Monepidosis hybrida sp. nov.

Figs 16–18

Diagnosis. A typical Monepidosis, M. hybrida resembles both M. acuta Spungis (in Japan and Macedonia) and M. spatulata Spungis (in Northern Europe, including Sweden) regarding the following characters: the pointed gonostylus has a bipartite tooth; the gonocoxal synsclerite has extensive membranous portions ventromedially and ventroposteriorly; and the aedeagal apodeme is conspicuously broadened apically (Figs 17–18). Distinctions of M. hybrida are the dorsal pair of parameres being conspicuously small, almost rudimentary (fig. 17, ↓ 6) and the aedeagal apodeme whose broadened, distal portion has a rounded apex, is slightly bent ventrad, and is clearly shorter than the rod-like, basal portion (↓ 5). Also, the flagellomeral necks of M. hybrida are shorter than those of any other Monepidosis we have seen (Fig. 16). Females and preimaginal stages of this new species are unknown.

Other male characters. Body size 1.7–1.8 mm. Head. Eye bridge 2–3 ommatidia long at vertex. Antenna slightly longer than body, about as long as wing. Scape and pedicel somewhat lighter than flagellum. Circumfila on flagellomeres 1–13, in the paratype simply ring-shaped (as usually in Monepidosis), in the holotype with posterior extensions (a condition rarely found in Porricondylini, Fig. 16). Neck of fourth flagellomere 1.2 times as long as node (Fig. 16). Palpus 1.2 times as long as head height, 4 setose, subcylindrical segments, apical segment longest of all. Thorax. Pronotum with 4–5 setae; anepisternum with 2–3 setae; anepimeron with 3–5 setae. Wing. Length / width ratio 2.6. M 1+2 absent; M 4 almost touching CuA. Legs. No complete foreleg retained in the two specimens studied. Empodia almost as long as claws. Genitalia. Gonocoxal synsclerite extensively membranous and microtrichose ventromedially; processes weakly sclerotized, interconnected by a large, somewhat angular membrane; dorsal apodemes small compared with other Monepidosis (Fig. 18). Edge of gonostylar tooth entire, not serrate (Fig. 18). Base of aedeagal apodeme unmodified (Fig. 17). Ventral parameres pointed apically, strongly bent dorsally; dorsal parameres straight, directed dorsomedially (Fig. 17).

Etymology. The Latin adjective hybrida means hybrid, alluding to the fact that much of the morphology found in this species is a mixture of characters found here and there in other Monepidosis .

Type material. Holotype. Male, Sweden, Södermanland, Tyresö, Åva, Spirudden, coastal oak forest, 28 May– 16 June 2004, Malaise trap, Swedish Malaise Trap Project (trap 1, collecting event 316) (spn. CEC 2046 in NHRS).

Paratype. 1 male, Sweden, Öland, Mörbylånga, Gamla Skogsby (Kalkstad), mixed broadleaf forest, 9 June–14 July 2015, MT, MCJ (spn. CEC 2047 in SDEI) .