Hyposmocoma kahaiao, Schmitz & Rubinoff, 2011

HYPOSMOCOMA KAHAIAO SCHMITZ & RUBINOFF SP. NOV. ( FIGS 1C View Figure 1 , 7 View Figure 7 , 11C View Figure 11 )

Material examined: HOLOTYPE ♂: [1] ‘H[ AWAI]I: Maui , Iao Valley Stream | ‘cone’ case, III-27-[20]06 | em[ergence]. V-23-[20]06, #DR06C12b | leg[it]. D[aniel]. Rubinoff’; [2] ‘ HOLOTYPE | Hyposmocoma | kahaiao | Schmitz and Rubinoff’. Specimen in good condition except for broken antennae. Deposited in the UHIM .

PARATYPES: 11 ♂, 21 ♀, from Maui Island , Hawaii, USA ; 6 ♀, same data as holotype except date of emergence: 28.iv.2006, 13.vi.2006, 14.vii.2006, 30.vi.2006, 11.viii.2006, 19.viii.2006 ; 4 ♀, HI: Maui , Iao Valley Stream, ‘cone’ case, 24.ix.2005, em[ergence]. 16.i.2005, 25.ii.2006, 2.iii.2006, 9.iii.2006, #DR05I3, leg. D. Rubinoff ; 11 ♂, 11 ♀, HI: West Maui , Maui Land and Pineapple , Honolua Stream, elev[ation]. 900 m, ‘cone’ case, 6.i.2006, em. 25.ii.2006 (1 ♂, 1 ♀), 27.ii.2006 (1 ♂), 2.ii.2006 (2 ♂), 2.iii.2006 (1 ♂, dissected PS162, 3 ♀), 4.iii.2006 (1 ♂), 9.iii.2006 (2 ♂, 5 ♀), 23.iii.2006 (1 ♂), 3.iv.2006 (2 ♀), 12.iv.2006 (2 ♂, one dissected PS157), #DR06A7. Deposited in MHNG, UHIM, and USNM .

Diagnosis: Hyposmocoma kahaiao is most similar in forewing markings to H. kahamanoa sp. nov., H. uhauiole sp. nov., and H. saccophora Walsingham, 1907 , but it differs from these species in males in having a short sclerotized hook, and in female genitalia in having a small and thin ostium-bearing process, and from H. kahamanoa and H uhauiole in male genitalia in having thin sclerotized spur-like setae on each valva.

Description: Male (N = 12) ( Figs 1C View Figure 1 , 7 View Figure 7 ). Wingspan 6.8–7.7 mm (holotype: 7.7 mm). As H. kahamanoa , except antennal pecten present with up to two thin setae, forewing dark grey with sprinkling of dark grey scales on an off-white background, off-white markings as a small notch subapically on costal margin and another opposite on inner margin, abdomen dark brown with tuft of long dark brown scales on each side of genitalia, and sclerotized hook small with indistinct sclerotized ring on segment VII.

Male genitalia (N = 3) ( Fig. 7 View Figure 7 ). As for H. kahamanoa , except for valvae asymmetrical with right valva slightly larger at apex with two rounded sclerotized spur-like setae of same length apically (sometimes one thinner in the middle), and small subapical triangular projection bearing distant spur-like setae, left valva with large sclerotized spur-like setae, being three to four ¥ length of those on right valva; number of spur-like setae vary amongst specimen under scrutiny, two of same length, or four, with two thinner spur-like setae on each side, right lobe of anellus very slightly enlarged apically.

Female (N = 21). Wingspan 7.2–10.3 mm. As H. kahamanoa , except for forewing background colour dark grey with indistinct dark grey markings.

Female genitalia (N = 1) ( Fig. 11C View Figure 11 ). As for H. kahamanoa , except for posterior apophyses about 3.5 ¥ length of anterior apophyses, ostium-bearing process small and thin, and apical margin of sternum VII with broad V-shaped emargination medially.

Larval case (N = 84). Cone-shaped structure, 7.0– 10.5 mm in length, as H. kahamanoa , except that there are often a few small pebbles attached at case entrance.

Etymology: The name H. kahaiao is derived from the Hawaiian, kaha, edge, that refers to the edge of the stream habitat, and, from the Iao stream on the western end of the island of Maui where this species can be found.

Biology: Adults were reared from amphibious casemaking larvae. Case-bearing larvae were collected during the day on rocks in streams on the island of Maui in January, February, and September. In Honolua stream, this species was frequently observed resting in large numbers on the undersides of submerged rocks. Whereas other aquatic species were occasionally found submerged, this species may choose to rest underwater more frequently. Future research may indicate that thermal regulation is part of the reason for this behaviour, as this is one of the warmer locations where we found aquatic larvae.

Distribution: Known only from the Hawaiian island of Maui, presumed to be endemic to the streams of the west Maui volcano (Iao and Honolua streams).

Remarks: This species may represent the youngest and farthest east aquatic cone species because the only other cone-cased species of which we are aware is on east Maui (reared, but currently undescribed) and does not appear to be aquatic.