Microgephyra falx, Hauser & Irwin, 2005

Hauser, Martin & Irwin, Michael E., 2005, The subfamily Xestomyzinae (Diptera: Therevidae) new to Madagascar, with the description of four new species, African Invertebrates 46, pp. 181-202 : 186-188

Microgephyra falx sp. n.

Figs 1C, 1D , 2C, 2D , 3C, 3D , 4C, 4D , 5C, 5D , 6B , 7B , 8B , 9A

Etymology: L. falx (sickle). The gonostyli are unusually long and sickle-shaped.

Diagnosis: This species is characterised by the dichoptic male eyes (character shared with elegans and madagascariensis ), the polished black frons with a silver pubescent band along eye margin in the female ( Fig. 1D ), the brown to yellow fore coxa and femur, the dark brown thorax, the faint transverse bands on the wing and the long sickle-shaped gonostyli ( Figs 3D , 4C ).

Description:

Male.

Head: Ocellar tubercle slightly elevated, polished black, with a few setae, which are as long as diameter of ocellus. Eyes brown, dichoptic, separated by width of ocellar tubercle ( Fig. 1C ), ommatidia homogeneous in size. Frons diverging ventrally; polished black, with band of silver pubescence along inner eye margin, starting in lower half of frons and connecting with thin band with pubescence of occiput ( Fig. 1C ). Parafacial and lower face silver pubescent; without setae. Genal setae sparse, light brown to white. Antenna about twice as long as head, brown ( Fig. 2C ). Scape nearly twice as long as wide, with short, thick, black setae on ventral side. Pedicel very short, twice as broad as long with few short, black setae. First flagellomere 5.5 times as long as broad, laterally flattened. Second and third flagellomeres very small. Second flagellomere shorter than broad, third flagellomere twice as long as broad, with apical stylus. Maxillary palp elongate, one segmented, constricted in middle, yellow, with short yellow appressed setae. Proboscis medium sized, as long as head.

Thorax: Mesonotal cuticle brown. Mesonotum with three silver pubescent vittae, central vittae smaller and fainter than lateral ones, which merge posteriorly and reach base of scutellum. Scutellar cuticle brown with basal patch of silver pubescence. Pleural cuticle pale brown, sometimes yellowish-brown.Pleuron covered with silver pubescence, except anepisternum only pubescent in central part and anepimeron only pubescent in ventral part. Pleuron without setae. Wing membrane translucent brownish-grey, darker apical to cell d, especially along veins, darker also around cross veins m-cu and r-m. This creates the impression of two faint bands ( Fig. 7B ). Veins black. Completely covered with microtrichia except apical part of cell cu-p. Pterostigma black. Halter stalk yellow, head brown. Coxae pale yellow, hind coxa lightly silver pubescent. Fore coxa with 2, mid coxa with 2, hind coxa with 3 black macrosetae; hind coxa with dorso-lateral macroseta. All femora and basal half of fore and mid tibiae light yellow, apical part of fore and mid tibiae and complete hind tibia brown; tarsi black, only basitarsus yellowish at base.

Abdomen: Cuticle black, polished with short, appressed, black setae. Gonocoxite with many black setae laterally ( Figs 3C , 4C ). Inner margin of gonocoxite straight. Epandrium with corners folded inwards over nearly a third of width of epandrium; subepandrial sclerite with setae only in the most apical part ( Fig. 4D ). Gonostylus long, sickle shape, crossing at middle of gonocoxites. Hypandrium laterally with about 8 setae ( Fig. 5C ). Aedeagus with bilobed apical cap ( Figs 5C, 5D ). Ejaculatory apodeme in ventral view apically broadened ( Fig. 5C ).

Body length: 6.2 (5.8–7) mm. Wing length: 4.6 (4.2–5.2) mm.

Female similar to male except as follows:

Head: Antenna nearly twice as long as head. Scape twice as long as broad. First flagellomere 6.5 times as long as broad, thinner than in male. Maxillary palp longer and broader than in male, club-like expanded apex, but not two segmented ( Fig. 2D ).

Thorax: Wing. Brown coloration is more intense in female. Coxae dark yellow to brown, darker than in male. Fore tibia and femur light brown, sometimes yellowish, middle and hind tibiae and femora dark brown to black.

Abdomen: Sternite 8 red-brown, setae reddish-orange. Two irregular rows of black or sometimes reddish-orange, apical flattened macrosetae. Upper row consists of 10–14 macrosetae, while second row has 8–16 shorter, pointed macrosetae. Furca as in Fig. 6B .

Body length: 7.2–8.8 mm. Wing length: 5.2–7.5 mm.

Holotype ( CASC type number: 18071): MADAGASCAR: Toliara Province: 15.5 km 64 deg ENE Marofandilia, Forêt de Kirindy , [20.04, 44.657], 100 m, in tropical dry forest, 28.xi–3.xii.2001, MTr, B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold, 1ơ (149897, CASC).

Paratypes: MADAGASCAR: Toliara Province: 15.5 km 64 deg ENE Marofandilia, Forêt de Kirindy , [20.04, 44.657], 100 m, in tropical dry forest , 28.xi–3.xii.2001, MTr, B.L. Fisher, C. Griswold, 12ơ (149896, 149898, 149899, 149900, 149902, 149903, 149904, 149905, 149906, 149907, 146510, 146511, MEI) , 15ơ (149881, 149882, 149883, 149884, 149885, 149886, 149888, 149889, 149890, 149891, 149892, 149893, 149894, 149895, 157872, CASC), 1ơ (149887, INHS); 4^ (149909, 149910, 149911, MEI), 1^ (146509, INHS); Andohaela National Park, Tsimelahy, Parcelle II, [24.937, 46.627], 175 m, transitional forest , 19–26.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (166266, MEI) 2^ (166263, 166277, MEI); 9–16.xii.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (166270, 166271, MEI) ; 21–25.x.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 3ơ (153248, MNHN), (153250, MEI), (153249, NMSA) ; 25.x–4.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (154273, 154277, MEI) , 3^ (154279, MNHN), (154280, 154287, MEI); 4–11.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 3ơ (154262, 154271, 154278, MEI) , 3^ (154282, 154283, 154286, MEI), 11–19.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1^ (154281, MEI) ; 19–26.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (157871, MEI) ; 26.xi–2.xii.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (154264, 154269, MEI) , 2^ (154284, 154285, MEI); 2–9.xii.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (154274, MEI) , 2^ (154293, 154297, MEI); 9–16.xii.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 6^ (154288, 154289, 154290, 154294, 154295, 154296, MEI) ; 17–24.viii.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (166281, MEI) ; 1–11.x.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (166268, MEI) ; 30.x–9.xi.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (166273, 166279, MEI) ; 21–23.xii.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (166262, MEI) ; 27.xii.2002 – 6.i.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 3ơ (153242, USNM), (153243, 153244, MEI) ; 6–16.i.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (153245, MEI), (153247, ZMUC) , 2^ (153206, 153208, MEI); 28.i–12.ii.2004, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (166282, MEI) ; 26.ii–8.iii.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1^ (153207, MEI) ; 8–18.iii.2003, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2^ (153200, 153203, MEI) ; Andohaela National Park, Tsimelahy , [24.937, 46.627], 190 m, in transition forest, Parcel II , 16–26.i.2003, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (146495, MEI) 1^ (146496, MEI); Berenty Special Reserve , 8 km NW Amboasary, [25.007, 46.303], 85 m, in gallery forest , 25–26.x.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (153213, 153240, MEI) , 3^ (153199, 153204, 153205, MEI); 26.x–5.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 2ơ (154265, 154268, MEI) ; 9– 16.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 4ơ (153233, 153241, 153246, MEI), (153234, SMNS) , 3^ (153201, 153209, 153210, MEI); 16–23.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1ơ (154263, MEI) , 1^ (154291, MEI); 23– 30.xi.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 3ơ (154266, 154267, 154270, MEI) , 1^ (154292, MEI); 30.xi–7.xii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (146494, MEI) ; 7–14.xii.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 4ơ (153236, 153237, 153238, 153239, MEI) , 1^ (153211, MEI); 16.x–27.xii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (153235, MEI) 3^ (153197, 153198, 153202, MEI); 26.i–5.ii.2003, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (153251, MEI) 1^ (153212, MEI); 5–15.ii.2003, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (153223, 153224, 153225, MEI) ; Zombitse National Park , [22.783, 45.033], 825 m, in dry gallery forest , 5–12.i.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ, (148272, MEI) ; 21–28.ii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 4ơ (1428232, 148233, 148241, 148242, MEI) ; 28.ii–6.iii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 9ơ (148251, 148252, 148253, 148256, 148257, 148258, 148259, 148260, 148261, MEI) ; 6–13.iii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 8ơ (146515, 146516, 148237, 148238, 148239, 148240, 148255, 148264, MEI) ; 20–27.iii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 5ơ (148245, 148246, 148248, 148249, 148263, MEI) ; 11–16.iv.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 1^ (146505, MEI) ; 16–23.iv.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 3ơ (148222, 148223, 148224, MEI) ; 1–9.v.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (148244, MEI) ; 13–25.vii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ, (148273, MEI) ; 25.vii–1.viii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 1ơ (148271, MEI) ; 1–14.viii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 8ơ (146506, 146517, 148231, 148234, 148235, 148236, 148254, 148275, MEI) ; 14–25.viii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 5ơ (148227, 148228, 148229, 148230, 148250, MEI) ; 25.viii–3.ix.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 4ơ (148225, 148226, 148243, 148262, MEI) ; 5–31.x.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 49ơ (146507, 146508, 148265, 148266, 148267, 148268, 148269, 148270, 148274, 148276, 148277, 148278, 148279, 148280, 148281, 148282, 148283, 148284, 148285, 148286, 148287, 148288, 148289, 148290, 148291, 148292, 148293, 148294, 148295, 148296, 148297, 148298, 148299, 148300, 148301, 148302, 148303, 148304, 148305, 148306, 148307, 148308, 148835, 148836, 148837, 148838, 148839, 148841, 148842, MEI) 2^ (146513, 148834, MEI), 1^ (148840, BMNH); 16–31.x.2002, MTr, MI, FDP, RHH, 6ơ (146498, 146499, 146500, 146501, 146502, 157873, MEI) ; Zombitse National Park , near main road, [22.841, 44.731], 825 m, in deciduous spiny forest , 23.iv–1.v.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 4ơ (157869, 157870, 153226, 153231, MEI) ; Zombitse National Park , near road, [22.841, 44.731], 822 m , 15.x–9.xi.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166449, MEI) ; 19–26.xi.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 120, MEI) ; 26.xi– 2.xii.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 143, MEI) ; 2–7.xii.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 150, MEI) ; 16–22.xii.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 140, MEI) ; 22–29.xii.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166443, MEI) ; 5–12.i.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166456, MEI) ; 21–28.ii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166444, MEI) ; 11–16.iv.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 122, MEI) ; 1–9.v.2002, MTr, RHH, 6ơ (BAT 138, 166251, 166252, 166253, 166256, 166257, MEI) ; 2– 13.vii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 151, MEI) ; 25.vii–1.viii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 125, MEI) ; 1– 14.viii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 157, MEI) ; 14–25.viii.2005, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166461, MEI) ; Zombitse National Park, nr ANGAP Office , [22.887, 44.692], 838 m , 9–19.xi.2001, MTr, RHH, 2ơ (BAT 141, 146, MEI) ; 19–26.xi.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166454, MEI) ; 22–29.xii.2001, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166460, MEI) ; 12– 19.i.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166457, MEI) ; 19–26.i.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 126, MEI) ; 26.i–5.ii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 153, MEI) ; 5–14.ii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 145, MEI) ; 14–21.ii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 119, MEI) ; 20–27.iii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (148247, MEI) ; 27.iii–3.iv.2002, MTr, RHH, 1^ (BAT 123, MEI) ; 11–16.iv.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (165118, MEI) ; 16–23.iv.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 127, MEI) ; 1–9.v.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 134, MEI) ; 9–18.v.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166445, MEI) ; 19–27.v.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 130, MEI) ; 12–23.vi.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 128, MEI) ; 23.vi–2.vii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (166451, MEI) ; 3–13.vii.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 155, MEI) ; 5–31.x.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ, (BAT 154, MEI) ; 31.x–16.xi.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 147, MEI) ; 16–29.xi.2002, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 136, MEI) ; Zombitse National Park, nr ANGAP Office , [22.887, 44.692], 840 m, in deciduous spiny forest , 29.xi–11.xii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 3ơ (154272, 154275, 154276, MEI) ; 11–22.xii.2002, MTr, RHH, MI, 3ơ (153215, 153216, 153217, MEI) ; 4–20.i.2003, MTr, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 121, MEI) ; 13–19.ii.2003, MTr, RHH, MI, 3ơ (153218, 153219, 153220, MEI) ; 10–19.iii.2003, MTr, RHH, MI, 5ơ (153221, 153222, 153227, 153228, 153230, MEI) ; 19–29.iii.2003, MTr, RHH, MI, 3ơ (153214, 153229, 153232, MEI) ; Zombitse Nature Reserve , 16 km E Sakaraha, [22.882, 44.701], 825 m, in tropical forest on sand , 13–16.xii.1999, MTr, MI, E.I. Schlinger, 1^ (122886, MEI) ; Andohaela Nat’l Park, Tsimela, Parcelle II, [24.937, 46.627], 176 m , 25.x–4.xi.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 1ơ (165115, MEI) , 1^ (165116, MEI); 17–19.xi.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 1^ (165109, MEI) ; 2–9.xii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 1ơ (BAT 133, MEI) ; 17–27.xii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 1ơ (165124, MEI) ; 20–30.xii.2002, MTr, MI, RHH, 1ơ (165125, MEI) ; 26.i–5.ii.2003, MTr, MI, RHH, 1ơ (165122, MEI) ; 15–22.vi.2003, MTr, MI, RHH, 3ơ (166248, 166249, 166250, MEI) 1^ (166245, MEI); 10–20.vii.2003, MTr, MI, RHH, 4ơ (BAT 129, 166254, 166255, 166258, MEI) 1^ (166246, MEI). Biology : This species has been collected year round in Malaise traps in deciduous forest, dry forest, gallery forest, transitional forest, tropical forest, and in spiny forest .

Figures

Fig. 1 A–H. Heads frontal; left column males, right column females: (A, B) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (C, D) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (E, F) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (G, H) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Fig. 2 A–H. Heads lateral; left column males, right column females: (A, B) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (C, D) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (E, F) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (G, H) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n. Scale bar = 1 mm.

Fig. 3 A–H. Gonocoxites; left column ventral, right column dorsal: (A, B) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (C, D) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (E, F) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (G, H) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n. Abbreviations: gc – gonocoxite, gr – gonocoxal ring, gs – gonostylus, h – hypandrium, spa – spiculose area. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 4 A–H. Male terminalia; left column gonocoxites (lateral), right column epandria (ventral): (A, B) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (C, D) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (E, F) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (G, H) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 5 A–H. Aedeagi; left column ventral, right column lateral: (A, B) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (C, D) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (E, F) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (G, H) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n. Abbreviations: ac – apical cap, da – dorsal apodeme, ea – ejaculatory apodeme, lds – lateral distiphallus sclerite, va – ventral apodeme. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 6 A–D. Furcae, dorsal view: (A) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (B) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (C) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (D) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n. Abbreviations: ag – accessory gland, f – furca, sr – sclerotized ring, ss – spermathecal sac, ssd – spermathecal sac duct, st – spermatheca, std – spermathecal duct, S10 – sternite 10. Scale bar = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 7 A–D. Right wings: (A) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (B) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (C) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (D) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n.

Fig. 8 A–D. Distribution maps: (A) Microgephyra chrysothorax sp. n.; (B) Microgephyra falx sp. n.; (C) Microgephyra elegans sp. n.; (D) Microgephyra madagascariensis sp. n.

Fig. 9 A, B. SEM images: (A) Microgephyra falx sp. n., apical part of gonocoxites with spiculose area (spa). Scale bar = 100 µm. (B) Microgephyra elegans sp. n., tip of distiphallus. Scale bar = 50 µm.