Three new species of Hydroptila (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Hydroptila Dalman, 1819 is one of the most diverse genus of Hydroptilidae, comprising over 400 species distributed in all biogeographical regions. Only two species were previously recorded from Brazil. Here, three new species from Northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated. The new species can be distinguished based on the male genitalia: Hydroptila marighellai sp. nov. can be recognized by the pliers-shaped tergum X; H. florestani sp. nov. can be recognized by having inferior appendages curved upwards in lateral view; and H. zerbinae sp. nov. differs from the other species of the denza group in the apex of the tergum X, which is wide in lateral view, and the undivided apical portion of the phallus. These are the first records of species of Hydroptila from Northeastern Brazil.