Lispe sydneyensis Schiner

Pont, Adrian C., 2019, Studies on the Australian Muscidae (Diptera). VIII. The genus Lispe Latreille, 1797, Zootaxa 4557 (1), pp. 1-232 : 44-52

Lispe sydneyensis Schiner

( Figs 83–97 )

Lispe sydneyensis Schiner, 1868: 297 .

Lispa sydneyensis .— Stein, 1919: 144.

Xenolispa atrifrontata Malloch, 1922: 280 .

Xenolispa atrifrontata .—Malloch, 1922: 384; Lee, Crust & Sabrosky, 1956: 308.

Xenolispa sydneyensis .— Malloch, 1923: 610; Séguy, 1937: 187; Lee, Crust & Sabrosky, 1956: 336. Lispe atrifrontata .— Pont, 1989: 692.

Lispe sydneyensis .— Pont, 1989: 693; Vikhrev, 2016: 246, fig. 46.

Type-material. The holotype ♂ of Lispe sydneyensis is in NMW, where I have studied it. It has right antenna and both mid legs missing, but is otherwise in good condition. It is labelled "Novara-R. / Sydney" and "sydneyensis / det. B.B." [Brauer and Bergenstamm].

The holotype ♀ of Xenolispa atrifrontata , from South Queensland (T.L. Bancroft), is in BMNH, where I have studied it. The left hind leg is missing, otherwise its condition is good.

Note on synonymy. Stein (1919) and, following him, Séguy (1937) placed Lispe nicobarensis Schiner and L. sydneyensis as synonyms, considering them to represent ♂ and ♀ of the same species. This has proved to be incorrect, and study of the holotype of Lispe nicobarensis has shown it to be an older name for Xenolispa albimacula Malloch (see below, page 52).

The synonymy of X. atrifrontata Malloch with L. sydneyensis was proposed by Malloch (1923: 610) and can now be confirmed from study of the types.

Diagnosis. In the ♂ of this species the shape of the fore tarsomeres ( Fig. 85 ) and the armature of the hind leg ( Figs 86–87 ) are unique. In the ♀, the presence of short dense hairs along the posteroventral surface of fore femur and the presence of 3–4 setae and several setulae in the posterior anepisternal row are helpful for identification, in addition to the characters given in the key.

Material examined. AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: Beedelup Falls, 13.xi.1958, E.F. Riek, 1♂ ( ANIC); Boddington, Hotham River , 32.48S 116.28E, pools below dam, 12.xii.1991, A.G. Irwin, 1♂ 1♀ ( WAM) ; Cape le Grand Nat. Park , 33.58S, 122.07E, 9–10.i.1987, G. & A. Daniels, 1♂ 2♀ ( QMBA) & 1♀ ( BMNH) ; Dryandra SF via Narrogin , Malaise trap, 22–30.iii.1982, 1♂ 2♀ ( QDPC) ; Fitzgerald River Nat. Park , 33.47S 119.45E, m. v. lamp , 5.i.1986, G. & A. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Kalamunda , 14.iii–14.iv.1914, R.E. Turner, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Kemberton Park , 33.8S 115.44E, freshwater pools among paperbark trees, 4.i.1992, A.G. Irwin, 1♀ ( WAM) ; Margaret River , Malaise trap, 23–28.xii.1970, G.A. Holloway & M. Hughes, 6♂ 2♀ ( AMS) ; Mundaring Weir , 19– 23.ii.1936, R.E. Turner, 1♀ ( BMNH) ; same locality, iii.1968, 2 ♂ 2♀ ( QMBA) ; North Lake, Perth , 20.iii.1968, 1♂ 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Pallingup Rover, on Highway One , 34.24S 118.44E, 6.i.1986, G. & A. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Pemberton , 14.xi.1958, E.F. Riek, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 8 miles SW of Pemberton , 14.xi.1958, I.F.B. Common, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Mt Ragged, at light, 31.x.1977, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Thomas River estuary, Esperance District , Malaise trap, 5 & 8.xi.1977, D.H. Colless, 1♂ 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Walyunga Nat. Park, 35 miles NW of Perth, Malaise trap, 7.i.1971, G.A. Holloway, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Yanchep , 32 miles N of Perth, 20–31.xii.1935, R.E. Turner, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; the same but 1–7.i.1936, 3♂ 2♀ ( BMNH) ; the same but 29.i–8. ii.1936, 2 ♀ ( BMNH) . Northern Territory: Caranbirini W/H, 33 km SW of Borroloola, 22.iv.1976, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; McArthur River , 2 km SSE of Borroloola, 20.iv.1976, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) . Queensland: no locality or date (T.L. Bancroft), ♀ holotype of atrifrontata Malloch ( BMNH) ; no locality, 28 & 31.vii.1899 (T.L. Bancroft), 4♂ 2♀ ( BMNH) ; Barney Creek , 11.x.1952, J. Davis, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Bluff Range, near Biggenden , 4 & 7–19.viii.1971, H. Frauca, 4♂ ( ANIC) ; Bribie Island , 16.i.2000, J. & A. Skevington, M. Mathieson & S. Winterton, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Brisbane , 14.ix.1963, C.F. Ashby, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; the same but 11.ix.1965, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; the same but 15.viii.1962, 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Brisbane , 1.iii.1928, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Brisbane , 20.vii.1963, J.C. Cardale, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Brisbane , 15.iv.1947, F. Kleinschmidt, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Brisbane , 11.x.1955, M. Permiakoff, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Brisbane , 13.viii.1961, A.J. Riley, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Brisbane, DPI Indooroopilly site, Malaise trap, i.1977, 1 ♂ ( QDPC) ; same data but vi.1978, 2 ♂ 1♀ ( QDPC) ; same data but vii.1978, 1 ♀ ( QDPC) ; Broken River, Eungella , 8.xii.1961, D.K. McAlpine & R. Lossin, 1♂ 2♀ ( AMS) ; Bundaberg , vi.1971, H. Frauca, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Burpengary , no date (T.L. Bancroft), 2♂ ( BMNH) ; Caloundra , 17.viii.1934, F.A. Perkins, 2♂ ( QMBA & OUMNH) ; 2 miles E of Cardstone , 14.i.1967, D.K. McAlpine & G.A. Holloway, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Cooloola Nat. Park, Freshwater Lake , 27.xi.1985, D. Bickel & G. Cassis, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Coolum , 29.vii.1972, E.C. Dahms, 1♂ 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Daybora , iii.1962, J. Bryan, 3♀ ( QMBA) ; Elanda Point to Kin Kin Creek , 26.14S, 153.00E, 17.xi.1985, G. & A. Daniels, 2♀ ( QMBA) ; Halidon , 26.v.1963, J.C. Cardale, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Heifer Creek , on moss-covered rocks in creek bed, 23.xii.1964, R.G. Winks, 1♀ ( QDPC) ; Highvale , 7.i.1977, M.A. Schneider, 1♂ ( AMS) ; DPI Indooroopilly site, Malaise trap, 6–12, 12–17 & 17–21.xii.1984, 10♂ 3♀ ( QDPC, BMNH) ; same data but 29.x–5.xi, 5– 12.xi and 3–10.xii.1982, 1♂ 4♀ ( QDPC, BMNH) ; Indooroopilly , Malaise trap, xii.1976, Z. Bouček, 1♂ 3♀ ( QDPC) ; Ipswich , x.1960, B. Sabine, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; K. College , 5.v.1953, Y.P. Beri, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Kirrama St. Forest ( Western Fall ), 30.v.1971, E.F. Riek, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Lawes , attracted to light, 25.viii.1967, J. Rhodes, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Mooloolaba , 24.x.1965, C.F. Ashby, 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Mt Tamborine, Malaise trap, x.1977, Sankowsky, 3♂ 2♀ ( QDPC) ; same data but ix–x.1978, 1♀ ( QDPC) ; same data but x–xi.1978, 2♀ ( QDPC) ; North Tamborine , 2.ii.1983, D.K. McAlpine & K.C. Khoo, 1♀ ( AMS) ; 2 miles W of Paluma , 3000 ft, m. v. lamp , 13.i.1970, G.A. Holloway, 1♂ ( AMS) ; 1 km W of Samford , 27.23S, 152.47E, 25.ix.1987, G. Daniels, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; Stanthorpe , 7.i.1930 & 11.ii.1930, 2♀ ( QMBA) . New South Wales: Alpine Creek, Snowy Mt. Hwy, 9.xii.1964, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Barrington House, via Salisbury , 8–11.ii.1965, G. Monteith, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; 4 miles N of Bateman 's Bay , 29.ix.1959, Z. Liepa, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 18 km W of Bathurst , 25.ii.1984, B.J. Day, 1♂ 2♀ ( AMS) ; Belougery Creek, Warrumbungle Nat. Park , 31.17S, 148.59E, Malaise trap, 13–15.i.1994, M.E. Irwin & D.K. Yeates, 2♂ 3♀ ( QMBA) ; Bermagui Beach, 24.xi.1974, Z. Liepa, 2♂ ( ANIC) ; Billabong Creek, Conargo , 23–30.iv.1978, Z. Liepa, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Braulee , 9.xi.1975, Z. Liepa, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Brockelos Creek , 16.5 km S of Bermagui, 24–27.ii.1974, Z. Liepa, 2♂ 5♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Bullawa Creek, Mt. Kaputar Nat. Park , 28.iii.1978, G. Daniels, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; same locality, c 560 m, 26.iii.1978, G. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; same locality, 30.14S, 150.06E, Malaise trap, 16–19.i.1994, M.E. Irwin & D.K. Yeates, 1♂ ( QMBA) ; same locality, 17.i.1994, D.K. Yeates, 2♀ ( QMBA) ; 16 km E of Bungendore , 10.xi.1973, Z. Liepa, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Cabbage Tree Creek, Clyde Mt. , 9.i.1968, C.H. Martin, D.H. Colless, 2♂ 2♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; same locality, 16.ii.1964, Z. Liepa, 3♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; same locality, 5.v.1965, Z. Liepa, 4♂ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; same locality, 1.ii.1973, E.A. Fonseca, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Coff 's Harbour , 25.vi.1976, Z. Liepa, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Coocumbac Is. Nature Reserve, Taree , ex floodplain rainforest, 24.x–10.xi.1994, G. & T. Williams, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; 6 km W of Coramba , 26.vi.1976, Z. Liepa, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Deep Creek, Narrabeen , 27.i.1964, D.H. Colless, 2♂ 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Dorrigo Nat. Park , 6.i.1966, C.N. Smithers, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Eccleston, Allyn River , 26.ii.1921, 1♀ ( USNM) ; Elanora Hts , 26.xii.1987, T.T. Robinson, 1♂ 2♀ ( AMS, BMNH) ; 2.4 km NE of Eugowra , 24.iv.1971, Z. Liepa, 1♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Fish River , 25.iii.1923, 1♂ ( USNM) ; Forbes , 12.xi.1964, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Garie Beach, Royal Nat. Park , 15.xii.1972, G. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Goonoo Forest , 5 miles S of Mendooran, 24.iii.1971, D.K. McAlpine, 1♂ 2♀ ( AMS) ; same locality, m. v. lamp , 27.iii.1971, G. & A. Daniels, 1♂ ( AMS) & 2♂ 3♀ ( QMBA) ; near Gosford, Mooney Mooney Creek , wet sclerophyll forest, 3.xii.1985, D.J. Bickel, 2♂ ( AMS) ; Hornsby , 9.xi.1957, D.K. McAlpine, 1♂ 1♀ ( AMS) ; Hunter River at Tubrabucca , 20.x.1956, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Jenolan Road near summit, Blue Mts , c 4000 ft, 20.xii.1956, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Katoomba , 8.i.1962, 20.x.1962, 12.xi.1958, 18.xi.1956, 24.xii.1960, G.H. Hardy, 5♂ 1♀ ( AMS) ; Mt Keira, at light, 6.iii.1967, I.F.B. Common, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Kiwarrah SF, Whites Crossing , 9 km SSW of Taree, 25.xi.1987, D.J. Bickel, 3♂ ( AMS, BMNH) ; Ku-Ring-Gai, 14–19.x.1972, E.A. Fonseca, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; the same but 14–20.iii.1973, 9♂ 9♀ ( BMNH) ; Ku-Ring-Gai Chase, near Sydney , 14.i.1975, D.K. McAlpine & K.R. Singham, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Ku-Ring-Gai Nat. Park , 33.39S 151.13E, 22.xii.1986, B.K. Cantrell, 2♂ 4♀ ( QDPC) ; Ku-Ring-Gai Nat. Park, Cicada Creek near Church Point , 11.xi.1990, D.J. Bickel, 4♂ ( AMS) ; Ku-Ring-Gai Chase Nat. Park , 27.i.1971, G. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Lane Cove , 4.ix.1926, B. Bertram, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Lyons Creek , 8 km NW of Nelligen, riverine forest, yellow pan trap, 2.i.1991, D.J. Bickel, 3♀ ( AMS) ; Manar, Braidwood district , 8.ii.1970, D.K. McAlpine, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Manly , 30.ix.1950, K. English, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Manning River, Stewart Brook State Forest , 30.x.1976, G. Daniels, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Meroo Meadow , 15.xii.1926, B. Bertram, 1♂ 3♀ ( AMS) ; Monga, near Braidwood , 6.ii.1966, E.F. Riek, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Mt Keira, 4.xi.1956, E.F. Riek, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Nadgee NR, near Eden , wet sclerophyll forest, 14–15.ii.1986, D.J. Bickel, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Narrabeen , 1–6.xii.1972, E.A. Fonseca, 3♂ 5♀ ( BMNH) ; the same but 15.iii.1973, 2♂ ( BMNH) ; National Park , 28.i.1957 & 18.i.1964, D.K. McAlpine, 1♂ 1♀ ( AMS) ; Nowra , 1931, F.A. Rodway, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Nowra Creek , 8.xii.1926, B. Bertram, 1♂ 2♀ ( AMS) ; Nyngan , no date, J. Armstrong, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Otford , 8.xii.1957, K. English, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Otford, Royal Nat. Park , 31.xii.1962, D.H. Colless, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Oxford Falls , 22.iv.1956, D.K. McAlpine, 2♀ ( AMS) ; Pacific Highway, south side of Hawkesbury River , 13.x.1956, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Pond 's Creek , E of Armidale, 13.x.1962, D.H. Colless, 1♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Palm Beach , 2–8.iii.1973, E.A. Fonseca, 1♀ ( BMNH) ; Quandong , 53 km SE of Broken Hill, 26.ix.1975, Z. Liepa, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 5 miles W of Rosebank , 1500 feet, 4.xi.1965, M.S. Upton, 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Royal National Park , m. v. lamp , 25.xii.1970, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Royal Nat. Park , 10.iv.1971, G. Daniels, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Rutherford Creek, Brown Mt. , 11.xi.1961, D.H. Colless, 2♂ ( ANIC) ; Shoalhaven River, Braidwood Road , 19.xi.1974, Z. Liepa, 4♂ 2♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Somerton , 1.x.1950, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Stanwell Tops , 17.v.1958, K. English, 1♂ 1♀ ( AMS) ; Sydney , no date, G. Frauenfeld, holotype ♂ of L. sydneyensis Schiner ( NMW) ; Sydney , 3.xii.1922, 1♀ ( USNM) ; Sydney , 26.xii.1923, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Sydney, Narrabeen , 21.vii.1923, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Sydney, Rydalmere , 1♀ ( USNM) ; Timbillica , 10 km NE of Genoa, 29.i.1975, A. Neboiss, 1♂ 1♀ ( MV) ; "Tuglo", near Mt Royal, near Singleton , 13.xi.1983, B.J. Day & K.C. Khoo, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Tooloom Falls, Tooloom Creek , 28.31S, 152.32E, 8.x.1995, C.J. Burwell, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Tumut River , 12.8 km SE of Gundagai, 24.xii.1973, Z. Liepa, 5♂ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Ulladulla Beach , 20.ii.1972, Z. Liepa, 1♂ 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Upper Allyn River , 14.ii.1968, D.H. Colless, 4♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Upper Allyn River, near Eccleston , 4.v.1967, D.K. McAlpine, 2♂ 5♀ ( AMS, BMNH) ; Urila, 26 km S of Queanbeyan, Malaise trap, 1–10.xii.1987, M.E. Irwin, 2♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Wallagoot Lake , 19.i.1962, K.R. Norris, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Wentworth Falls, Blue Mts , 21.xii.1973, D.K. McAlpine, 1♀ ( AMS) ; West Head , 21.xi.1972, E.A. Fonseca, 2♀ ( BMNH) ; Wilson River Res., near Bellangry , subtropical rainforest, 5.xii.1988, D.J. Bickel, 1♂ 2♀ ( AMS) ; Wingabutta Creek , 23 miles N of Mendooran, 20.iv.1973, G. Daniels, 1♀ ( AMS) ; 12 miles W of Woodburn , 3.xi.1965, M.S. Upton, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Wyfaliba, Old Grafton Road, ford on Mann River , approx. 55 km E of Glen Innes, 8.i.1985, K.C. Khoo, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Weddin Mts Nat. Park , 33.54S, 147.59E, Malaise trap, 11.i.1994, M.E. Irwin & D.K. Yeates, 1♂ 3♀ ( QMBA) & 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Yarrum Creek , 8 miles W of Dorrigo, 22.ii.1966, G.F. Edmunds, 1♂ ( USNM) . Australian Capital Territory: Black Mt. , Malaise trap, xii.1987, M.E. Irwin, 1♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Black Mt. , light trap, 10.i.1966, 12.i.1960, 16.i.1967, 17.i.1966, 26.i.1955, 3.ii.1966, 25.ii.1965, 17.iii.1958, 31.iii.1964, 30.x.1967, 16.xi.1964, 1.xii.1967, 11.xii.1968, 15.xii.1963, 27.xii.1958, all I.F.B. Common, 9♂ 7♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Blundell 's, 4.i.1961, E.F. Riek, 4♂ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; the same, 6.i.1961, D.H. Colless, 2♀, and S.J. Paramonov, 7♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Lake Burley, Griffin , 31.x.1963, D.H. Colless, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Canberra , 2.xi.1954, S.J. Paramonov, 18♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) & 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Canberra , 14.iii.1963, K.R. Norris, 1♂ 1♀ ( ANIC) ; 2 miles E of Mt Coree , 19.xi.1968, D.H. Colless, 1♂ 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Cotter River , 27.i.1955, S.J. Paramonov, 1♂ 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Cotter River , 2.xii.1959, E.F. Riek, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Cotter River , 7.xii.1962, D.K. McAlpine, 1♂ ( AMS) ; Cotter Reserve , 5.xi.1977, A.N. Clements, 1♀ ( BMNH) ; same locality, 16.i.1977, 1♂ ( BMNH) ; Cotter- M 'bidgee, 29.xi.1962, D.H. Colless, 1♂ 2♀ ( ANIC) ; Doughboy Creek, near Canberra , 20.xii.1964, Z. Liepa, 1♂ 5♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Lee 's Springs , 20.x.1955, I.F.B. Common, 1♀ ( ANIC) ; Sullivan 's Creek, Canberra , 17.iii.1965, Z. Liepa, 8♂ 3♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) ; Uriarra State Forest , 14.ii.1965, Z. Liepa, 2♂ 3♀ ( ANIC, BMNH) . Victoria: Bells Clearing , 6 km S of Aberfeldy, 9.ii.1977, A.A. Calder, 2♀ ( MV) ; Blackwood Rngs, Bacchus Marsh , 15.x.1953, A. Neboiss, 1♀ ( MV) ; Cape Otway , 29.xi.1966, A. Neboiss, 1♀ ( MV) ; Delatite , 10.xii.1962, A. Neboiss, 1♀ ( MV) ; Forrest , 19.i.1956, A. Neboiss, 1♂ ( MV) ; Glenelg River , 4 miles NNE of Nelson, 25.xi.1966, A. Neboiss, 1♀ ( MV) ; Mansefield , 25.iii.1958, A. Neboiss, 1♀ ( MV) ; Melbourne, National Museum of Victoria, 11.xii.1956, A. Neboiss, 1♀ ( MV) ; Red Rock Swamp , 6 km ENE of Glen Isla, 9.iii.1977, A.A. Calder, 5♂ 2♀ ( MV) ; Wennon River near Jimmy 's Creek , Grampians , 10.xii.1977, D.K. McAlpine & M.A. Schneider, 1♀ ( AMS) ; Wyperfeld Nat. Park , 51 km NW of Hopetoun, water hole, 4–7.ix.1974, Z. Liepa, 2♂ ( ANIC) . South Australia: Belair Nat. Park, Adelaide , 28.xii.1966, Z. Liepa, 1♂ ( ANIC) ; Flinders Ranges Nat. Park, Dingley Dell camping ground, Oraparinna Creek , Malaise trap, 32.21.17S, 138.42.16E, 8–9.x.1997, J. & A. Skevington, S. Winterton, C. Lambkin, 1♀ ( QMBA) ; Sandy Creek Conservation Park, 8 km NE Gawler, Malaise in heath, 34.36.12S, 138.51.21E, 1–3.x.1997, S. Winterton, J. & A. Skevington, C. Lambkin, 1♀ ( QMBA) .

Vikhrev (2016: 246) listed the localities of specimens that he collected in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia.

Description ♂ ♀. Head ( Fig. 83 ). Ground-colour black. Frons at broadest point 0.4, at lunula 0.34-0.35, of maximum head-width (frontal view). Eye with an area of facets alongside lunula conspicuously enlarged. Most of fronto-orbital plate matt to subshining black, only silvery at lunula; parafacial, gena and lower half of occiput silvery pruinose, upper half of occiput dark brown, subshining at vertex; face and sometimes facial ridges contrasting black to velvety brown. Ocellar setae short and fine. Vte not distinct from post-ocular setulae. Lower reclinate orbital seta short but usually present. Frontal triangle slender, shining black. Parafacial moderate, at middle 2/3 width of postpedicel; setulae short, fine, in several rows. Antenna black; postpedicel 3 (♂) or 2.6 (♀) times as long as broad, falling short of mouth-margin by 0.7–0.8 times its length. Arista plumose, the hairing at widest point 1.4–1.6 times width of postpedicel. Vibrissa strong but short, set above mouth-margin ( Fig. 83 ), vibrissal area otherwise with few setulae. Gena moderate, 0.17–0.18 of vertical eye-length; genal setae quite dense. Palpus ranging from wholly brown to wholly yellow, swollen at tip ( Fig. 84 ).

Thorax. Ground-colour black. Scutum thinly brownish-grey dusted, more grey at neck, with 3 inconspicuous darker brown vittae along the dc and acr lines, and a broader dark brown post patch on each side outside the ia lines, these less conspicuous in ♀ than in ♂, sometimes the grey dust more extensive and the vittae more distinct; scutellum dark brown dusted on disc and at tip, the sides rather lighter dusted below; pleura light grey dusted, notopleuron brownish-grey. Anterior spiracle brown. Acr setulae in 4-5 irregular rows at suture. Dc 0+2, with a few prst and post ground-setulae slightly longer than the others, anterior post dc very short and at most half as long as posterior one. 1 tiny pprn, hardly distinct from ground-setulae. 0+0 ia. 0+1 sa, sometimes a short weak prst setula present. 1 proepisternal seta, with an adjacent setula. 1 proepimeral seta, with 6–7 tiny adjacent setulae. Anepisternum without a short seta in upper anterior corner; posterior row with 3–4 setae and several setulae. 3 kepst, only the posterior one strong, lower one short and fine, anterior one usually absent but sometimes very short. Meron bare below spiracle, usually with a few tiny setulae above hind coxa. Scutellum with disc sparsely setulose, bare on sides; with some soft pale hairs on ventral surface at tip.

Legs. Black but mid knee reddish, and on hind leg extreme tip of femur and base of tibia yellow. Fore coxa bare behind. Fore femur without av setae; pv surface with several short strong setae in apical half, otherwise with short dense fine hairs along whole length (shorter in ♀); pd row short, weak basally. Fore tibia slightly expanded in ♀; without submedian setae; with short d and pv apical setae. Fore tarsus of ♂ ( Fig. 85 ) with tarsomeres 4–5 expanded and with short stout a setulae; not modified in ♀. Mid femur constricted in apical half; without av or pv setae; without preapical ad; 1 p preapical, preceded by a p seta at apical 1/3. Mid tibia with 0 ad and 1 p; with 1 long v apical, and shorter a and p and very short d. Mid tarsus without modifications. Hind coxa without a seta on posterior apical margin. Hind femur in ♂ ( Fig. 86 ) bare ventrally except for a group of some 10 av to v setae on basal third, long, curled, directed basad, and after this point the femur constricted and with a bare ventral strip; ventral surfaces completely bare in ♀; ad row complete, very short; 0 pd preapical. Hind tibia in ♂ ( Fig. 86 ) short and curved, both dorsal to ventral and anterior to posterior; with 1 ad seta, with longer fine setulae basad and apicad of it in ♂; without av or pd; in ♂ v surface with very short erect hairs; d and ad preapical setae absent in ♂, the d present but very short in ♀; with several hair-like setae at apex of av surface in ♂, but only 1 short av in ♀; no pv apical. Hind tarsus of ♂ ( Figs 86–87 ) with basal tarsomere curved outwards, concave, with long fine ad and shorter a and av setae along most of length and continuing on to tarsomere 2, and with several short stout v setae; not modified in ♀.

Wing. Narrow. Very weakly smoky. Basicosta orange to brown, tegula black. Crossvein r-m placed slightly apicad of the point where vein R1 enters costa; dm-cu straight, longer than apical section of vein CuA1. Vein M running straight to wing-margin. Calypters white to creamy, with yellow margins. Haltere yellow.

Abdomen. Ground-colour black. Segments 4 and 5 modified, asymmetrical ( Fig. 91 ); tergite 4 and sternite 4 fused, but the line of fusion still distinct; sternite 5 withdrawn into segment 5. Tergites subshining black with very thin dark brown dust; ♂ with white dusted spots ( Figs 88, 90 ), the markings on syntergite 1+2 and tergite 3 variable and sometimes with more extensive white dust, ventral lateral parts of syntergite 1+2 and tergites 3 and 4 light grey dusted; in ♀ the pattern rather different ( Fig. 89 ), with the dusting white to grey, or even tinged with yellow along mid-line. ♂ epandrium dusted grey. Sternites 1–4 (♂) or 1–5 (♀) light grey dusted. Setae on tergites very weak, tergite 5 of ♂ with a few pairs of lateral marginal setae, without discals; without setae in ♀. ♂ sternites 2-4 with sparse setulae.

Ƌ terminalia. Epandrium separated from tergite 5 by syntergosternite 8, which has 2 spiracles; tergite 6 absent. Sternite 6 absent. Surstylus absent, i.e. fused to epandrium without trace ( Fig. 92 ). Cercal plate ( Fig. 93 ) moderately divided. Hypandrium attached at lower anterior corner of inner side of epandrium via an apparent praegonite, with 3 setae at posterior end; posterior attachment of hypandrial+phallic complex made by an extension from base of phallus to wall of epandrium close to inner dorsal tip of cercal plate ( Fig. 94 ). Phallic complex ( Fig. 94 ): an apparent praegonite present, appearing at first sight to be a surstylus ( Figs 92, 94 ) but firmly fused along its base to hypandrium and only loosely attached to epandrium from which it easily detaches during dissection; postgonite hook-like; phallapodeme enlarged, extending anteriorly over hypandrium and fused to it at mid-length by a plate; phallus simple, fully sclerotised, with no apparent juxta or spinulation, with a rod-like projection at midlength anteriorly which is asymmetrically bifid apically, with a posterior extension that attaches to cercal plate.

♀ ovipositor ( Figs 95–97 ). Tergites 6 and 7 large, complete, though with a line of weakness medially; tergite 8 divided dorsally, broadening out below. Sternites 6 and 7 broad, plate-like; sternite 8 reduced to a pair of tiny platelets or absent. Epiproct divided, with only setulae. Hypoproct not greatly elongated, without spines apically. Cercus with 2 spines. 3 spermathecae.

Measurements. Wing-length, 3.5–4.5 mm (♂), 3.5–5.0 mm (♀). Body-length, 5.0–6.0 mm (♂), 4.5–6.0 mm (♀).

Variation. Several features have been found to be variable in this species: details of the dusted pattern on scutum and abdomen vary; the colour of the palpus ranges from clear yellow to wholly brown; the pprn seta may sometimes be distinct, though short, especially in the female.

Biology. A common and widespread species, found on the coast and inland around rivers, pools and creeks.

Distribution. Known only from Australia (WA, NT, Q, ACT, NSW, V, SA), and especially abundant in NSW.

Figures

FIGURES 83–87. Lispe sydneyensis Schiner. 83. ♂ head, lateral view. 84. ♀ palpus. 85. ♂ fore tarsomeres, dorsal view. 86. ♂ hind leg, anterior view. 87. ♂ hind tarsomere 1, dorsal view. (83, WA, Mt Ragged; 84, ACT, Doughboy Creek; 85–87, NSW, Ku Ring Gai.)

FIGURES 88–90. Lispe sydneyensis Schiner. 88. ♂ abdomen, dorsal view. 89. ♀ abdomen, dorsal view. 90. ♂ abdomen, lateral view. (WA, Thames River Estuary.)

FIGURES 91–94. Lispe sydneyensis Schiner, ♂ terminalia. 91. Sternites 1–4. 92. Hypopygium, lateral view. 93. Cercal plate, dorsal view. 94. Phallic complex, lateral view. e—epiphallus, h—hypandrium, ph—phallapodeme, pl—phallus, popostgonite, pr—praegonite. (91, WA, Yanchep; 92–94, ACT, Sullivans Creek.)

FIGURES 95–97. Lispe sydneyensis Schiner. ♀ ovipositor. 95. Dorsal view. 96. Ventral view. 97. Lateral view. (ACT, Black Mt.)