Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) heroni, 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 : 31-33

Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) heroni n. sp.

( Figs. 97–106 , 118 , 143 )

Diagnosis. Male: only species of Neotropical Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) with the following combination of characters: a hind tarsal ratio of 2.10–2.33, wing with a dark patch on its anterior margin and at the apices of M2, CuA1 and CuA2, hind leg with tarsomeres 1–2 brown, contrasting with pale tarsomeres 3–5, parameres present and the aedeagus nearly triangular. Female: only species of Neotropical Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) with the spermathecae pyriform, very unequal in size.

Description. Male. Head. Brown. Eyes abutting medially for length of two-three ommatidia. Antenna ( Fig. 97 ) pale brown with plume setae well-developed, flagellomere 10 1.36–1.55 (1.43, n = 10) X longer than flagellomere 11, flagellomeres 10–13 elongate; flagellomere 13 with apical nipple slightly constricted basally; AR 1.06–1.15 (1.12, n = 10). Palpus ( Fig. 98 ) with segment 3 short, slightly swollen proximally, with shallow sensory pit opening at midlength; PR 2.40–3.00 (2.68, n = 10). Labrum tapering apically.

Thorax. Brown; scutellum with 6 strong setae, and several minor ones. Legs uniformly pale brown; apex of hind tibia with 4–5 spines; tarsomeres with pectinate scales; tarsomere 1 of foreleg with row of dozen spine-like bristles, tarsomere 1 of hind leg with two rows of thick setae, tarsomeres 3–5 slightly paler; foreleg TR 2.75–3.00 (2.90, n = 10), midleg TR 2.22–2.50 (2.31, n = 8), hind leg TR 2.10–2.33 (2.23, n = 8); claws curved, moderately stout. Wing ( Figs. 99 , 118 ) with pattern of pigmented membrane, with dark patch on its anterior margin and at apices of M2, CuA1 and CuA2; intercalary vein not visible; radial cells closed; fork of cubitus situated proximad to level of apex of costa; wing length 0.72–0.86 (0.80, n = 10) mm; breadth 0.23–0.28 (0.26, n = 9) mm; CR 0.42–0.46 (0.44, n = 10). Halter whitish.

Abdomen. Tergites uniformly brown. Genitalia ( Fig. 100 ): Dark brown except gonostyli pale. Tergite 9 short, only extending to 1/5 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, 2.15 X longer than greatest breadth; gonostylus 0.90 length of gonocoxite, nearly straight, narrowed to tip. Parameres represented by a pointed, posteromesally directed projection, gonocoxal apodemes deeply concave. Aedeagus ( Fig. 101 ) nearly triangular, progressively narrowed to blunt tip; basal arch extending to 0.10 of total length.

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. 102 ; AR 0.72–0.85 (0.79, n = 15). Palpus ( Fig. 103 ) pale brown; segment 3 short, slightly swollen proximally with broad shallow sensory pit opening on distal third; segments 4, 5 completely fused, shorter than segment 3; PR 1.60–2.20 (1.96, n = 15).

Thorax. Brown except scutellum dark brown. Legs pale brown, foreleg TR 2.96 (2.67–3.17, n = 14), midleg TR 2.30 (2.17–2.50, n = 14), hind leg TR 2.47 (2.29–2.67, n = 15), claws curved. Wing ( Fig. 104 ) plain, without pattern of pigmented membrane; radial cells closed; wing length 0.69 (0.62–0.78, n = 15) mm; breadth 0.30 (0.27–0.33, n = 15) mm; CR 0.46 (0.44–0.47, n = 15).

Abdomen. Tergites uniformly brown. Genital sclerotization ( Fig. 105 ) with anterior margin rounded. Two spermathecae ( Fig. 106 ) ovoid with short necks, sclerotized, very unequal in size, measuring 0.060 by 0.048 mm, neck 0.004 mm, and 0.038 by 0.034 mm, neck 0.002 mm. Cercus pale.

Distribution. This species is known only from Costa Rica, from sea level to 1200 meters ( Fig. 143 ).

Taxonomic discussion. Males and females were collected at the same locality and date at the type locality at La Selva Biological Station and in the Osa Peninsula (Est. Agujas).

This species is readily distinguished from other Neotropical species of the subgenus by the nearly triangular male aedeagus that is progressively narrowed to a blunt tip and the female with greatly unequal spermathecae.

Type material. Holotype male on microscope slide, labeled “ HOLOTYPE Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) heroni Spinelli, Marino and Borkent , Costa Rica, 3 km E Cahuita, 27-X-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1633” ( CNCI). Paratypes, 15 males and 48 females (1 male, 1 female, USNM; 1 male, 2 females, MLPA; 4 males, 14 females, CNCI; 9 males, 31 females, INBC) as follows: same data as holotype, 5 females ( INBC). Same data as holotype except 28-X-1993, CD 1635, 3 males, 5 females ( CNCI). Same data as holotype except CD 1641, 1 female ( MLPA). Same data as holotype except 29-X-1993, CD 1642, 2 males, 6 females ( INBC). Costa Rica, 2 km NE Tárcoles, 11-XI-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1657, 3 females ( CNCI). Same data except CD 1714, 1 female ( INBC). Costa Rica, Volcán Arenal, 4-I-1994, A. Borkent, CD 1731, 3 females ( CNCI). Costa Rica, Alajuela prov., San Carlos, Arenal NP, Sector La Colada, 600 m, 1/ 26-X-1999, G. Carballo, Malaise tp., CD 5249, 4 males ( INBC). Same data except Send. Pilón, 30-XI / 22-XII-1999, CD 5362, 1 male ( MLPA). Costa Rica, Alajuela prov., San Carlos, Arenal NP, Sendero Colada, 600 m, 28-VIII / 8-IX-1999, G. Carballo, Malaise tp., CD 5371, 1 female ( INBC). Costa Rica, Heredia, La Selva Biol. Sta., Pto. Viejo de la Sarapiquí, 7-V-1989, B. V. Brown, CD 1260, 1 male, 3 females ( CNCI). Same data except 23-IV-1989, CD 1264, 1 male ( INBC). Same data except 40 m, 18-V-1989, CD 1203, 1 male ( INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., R. Biol. Hitoy Cerere, 300 m, 17-IV-1999, F. Umaña, CD 5067, 2 females ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Pto. Osa, Est. Agujas, 300 m, 15-VII / 15-VIII-1999, J. A. Azofeifa, CD 5089, 4 females (3 females, INBC; 1 female, MLPA). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Est. Agujas, 250–350 m, 15-VI / 15-VII-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5156, 1 female ( INBC). Same data except 15-VII / 15- VIII-1999, CD 5231, 1 male, 1 female ( USNM). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Est. Agujas, Cerro Rincón, 745 m, 15-II-2000, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5247, 1 female ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Corcovado NP, Las Quebraditas, 640 m, 15-X / 15-XI-1999, J. A. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5101, 2 females ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Est. Agujas, 250–350 m, 15-V / 15-VI-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5335, 2 females ( INBC). Same data except 15-IX / 15-X-1999, 1 female ( INBC), CD 5226. Costa Rica, A.C.: Osa, Golfito, Corcovado NP, Est. Agujas, Cerro Quebraditos, 700–800 m, 15-VII / 15-VIII-2000, J. A. Azofeifa Zuñiga, Malaise tp., CD 5313, 1 female ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Coto Brus, Progreso, Fca. Cafrosa, 2 km al NNE de la Escuela de Progreso, 1320 m, 23-XI-1995, M. Chinchilla, LS 318900N/595630E, Malaise tp., #7473, CD 5025, 1 male ( INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Coto Brus, Progreso, Sabalito, Fca. Marcos Morales, 1180 m, 25-XI- 1995, M. Segura, LS 317900N/594600E, Malaise tp., #32624, CD 5027, 1 female ( INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Pérez Zeledón, Est. Santa Elena ACLA P., 14-II / 16-III-1996, Segura – Alfaro, LS 371700N/507800E, #8527, CD 5014, 4 females ( INBC).

Derivation of specific epithet. This species is named after our good friend and colleague Herón Huerta, from the Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, México City, D.F., in recognition of his important contributions to our understanding of New World Ceratopogonidae .

Figures

FIGURES 97 – 106. Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) heroni sp. n., 97 – 101, male, 102 – 106, female. 97, 102 — flagellum; 98, 103 — palpus; 99, 104 — wing; 100 — genitalia (ventral view); 101 — aedeagus; 105 — genital sclerotization; 106 — spermathecae.

FIGURES 116 – 119. Wings of male Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia). 116 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) albipluma sp. n.; 117 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) germinata sp. n.; 118 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) heroni sp. n.; 119 — Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) ronderosae sp. n.

FIGURES 142 – 143. Distribution map of species of Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia).