Smicridea (Smicridea) unicolor (Banks 1901)

Smicridea (S.) unicolor (Banks)

Diplectrona unicolor Banks, 1901:370.—Fischer, 1963:150.

Smicridea unicolor (Banks).—Ross, 1947:144.—Flint, 1967: 15.—Fischer, 1972:145.

This is a very distinctive species of the fasciatella group. It is unique within the regional species of the genus in having unicolorous, fuscous wings. The shapes of the tenth tergite and apical segment of the clasper also offer distinctive features.

ADULT.—Length of forewing 6 mm. Color fuscous, legs paler basally; without a color pattern on wings. Male genitalia: Ninth segment with anterior margin slightly rounded. Tenth tergite in lateral aspect very broad basally, tapering rapidly to a small protuberant apex; in dorsal aspect short, broad basally, with apex evenly rounded from lateral margin. Clasper with basal segment long, parallel-sided; apical segment tapering to a point in lateral aspect, in dorsal aspect with tip broadly rounded. Aedeagus tubular, with basal and apical sections meeting at an angle of about 145°; internal sclerite long and slender in lateral aspect, in dorsal with base shallowly divided, apex with lateral, angulate sclerites. Female genitalia: Unknown.

IMMATURE STAGES.—Unknown.

MATERIAL.—MEXICO: MORELOS: Cuernavaca, June, holotype (MCZ), 1 . VERACRUZ: 1.6 miles N of Coscomatepec, 22 July 1966, Flint and Ortiz, 1 . MICHOACAN: 2 miles W of Ciudad Hidalgo, 19 July 1955, R. B. and J. M. Selander, 1 (INHS).

BIOLOGY.—The only specimen of this species that I have collected was beaten from foliage beside a small brooklet overgrown with bushes and brambles.