Aphiura distinctus, DISNEY, 2003

DISNEY, R. H. L., 2003, Tasmanian Phoridae (Diptera) and some additional Australasian species, Journal of Natural History 37 (5), pp. 505-639 : 515

Aphiura distinctus sp. nov.

(figures 4C, 5)

Material

H  : male, Tasmania, Fern Tree, Grays Road , 147°15∞E, 42°57∞S (grid ref. 203474), 540 m altitude, 12 August 2000 ( R. H. L. Disney —25-43) ( TMH).

Etymology Named for being distinctive in relation to other Tasmanian species.

Diagnosis

Palp with large irregular pits on outer face; third antennal segment with a series of confluent pits at base, but no SPS vesicles internally, and unusually long basal segments of arista; femora brown, the front pair being paler; anterior (outer) pair of scutellar bristles almost twice as long as posterior (inner) pair; right posterolateral process of epandrium rounded behind; right lobe of hypandrium elongated; haltere with both stem and knob brown.

Male

Frons similar to A. alistairi , but with two to four SA hairs (there being two on one side and one on the other in the only available specimen) and dense microsetae. Third antennal segments and palps brown and as figure 4C. The paler, orangebrown, labrum with greatest breadth only about 0.6× that of third antennal segment. Labella even paler yellowish brown. Thorax similar to A. alistairi , apart from relative lengths of scutellar bristles. Abdominal tergites brown with short hairs as in A. alistairi . Venter brownish grey with hairs restricted to ventral face on segments 3–6, except for some on flanks at rear of segment 6. Hypopygium brown and as figure 5. Legs similar to A. alistairi . Wing 2.7 mm long. Costal index 0.59. Costal ratios 5.78: 3.05: 1. Costal cilia 0.08 mm long. Axillary ridge with five setae. Veins brown and membrane tinged brown, being darkest beyond tip of costa.