patch of long, hair-like setae; tegumen high, arching, with long, hair-like setae over entire lateral surface; gnathos present as a pair of subtriangular lobes and a pair of narrow, weakly sclerotized arms; valvae long, slender,highly sinuous, asymmetrical;base of valvae swollen,with a large subtriangular or semicircular basal excavation; neck of valva constricted; cucullus well developed, with a large, sharp, ventroterminal spine-like process; right valva longer, more sinuous than left valva; juxta triangular; caulis long, fused to anellus; phallus robust, short, swollen at base, with short, downcurved, acute apical extension; vesica with a dense patch of long, thin, deciduous, spine-like cornuti.

Female (n=6). Head. Similar to male except occasionally with more extensive silver or gray scaling on frons; antenna without antennal notch, sensillae minute.

Thorax. Similar to male except larger ( Figs 1K, L View Figure 1 ; FWL: 7.4–8.5 mm), with much more extensive white and silver scaling, especially along inner margin and basal half of costa; costal fold, anal extension absent or occasionally weakly-developed. Abdomen. Vestiture of abdomen similar to male. Genitalia ( Fig. 7E View Figure 7 ) with papillae anales broad, subtriangular, with shallow anteromedial excavation, ventral surface roughened; apophyses posteriores approximately 0.5× length of S7; apophyses posteriores approximately 0.67× length of S7; sterigma broad, bowl-shaped, distal edge slightly thickened; ostium circular, right side of lamella antevaginalis slightly thickened, but without obscuring ostium; ductus bursae short, without basal extension; colliculum present, well-developed, ring-like, but incomplete on dorsal side; basal half of ductus bursae highly sclerotized, extending to base of ductus seminalis; corpus bursae large, globular, with a pair of narrow, parallel, sclerotized, ridge-like processes extending from base of corpus bursae to approximately 0.25× length of corpus bursae on dorsal wall; a large, weakly sclerotized patch present on the dorsal wall of the corpus bursae; two large, thorn like signa present, one at the center of the sclerotized patch and the other situated opposite of it on the ventral wall; inner surface of corpus bursae evenly covered in minute spinules.

Biology. The biology for Eccoptocera iwipookua is unknown, we hypothesize that it feeds as a leaf-tier on Metrosideros spp. or Syzygium sandwicense like other species of Hawaiian Eccoptocera . Both ʻōhiʻa lehua ( Metrosideros polymorpha ) and ‘ōhi‘a hā ( Syzygium sandwicense )were commonly observed in the immediate vicinity of all known collecting localities for this species.

Distribution. This species is known from two localities: around Waiakoali Bogs 1 and 2 and along the Alaka‘i Swamp Trail at elevations ranging from 1160–1265 meters. These two localities are separated by approximately 3.2 miles.

Etymology. From Hawaiian “iwi poʻo,” meaning “skull” and “kua,” meaning “back,” referring to the skull-like pattern on the thorax of this species.

Comments. This species was listed as “ Eccoptocera new species 9” by Zimmerman (1978).

Conservation Status. Eccoptocera iwipookua is likely secure. Despite E. iwipookua being known from only two modern collecting localities, suitable habitat exists elsewhere at higher elevations on Kaua‘i but remains difficult to access for entomological surveys. Additional surveys are needed to better characterize this species’ distribution, host plant(s), and habitat requirements.