Howickia, Richards, 1951

Kuwahara, Gregory K. & Marshall, Stephen A., 2022, A revision of the Australian species of Howickia Richards (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae: Limosininae), Zootaxa 5192 (1), pp. 1-152 : 20-22

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.5192.1.1

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:236A609B-8A6A-47D7-9BB9-E2FDCA5C37E5

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7144057

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0F519B74-FFCA-AD28-FF2C-90F6FA34F81E

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Howickia
status

 

Key to the Australian species of Howickia View in CoL

1 Wing extending at least to posterior margin of scutellum (macropterous or brachypterous)........................... 2

- Wing absent or vestigial with vestige minute and not extending to posterior margin of scutellum (apterous or almost so)... 26

2 Wing fully developed, extending at least to posterior margin of T5.............................................. 3

- Wing significantly reduced, extending at most to posterior margin of T3......................................... 24

3 Head yellow to reddish-orange, different in colour from body.................................................. 4

- Entire body mostly brown to black, head brown to black with at most the lower frons orange......................... 9

4 CS2 at most half as long as CS3 ( Figs. 24.6 View FIGURES 24.1–24.3 , 25.6 View FIGURES 25.1–25.5 ); wing strongly infuscate but not patterned. Small species (1.9–3.1 mm) with 6–8 rows of acrostichal setulae........................................................................... 5

- CS2 subequal to or longer than CS3 ( Figs. 8.3 View FIGURES 8.1–8.6 , 13.6 View FIGURES 13.1–13.5 , 14.6 View FIGURES 14.1–14.5 , 15.6 View FIGURES 15.1–15.5 ); wing patterned or at least with dark spots at crossveins. Large species (2.5–5.5 mm) with 10–12 rows of acrostichal setulae................................................... 6

5 Frons with 4 subequal interfrontal bristles. Thorax with 10 rows of acrostichal setulae. Male mid tibia without row of stout ventral setae. R 4+5 sharply upcurved basally before running parallel to costa, never with a short appendix on the distal curve ( Fig. 25.6 View FIGURES 25.1–25.5 )................................................................ H. xanthocephala View in CoL sp. nov. (QLD, NSW)

- Frons with 3 interfrontal bristles (2 subequal and 1 much smaller). Thorax with 6 rows of acrostichal setulae. Male mid tibia with a double row of stout ventral setae. R 2+3 roughly symmetrically sinuate, sometimes with a short appendix on the distal curve ( Fig. 22.6 View FIGURES 22.1–22.5 )................................................. H. vernalis ( Richards, 1973) (NSW, QLD, VIC) View in CoL

6 Head orange/caramel brown; femora apically dark, with little to no orange........................................ 7

- Head yellow; femora with at least apical fifth orange......................................................... 8

7 Wing infuscate, with light patches forming a reticulated pattern ( Fig. 14.6 View FIGURES 14.1–14.5 ). All interfrontal bristles long with tips crossing. Apical 3 tarsomeres of fore leg white. Halter pale brown with a white apex..................................................................................... H. myrmecophila ( Knab & Malloch, 1912) (ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS) View in CoL

- Wing slightly infuscate with dark spots at crossveins and midpoint of CuA ( Fig. 8.3 View FIGURES 8.1–8.6 ). All interfrontal bristles short with tips well separated. All tarsomeres of fore leg entirely dark brown. Halter entirely dark brown..... H. erythrocephala View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW)

8 CS2 2.0x length of CS3. Legs mostly yellow, with basal 2 tarsomeres of fore leg brown and remaining tarsomeres white; fore leg yellow, mid and hind legs with basal half of femur brown; basal half of mid tibia with 5 dorsal bristles ( Fig. 3.10 View FIGURES 3.1–3.22 ); hind tibia with a stout apicoventral seta. Interfrontal bristles short, with tips well separated.... H. kurandensis ( Richards, 1973) (QLD) View in CoL

- CS2 1.5x length of CS3. Legs mostly dark brown, fore basitarsus brown and remaining tarsomeres white; fore leg brown, mid and hind legs with basal four-fifths of femur dark brown; basal half of mid tibia with 7 dorsal bristles ( Fig. 3.12 View FIGURES 3.1–3.22 ); hind tibia with only weak setulae apicoventrally. Interfrontal bristles long, with tips crossing or nearly so............................................................................................ H. nitidipleura ( Richards, 1973) (NSW, QLD) View in CoL

9 Costa ending at or extending very slightly past R 4+5 (1–2x costal width).......................................... 10

- Costa extending well beyond R 4+5 (4–7x costal width)........................................................ 14

10 Frons with 5 yellowish stripes (1 on frontal vitta and each orbital plate and interfrontal plate)........................ 11

- Frons without yellowish stripes, sometimes with shiny microtrichia on interfrontal and orbital plates but otherwise uniformly pigmented.......................................................................................... 12

11 CS2 0.3x length of CS3; R 2+3 very short, asymmetrical, curving up towards costa before running parallel to costa from which it is separated by 1x costal width ( Fig. 21.6 View FIGURES 21.1–21.5 ). Small species (1.7–2.6 mm) with 8 rows of acrostichal setulae.................................................................................. H. trivittata ( Richards, 1973) (NSW, QLD) View in CoL

- CS2 subequal to CS3; R 2+3 long, evenly sinuate and separated from costa by 3x costal width, sometimes with a very small appendage on distal curve ( Fig. 19.6 View FIGURES 19.1–19.5 ). Medium-sized species (2.3–3.7 mm) with 12 rows of acrostichal setulae....................................................................... H. subsinuata ( Richards, 1973) (ACT, NSW, QLD) View in CoL

12 Frons with pale microtomentum along interfrontal plates, giving appearance of stripes ( Fig. 18.2 View FIGURES 18.1–18.5 ); 4 interfrontal bristles (3 large + 1 small). CS2 subequal to CS3. Male mid tibia with a double row of ventral setae along apical half only................................................................................ H. pseudovittata View in CoL sp. nov. (ACT, NSW, QLD)

- Frons reddish-brown, without pale microtomentum along interfrontal plates ( Figs. 6.2 View FIGURES 6.1–6.2 , 20.2 View FIGURES 20.1–20.3 ); 3 interfrontal bristles (2 large + 1 small). CS2 distinctly shorter than CS3. Male mid tibia with double row of ventral setae along entire length............ 13

13 CS2 0.5x length of CS3; R 2+3 strongly sinuate with relatively rounded curves ( Fig 6.3 View FIGURES 6.1–6.2 ). Two dorsocentral bristles; 6 rows of acrostichal setulae.......................................................... H. brevior ( Richards, 1973) (NSW) View in CoL

- CS2 0.7x length of CS3; R 2+3 strongly sinuate with curves sharply bent, almost at right angles to costa ( Fig. 20.3 View FIGURES 20.1–20.3 ). One dorsocentral bristle; 8 rows of acrostichal setulae............................. H. symmetrica ( Richards, 1973) (NSW) View in CoL

14 One dorsocentral bristle............................................................................... 15

- Two dorsocentral bristles.............................................................................. 18

15 Frons largely orange, gradually transitioning from orange on lower portion to dark brown dorsally, interfrontal plates indistinctly coloured from frons ( Fig. 12.2 View FIGURES 12.1–12.5 ). Three stout interfrontal bristles........... H. hardyina ( Richards, 1973) (ACT, NSW, VIC)

- Frons largely black, orange limited to very front of frons but may extend upwards along the sides of the interfrontals, interfrontal plates distinctly dark ( Figs. 5.2 View FIGURES 5.1–5.5 , 17.2 View FIGURES 17.1–17.5 , 23.2 View FIGURES 23.1–23.5 ). Four to five long interfrontal bristles.................................. 16

16 Face deeply excavated on either side of midline with a small, flattened ventromedial triangle; 5 interfrontal bristles. Scutellar width 1.5x its length. Halter brown with apex of the knob paler.......... H. wamini View in CoL sp. nov. (ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, WA)

- Face more evenly rounded, not so excavated on either side of midline with a very small flattened ventromedial triangle, if present at all; 4 interfrontal bristles. Scutellar width 2x its length. Halter largely white with some brown............... 17

17 Mid tibia with 4 dorsal setae in proximal half ( Fig. 3.13 View FIGURES 3.1–3.22 ). R 2+3 evenly sinuate, distal curve with same curvature as basal curve ( Fig. 17.6 View FIGURES 17.1–17.5 ). Male preabdominal sclerites with enlarged punctures at the base of each seta (as in Fig. 17.3 View FIGURES 17.1–17.5 ).......................................................................................... H. pertusa View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW, TAS)

- Mid tibia with 3 dorsal setae in proximal half ( Fig. 3.2 View FIGURES 3.1–3.22 ). R 2+3 with distal curve much stronger than basal curve ( Fig. 5.6 View FIGURES 5.1–5.5 ). Male preabdominal sclerites with seta arising from normal sockets, not enlarged as in H. pertusa View in CoL ( Fig. 5.3 View FIGURES 5.1–5.5 )............................................................................................ H. biantenna View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW, TAS)

18 Basal half of mid tibia with 4 dorsal bristles (2 anterodorsal, 2 posterodorsal)..................................... 19

- Basal half of mid tibia with 3 dorsal bristles (2 anterodorsal, 1 posterodorsal)..................................... 21

19 CS2 0.7–0.8x length of CS3; R 2+3 separated from costa by 2x costal width ( Fig. 7.6 View FIGURES 7.1–7.2 ). Frontal width 2.2x its height.Anepisternum with a shining spot on anterior margin. Halter entirely dark brown. Male mid tibia with a double row of stout ventral setae along distal two-thirds................................................ H. capitalis ( Richards, 1973) (ACT, NSW, QLD) View in CoL

- CS2 1.0–1.3x length of CS3; R 2+3 separated from costa by 3–5x costal width ( Figs. 16.6 View FIGURES 16.1–16.5 , 24.3 View FIGURES 24.1–24.3 ). Frontal width 2.5x height. Anepisternum evenly microtrichose throughout. Halter pale brown with white apex. Male mid tibia with a double row of stout ventral setae along distal half only....................................................................... 20

20 CS2 1.0x length of CS3; M 1 and M 4 well separated from wing margin ( Fig. 24.3 View FIGURES 24.1–24.3 ). Male preabdominal sclerites heavily sclerotized................................................................ H. wilsoni ( Richards, 1973) (NSW) View in CoL

- CS2 1.3x length of CS3; M 1 and M 4 extending close to wing margin ( Fig. 16.6 View FIGURES 16.1–16.5 ). Male preabdominal sclerites desclerotized......................................................... H. percostata ( Richards, 1973) (NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC) View in CoL

21 Preabdominal sclerites heavily sclerotized ( Fig. 10.1 View FIGURES 10.1–10.5 ). Head with a shining spot on either side of the ocellar triangle. Anepisternum, katepisternum and anepimeron largely bare and shiny. R 2+3 strongly sinuate with the basal half evenly curved before bending upwards towards the costa at a distinct angle ( Fig. 10.6 View FIGURES 10.1–10.5 ); halter dark brown.......................................................................................... H. fuscalis ( Richards, 1973) (ACT, NSW, TAS) View in CoL

- Preabdominal sclerites (especially tergites) desclerotized/reduced at least marginally, though T1–2 usually desclerotized medially (as in Fig. 9.1 View FIGURES 9.1–9.5 ). Head evenly microtrichose around the ocellar triangle. Anepisternum, katepisternum and anepimeron entirely dull. R 2+3 more gently sinuate, largely running parallel to the costa ( Figs. 4.6 View FIGURES 4.1–4.5 , 9.6 View FIGURES 9.1–9.5 , 11.6 View FIGURES 11.1–11.5 ); halter white/pale brown.. 22

22 Dorsocentral bristles separated by 7–8 rows of acrostichal setulae. R 2+3 meeting costa at a sharper (≤60˚) angle ( Fig. 9.6 View FIGURES 9.1–9.5 ). Male T2 & T3 largely desclerotized posteromedially, lateral edges usually intact. Body often more reddish............................................................................ H. flaviterga ( Richards, 1973) (ACT, NSW, TAS, VIC)

- Dorsocentral bristles separated by 4–6 rows of acrostichal setulae. R 2+3 meeting costa at a steeper (≥70˚) angle ( Figs. 4.6 View FIGURES 4.1–4.5 , 11.6 View FIGURES 11.1–11.5 ). Only male T2 desclerotized medially. Body dark brown...................................................... 23

23 Acrostichal setulae long and sparse, in 4 rows; R 2+3 separated from costa by 2x costal width ( Fig. 4.6 View FIGURES 4.1–4.5 ). Hind tarsus usually lighter than tibia.................................................................. H. acicula View in CoL sp. nov. (TAS)

- Acrostichal setulae short and dense, in 6 rows; R 2+3 separated from costa by 4x costal width ( Fig. 11.6 View FIGURES 11.1–11.5 ). Hind tarsus usually concolourous with tibia........................................................ H. grandisterna View in CoL sp. nov. (TAS)

24 Halter reduced but distinct, pure white; wing extending to posterior margin of T3, all veins present ( Fig. 26.1 View FIGURES 26.1–26.2 ). Head yellow, paler than body; all tarsi dirty white. Basal half of mid tibia with 5 dorsal bristles (2 pairs); hind tibia with a large preapical ventral spur...................................................................... H. cruspica View in CoL sp. nov. (VIC)

- Halter absent or minute (brown or white if present); wing very small, extending to just past anterior edge of T2, wing veins reduced, at most costa, R 1, R 2+3, and M 1+2 present ( Figs. 27.6 View FIGURES 27.1–27.5 , 28.3 View FIGURES 28.1–28.6 ). Head orange-brown, not much paler than body; tarsi brownish, at most only fore tarsi whitish. Basal half of mid tibia with 2–3 dorsal bristles (1 pair); hind tibia without preapical ventral spur......................................................................................... 25

25 One orbital bristle; frons with 4 pale yellow stripes ( Fig. 28.2 View FIGURES 28.1–28.6 ); 3 interfrontal bristles (middle pair largest with tips crossing). One dorsocentral bristle. Halter completely absent or present as minute dark brown scale.. H. sabina ( Richards, 1973) (VIC) View in CoL

- Two orbital bristles; frons without pale stripes, darkened along interfrontal plates ( Fig. 27.2 View FIGURES 27.1–27.5 ); 3 interfrontal bristles (posterior 2 large but tips separated). Two dorsocentral bristles. Halter present as minute white knob......... H. pinnula View in CoL sp. nov. (TAS)

26 One orbital bristle.................................................................................... 27

- Two orbital bristles, anterior pair sometimes small or very fine................................................ 33

27 Halter present but small ( Fig. 30.1 View FIGURES 30.1–30.5 ). Interfrontal bristles very fine and clustered towards lower half of frons; head shiny yellow and thorax shining reddish-brown................................................ H. australis ( Papp, 1979) (VIC) View in CoL

- Halter absent (as in Fig. 29.1 View FIGURES 29.1–29.5 ). Interfrontal bristles usually larger, if fine then more evenly spaced on frons, not clustered towards front; head and thorax usually concolourous or nearly so, but if head yellow and thorax brown then both dull with microtrichia......................................................................................... 28

28 Thorax dark brown or black, head brown or orange......................................................... 29

- Thorax yellow to yellow-brown, head yellow to yellow brown................................................ 31

29 Frons brown or gold but always with 5 pale yellow stripes ( Figs. 42.4, 42.6 View FIGURES 42.1–42.6 ); frontal vitta dulled from rugose surface or microtomentum....................................................... H. regalis ( Richards, 1973) View in CoL , in part (WA)

- Frons reddish to orange-brown and plain, never with pale yellow stripes ( Figs. 29.2 View FIGURES 29.1–29.5 , 44.2 View FIGURES 44.1–44.5 ); frontal vitta shiny, either smooth or finely rugose........................................................................................ 30

30 Head reddish, thorax black; frons with 3–4 narrowly separated interfrontal bristles (all subequal); face centrally concave. Legs mostly black............................................................... H. auricoma View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW, VIC)

- Head brown, thorax yellow/orange; frons with 3 widely separated interfrontal bristles (first pair smallest); face centrally convex. Legs mostly yellow................................................ H. tricolor View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW–Lord Howe Island)

31 Anepisternum yellow with katatergite and lower two-thirds of katepimeron dark brown ( Fig. 36.1 View FIGURES 36.1–36.5 ). Interfrontal bristles very fine and subequal in length.................................................... H. flavithorax ( Papp, 2021) (WA) View in CoL

- Anepisternum and katepimeron entirely yellow to brownish with dark brown katatergite ( Figs. 42.1 View FIGURES 42.1–42.6 , 43.1 View FIGURES 43.1–43.5 ). Interfrontal bristles with anterior-most pair smaller than posterior pairs.......................................................... 32

32 Frons brownish with 5 pale yellow stripes; eye large, ocelli present; bristles on head narrow ( Fig. 42.2 View FIGURES 42.1–42.6 ). Eight rows of acrostichal setulae present....................................................... H. regalis ( Richards, 1973) View in CoL , in part (WA)

- Frons plain yellow; eye reduced, ocelli absent and replaced by diverging setulae; bristles on head stout ( Fig. 43.2 View FIGURES 43.1–43.5 ). Ten rows of acrostichal setulae present....................................... H. robustaseta View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW–Lord Howe Island)

33 Frons with stripes contrasting with base colour ( Figs. 38.2 View FIGURES 38.1–38.5 , 43.2 View FIGURES 43.1–43.5 )............................................... 34

- Frons without stripes ( Figs. 34.2 View FIGURES 34.1–34.5 , 37.2 View FIGURES 37.1–37.5 , 40.2 View FIGURES 40.1–40.5 )............................................................... 35

34 Frons yellow without microtrichose stripes, but with 2 brown arches creating an M-shape around interfrontal bristles, sections between the interfrontals darkest ( Fig. 45.2 View FIGURES 45.1–45.5 ); face with a brown, transverse, median stripe; lower half of gena dark brown................................................................................. H. truemani View in CoL sp. nov. (TAS)

- Frons caramel-brown with 5 golden microtomentose stripes (orbital stripes narrow and connecting to frontal vitta stripe around ocelli) ( Fig. 38.2 View FIGURES 38.1–38.5 ); face yellow, without a dark median stripe; gena entirely yellow............... H. irwini View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW)

35 Halter present at least in a vestigial form, with a knob....................................................... 36

- Halter completely absent.............................................................................. 39

36 Body dark, head yellow to orange and contrasting with thorax................................................. 37

- Body pale, at most abdomen dark but head and thorax always concolourous...................................... 38

37 Large species (2.7–3.8 mm). Palpus greatly swollen and leaf-shaped. Legs entirely dark brown. Wing present as a minute, scalelike knob (smaller than apex of halter)................................................. H. notechis View in CoL sp. nov. (TAS)

- Small species (1.3–1.8 mm). Palpus elongate, not distinctly swollen. Legs yellow with fore tibia darker. Wing entirely absent.......................................................................... H. flavipes ( Papp, 2021) (NSW) View in CoL

38 Katatergite pale, concolourous with rest of thorax; abdomen pale reddish. Halter noticeably reduced, brown............................................................................................... H. loligo View in CoL sp. nov. (TAS)

- Katatergite dark brown, contrasting with orange-brown thorax; abdomen black. Halter normal or only slightly reduced, reddishbrown..................................................................... H. dodo ( Richards, 1973) (TAS) View in CoL

39 Head dark reddish or black, more-or-less concolourous with thorax............................................. 40

- Head yellow or orange, distinctly contrasting with black thorax................................................ 41

40 Thorax entirely devoid of microtrichia, appearing very shiny ( Fig. 41.1 View FIGURES 41.1–41.5 ). Fore and hind tibiae entirely orange. Ocelli absent................................................................... H. nuda View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW–Lord Howe Island)

- Thorax covered in dense microtrichia, appearing dull ( Fig. 37.1 View FIGURES 37.1–37.5 ). Fore and hind tibiae largely dark brown, only distally and apically orange. Ocelli present......................................................... H. holti View in CoL sp. nov. (NSW)

41 Fore tarsi and tarsomeres 3–5 of mid and hind legs (dirty) white....................... H. flagella View in CoL sp. nov. (QLD, TAS)

- All tarsi reddish-brown to black......................................................................... 42

42 Female mid tibia with a very small apicoventral seta................................ H. truncata ( Papp, 2021) (NSW) View in CoL

- Female mid tibia with a large apicoventral seta............................................................. 43

43 Antenna reddish; head uniformly orange with some darkening around and behind ocelli; interfrontal bristles subequal. Fore legs reddish-orange, mid and hind legs bicoloured ( Fig. 32.1 View FIGURES 32.1–32.5 ). Abdominal setae pale orange-brown................................................................................................. H. dealata ( Richards, 1973) (TAS) View in CoL

- Antenna dark reddish; head dark reddish-orange with strong darkening around and behind ocelli; medial pair of interfrontal bristles slightly larger than others. Legs black with pale knees, tarsi brown ( Fig. 31.1 View FIGURES 31.1–31.5 ). Abdominal setae dark brown................................................................................ H. cynthia ( Richards, 1973) (TAS) View in CoL

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Diptera

Family

Sphaeroceridae

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