Ceraclea pescadori Rasmussen & Harris, 2025

Ceraclea pescadori Rasmussen & Harris sp. nov.

Figs 10 View Figure 10 , 11 View Figure 11

Ceraclea sp. nov.; larval illustration, Pescador et al. 2004: fig. 168.

Ceraclea ( Ceraclea) sp. nov. Glover, Carnagey, & Morse; description of female, Carnagey and Morse 2006: 29–30, fig. 28. View in CoL

Ceraclea sp. nov. (nr. maculata); collection record, Denson et al. (2016).

Type material.

Holotype male ( CMNH) • Florida, Washington County: Lucas Lake at boat landing, Lucas Lake Road, off County Road 279 , 30°32'37"N, 85°41'26"W, 17 April 2013, A. Rasmussen and N. Miller, UV pan trap GoogleMaps . Paratypes • Same data as holotype, 10 males and 6 females ( CMNH) GoogleMaps • 10 males and 6 females ( NMNH) GoogleMaps • 10 males and 6 females ( FAMU) GoogleMaps • 10 males and 6 females ( CUAC) GoogleMaps • 5 males and 6 females ( UMSP) GoogleMaps ; Calhoun County • Page Pond at Page Pond Assembly of God , 30°32'21"N, 85°11'51"W, 7 May 2011, D. Denson, UV pan trap, 15 males ( FAMU) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis.

Ceraclea pescadori sp. nov. is placed in the Senilis group of Morse (1975) based on genitalic features of the male and female ( Carnagey and Morse 2006). The male is most similar to C. maculata , but is easily distinguished by the more elongate tergum X and the presence of the much larger spinous, knob-like median lobe of the inferior appendages. Additionally, the basoventral lobe of the inferior appendages in ventral view is broadly triangular in C. pescadori sp. nov., versus thumb-like in C. maculata . The female is distinguished from other Senilis group members by the prominent and elongate sclerotic bulge and preanal appendages, and in the short wedge-shaped median plate (see also Carnagey and Morse 2006: fig. 28 a, c).

Description.

Forewing length male 7.9–9.1 mm (mean = 8.3 mm, n = 10), female 7.7–8.1 mm (mean = 7.9 mm, n = 10). In alcohol, head and thorax reddish brown, abdomen light brown. Fore- and middle legs brown, hind legs light brown. Antennal scapes and pedicels brown, flagella light brown. Setal warts of head and thorax covered with primarily white hairs. Forewing R thickened near stigma, small translucent spots scattered anteriorly. Hind wings broad, unpatterned.

Male genitalia. Fig. 10 View Figure 10 . Segment IX in lateral view narrow, rounded posteriorly; in ventral view excised mesally. Superior appendages in lateral view divided into dorsal beak-like process and larger ventral flap; in dorsal view dorsomesal process pointed, lateral lobes widely lobate. Segment X elongate dorsally, extended as undivided process well past superior appendages; in lateral view concave along dorsal margin, strongly convex along ventral margin. Inferior appendages in lateral view with acute triangular basal plate; basoventral lobes prominent, bearing long setae, in lateral view extending posteriorly, in ventral view broadly triangular, directed posteromesally; in caudal view with prominent, spinous median knob; subapical dorsal lobes elongate, straight in lateral view, curved slightly inward in ventral and caudal views, bearing short setae basally, mix of long and short setae distally; harpagos slender, nearly as long as subapical dorsal lobes, curved apically, bearing small setae subapically. Phallus phallobase with broad dorsal lobe extending to about mid-length of phallus, divided apically in dorsal view; in lateral view elongate ventral lip longer than phalicata; parameres absent.

Female genitalia. Fig. 11 View Figure 11 . Segment IX in lateral view rectangular, dorsal sclerotic bulge prominent; preanal appendages setaceous, posterior margin narrowly rounded. In dorsal view tergum IX arched, separated with creases from sclerotic bulge with median finger-like process usually bifid. Preanal appendages broad, fused mesally. Lamellae crescent shaped in lateral view; pointed in dorsal and ventral views. In ventral view, lateral gonopod plates isolated, anteriorly broad, tapered posteriorly; median plate with anterior half triangular, forming wedge between lateral plates, rounded posteriorly; longitudinal striations present posterolaterally. Spermathecal sclerite in ventral view generally vase-shaped, pointed anteriorly, deltoid sclerite absent, lateral arms somewhat sinuous, truncate posterolaterally, posterior bridge prominent, projecting past median plate; in lateral view acute anteriorly, clavate posteriorly with serrate posteroventral margin.

Larva and pupa. Illustrations of the head and pro- and mesonotum prepared by Dr James Glover were presented by Pescador et al. (2004: fig. 168). Pupa unknown.

Distribution.

This species is known from only two natural lakes located in the western Florida panhandle.

Etymology.

This species is named for Dr Manuel (Manny) Pescador in recognition of his contributions to trichopterology in Florida. His mentorship of the senior author and leadership of the aquatic entomology program at Florida A & M University are greatly appreciated.

Remarks.

This species was collected in the largest numbers from Lucas Lake, Washington County, Florida. Prior to this collection, Dr James Glover collected larvae and pupae of Ceraclea from Lucas Lake that he reared to adulthood in March / April of 2000. A preliminary description and figures of the male (Glover and Morse In Litt) confirm that the specimens collected by Glover represent the same species as we report here. Based on a single female pupa that was reared to adulthood by Glover, the female was described as Ceraclea sp. nov. ( Carnagey and Morse 2006). Although we noted differences between their published description and the specimens we examined, especially in regard to the spermathecal sclerite, we contend that those differences are probably an artifact of lab rearing and specimen preparation or in interpretation, rather than the reared female specimen representing a different species. Also notable, single males of two other rare leptocerid caddisflies, Ceraclea limnetes and Oecetis parva , were collected in the same sample as the holotype.