Epicnemis digitalis, Gonzalez & Häggqvist, 2020

Gonzalez, Lisa & Häggqvist, Sibylle, 2020, Revision of the Oriental Region genus Epicnemis Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 4803 (1), pp. 103-124 : 107-108

Epicnemis digitalis new species

Figures 5 , 20 .

Diagnosis. The elongate, membranous, recurved, fingerlike process of the tip of the phallus is distinctive for this species, along with the relatively narrow frons.

Description. Body 2.1–2.7 mm long. Frons brown and relatively narrow; frontal width range 0.39–0.47. Frontal ratio 1–1.16. Twelve large frontal setae present, including one pair of supra-antennal setae. Ventral interfrontal setae same width apart as dorsal interfrontal setae. 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. Scutum yel- lowish-brown. Scutellum light brown, short, broad, with four subequal setae. Pleuron yellowish-brown dorsally to whitish ventrally. Foretibia with anterodorsal row of several differentiated setae, decreasing in size apically. Midtibia with one posterodorsal seta near base, one slightly more apical anterodorsal seta present, and one anterodorsal seta at or above midlength; dorsally with setal palisade extending from base to midlength, more apically with transverse rows of fine setulae; few posterodorsal setae slightly enlarged apically. 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 0.53 wing length; range 0.52–0.54. Costal sector ratios 3–3.38:1. Halter knob yellowish-brown. Abdominal tergites 1–2 yellow except brown laterally, large, and extending laterally on segment. Tergites 3–6 brown. Epandrium ovoid in shape except more strongly rounded dorsally and flatter ventrally; length greater than depth. Small anteroventral triangular process on epandrium near base of phallus. Scattered setae approximately same size as setae on cercus present from ventral to posteroventral margin of epandrium. Phallus strongly curved posteriorly throughout length. Apex of phallus weakly sclerotized and strongly recurved anteriorly; entire length of phallus forming an “S” shape. Phallus elongate, greater than length of epandrium

Distribution. Philippines.

Etymology. Named for the fingerlike processes of the phallus.

HOLOTYPE. ♂. PHILIPPINES: Negros Oriental: 7km W Valencia , 9.28°N, 123.25°E, 700 m, 5–13.v.1987, D.Darling, E.Mayordo, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 383621 ] ( ROME).

PARATYPES. PHILIPPINES: Negros Oriental: 7km W Valencia , 9.28°N, 123.25°E, 700 m, 9♂, 29.vi– 8.vii.1987, D.Darling, E.Mayordo, Malaise trap ROM 873061 ( LACM, ROME) , 1♂, 30.iv–5.v.1987, D.Darling,E. Mayordo, Malaise trap ( LACM) , 7♂, 31.iii–8.iv.1988, D.Darling,E. Mayordo, Malaise trap ROM 873097 ( LACM) , 3♂, 8–15.vii.1987, D.Darling,E. Mayordo, Malaise trap ROM 873062 ( LACM) , 1♂, 19–25.vi.1987, D.Darling,E. Mayordo, Malaise trap ( LACM) .

Figures

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

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