Lucilia japuhybensis ( Mello, 1961 )

Whitworth, Terry, 2014, A revision of the Neotropical species of Lucilia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Zootaxa 3810 (1), pp. 1-76 : 31-32

8. Lucilia japuhybensis ( Mello, 1961)

Figs. 8 , 22–27 , 45, 46 , 69, 70 , 96–98 , 126 , 138 , 150 , 160 , Tables 1, 2

Phaenicia japuhybensis Mello, 1961: 274 . Holotype male (FIOC, only genitalia remaining; not examined). Type locality: Brazil, State of Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, Japuhyba.

Lucilia japuhybensis: Kosmann et al. 2013: 77 .

Phaenicia japuhybensis: James 1970: 10 ; Mariluis et al. 1994: 28.

Type information. The status of L. japuhybensis (Mello) has been uncertain since this species was described on the basis of a single male ( Mello 1961). In the process of studying a possible new species of Lucilia found in southeastern Brazil, male genitalia photos taken were compared to Mello’s figures ( Mello 1961, p. 275, figs. 45–49) as well as other characters detailed in his description. A comparison of the characters shown in Mello’s figures of the possible new species are given in Figs. 22–27 . The male genitalia in lateral view are exceptionally long, slender, and curved forward, unlike those of any other Lucilia in the region. Mello’s anterior view of the head is very close to my photo and an average frons width of 0.03 at narrowest of head width is a match for my specimens. This frons width is distinctive; other species occurring in the area have either a narrower or wider average frons width (0.02 or 0.05). In an effort to examine the holotype, I contacted Maŕcio Felix, Coleção Entomológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz who spoke with the author of this species, R.P. de Mello (pers. comm.). He said the body of the specimen was destroyed in a 1960s military insurrection; however a slide of the holotype genitalia survived and is in FIOC. The slide was not available for loan. However, Mello’s (1961) figure of the genitalia was adequate to compare to my material. Based on the comparison of these features, I have concluded that the Mello species and my material belong to the same taxon. Most of the specimens of this species examined are 30–60 years old, its current distribution is uncertain.

Diagnosis. Setae on gena are dark; both sexes have brown upper and lower calypters; setae below and behind postocular row are pale and weak, and the presutural area of thorax is shining, usually with no microtomentum. Males have an exceptionally long, slender surstylus and cercus, the tip of the cercus is hooked forward ( Figs. 45, 46 ). This species is known primarily from a small area of southeastern Brazil.

Description. Male. Frons 0.031 (0.025–0.04/5) of head width at narrowest; anterior eye facets 1.67x larger than posterior (0.55mm, 0.33mm). Fronto-orbital plate silver-tan from above, dull orange from below; parafacial silveryorange from above, dull orange from below; gena dark silvery with dark setae, genal groove orange, postgena dark silvery, anterior third with dark setae, remainder with pale setae; frontal vitta dull orange, extending only one-fourth up from pedicel bases, upper three-fourths obliterated where fronto-orbitals touch; pedicel orange-brown; first flagellomere long and slender, base faint orange, the reminder grey in color. Ocellar triangle small, anterior ocellus about 2x posterior ocelli, preocellar area orange, two distinct ocellar setae, other setae small and short. Frontal setae ascend about halfway up toward vertex; supravibrissal setae ascend about one-third of way up facial ridge. Intrapostocular area bright silvery, area below and behind postocular row with pale, weak setae. Upper edge of occiput shining black, remainder with whitish microtomentum with pale setae. In known specimens, thorax is usually bright green; in a few specimens it’s blue or coppery. The spiracles are brown and medium in size; legs are brown; proepisternal depression usually with brown setae; rim and disc of upper and lower calypters brown; base of wing with dark brown veins, some cells in the basal area partially darkened, remainder of wing hyaline; basicosta and tegula brown to black; subcostal sclerite orange-brown with fine pubescence; dorsum of thorax shining, with little or no microtomentum. Abdomen with rear one-third of T4 and all of T5 polished. Surstylus and cercus are long and slender and curved forward, the tip of the cercus is hook-like ( Figs. 45, 46 ). The phallus is as in Figs. 69, 70 , the hypandrium, pre- and postgonite, ejaculatory sclerite and sternites of this species are as in Figs. 96 –98,126.

Female. Characters similar to males except frons 0.26 (0.23–28/5) of head width at narrowest; anterior eye facets much smaller than those in males (0.41mm vs. 0.55mm), anterior facets 1.41x larger than posterior facets (0.41mm vs. 0.29mm). The ovipositor and spermathecae are as in Figs. 138 , 150 .

Specimens examined. (29 males, 30 females). Brazil: Rio de Janeiro Federal District. 7 males, 5 females, Yellow Fever Service, MES, Oct. 1937, R.C. Shannon ( USNM) ; 2 females, same data except Dec. 1937 ; 9 males, same data except Oct. 1937 – Jan. 1938 ; 1 female, same data except April 1938 ; 3 males, same data except June 1938 ; 2 males, 2 females, same data except July 1938 ; 2 males, 3 females, same data except Aug. 1938 ; 7 females, same data except Sept. 1938 ; 2 males, 3 females, same data except Oct. 1938 ; 2 females, same data except Jan. 1939 ; Santa Catarina. 1 female, Nova Teutonia , 27°11'S 52°23'W, Oct. 30, 1936, Fritz Plaumann ( BMNH) ; 1 male, same data except 300–500m, April 25 ; 1 female, same data except April 4, 1938 . São Paulo. 2 males , São Paulo, Nov. 14, 1972, G.E. Bohart, ( LACM) ; Paraná. 1 male, Alto Paraná, Curitiba , April 1940, Claret ( USNM) ; 1 female, São Paulo, Casa Grande, Boraceia Field Station , grid 23 KMP 092837, Feb. 2, 1975, Thomas E. Rogers ( FSCA) ; Rondônia. 1 female, 62km SE Ariquemes , Nov. 5–16, 1996, W.J. Hanson ( LACM) ; Rio de Janeiro. 1 female, near Desenyano State Park ; 21.87°S 41.80°W, May 5, 1999, 200 feet, Malaise trap, B.V. Brown ( USNM) .

Distribution. Primarily known from southeastern Brazil, with one record further west in the state of Rondônia ( Fig. 160 ).

Discussion. No specimens of this species were barcoded.

Figures

FIGURE 160. Map of Lucilia species found in South America.

FIGURES 7–15. 7–9. Upper and lower calypter color. 7. L. eximia female, both pale. 8. L. japuhybensis female both dark, both sexes. 9. L. albofusca female, upper pale, lower dark, both sexes.10–11. Basicosta color left lateral view. 10. L. cluvia female, basicosta orange. 11. L. eximia female, basicosta brown. 12–15. Pattern of microtomentum on thorax viewed from the rear. 12. L. purpurascens female, heavy on whole dorsum of thorax. 13. L. woodi female, broad band on presutural area of thorax. 14. L. rognesi female, patches on presutural area of thorax. 15. L. nitida female, microtomentum absent, presutural area of thorax all polished.

FIGURES 22–27. Photos of male specimen by author compared to figures of male L. japuhybensis by Mello (1961: 275) (figures reproduced with permission from the journal Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz). 22, 23. Left lateral view of genitalia, 22. Author’s photo. 23. Mello’s figure. 24, 25. Anterior view of head. 24. Author’s photo. 25. Mello’s figure. 26, 27. Left lateral view of head. 26. Author’s photo. 27. Mello’s figure.

FIGURES 43–46. Left lateral and posterior views of male genitalia of Lucilia spp. 43, 44. L. ibis. 45, 46. L. japuhybensis.

FIGURES 63–72. Phallus of male Lucilia in left lateral and dorsal views. 63, 64. L. albofusca. 65, 66. L. eximia. 67, 68. L. ibis. 69, 70. L. japuhybensis. 71, 72. L. mexicana.

FIGURES 87–98. Hypandrium, pre- and postgonites, and ejaculatory sclerite of male Lucilia. 87–89. L. albofusca. 90–92. L. eximia. 93–95. L. ibis. 96–98. L. japuhybensis.

FIGURES 123–134. Male Lucilia abdominal sternites ST1–5. 123. L. albofusca. 124. L. eximia. 125. L. ibis. 126. L. japuhybensis. 127. L. mexicana 128. L. nitida (ST1 is missing).129. L. ochricornis. 130. L. pulverulenta. 131. L. purpurascens. 132. L. rognesi. 133. L. vulgata. 134. L. woodi.

FIGURES 135–138. Ovipositors of Lucilia. 135. L. albofusca. 136. L. eximia. 137. L. ibis. 138. L. japuhybensis.

FIGURES 147–158. Spermathecae of Lucilia. 147. L. albofusca. 148. L. eximia. 149. L. ibis. 150. L. japuhybensis. 151. L mexicana. 152. L. nitida. 153. L. ochricornis. 154. L. pulverulenta. 155. L. purpurascens. 156. L. rognesi. 157. L. vulgata. 158. L. woodi.