Lasiopogon sierra McKnight, 2020

Mcknight, Tristan A. & Cannings, Robert A., 2020, Molecular phylogeny of the genus Lasiopogon (Diptera: Asilidae) and a taxonomic revision of the bivittatus section, Zootaxa 4835 (1), pp. 1-115 : 76-78

Lasiopogon sierra McKnight sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4D1F43AB-E683-4CC1-ACB1-37C635DCE0A6

Diagnosis. ( Fig. 32 ) A medium-large greyish brown species from the eastern and northern Sierra Nevada; mystax and most setae of head and thorax black; white setae on antennal scape, pedicel setae mixed white and black; dorsocentral stripes brown on grey or brown scutum; tergites with basal brown tomentum in broad bands or lateral spots, grey over apical 30–50% of each tergite and occasionally along midline. Epandrium moderately curved medially; phallus paramere sheath with a pointed triangular apical projection on dorsal carina parallel to aedeagal sheath. Ovipositor dark brown/black; acanthophorite spines black.

Description. Body length ♂ 8.1–10.0mm; ♀ 9.8–12.2mm. Head. HW ♂ 1.82–2.26mm; ♀ 2.15–2.67mm. FW ♂ 0.38–0.47mm; ♀ 0.41–0.59mm. VW ♂ 0.82–0.94mm; ♀ 0.89–1.09mm. VW/HW = ♂ 0.42–0.45; ♀ 0.41– 0.42. FW/VW = ♂ 0.46–0.51; ♀ 0.46–0.54. VD/VW = ♂ 0.15–0.19; ♀ 0.14–0.16. GH/GL = ♂ 0.35–0.42; ♀ 0.46–0.54. Face silvery grey, vertex brown-grey. Ventral setae (on beard, labium, palps) white; mystax and dorsal setae black (a few setae along oral margin of mystax rarely white). Occipital macrosetae fine, gradually curved anteriorly, longest (to 0.7mm) posterior to frons; frontal and orbital setae dense, long (reach basal third of postpedicel) but shorter than ocellar macrosetae. Antennae. Dark brown, with thin grey tomentum. Setae on scape all or partially white, on pedicel mixed white and black, no setae on postpedicel. Postpedicel widest apically with ventral and dorsal margins straight. WPP/LPP = ♂ 0.27–0.33; ♀ 0.29–0.31. LAS/LPP ♂ 0.51–0.79; ♀ 0.45–0.64.

Thorax. Prothorax grey, with white setae; postpronotal lobes grey, the lateral angle yellowish brown, setae white, rarely dark brown. Scutum tomentum grey to chocolate brown; dorsocentral stripes brown, acrostichal stripes indistinct. Macrosetae and fine setae of scutum black. Anterior dorsocentral macrosetae 4–5 (to 0.8mm); posteriors 3–5; postalars 1–3, with several shorter setae; supra-alars 2–3; presuturals 2–3; posthumerals 0–1. Scutellar tomentum grey; rim slightly inflated, leaving a semi-circular line impressed inside the dorsal edge; apical macrosetae black, abundant (5–9 on each half), mixed with many finer setae; short vertical setae on uppermost edge of rim black or white. Pleural tomentum grey to brownish grey. Katatergite setae black, long, 6–10, with a few short white setae; katepisternal setae white, sparse; anepisternal setae 6–10, black (to 0.7mm), several short black setae along dorsal margin, a few white setae in posteroventral corner; anepimeron with 5–6 fine white setae. Legs. Cuticle dark brown/black, covered in grey tomentum except bare femur joints. No coxal peg. Coxae with white setae; fine setae on femur, tibia, and first tarsomere white; setae black on tarsi 2–5; macrosetae black except a few at femur base. Ventral setae on femur as long or slightly longer than femur width; dorsolateral macrosetae on profemur 8–9, black, fine amidst long setae; on mesofemur and metafemur shorter and more robust, 3–5 and 10–11 respectively. Protibia with ventral macrosetae about 2 times longer than tibial width; dense apicoventral patch of short setae on protibia pale yellow, dark brown on metatibia. Claws chestnut over basal half, black apically. Wings. Veins brown; membrane hyaline but brown when viewed obliquely. DCI = 0.26–0.38. Halter knob cream, without spot, stem light brown. Abdomen. Male. Tergite cuticle dark brown/black; thick brown tomentum on tergite bases, bands of grey tomentum cover apical 30–50% of each tergite and lateral margins, tergites rarely greyish along midline to divide brown into two lateral spots; segment 1 fully covered in grey. Tergite 1 with 3–8 black and 1–3 white lateral macrosetae; lateral setae on tergites white, on tergites 1–3 as long as halter, on tergites 4–7 as long as scape + pedicel; dorsal setulae black, short. Female. As in male, except brown tomentum usually in definite spots widely spaced; lateral setae on tergites 4–7 black, erect, as long as scape. Male genitalia. Cuticle dark brown/black, covered in thick grey tomentum but thin medially on hypandrium; setal brush dark brown, setae on epandrium and gonocoxite long, erect, black; cerci with white setae. Epandrium elongate, in lateral view the width about 43% the length, widest apically; apex rounded with strong ventral tooth. In dorsal view, epandrium appears tapered, wider at base than apex, medial margins of epandrium moderately curved, curvature starts about 42% from base; basal sclerite present. Phallus paramere sheath dorsally about 43% the length of phallus; paramere sheath with a very short ventral flange at base; dorsal carina flat, with a long and pointed triangular apical projection parallel to aedeagal sheath, leaving a wide, deep gap between equidistant apices. Ejaculatory apodeme in lateral view moderately to strongly bent dorsally, with broad dorsal carina along entire length. Subepandrial sclerite with triangular central unsclerotized area in basal 25% narrowing to a slender gap for another 50%; spines parallel-sided, blunt, moderately and evenly distributed.

Female genitalia. Undissected: Cuticle of tergite 8 polished dark brown/ black; sternite 8 dark brown or reddish brown, especially near base of hypogynial valves, which are short and wide. Short fine erect setae abundant, white everywhere except occasionally on hypogynial valves; cerci with white setae, lateral lobes with black macrosetae; acanthophorite spines black.

Type Material. HOLOTYPE ♂ labelled: “[rectangular white label] Verdi Nev./ Washoe Co. / VI-18-1964 ”; “[rectangular beige label] M. E. Irwin / Collector”; “[rectangular white label] UCR”; “[rectangular white label] FISH ”. Our type label “[red and black bordered label] HOLOTYPE / Lasiopogon sierra / des. T.A. McKnight 2017” has been added. Deposited at the USNM.

PARATYPES (130 specimens designated): U.S.A.: CALIFORNIA: Alpine Co., Carson River , 8 mi S Markleeville [38.615 -119.696], 22.vi.1962, J. Powell (1♂ FISH) ; E Fork Carson River, Hwy 89 [38.676 -119.737], 21.vi.2006, B. Kondratieff, R. Baumann (1♂ 1♀ [1 pr in cop] CSUC) ; Butte Co., Oroville [39.508 -121.578], 30.iv.1927, H.H. Keifer (1♂ FISH) ; Calaveras Co., Camp Wolfboro [38.412 -120.076], 1.vi.1941, T. Aiken (2♂ 1♀ FISH) ; El Dorado Co., Sand Flat , 5300’ [38.763 -120.326], 12.vi.1930, G.W. Clurrey (1♂ UCRC, UCRC ENT 449916 ) ; Silver Fork American River at China Flat campground, 3 mi S of Kyburz, 38.75256 - 120.26611, 7.vi.2013, T.A. McKnight (1♂ 1♀ [1 pr in cop] RBCM, 1♂ 1♀ [1 pr in cop] TAM, 4♂ [4 EtOH] UMMZ) ; South Fork American River , 2 mi W of Riverton, 38.76734 -120.48353, 7.vi.2013, T.A. McKnight (1♂ [1 EtOH] UMMZ) ; Mono Co., Lee Vining Creek, Hwy 120 [37.939 -119.123], 22.vi.2006, B. Kondratieff, R. Baumann (1♂ CSUC) ; Walker [38.521 -119.477], 18.vi.1963, J. Wilcox (1♂ 2♀ FISH) ; Nevada Co., [no loc], 25.viii.1974, D. Castleman (1♂ BEZA) ; Boca [39.384 -120.092], 17.vi.1964, D.F. Veirs (1♂ 1♀ RBCM, RBCM ENT 999-000918 – RBCM ENT 999-000919 , 1♂ UTST) ; Plumas Co., Blairsden, Feather River [39.777 -120.619], 16.v.1982, D.L. Wagner (1♀ EMEC) , J. Powell (2♂ EMEC) , M. Buegler (1♀ EMEC) , 21.v.1982, J.A. DeBenedictis (1♂ 1♀ EMEC) ; Portola [39.809 -120.468], 5.v.1960, M. Wasbauer (1♂ FISH) ; Shasta Co., Little Cow Creek, Hwy 299 turnoff 4.2 km SW jct Oak Run Road , 40.73917 -122.071, 25.v.1995, R.A. Cannings, H. Nadel (1♂ 4♀ RBCM, RBCM ENT 010-002807 – RBCM ENT 010-002809 ) , 14.v.2012, T.A. McKnight (1♂ RBCM, 1♂ 1♀ TAM, 4♂ 3♀ [6 EtOH] UMMZ) ; Sierra Co., Hobart Mills , 7 mi N [39.485 -120.238], 30.vi.1965, J. Wilcox (2♂ 2♀ CAS, 1♀ RBCM) ; Independence Lake [39.4308 -120.3282], 25.vi.1974, R.D. Moon (1♂ BEZA) ; Solano Co., Davis [38.518 -121.770], 27.iv.1951, R.C. Bechtel (1♂ FISH) , 22.iv.1959, J.R. Powers (1♂ FISH) ; Trinity Co., Carrville , 2400–2500’ [41.067 -122.699], 2.[?].1934, G.E. Bohart (1♂ FSCA) ; Douglas City campground, Trinity River , 7 mi S of Weaverville, 40.64661 -122.95591, 24.v.2016, T.A. McKnight (1♂ RBCM, 1♂ [1 EtOH] UMMZ) ; Hayfork, Hayfork Creek near Forest Ave , 40.54509 -123.16681, 24.v.2016, T.A. McKnight (1♂ [1 EtOH] UMMZ) ; Hayfork, Hayfork Creek @ Post Office footbridge, 40.55231 -123.18197, 24.v.2016, T.A. McKnight (1♂ [1 EtOH] TAM) ; Hayfork, Wildwood Rd, 3 mi S jct Hwy 3, 40.52474 -123.08882, 24.v.2016, T.A. McKnight (1♂ [1 EtOH] TAM) ; Yolo Co., Putah Canyon [38.514 -122.072], 13.iv.1950, R.M. Bohart (1♂ FISH) ; NEVADA: Washoe Co., Mogul, Truckee River @ Mayberry Crossing Park , 39.50262 - 119.89737, 13.v.2012, T.A. McKnight (1♂ 1♀ [1 pr in cop] TAM, 4♂ 2♀ [5 EtOH] UMMZ), Patrick [39.547 -119.574], 16.vi.1964, C.R. Kovacic (3♂ FISH) , D.F. Veirs (1♀ UTST) , F.D. Parker (1♂ FISH) , M.E. Irwin (3♀ FISH) , R.D. Sharp (2♀ BEZA) , R.M. Bohart (3♂ FISH, 1♀ UTST), S.G. Seminoff (1♂ FISH) ; Reno [39.529 -119.807], 27.vi.1927, E.P. Van Duzee (1♂ FISH) , 3.iv.1959, F.D. Parker (1♂ FISH) ; Verdi [39.514 -119.997], 26.vi.1962, R.L. Westcott (1♂ 1♀ EMEC) , R.M. Bohart (1♂ 2♀ FISH) , 18.vi.1964, A. Gillogly (2♂ 1♀ FISH) , C.N. Slobodchikoff (4♂ 4♀ FISH) , D.F. Veirs (1♂ UTST) , F.D. Parker (1♂ 1♀ FISH) , M.E. Irwin (4♂ 5♀ [1 pr in cop] FISH) , P. Richerson (1♂ FISH) , R.E. Scott (1♀ FISH) , R.M. Bohart (1♂ FISH, 1♂ RBCM), S.G. Seminoff (1♂ 1♀ FISH) , 27.vi.1966, E.E. Grissell (1♀ BEZA) , 14.vii.1967, R.L. Westcott (1♂ FISH) ; Verdi, Truckee River @ US-40 bridge, Crystal Peak Park , 39.51397 -119.99689, 13.v.2012, T.A. McKnight (2♂ RBCM, 1♂ 1♀ TAM, 1♂ 2♀ [3 EtOH] UMMZ) .

Taxonomic Notes. Included in Cannings (2002) as “ L. biv-2.” Historically, these specimens have often been misidentified as L. californicus (as in Cole 1969).

Etymology. Refers to the distribution along the Sierra Nevada; L. sierra was a manuscript name of Wilcox.

Distribution ( Fig. 38 ) Nearctic; eastern and northern slopes of Sierra Nevada. Type locality: U.S.A., Nevada: Washoe Co., Verdi.

Phylogenetic Relationships. Member of the bivittatus section, drabicolum group. Based on morphology, this species is likely sister to L. odontotus .

Natural History. Habitat: mountain riverbanks. Found perching on both bare sand near the water and on boulders in and along the water’s flow ( Figs. 22–23 ). Dates collected: April 3 to August 25, most in May and June. One male and one female (the female from a mating pair) with prey: Isoptera and Trichoptera c.f. Rhyacophilidae .

Figures

FIGURE 32. Matrix key of Lasiopogon morphology for species revised in this publication, indicating details of tergite tomentum, major setation, and dissected male genitalia. Taxa are grouped on pages with closely related and visually similar species. L. drabicolum, L. esau sp. nov. (32) L. anaphlecter sp. nov.

FIGURES 37–40. Distribution maps of georeferenced records for Lasiopogon species revised in this publication, part 1 of 2. Each map corresponds to one page of the morphology tabular key.

FIGURES 22–29. Representative habitats of inland rock-perching Lasiopogon species collected for this revision. (22) Nevada: Washoe Co., Mogul, Truckee River @ Mayberry Crossing Park, 13-14.v.2012 (L. sierra sp. nov.). (23) California: Shasta Co., Little Cow Creek, Hwy 299 turnoff 4.2 km SW jct Oak Run Road, 14.v.2012 (L. sierra sp. nov.). (24) California: Mariposa Co., Summerdale campground, Big Creek, 22.v.2016 (L. anaphlecter sp. nov.). (25) California: Madera Co., Willow Creek, pools by Angle Falls parking lot, 1 mi N of Bass Lake, 22.v.2016 (L. anaphlecter sp. nov.). (26) California: Los Angeles Co., Big Tujunga River, 4 km NE of Sunland, 7.iii.2014 (L. nelsoni sp. nov.). (27) California: Los Angeles Co., Rock Creek Wash jct Valyermo Rd, 4 mi SE of Pearblossom, 8.iii.2014 (L. nelsoni sp. nov.). (28) California: Solano Co., Winters, Putah Creek @ jct Winters Rd and Putah Creek Rd, 12.v.2012 (L. californicus). (29) California: San Diego Co., San Luis Rey River, 5 km SE of Pauma Valley city, 6.iii.2013 (L. gabrieli).