Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) pseudocerifera, Spinelli, Gustavo R., Marino, Pablo I. & Borkent, Art, 2012

Spinelli, Gustavo R., Marino, Pablo I. & Borkent, Art, 2012, A revision of Biting Midges of the Subgenera Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) and F. (Saliohelea) from Costa Rica (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Zootaxa 3419, pp. 1-52 : 21-24

Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) pseudocerifera n. sp.

( Figs. 62–71 , 114 , 139 )

Diagnosis. Male: only species of Neotropical Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) with a hind tarsal ratio of 2.29–2.57, wing with a dark patch on its anterior margin and at the apices of M2, CuA1 and CuA2, tarsomeres 1–5 of the hind leg without contrasting pigmentation, parameres present, and the aedeagus stout, slightly narrowed to its tip and the apex slightly bilobed. Female: only species of Neotropical Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) with flagellomeres 1–8 flask-shaped, 9–13 not elongate and the spermathecae pyriform and slightly unequal in size.

Description. Male. Head. Brown. Eyes abutting medially for length of four ommatidia. Antenna ( Fig. 62 ) with plume setae well-developed, flagellomere 10 1.41–1.76 (1.55, n = 10) X longer than flagellomere 11, flagellomeres 10–13 elongate; flagellomere 13 with apical nipple slightly constricted basally; AR 0.89–1.02 (0.97, n = 10). Palpus ( Fig. 63 ) pale brown; segment 3 short, slightly swollen proximally, with shallow sensory pit opening at midlength; PR 1.60–1.89 (1.75, n = 10).

Thorax. Brown except scutellum dark brown; scutellum with 6–8 strong setae, and several minor ones. Legs uniformly pale brown; apex of hind tibia with 3–4 spines, tarsomeres with pectinate scales, tarsomeres 1–5 of hind leg without contrasting pigmentation, progressively lighter; foreleg TR 2.67–3.00 (2.82, n = 10), midleg TR 2.00–2.50 (2.33, n = 7), hind leg TR 2.29–2.57 (2.35, n = 10); claws curved, moderately stout. Wing ( Figs. 64 , 114 ) with pattern of pigmented membrane, with dark patch on its anterior margin and at the apices of M2, CuA1 and CuA2; distribution of macrotrichia showing two distinct light spots in r3, one behind of second radial cell, one subapical, faint distal light spots in m1 and distinct light spots in m2, cua1 and anal cell; M2 only visible at wing margin; intercalary vein not visible; first radial cell obliterated, second poorly developed, short; fork of cubitus situated proximad to level of apex of costa; wing length 0.65–0.78 (0.68, n = 10) mm; breadth 0.22–0.27 (0.24, n = 10) mm; CR 0.42–0.45 (0.43, n = 10). Halter whitish.

Abdomen. Tergites uniformly brown. Genitalia ( Fig. 65 ): Dark brown except gonostyli pale. Tergite 9 short, only extending to ¼ length of gonocoxite; posterior margin broadly rounded; cercus lobe-like, slightly produced beyond midlength of gonocoxite; sternite 9 broad, posterior margin nearly straight, with single row of setae. Gonocoxite moderately stout, two X longer than greatest breadth; gonostylus 0.75 length of gonocoxite, nearly straight, narrowed to tip. Parameres represented by a pointed, posteromesally directed projection arising from the anterior margin of the nearly straight gonocoxal apodemes. Aedeagus ( Fig. 66 ) stout; basal arch extending to 0.20 of total length; lateral arms sinuate, slightly narrowed to tip, posterior margin slightly bilobed.

Female. As for male, with following differences; antenna with flagellomeres 1–8 flask-shaped, slightly longer than broad; flagellomeres 9–13 not elongate, proportions as shown in Fig. 67 ; AR 0.72–0.81 (0.78, n = 10). Palpus ( Fig. 68 ) pale brown; segment 3 short, slightly swollen proximally with broad shallow sensory pit opening on distal third; segments 4, 5 completely fused, slightly shorter than segment 3; PR 1.69–2.08 (1.93, n = 10).

Thorax. Brown except scutellum dark brown. Legs pale brown, foreleg TR 2.55–2.78 (2.68, n = 10), midleg TR 1.90–2.25 (2.09, n = 10), hind leg TR 2.25–2.50 (2.37, n = 10), claws curved. Wing ( Fig. 69 ) with pattern of pigmented membrane no so contrasting; with dark patch on its anterior margin and at the apices of M2, CuA1 and CuA2; first radial cell reduced, second well developed; wing length 0.76–1.08 (1.00, n = 9) mm; breadth 0.33–0.48 (0.44, n = 10) mm; CR 0.45–0.48 (0.47, n = 9).

Abdomen. Tergites uniformly brown. Genital sclerotization ( Fig. 70 ), anterior margin rounded. Two spermathecae ( Fig. 71 ) pyriform with short necks, slightly unequal in size, measuring 0.062 by 0.036 mm, neck 0.002 mm, and 0.058 by 0.036 mm, neck 0.002 mm. Cercus brown.

Distribution. This species is known only from Costa Rica, from sea level to 2250 meters ( Fig. 139 ).

Taxonomic discussion. Males and females were collected at the same locality and date at the type locality. Females of this species show significant variation in overall length of the spermathecae and length of the spermathecal necks. In addition, the wing pigmentation pattern of the females is not as contrasting as that of males.

Forcipomyia pseudocerifera is very similar to F. rursa , a species known only from high altitudes of Costa Rica (1100–2959 meters). The female of the latter species differs from the female of F. pseudocerifera by the presence of slightly unequal spermathecae and the flagellomeres 5–8 being bottle-shaped. The male of F. rursa differs from the male of F. pseudocerifera in having the gonocoxal apodeme nearly straight, the paramere longer and more conspicuous and arising from the distal portion of the gonocoxal apodemes, and the aedeagus with laterodistal sclerotizations and the lateral arms straight, not sinuate.

This species is also very similar to F. cerifera Saunders , known from its type locality (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and northeastern Argentina. During this study we examined the types of F. cerifera (CNCI) which are missing most parts: the female holotype retains its head, both wings (one badly damaged) and one hind leg; the male allotype retains its head, one wing and genitalia. The paratypes were represented by the following: one larval head, thorax and abdominal segments 1–4; male pupal exuviae - abdominal segments 3, 4 missing. The male genitalia has the basal ½ of the aedeagus dark brown, sharply contrasting with the apical pale portion (this condition is unique and doesn’t appear in any other Neotropical species), the ratio of flagellomeres 10/11 = 2.25, and the wing appears to be unpigmented. These features distinguish male F. cerifera from male F. pseudocerifera .

Type material. Holotype male on microscope slide, labeled “ HOLOTYPE Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) pseudocerifera Spinelli, Marino and Borkent , Costa Rica, San José prov., Pérez Zeledón, Est Sta. Elena ACLA-P., 14-II / 16-III-1996, M. Segura – E. Alfaro, LS 371700N/507800E, #8527, CD 5014” ( INBC). Paratypes, 18 males and 12 females (1 male, 1 female, USNM; 3 males, 1 female, MLPA; 5 males, 6 females, CNCI; 9 males, 4 females, INBC) as follows: same data as holotype, 2 males, 1 female ( CNCI). Costa Rica, San José prov., ACLA- P., Pérez Zeledón, Chirripó NP, Est. Santa Elena, Send. Jueves 13, 1850 m, 2-VI / 6-VII-1997, Alfaro – Segura, Manual (red, libre), CD 5207, 1 female ( INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., Liberia, Sector Santa María, 25 km al NE de Liberia, 790 m, 15-I / 15-II-1997, D. Briceño, Malaise tp., CD 5170, 5 males ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Península de Osa, Río Agujas, Est. Agujas, Send. Purruja, 300 m, 10/ 20-VIII-1996, A. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5079, 1 male ( USNM). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Pto. Osa, Est. Agujas, 300 m, 15-VII / 15-VIII-1999, J. A. Azofeifa, CD 5089, 1 male ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Corcovado NP, Las Quebraditas, 640 m, 15- X / 15-XI-1999, J. A. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5101, 2 males ( MLPA). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Est. Agujas, 250–350 m, 15-V / 15-VI-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5335, 1 male ( MLPA). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Corcovado NP, E. Agujas, C. Rincón, 745 m, 15-VI / 15-VII-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5354, 2 males ( CNCI). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Corcovado NP, Golfito, Est. Agujas, Cerro Rincón, 745 m, 15-V / 15-VI-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5183, 1 male ( INBC). Same data except 15-VII / 15-VIII-1999, CD 5168, 1 male ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Corcovado NP, Est. Agujas, Los Charcos, 600 m, 15-V / 15- VI-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5176, 1 male ( CNCI). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Corcovado NP, Est. Agujas, La Bonanza, 495 m, 15-V / 15-VI-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5179, 1 male ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Send. a C. Pittier, 1 km N de la Est., 1800–2000 m, 13-IX-1996, A. M. Maroto, CD 5054, 3 females ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Buenos Aires, ACLA-P, PILA. Est. Altamira, 1450 m, 23-VIII / 13- IX-1996, R. Villalobos, Malaise tp., LS331700N/572100E, #44870, CD 5007, 1 female ( MLPA). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., ACLA-P, PILA, send. Pittier, 1750 m, 16-IX-1996, A. Mora, LS 331250N/377150E, Malaise tp., Lote 8525, CD 5023, 1 female ( USNM). Costa Rica, 2 km E Santa Elena, 26-VIII-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1557, 1 female ( CNCI). Costa Rica, 3 km E Cahuita, 8-XII-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1699, 1 female ( CNCI). Costa Rica, 15 km N. San Isidro, Avalon Reserva Privada, 2250 m, 13/ 14-III-1999, A. Borkent, trampa de luz, CD 5002, 1 female ( CNCI). Costa Rica, Tapantí NP, 8 km SE Orosí, 1600 m, 12-XII-1999, Picado – Borkent, CD 5040, 2 females ( CNCI).

Derivation of specific epithet. The name pseudocerifera refers to the strong similarity of adults of this species to those of F. cerifera Saunders.

Figures

FIGURES 62 – 71. Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) pseudocerifera sp. n., 62 – 66, male, 67 – 71, female. 62, 67 — flagellum; 63, 68 — palpus; 64, 69 — wing; 65 — genitalia (ventral view); 66 — aedeagus; 70 — genital sclerotization; 71 — spermathecae.

FIGURES 112 – 115. Wings of male Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia). 112 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) grandiseta sp. n.; 113 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) macroseta sp. n.; 114 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) pseudocerifera sp. n.; 115 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) rursa sp. n.

FIGURES 138 – 139. Distribution map of species of Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia).