Leioproctus (Colletellus) centralis Leijs, n. sp. Figures 2D, 14 A–N

Specimens examined.

(5♂, 6♀): Holotype female, 56 km SE of Alice Springs (24.1833S; 134.0167E), 24 Sep. 1978, Cardale, J., ANIC 32-111661.

Allotype male, 37 km W of Glenayle HS (25.2666S; 122.0333E), 08 Aug. 1983, Houston, T.F. & McMillan, R.P., on Calotis multicaulis, WAM 12379;

Paratypes 3 females, 1 males, 56 km SE of Alice Springs (24.1833S; 134.0167E), 03 Oct. 1978, Cardale, J., Malaise trap, ANIC 32-111662,64-67; female, 56 km SE of Alice Springs (24.1833S; 134.0167E), 24 Sep. 1978, Cardale, J., on Podolepis canescens, ANIC 32-111663; 3 males, 37 km W of Glenayle HS (25.2666S; 122.0333E), 08 Aug. 1983, Houston, T.F. & McMillan, R.P., on Calotis multicaulis, WAM 12375-78.

Diagnosis.

Ocellocular area smooth with a few dispersed punctures, metapostnotum dull fine transverse reticulate, terga with transparent posterior margins and depressed pregradular areas. Male S7 lateral lobes with very long branched setae.

Description.

Female holotype: body length: 6.5 mm; head width: 2.2 mm. Relative head measurements: HW 50, ASD 3.4, AOD 9.2, HL 39, IAD 9.1, LFW 30, OAD 16, OOD 10.0, OW 16, UFW 35, HW/HL 1.3, LFW/UFW 0.9. Relative wing measurements: MSR 1.14, FSR 0.97, SFR 0.86.

Structure: terga anteriorly little depressed; BTP rounded, elongated; BTP/tibial length ratio 0.26; inner hind tibial spur pectinate with 6 strong teeth.

Sculpture: scutum smooth, closely punctate; metapostnotum dullish, fine transverse reticulate; T1 lineo-reticulate, T2-3 transverse lineo-reticulate; clypeus smooth, openly to closely punctate; supraclypeal area smooth, openly to closely punctate; labrum dull, brown-orange; ocellocular area smooth without punctures; frons smooth closely punctate; scape brown, smooth and sparsely punctate ventrally.

Coloration: F3-10 orange below, anterior orange, posterior margins transparent orange, T3-4 white entire hair bands; scopa white; mandibles orange with black tip; scape brown.

Pubescence: scutum: short, close, orange-brown; scutellum: short, close, orange-brown; hair bands on T2 laterally; S1-4 with fringe of long straight branched hairs; scape dorsally with open pubescence of white branched hairs.

Description.

Male allotype: body length: 6.3 mm; head width: 1.95 mm. Relative head measurements: HW 50, ASD 2.7, AOD 8.3, HL 38, IAD 7.8, LFW 27, OAD 13, OOD 9.4, OW 18, UFW 35, HW/HL 1.3, LFW/UFW 0.8. Relative wing measurements: MSR 1.07, FSR 1.00, SFR 0.79.

Structure: terga anteriorly moderately depressed; BTP rounded; S7: dorsal apical lobe small, ventral apical lobe large, branched setae present on dorsal subcentral apical ridge and some on ventral apical lobe; scape brown, smooth and sparsely punctate.

Sculpture: scutum smooth, openly to closely punctate; metapostnotum dullish, with transverse irregular reticulation, rougher than female; T1 lineo-reticulate, T2-3 transverse lineo-reticulate; clypeus smooth, closely punctate; supraclypeal area smooth, closely punctate; ocellocular area smooth, sparsely punctate; frons smooth closely punctate.

Coloration: labrum orange; terga anteriorly brown-orange, posterior margins transparent orange; mandibles orange with brown tip; F4-11 orange brown below.

Pubescence: scutum: medium length, open, greyish brown; scutellum: medium, length open, greyish brown.

Flower records.

Calotis multicaulis ( Asteraceae), Podolepis canescens ( Asteraceae).

Distribution.

Figure 14F.

Etymology.

The specific epithet refers to central Australian distribution of this species.