Apochrysa, Schneider, 1851

Tauber, Catherine A., 2014, Apochrysinae (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): New Larval Description and Subfamilial Comparisons, Zootaxa 3835 (2), pp. 198-208 : 201-202

Apochrysa generic characteristics

Based on the A. voeltzkowi specimen described here ( Figs 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 ,), along with the description and illustrations of the third instar A. matsumurae by Tsukaguchi (1995: 139, 142, Figs 106r–106u), the following combination of larval features appears to characterize the genus Apochrysa :

General Characteristics (all instars)

Body: elongate, abdomen slightly thickened, cream-colored, with no or few markings.

Debris packet: large, dense (both known species reported to carry flocculence of Sternorrhyncha) (photo by P. Duelli in Aspock & Aspöck 2007, photo by Yusei Hara in Tauber et al. 2014).

Eye: Anterior two stemmata large; posterior four slightly reduced in size ( A. voeltzkowi : Figs 3 , 7 here; not reported for A. matsumurae ).

Mandibles: slender, elongate, ~1.5x length of head capsule.

Antenna: flagellum long (approximately 0.75x (L1) to 0.45x (L3) length of pedicel).

Cranial setation: All primary cranial setae present, smooth and acute, including S12 and three frontoclypeal setae; Vx setae in longitudinal row beneath cervical membrane.

Thorax: Lateral tubercles (LTs) well developed, but not large; prothoracic LTs not reaching the region of the head.

Thoracic setation: All setae smooth; setae (LS) on lateral tubercles elongate, tapering to very fine, acute or lightly hooked tip; dorsal setae shorter, less tapered, with acute tips. Mesonotum, metanotum each with two (L1) or three (L3) transverse rows of setae.

Abdomen: A1–A7 with laterodorsal tubercles (LDTs) bearing robust setae.

Semaphoront A (first instar) [based on A. voeltzkowi only]

Thoracic lateral tubercles: Prothoracic LTs each with two LS; mesothoracic and metathoracic LTs each with three LS.

Thoracic setation: Prothorax with primary setae S1, S3, S4, S5, S1Sc1, and S2Sc1 present (S2, S1Sc2 apparently absent). Mesothorax with primary setae S1Sc1, S2Sc1 present, SSp absent; posterior region with transverse row of four setae. Metathorax with primary setae S1Sc1, S2Sc1, S3Sc1 present; posterior region with transverse row of four long setae arising from robust chalazae.

Abdominal tubercles: A1 with small LT bearing single long LS; LDT with single elongate, slightly hooked LDS and one very small lateral seta. A2–A7 with well developed LTs, each bearing two elongate LS.

Abdominal setation: Each segment with anterior transverse row of four acutely tipped or slightly hooked setae, two submedian setae (SMS) arising from large chalazae between LDTs.

Semaphoront B (third instar)

Head: Secondary setae present in patch near S1, S3, S11.

Thorax: LTs broadly cylindrical, tapered distally (especially on T2 and T3), longer than those on abdomen, extending dorsolaterally (prothorax) or laterally (mesothorax, metathorax); prothoracic LTs slightly smaller than those on mesothorax or metathorax.

Thoracic sclerites: Prothoracic primary sclerites (Sc1, Sc2) large, rounded, associated setae not distinguished; mesothoracic sclerites Sc2, Sc3 distinct, with associated setae S1Sc2, S2Sc2, and S1Sc3 present; metathoracic sclerite Sc3 distinct, with associated seta S1Sc3 present.

Thoracic setation: Setae on LTs numerous, elongate; dorsal setae numerous, smooth, short to medium-length, tips acute; most primary setae not distinguishable; posterior subsegment of metathorax with transverse row of ~12–15 slightly more robust setae than elsewhere on thorax.

Abdomen: LTs papilliform (A2–A5, A8) to slightly cylindrical (A6–A7); well sclerotized LDTs (A1–A7), each with two to four elongate setae and several shorter setae.

Abdominal setation: LS, LDS elongate but shorter than those on thoracic tuberlces, with tips weakly hooked or acute; submedian setae (SMS) of A1–A6 moderately hooked; dorsal setae of A7–A10 with acute tips; SMS (A2–A6) numerous, in three transverse rows.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Apochrysa voeltzkowi (Weele) first instar. A. Head, dorsal. B, Ventral. Abbreviations: br, bristle; co, cardo; fl, flagellum; fr, frontal marking; md, mandible; mx, maxilla; ped, pedicel; post, postfrontal marking; stp, stipes; Sx, primary cephalic seta number; Vx, Vx setae.

FIGURE 4. Apochrysa voeltzkowi (Weele) first instar. A. Thorax. B. First to third abdominal segments. C. Seventh to tenth abdominal segments. Abbreviations: Ax, abdominal segment number; LDS, primary seta on LDT; LDT, laterodorsal tubercle; LS, primary seta on LT; LT, lateral tubercle; sp, spiracle; Sx, primary seta number; SxScx, seta associated with sclerite, numbers; SMS, submedian seta; SSp, seta associated with spiracle.

FIGURE 7. Apochrysa voeltzkowi (Weele) third instar. A. Head, dorsal. B, Ventral. Abbreviations: br, bristle; co, cardo; fl, flagellum; fr, frontal marking; md, mandible; mx, maxilla; ped, pedicel; sc, scape; sen, sensilla; stp, stipes; Sx, primary cephalic seta number; Vx, Vx setae.

FIGURE 8. Apochrysa voeltzkowi (Weele) third instar. A. Thorax. B. First to third abdominal segments. C. Sixth to tenth abdominal segments. Abbreviations: Ax, number of abdominal segment; LDT, laterodorsal tubercle; LS, primary seta on LT; LT, lateral tubercle; sp, spiracle; Scx, primary sclerite number; SMS, submedian seta; Tx, thoracic segment number.