Podocera delicata ( Collin, 1944 )

Roháček, Jindřich, 2011, Taxonomy of Stenomicra cogani, with description of S. gracilior sp. nov. from Turkey and comparative morphology of terminalia in Stenomicridae (Diptera), Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae 51 (2), pp. 697-722 : 712-713

Podocera delicata ( Collin, 1944)

( Figs. 35–38 )

Diadelops delicata Collin, 1944: 266 Stenomicra delicata: SABROSKY (1965) : 211 (catalog, generic combination) Stenomicra (Podocera) delicata: IRWIN (1982) : 235; PAPP (1984): 62 (catalog); MERZ & ROHÁČEK (2005): 522 –527

(redescription) Stenomicra (Diadelops) delicata: CHANDLER (1998) : 142 (checklist, subgeneric combination) Podocera delicata: ROHÁČEK (2009) : 1–3 (generic combination, biology, distribution)

Material examined. CZECH REPUBLIC: N BOHEMIA: Pavlovice 2 km W, Dolské údolí (valley), 50°36′N, 14°30′E, sweeping Scirpus sylvaticus in boggy meadow, 25.vi.2008, 1 J; Doksy env., Břehyňský rybník (pond) reserve, 50°35′N, 14°43′E, sweeping Carex acuta in boggy meadow, 24.vi.2008, 1 ♀; Hradčany 1.5– 2 km W, Ploučnice valley, 50°37′N, 14°41′E, sweeping Carex acuta in boggy meadow, 23.vi.2008, 1 ♀, sweeping Carex rostrata in boggy meadow, 23.vi.2008, 1 ♀, sweeping Carex rostrata in boggy meadow, 26.vi.2008, 2 JJ 1 ♀; Hradčany 1.5 km SE, Držník pond, 50°36′N, 14°43´E, sweeping tussocks of Carex paniculata near brook, 26.vi.2008, 13 JJ 7 ♀♀. N MORAVIA: Polanka nad Odrou, Přemyšov reserve, 49°47′N, 18°11′E, reared ex tussock of Carex vesicaria collected in boggy meadow 11.v.2009 – 1 ♀ emerged 11.v.–9.vi.2009. S MORAVIA: Hrabětice, Trávní Dvůr 1 km SW, 48°47′N, 16°26′E, sweeping Carex vesicaria in boggy meadow, 7.vii.2009, 1 J, all J. Roháček leg. ( SMOC). Several specimens with genitalia prepared.

Supplement to description. The species was redescribed in detail, including male abdomen and genitalia, by MERZ & ROHÁČEK (2005), however without information about female terminalia, and the female abdomen was charaterized only superficially. Female abdominal structures are hence described below, based on specimens from the Czech Republic (N Bohemia).

Female. Abdomen relatively flat, largely ochreous to pale yellow, with small brown spots on some terga as follows. T 1 and T 2 fused to form syntergum T 1+2 being longer than T 3; its anterior part (= original T 1) largely brown, posterior part ochreous-yellow with brown spots laterally. T 3– T 5 transversely oblong, of similar shape but becoming smaller posteriorly, all largely yellow, each with 1 small brown lateral spot (see T 5 on Fig. 36 ) and with sparse, short but relatively robust setae (longest on lateral margins). Preabdominal sterna pale yellow, all with fine scattered setulae. S1 smallest, narrower and shorter than S2, with reduced setosity; S2 and S4 of the same width but S2 shorter; S3 widest sternum, transversely suboblong, as long as S2; S4 narrower than S3 but distinctly longer (longest of preabdominal sterna); S5 ( Fig. 37 ) narrower and distinctly shorter than S4.

Postabdomen ( Figs. 36, 37 ). T 6 short, transverse, distinctly shorter and narrower than T 5, pale yellow, with one transverse row of short setae. T 7 fused with S6 and S7, forming large and long annular tergosternal sclerite ( T 7+S6+S7) being dorsally and partly laterally (original T 7) ochreous-brown pigmented and bearing short setae in front of posterior margin and laterally ( Fig. 36 ). T 8 narrow and unusually long, almost as long as wide, strongly convex, paler than dorsal part of T 7+S6+S7, with 2 rows of sparse setae in posterior third, posteromedial pair of which longest. S6 and S7 integrated in tergosternal ring T 7+S6+S7 but still recognizable as ventral paler parts of the sclerite ( Fig. 37 ), each with a group of fine setae. Anterior part of original S6 with peculiar internal pouch-like invagination on each side ( Fig. 37 ). S8 also strongly modified, formed as bare, small, oval to subcircular plate (shape depending on viewing angle) of annular structure ( Fig. 37 ). Genital chamber ( Fig. 38 ) membranous, without sclerotized structures, terminally with short, curved ventral receptacle of complex form. Spermathecae (1+1) small, blackish brown, subcylindrical to suboval ( Figs. 35, 38 ), with smooth surface except for 1–3 small, short to elongate, spinulae on apex. Terminal part of spermathecal duct (= collar) dark-pigmented and strongly sclerotized, about half length of body of spermatheca; duct itself membranous, long, markedly narrower than collar. T 10 absent ( Fig. 36 ); S10 narrower than T 8, convex, anteriorly wider and emarginate, posteriorly more or less tapered (shape depending on viewing angle), finely micropubescent, with 1 very long lateral seta on each side ( Fig. 37 ) in addition to 2 short setae at posterior margin. Cercus ( Figs. 36, 37 ) relatively small, subconical, with 3 short setae laterally and 1 slightly longer curved seta on apex.

Figures

Figs. 35–38. Podocera delicata (Collin, 1944), female (Czech Republic: N Bohemia). 35 – spermathecae; 36 – postabdomen with posterior part of T5, dorsally; 37 – postabdomen with S5, ventrally; 38 – genital chamber with ventral receptacle and spermathecae, laterally. Scales = 0.05 mm (Figs. 35, 38) and 0.1 mm (Figs. 36, 37). For abbreviations see text (p. 701).