Dasyhelea (Dicryptoscena) gothlandica sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 5FCC2057-325D-4EFF-B0F9-0C660A747422

Figs 12–32

Diagnosis

The male genitalia of this species are characteristic in having the posterior margin of sternite 9 with a pair of processes apically separated by a shallow furrow. Gonostyli short, tapering to an indented sharp point. The aedeagus has broad apicolateral processes, and the posterior process of the paramere has fine hairs apically.

Etymology

Gothlandica refers to Gotland, a calcareous island located in the Baltic Sea east of mainland Sweden, where the holotype was collected.

Type material

Holotype

SWEDEN: ♂, Gotland, Bästeträsk, 57.899383° N, 18.901083° E, 9 masl, Malaise trap, 28 May–12 Jun. 2011, leg. B. Eklund (NHRS) (DNA voucher: 4BA).

Paratypes

SWEDEN: 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀, same data as holotype; 1 ♂, Gotland, Horsan, 57.865883° N, 18.846350° E, 4 masl, Malaise trap, 10–25 Jul. 2011, leg. B. Eklund (NHRS); 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀, Gotland, Bästeträsk, 57.899383° N, 18.901083° E, 9 masl, sweep net, 3 Jul. 2011, leg. J. Strandberg (NHRS) (DNA voucher: 6AW).

Description

Male

HEAD (Figs 12–16). Antennal flagellum length 727 μm (687–727 μm, n = 4); AR 1.06 (0.97–1.19, n = 4) (Fig. 13). Frontal sclerite elliptical (Fig. 14). Clypeus entire, with 8 (6–8, n = 4) long setae (Fig. 15). Palp segment 3 slender, 90 μm (85–91 μm, n = 4); PR (III) 6.6 (6.3, n = 4) (Fig. 16); first half with hyaline sensillae on inner surface.

THORAX (Figs 17–18). Scutellum pale, with 10 bristles (9–10, n = 4). Wing length 1.15 (1.08–1.17 mm, n = 4); CR 0.45 (0.46–048, n = 4); macrotrichia numerous (Fig. 17); first radial cell slit-like, second cell open (Fig. 18). Legs light brown, tarsi paler.

GENITALIA (Figs 19–22). Apicolateral process of tergite 9 short. Posterior margin of sternite 9 apically divided into pair of obtuse projections. Gonostylus short, tapering to indented sharp point, covered by small setae, two long bristles at midpoint present (Figs 19–20). Parameres asymmetrical; posterior process fused with right arm; long and slender, distinctly bent apically, with fine apical hairs (Fig. 21). Aedeagus low arched with apicolateral processes broad, somewhat folded, extended laterally in distal part (Fig. 22).

Female

HEAD (Figs 23–27). Antennal flagellum length 545 μm (444–525, n = 3); distal flagellomeres elongate; AR 0.96 (0.86–1.0, n = 3) (Fig. 24). Clypeus entire, with 8 (n = 3) long setae (Fig. 25). Frontal sclerite elliptical (Fig. 26). Palp segment 3 slender, 80 μm (80 μm, n = 4); PR (III) 5.6 (5.3, n = 3) (Fig. 27); with hyaline sensillae at basal part of inner surface.

THORAX (Figs 28–29). Scutellum pale, with 8 bristles (9–10, n = 3). Wing length 1.1 mm (1.05–1.13, n = 3); CR 0.46 (0.44–0.47, n = 3) (Fig. 28). First radial cell slit-like, second cell open but small (Fig. 29). Legs as in male.

GENITALIA (Figs 30–32). Subgenital plate with notum separated from ramus, slightly fragmented (Figs 30–31). Spermatheca single; ovoid-shaped with short neck; length × width: 60 × 40 μm (60 × 40 μm, n = 3) (Fig. 32).

Remarks

This species is a member of the subgenus Dicryptoscena, and the male is similar to that of Dasyhelea albidipes Santos Abreu, 1918 in the morphology of the genitalia, particularly by the presence of a pair of processes on the posterior margin of sternite 9. D. gothlandica sp. nov. differs from D. albidipes by the broadly shaped apicolateral processes and the short gonostyli.

Biology

The holotype was collected in a Malaise trap next to Lake Bästeträsk, with sourrounding vegetation consisting of Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus and small shrubs. One of the male paratypes was collected in a Malaise trap next to Lake Horsan, approximatley 5 km south-east of Bästeträsk.