Copestylum posticum, (SAY, 1829)

Rotheray, Graham E., Marcos-García, Maria-Angeles, Hancock, Geoff, Pérez-Bañón, Celeste & Maier, Chris T., 2009, Neotropical Copestylum (Diptera, Syrphidae) breeding in Agavaceae and Cactaceae including seven new species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 156 (4), pp. 697-749 : 719

COPESTYLUM POSTICUM (SAY, 1829)

Larva and puparium: Anterior fold with a wide band of spicules. Metathorax with two groups of a few indistinct spicules on the anteroventral margin. Dorsal vestiture comprising evenly sized setae except for anterodorsal groups of large, broad setae on the mesothorax and metathorax and smaller setae on middle transverse bands on abdominal segments 1–2. Abdominal segments 4–6 with second row of crochets inconspicuous and not as developed as on abdominal segments 1–3. Posterior breathing tube red-brown at base, dark brown at apex, below TR tube nodulate, above coriaceous. AP about a third as high to spiky rim as wide at TR. Pupal spiracles approximated about as far apart as a pupal spiracle is wide and slightly curved in upper third ( Fig. 71 ). Openings coating upper half of one side, those at the apex without a lateral projection.

Taxonomic notes: Very similar in larval characters to C. isabellina from which C. posticum differs in the pupal spiracles being close, about as far apart as a spiracle is wide, and the openings at the apex lacking spiky projections.

Material examined (CIBIO, NMS): 3 ♀, three puparia MEXICO, Tehuacán, Puebla Zapotitlán, Salinas, Jardín Botánico 7.vii.1999 E. G. H., M. A. M., G. E. R. ex one each from decaying N. tetetzo , Stenocereus sp. , and an unidentified columnar cactus; 11 ♂, 18 ♀, 29 puparia MEXICO, Chiapas, Mazapa de Maderos, 850 m, 23–25.vi.2004 M. A. M. and C. P. B..

Figures

Figures 68–73. Puparia of Copestylum, scanning electron photomicrographs, scales as indicated on images. 68, 70, Copestylum macrocephalum; 68, posterior breathing tube (prp), dorsal view width of TR = 1.3 mm; 70, prp, apical; 71, Copestylum posticum; pupal spiracles, dorsal view length = 0.93 mm; 69, 72–73, Copestylum isabellina; 69, prp, dorsal view width at TR = 1.1 mm, 72, pupal spiracles, ventrolateral view length 0.82 mm; 73, spiracular openings, apical and lateral views.