Drosophila mimiconformis Hardy

Lapoint, Richard T., Magnacca, Karl N. & O’Grady, Patrick M., 2009, Review of the spoon tarsus subgroup of Hawaiian Drosophila (Drosophilidae: Diptera), with a description of one new species, Zootaxa 2003, pp. 53-68 : 62

Drosophila mimiconformis Hardy

Drosophila mimiconfromis Hardy, 1965: 367 –369

Diagnosis. The labella, palpi and frons are all yellow. The fore-tibia of the males lacks numerous vertical setae present on other species (see Fig. 2 c). The wings are completely hyaline (see Fig. 3 e). The thorax ranges in color from light to dark brown. The legs are entirely yellow. The abdomen is completely black.

Types. MOLOKA‘I: Holotype ɗ (BPBM 6401) Maunawainui Valley, vii.1952, DEH ( Evenhuis 1982).

Material Examined. MOLOKA‘I: 2 ɗ has been studied from BPBM: ɗ, Maunawainui Valley, vii.1952, DEH; ɗ, East Kawela Gulch, ii.2007, KNM. 26 ɗ have been deposited in the UHIM from the following localities: ɗ, Hanalilolilo, viii.1953, MT; 15 ɗ, Maunawainui Valley, vii.1952, DEH; 2 ɗ, Pu‘u Ali‘i, vii.1953, DEH, MT; 4 ɗ, Pu‘u Kolekole, v.1965, DEH; 3 ɗ, Pu‘u Kolekole, vi.1964, DEH; 2 ɗ, South of Hanalilolilo, vii.1964, DEH.

Distribution. This species is endemic to Maui Nui (Moloka‘i, Maui, Lana‘i).

Ecology. This species has been reared from leaves of Cheirodendron trigynum (Araliaceae) on Maui and Moloka‘i; leaves of Tetraplasandra sp ( Araliaceae ) on Moloka‘i; leaves of Ilex anomala on Maui ( Aquifoliaceae ) ( Heed 1968).

Illustrations. Morphological structures of this species are depicted in multiple publications including: foreleg ( Hardy 1965: 368, fig. 140a); phallus ( Kaneshiro 1976: 267, fig. 5a); terminalia, male, lateral ( Hardy 1965: 368, fig. 140b).

Discussion. D. mimiconformis is the only species endemic to the island of Moloka‘i. It is very similar to D. conformis of the island of Hawai‘i, but can be easily distinguished by location of collection and a lack of pigmentation in the apical portion of the wing.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Fore-legs of selected males a) D. atroscutellata, b) D. dasycnemia, c) D. conformis, d) D. incognita, and e) D. percnosoma.

FIGURE 3. Wings of selected species a) D. atroscutellata, b) D. sordidapex, c) D. conformis, d) D. dasycnemia, and e) D. waddingtoni.