Corethrella (Corethrella) lepida Borkent, 2008

Amaral, André P., Mariano, Rodolfo & Pinho, Luiz Carlos, 2023, Description of five new species of frog-biting midges (Diptera, Corethrellidae) from Brazil and examination of new morphological characters with utility for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, European Journal of Taxonomy 874 (1), pp. 1-120 : 61-62

Corethrella (Corethrella) lepida Borkent, 2008

Fig. 29 ; Appendix 1

Material examined

BRAZIL – Bahia State • 2 ♀♀, adults; Maraú, Cassange ; 13°59ʹ16ʺ S, 38°57ʹ03ʺ W; 13 m a.s.l.; 28 Sep. 2019; A.P. Amaral leg.; frog-call trap (chorus); CE-MHS • 1 ♀, adult; same collection data as for preceding, except frog-call trap ( Physalaemus signifer ); CE-MHS • 2 ♀♀, adults; same collection data as for preceding, except CDC trap; CE-MHS • 1 ♀, adult; Ilhéus, Cabruca da UESC ; 14°47ʹ37ʺ S, 39°10ʹ25ʺ W; 35 m a.s.l.; 16 Jul. 2019; A.P. Amaral leg.; frog-call trap ( Boana faber ); CE-MHS .

Description

Female adult (n = 6)

HEAD. Sensilla ( Fig. 29A ): Ocular row with 2 thick offset setae at ventral part and 12–15 setae extending shortly beyond vertex. Subocular row well defined, with about 14 slender setae; vertex and interocular space with several setae. Postgenal row with 5–9 slender setae located mid-posteriorly. With 2–3 thick ventromedial setae.

THORAX. Sensilla ( Fig. 29B ): Antepronotum with 3 thick ventrolateral setae and 6 slender/intermediate setae more dorsally. Postpronotum with 1 thick dorsal seta; 1 intermediate and 1 slender seta more posteriorly. Scutum, prescutal area anterior portion with group of about 10 thick/intermediate setae; 3 thick/intermediate setae loosely aligned dorsoventrally near prescutal suture; row of 7 slender, more posterior setae from ventral to dorsal portion. Antealar area with 3–5 thick/intermediate setae vertically aligned near prescutal suture; more posteriorly with 4–6 thick and 3–4 intermediate setae forming a U-shape on ventral region; about 13–20 slender setae spread in between. Supraalar area with 2 thick and 1 intermediate setae anteroposteriorly aligned, with 14–16 slender surrounding. Dorsocentral row, posterior part with group of 5 thick offset setae; 18–22 thick/intermediate and 20–27 slender setae completing the row. Scutellum with 12–14 thick setae. Posterior anepisternum bare. Anepimeron with 8–15 slender setae.

WING. R 3 /R 1: 0.51 (0.49–0.54); R 2+3 /R 2: 0.61 (0.50–0.67).

LEGS. Empodium ( Fig. 29C ) short, slender, with 3 branches. Ta1/Ta2: 2.57 (2.47–2.75); Ta3/Ta4: 1.05 (1.00–1.11).

Distribution and biology

This is the first record of Corethrella lepida both from the state of Bahia and from the Brazilian Northeast region. The specimens studied were captured with frog-call pan traps (playing the calls of Boana faber and Physalaemus signifer ) and a CDC trap. Trapping sessions were near a pond, a coastal lake, and a small stream in the Atlantic forest at altitudes ranging from 13 to 35 m a.s.l.

This species is otherwise known from Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and French Guiana, at altitudes ranging from 5 to 100 m a.s.l. ( Borkent 2008).

Remarks

Examined specimens closely matched the description of C. lepida , only lacking a sensillum coeloconicum on flagellomere VIII.

Figures

Fig. 29. Corethrella lepida Borkent, 2008, female adult. A. Cranial setae, anterior and posterior views, and clypeus in anterior view. B. Thoracic setae, lateral view. C. Hind leg claw and empodium, lateral view.