Epicnemis alus, Gonzalez & Häggqvist, 2020

Gonzalez, Lisa & Häggqvist, Sibylle, 2020, Revision of the Oriental Region genus Epicnemis Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 4803 (1), pp. 103-124 : 106

Epicnemis alus new species

Figures 3 , 18 , 38, 39 .

Diagnosis. This species is one of four with relatively short but deep epandria with rounded ventral lobes, including E. setosus , E. linguiformis and E. chaweewanae . Of these, both E. chaweewanae and E. setosus have the ventral lobe divided, appearing bilobed, whereas in E. alus and E. linguiformis the lobe is rounded. The males of E. alus are usually easy to recognize by the setose, narrowed frons, often the presence of 6 scutellar setae instead of the usual 4, and the round ventral process of the short epandrium. One exceptional specimen, however, lacked the extra frontal setae (and also lacked the extra scutellar setae). The ocellar area is not greatly modified in this species, with the ocelli not greatly enlarged, and without a large posterior, curved lip.

Description. Body 2.7–3.2 mm long. Frons brown and relatively narrow; frontal width range 0.38–.43. Frontal ratio 0.95–1.15. Frons relatively setose, with 18–24 large frontal setae present, with a cluster of supranumerary frontal setae above supra-antennal setae. Frons distinctly narrow dorsally and broad posteriorly. Ocellar triangle dark brown and separated from rest of frons, with rounded posterior margin. Lateroventral part of frons with white triangular region with thin black line absent. Scutum yellowish-brown. Scutellum light brown, short, broad, with four to six subequal setae. Pleuron yellowish-brown dorsally to whitish ventrally. Foretibia without strongly differentiated large setae. Midtibia with one row of slightly enlarged setae on both anterior and posterior side of dorsal setal palisade. Hind tibia with several scattered medium-sized anterodorsal setae; dorsally with complete setal palisade, with row of small posterodorsal setulae closely parallel, followed more posteriorly by bare space before regular setulation. Wing large; mean costal length 0.56 wing length; range 0.51–0.6. Costal sector ratios 1.92–2.23:1. Halter knob yellowish-brown. Abdominal tergite 1–2 yellow except brown laterally, large, and extending laterally on segment. Tergites 3–6 predominantly brown. Epandrium rectangular in shape; depth greater than length. Broad, straight ventral process, rounded ventrally, present that approximately doubles depth of epandrium. Posteroventral margin of epandrium strongly concave. Setae approximately same length as setae on cercus along entire posteroventral margin of epandrium, ending at apex of ventral process. Phallus parallel to ventral process; extending beyond depth of ventral process. Apex of phallus curved apically.

Distribution. Thailand.

Etymology. From the Latin alus for “wing” referring to the shape of the large epandrial process.

HOLOTYPE. ♂. THAILAND: Nakhon Nayok: Khao Yai National Park , 14.17°N, 101.45°E, 12–18.iv.1990, E.Fuller, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 060949 ] ( QSBG).

PARATYPES. THAILAND: Chanthaburi: Khao Kitchakut NP, Klong Paiboon Falls , 12.89°N, 102.11°E, 50 m, 1♂, 1–2.vii.2008, B.Brown, M. Sharkey , Malaise trap 1 field ( LACM) . Chiang Mai: Doi Phahompok NP, Headquarter , 19.966°N, 99.1559°E, 569 m, 1♂, 25.vii.2007 – 1.viii.2007, Wongchai. P., Malaise trap, T-2951 ( LACM) . Nakhon Nayok: Khao Yai National Park , 14.17°N, 101.45°E, 3♂, 18–24.iv.1990, B.V. Brown , Malaise trap #3 ( LACM) , 9♂, 18–24.iv.1990, E. Fuller , Malaise trap ( LACM) , 3♂, 10–15.iv.1990, B.V. Brown , blacklight trap ( LACM) , 1♂, 12–18.iv.1990, B.V. Brown , Malaise trap #1 ( LACM) , 9♂, 12–18.iv.1990, E. Fuller , Malaise trap ( LACM) , 4♂, 11–18.iv.1990, E. Fuller , Malaise trap ( LACM) , 2♂, 11–18.iv.1990, B.V. Brown , Malaise trap #3 ( LACM) , 1♂, 11–16.iv.1990, B.V. Brown , Malaise trap #2 ( LACM) ; Khao Yai NP, Hnong Pak Chee Trail , 14.45°N, 101.37°E, 733 m, 4♂, 12–19.v.2007, P. Sandao , Malaise trap, T-2267 ( LACM) ; Khao Yai NP, nature trail in 2ary forest, 14.41°N, 101.37°E, 750 m, 1♂, 12–19.viii.2006, P. Sandao , Malaise trap T-402 ( LACM) .

Figures

FIGURES 3–11. Male genitalia of Epicnemis species, left lateral.

FIGURES 18–23. Heads, Epicnemis species, males, anterior view.

FIGURES 36–39. Epicnemis species. Figs. 36–37. Male terminalia, left lateral. Fig. 36. Air dried. Fig. 37. HMDS dried. Figs. 38–39. Posterior part of thorax and anterior segments of male abdomen, dorsal. Fig. 38. habitus. Fig. 39. detail of spinuli. Abbreviation: T1, T2—abdominal tergite 1, 2.