Phthinia miranda Zaitzev, 1984

Figs. 25–29

Material examined: ♂, ♀ (on same pin)[SEMC], USA: MI: Cheboygan Co., VII–31–1949, mating pair, G.W. Byers; ♂ [ISUI], USA: MN: Clearwater Co., Lake Itasca, IX–1 1950, Jean Laffoon; 2 ♂♂ [UNH], USA: NH: Coos Co., 1 mi. NE East Inlet Dam, VIII–22 / IX–12–86, D.S. Chandler, Malaise; 2 ♂♂ [UNH], USA: NH: Carr Co., The Bowl, 2.5 mi NW Wonalancet, VII–12 /19–1984, D.S. Chandler, Malaise trap; ♂ [UNH], USA: NH: Carr Co., The Bowl, 2.5 mi NW Wonalancet, VI–28 /26–1984, D.S. Chandler, Malaise trap; ♂ [ISUI], USA: NY: Hamilton Co., e. foot of West Notch Mt., 1900’, 43º20.6’N, 74º37.2’W, Aug. 6, 1961, Dick L. Deonier; ♂ [ISUI], USA: NY: 7 mis. so. town of Long Lake, 26 Aug. 1956, Jean L. Laffoon; ♂ [ISUI], USA: PA: Clarion Co., Cook St. For., trail to “Forest Cathedral” from Toms Run., Aug. 11 1961, Jean L. Laffoon; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: N.B.: Kouchibouguac N.P., 5 VII 1977, J.R. Vockeroth, code 54862; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: N.S.: CBHNt. Pk., North Mt. 400m, PG766864, damp sphagnum fen, 4 VII 1983, J.R. Vockeroth; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: ONT: Orleans, Chapel Hill, 1 IX 1997, J.R. Vockeroth; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: ONT: Carleton Place, 7.5 km W, 14.X.00, woods, L. Masner, YPT; ♂, ♀ [ISUI], CANADA: QUEBEC: Ile Jesus, 4 mis. no. Montreal, Aug. 19, 1956, Jean L. Laffoon; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: QUE: Duncan Lake Nr. Rupert, 19 VII 1971, J.F. McAlpine; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: QUE: Duncan Lake Nr. Rupert, 31 VII 1971, J.F. McAlpine; ♂ [CNCI], CANADA: QUE: Knowlton Ldg., 17 VII 1968, J.R. Vockeroth.

Diagnosis and comments. Phthinia miranda is most similar to P. lobata and P. tanypus . However, it can be distinguished by the two subequal spines of the gonostylus; P. lobata only has one spine and in P. tanypus the two spines are unequal in length. Phthinia miranda can also be distinguished from P. tanypus by the triangular, apically pointed aedeagal complex (Fig. 28); this structure is somewhat rectangular and apically truncate in P. tanypus (Figs. 47–48).

Discussion. The male terminalia of P. m i r a nd a was correctly illustrated, but incorrectly identified as P. tanypus by Fisher (1937; Plate 11, Figs. 10–11). Zaitzev (1984; Figs. 3.4, 4.3) has also illustrated the male terminalia of P. miranda .

Bionomics. Phthinia miranda was previously known only from the holotype collected in New Hampshire. This species is restricted to the northeastern Nearctic region with records from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. Seasonal distribution is June–October with the majority of records July–August. Flies have been collected from 400 m – 579 m, in Malaise traps, in woods, and in a damp sphagnum fen.