A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF CONIOPTERYGIDAE 
(NEUROPTERA) FROM NEW MEXICO* 
By Victor Johnson 
Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky 
Lexington, Kentucky 40506 
A single male specimen of an undescribed genus of Coniop- 
terygidae was collected in a blacklight trap in Las Cruces, New 
Mexico. The specimen keys out to the genus Helicoconis Enderlein 
of the subfamily Aleuropteryginae in Meinander’s (1972) key, but 
genitalic studies show the need for a new generic designation. Be- 
cause the genitalia of this new genus differ from all known genera 
of Coniopterygidae, it is difficult to make comparisons, but for 
descriptive purposes, the genitalia are compared to those of Heli- 
coconis. The structures referred to here as ectoprocts are probably 
equivalent to the ectoprocts of Helicoconis but may represent 
other structures. 
Bidesmida new genus 
This genus so far contains only the type species and is apparently 
most closely related to Helicoconis, which is widely distributed 
in the Holarctic Region and Africa. 
Male-Head capsule with unsclerotized area on frons, including 
antennal sockets. Maxillary and labial palps long and slender; 
last segment of palps only slightly broader than preceding seg- 
ments. Scape and pedicel about twice as long as broad. 
Forewing with R4+5 superficially resembling an anterior branch 
of M. M bearing several small setae. Two in the middle of the 
wing only slightly more prominent than the rest. Bases of setae 
not enlarged and M not appreciably narrowed between setae. 
Plicaturae present on abdominal segments 3-7. 
Male genitalia apparently formed from elements of eighth, 
ninth and tenth segments. Ninth segment forming a closed ring. 
*This paper (No. 76-7-70) is published with the permission of the Director of the 
Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is based on research performed in 
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the PH.D. degree in Entomology. 
Manuscript received by the editor August 20, 1976. 
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