Epicnemis chaweewanae, Gonzalez & Häggqvist, 2020

Gonzalez, Lisa & Häggqvist, Sibylle, 2020, Revision of the Oriental Region genus Epicnemis Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 4803 (1), pp. 103-124 : 107

Epicnemis chaweewanae new species

Figures 4 , 19 .

Diagnosis. See Diagnosis for E. alus . In E. chaweewanae , the posterior lobe of the ventral process is more rounded and the posteroventral margin more sinuous, but otherwise its terminalia are extremely similar to those of E. setosus ; the two are easily separated by the setose frons of E. setosus .

Description. Body 2.2–2.5 mm long. Frons brown and relatively narrow; frontal width range 0.37–0.43. Frontal ratio 1.06–1.23. Twelve large frontal setae present, including one pair of supra-antennal setae. Ventral interfrontal setae same width apart as dorsal interfrontal setae. Ocellar triangle brown, not strongly separated from rest of frons, with rounded posterior margin. Lateroventral part of frons with white triangular region with thin black line. Scutum yellowish-brown. Scutellum light brown, short, broad, with 4 subequal setae. Pleuron yellowish-brown dorsally to whitish ventrally. Foretibia without strongly differentiated large setae, with anterodorsal row of several barely differentiated setae, decreasing in size apically. Midtibia with one posterodorsal seta near base, one slightly more apical anterodorsal seta present, and one anterodorsal seta at or above midlength; dorsally with setal palisade extending from base to midlength, more apically with transverse rows of fine setulae; few posterodorsal setae slightly enlarged apically. Hind tibia with several scattered medium-sized anterodorsal setae; dorsally with complete setal palisade, with row of small posterodorsal setulae closely parallel, followed more posteriorly by bare space before regular setulation. Wing large; mean costal length 0.56 wing length; range 0.54–0.58. Costal sector ratios 2.2–2.35:1. Halter knob yellowish-brown. Abdominal tergite 1 yellow except brown laterally, large, and extending laterally on segment. Tergites 2–6 similar in coloration except more brown laterally. Eversible membrane bearing field of dense thickened setulae present in between tergite 1 and 2. Epandrium ovoid in shape and strongly rounded dorsally; depth greater than length. Epandrium ventrally bilobed; each lobe rounded apically with a strong separation between. Posteroventral margin of epandrium strongly concave. Setae on posterior margin of epandrium about same size as setae on cercus; setae decreasing in size ventrally and ending at base of right lobe. Apex of hypandrium visible behind lobes at venter of epandrium. Phallus short and wide, protruding at posteroventral concavity of epandrium.

Distribution. Thailand.

Etymology. Named for Dr. Chaweewan Hutacharern, our principle Thai collaborator on the TIGER project.

HOLOTYPE. ♂. THAILAND: Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park , 7–12.v.1990, E.Fuller, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 051761 ] ( QSBG).

PARATYPES. THAILAND: Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park , 18.58°N, 98.48°E, 1260 m, 3♂, 31.i– 7.ii.1989, T.W.Thormin, Malaise trap ( LACM) , Doi Inthanon National Park , campground pond, 18.54°N, 98.53°E, 1300 m, 2♂, 16–24.viii.2006, Y.Areeluck, Malaise trap T-183 ( LACM) , 1♂, 30.viii–6.ix.2006, Y. Areeluck, Malaise trap T-237 ( LACM) , Doi Inthanon NP, campground, 18.54°N, 98.52°E, 1300 m, 2♂, 8–15.vii.2006, Y.Areeluck, Malaise trap T-63 ( LACM) .

Figures

FIGURES 3–11. Male genitalia of Epicnemis species, left lateral.

FIGURES 18–23. Heads, Epicnemis species, males, anterior view.