Aprionus balduri, Jaschhof & Jaschhof, 2017

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2017, New species of Aprionus (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae, Micromyinae) from Sweden and other parts of the Palearctic region, European Journal of Taxonomy 378, pp. 1-38 : 3-5

Aprionus balduri sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:500C3CCF-E0E3-4201-98AB-605DE509F543

Fig. 1

Diagnosis

A typical representative of the angulatus group ( Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2009: 223), distinguished by the following male genitalic characters in combination. The ninth tergite ( Fig. 1C ) is lobed posterolaterally (↓), with a membranous area between the lobes. The ventroposterior gonocoxal lobes are very large (↓, Fig. 1A ); the ventrobasal apodeme is strongly sclerotized (↓, Fig. 1A ). The ventrobasal and dorsoapical portions of the gonostylus are the same size; the gonostylar apex is narrow (↓, Fig. 1B ). The elongate tegmen has a large, rhombic central opening that lacks spinulae (↓, Fig. 1A ).

Etymology

Baldur, a friendly god, is a son of Odin and his wife, Frigg.

Material examined

Holotype

SWEDEN: ♂, Småland , Högsby , Hornsö kronopark, 57.02° N, 16.63° E, birch swamp, Malaise trap, Swedish Malaise Trap Project (trap 18, collecting event 343), 20–30 Jul. 2004 ( NHRS, no.CEC164 ).

Paratype

NORWAY: 1 ♂, Vestfold, Horten, Adalstjernet SE, MT, E. Rindal leg., 8 Jul. – 12 Aug. 2003 ( DEI, no. CEC 165).

Differential diagnosis

Male genitalic structures of Aprionus balduri sp. nov. and A. angulatus (see Jaschhof & Jaschhof 2009: figs 72A, 75A, 76A) are similar, but in the latter species the gonocoxal lobes are considerably smaller, the ninth tergite lacks a membranous area posteromedially, and the central tegminal opening is smaller and equipped with spinulae.

Other characters

Body size 1.1 mm.

HEAD. Eye bridge 2–3 ommatidia long dorsally. A dense row of 10 postocular bristles. Neck of fourth flagellomere slightly shorter than node; translucent sensilla thick, simply hair-shaped. Palpus with 3 or 4 segments, even in one and the same specimen.

WING. ApicR 1 3 times as long as Rs. CuA straight, ends halfway to wing margin.

LEGS. Claws sickle-shaped, 0–1 fine teeth. Empodia narrow, almost as long as claws.

TERMINALIA. Ninth tergite short, anterior margin fully sclerotized ( Fig. 1C ). Medial extensions of gonocoxal apodemes sclerotized, interconnected medially. Gonostylus blunt-ended, 2+1 short bristles among dense setulae and microtrichia apically ( Fig. 1B ). Lateral pillars of tegmen thin, in touch subapically, recurved apically ( Fig. 1A ).

Remark on the description

The antennae of the holotype have retained only the first flagellomeres, in the paratype one flagellum is missing and the other is collapsed, which explains why the fourth flagellomere cannot be illustrated here (as is routinely done with Aprionus ).

Distribution and phenology

Norway (Vestfold), Sweden (Småland). This species is known from only two specimens, despite many years of collecting Micromyinae , including Aprionus , throughout Fennoscandia.

Figures

Fig. 1. Aprionus balduri sp. nov., holotype, ♂. A. Genitalia, ventral. B. Gonostylus, ventral. C. Ninth tergite, dorsal. Scale lines: 0.05 mm. Arrows indicate diagnostic characters.