Evertomyia frankadelia, Gaimari, Stephen D., 2004

Gaimari, Stephen D., 2004, A new genus of Lauxaniidae (Diptera) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 449, pp. 1-39 : 17-19

Evertomyia frankadelia , sp. nov.

( Figs. 3 B, 7A–E)

Etymology. Named for my parents, Frank (“ frank ­”) and Adele (“­ adelia ”) Gaimari, who have been very supportive for so many years. The epithet is not intended to be interpreted as Latinized, but rather the “­ ia ” ending was added for euphony.

Diagnosis. Like E. webbi , this species has weaker, divergent ocellar setae, the face lacks paired spots, the ptilinial suture and antennal groove are unmarked, the scutum and scutellum are orange, lacking vittae or silvery grey pruinescence, and the anepisternum is pale without dark marks, although in this species is covered with bronzy brown pruinescence. Like E. albeto and E. matilei , the antennal arista is pubescent. Like all species except E. albeto , the face lacks a median spot and the midtibia has 1 strong spur. Like E. helenae , this species has bronzy pruinescence on the fronto­orbital plate, but in this species the entire fronto­orbital plate is covered. Unlike all other species, the orbital setae are weak (relative to the vertical setae) with the anterior seta much smaller than the posterior and is located midway between the posterior seta and the lunule edge, the face is uniformly yellowish orange, and the anterior dorsocentral seta is closer to the middle seta than to the transverse suture. In the female: sternites 2–5 are more than 3 X broader than long; syntergosternite 7 has the lateral part extended anteriorly into a lobe; sternite 8 is elongated, with anteriorly­directed lateral arms, the paired central processes are elongated, each with a distal hook; the spermathecae each have internal lobes at the entrance to the spermathecal duct.

Adults, Ψ (ɗ unknown). Body length 6.2–6.6 mm; entirely and uniformly covered with bronzy brown pruinescence, except as noted.

Head ( Fig. 3 B). 1.2–1.3 X higher than long, 1.5–1.7 X wider than high; eye slightly higher than long. Vertex with outer vertical seta slightly stronger than posterior orbital seta, inner seta 1.2–1.4 X longer. Ocellar setae weaker than anterior orbital seta; divergent. Postocellar setae as strong as posterior orbital seta. Frons with anterolateral part with pruinescence reduced and exposing orange ground color visible in profile below frontoorbital plate. Fronto­orbital plate with bronzy brown pruinescence fully present, not reduced. Orbital setae weak relative to vertical setae; posterior seta much stronger than anterior, 1.2–1.3 X longer; anterior seta arising midway between edge of lunule and posterior seta; anterior setae slightly closer together than posterior setae. Area surrounding antennal base slightly paler. Antennal 1st flagellomere yellowish orange, 1.3–1.5 X longer than high; arista pubescent. Face yellowish orange, at slightly acute angle with frons; antennal grooves unmarked. Clypeus yellowish orange. Maxillary palpus yellowish orange, subcylindrical, slightly flattened; with black setulae.

Thorax. Scutum 1.2–1.4 X longer than wide; scutellum with width at base 1.2–1.5 X greater than length. Distances between anterior and middle dorsocentral setae and between middle and posterior setae subequal or anterior to middle setae slightly less; anterior seta closer to middle seta than to transverse suture. Posterior pair of scutellar setae likely cruciate (no known specimens have these setae in their natural position). Legs. Brownish orange, except as noted. Forefemur slightly darker on posterodorsal surface; ctenidium as evenly spaced (each 0.26–0.32 mm apart) row of 8–10 fine setulae; posterior surface with short row of small setae. Foretibia darkened apically. Midtibia darkened; with 1 strong spur. Wing. Length 5.5–6.1 mm; 2.7–2.9 X longer than high. Discal medial cell 4.7–5.1 X longer than crossvein dm­cu. Halter yellow with darkened knob.

Abdomen. Orange dorsally, with bronzy brown pruinescence laterally and along posterior edge of each segment; slightly shorter than scutum. Sternites bronzy brown pruinose; with sparse fine setulae; sternites 2–5 3.0–3.3 X broader than long, with slightly elongated setae along posterior edges. Syntergosternite 7 with lateral portion extended anteriorly.

Terminalia . Sternite 8 ( Figs. 7 A–B) elongate, width 0.6 X length; parallel­sided; with only anteriorly­directed lateral arms sclerotized; paired central processes originating at mid­length of sternite 8, elongate and extending slightly beyond posterior edge of sternite, thin, with medially­oriented distal hooks, process setose with basal patch of setae oriented posteroventrally. Spermathecae round; single spermatheca 0.13 mm diameter, paired 0.10 mm each; paired spermathecae on short stalks from bifurcation; each with distinct internal lobes at entrance from spermathecal duct ( Fig. 7 C).

Immatures. Egg ( Fig. 7 D). Micropylar end not protruding. Eclosion end with distinct lobes, 3 on each side ( Fig. 7 E).

Biology. Specimens of this species have been collected in the months from November through January. All known specimens were collected using Malaise traps across forest paths and along streams.

Type material. Holotype Ψ (pinned, very good condition but with some moth scales) deposited in MNHN with the following labels: “ NEW CALEDONIA / Rivière Bleue Prov[incial]. P[ar]k. / 35 km NW Yaté / 21 December 1991 / M.E. Irwin, D.W. Webb”, “Malaise Trap / across forest / path”, “ HOLOTYPUS / Evertomyia / frankadelia / Gaimari Ψ” (red label). Paratypes. Province Nord. Mont Mandjanié, 5.3 km WSW Puébo, 550 m (D. W. Webb), Malaise trap in tropical forest, 9–26.XI.1992 [1Ψ (dissection 908: SDG 01007)]. Province Sud. Rivière Bleue Provincial Park: km 25.8 Riv. [= Rivière] Bleue road, 213 m (D.W. Webb, E. & M. Schlinger), Malaise trap across forest path, 5– 16.XI.1992 [1Ψ]; Parc 6, 150 m (L.B. de Larbogne, J. Chazeau, A. et S. Tillier), piège de Malaise [Malaise trap], forêt humide sur alluvions [humid forest on river bank], 5– 20.I.1987 [1Ψ]. Paratypes deposited in INHS and USNM.

Distribution. Known from the southern part of the island in the lower elevation (150– 550 m) rainforest of the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, and on Mont Mandjanié in the north.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Head, oblique view, right arista removed for clarity. Scale bar = 0.5 mm. A) Evertomyia albeto, sp. nov. ɗ. B) Evertomyia frankadelia, sp. nov. Ψ. C) Evertomyia helenae, sp. nov. Ψ. D) Evertomyia irwini, sp. nov. Ψ. E) Evertomyia matilei, sp. nov. ɗ. F) Evertomyia webbi, sp. nov. Ψ.

FIGURE 7. Evertomyia frankadelia, sp. nov. Ψ. Female genitalia and egg. Scale bar, A – B, & D = 0.2 mm; C = 0.05 mm; E = 0.1 mm. A) Terminalia, lateral view. B) Terminalia, ventral view. C) Spermatheca (single), cross section, top view looking into spermathecal duct opening. D) Egg, lateral view. E) Egg, eclosion end, lateral view.