Amiota communis Chen and Steyskal, 2004

Jones, Lance E. & Grimaldi, David A., 2022, Revision Of The Nearctic Species Of The Genus Amiota Loew (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2022 (458), pp. 1-181 : 25-30

Amiota communis Chen and Steyskal, 2004

Figures 9A–B , 11A , 12 , 81C

Amiota communis Chen and Steyskal, 2004 ; Chen et al. 2004: 65 (original description); Malloch and McAtee, 1924: 41, plate VIII, figs. 12, 13 (figure of male genitalia, as A. alboguttata ); Brake and Bächli, 2008: 251 (world catalog).

DIAGNOSIS: Medium-sized fly (ThL 1.15– 1.42 mm), dark brown almost black; frons shiny; hind tibia with comb of 8–12 setae; outer paraphysis long, slender, sinuous in dorsal/ventral views, robust, apex strongly curved and clawlike, each possessing a strong medially curving seta; inner paraphysis about 1/2 length of outer paraphyses, heavily sclerotized, slender, expanded at base, acutely bent 2/3 of the length from apex.

DESCRIPTION: Medium-sized fly (ThL 1.15–1.42 mm), dark brown to black, legs yel-lowish. Frons slightly pollinose, golden; ventral half shiny, silvery. Palp yellow, the tip brown. Tergites 1 and 2 lightly colored. Hind tibia with comb composed of 8–12 setae. Arista: Very long, plumose; longest branch D1; A.R. 0.50; 5 long dorsal, 3 ventral branches; D5 pointed slightly mediad; arista trunk with medium microtrichia on basal half, apical half bare. Male genitalia: Epandrium distinct, split at middle dorsal point, but no gap, each epandrial lobe made up of 2 distinct plates or regions, microtrichia and long setae absent outside plates, each epandrial half with long ventral lobe, 9–10 long setae along the ventral margin. Cercus dis-tinct from surrounding membrane, pyramidal membranous area above, ventral to epandrial apex. Surstylus with 6 prensisetae, apices blunt; 15–18 scattered setae, most along ventral por-tion. Subepandrial sclerite rounded in dorsal view, subepandrial appendage arising from sub-epandrial sclerite, slightly pointed, directed pos-teriorly. Outer paraphysis long, slender, sinuous in dorsal-ventral views, robust, tapering into a curved hook distally, a central fracturelike cleft running the length dorsally, 6–9 sensilla on lateral surface near distal end, large setae past mid-point curving medially. Inner paraphysis heavily sclerotized, slender, base bulbous, tapering to a point, curved laterally at 2/3 the length to the apex; length ~1/2 that of outer paraphysis. Aedeagal apodeme longer than wide, strongly bent in lateral; distal end lightly flared with a small depression, inner region bell shaped. Hypandrium simple, U-shaped, lateral arms bowing outward, scalloped on end distal from apex. Ejaculatory apodeme small and stout, slightly longer than 1/3 the length of epandrium. Head and thorax measurements: (n = 5; Am 169, 320, 393, 425, 560) FL/FW 0.78 (0.67–0.92), EL/ EW 1.31 (1.24–1.38), EL/CW 21.39 (19.66–23), FML/FMW 0.32 (0.30–0.38), PR/RR 0.58 (0.54– 0.66), ThL 1.25 (1.15–1.42 mm).

TYPE MATERIAL: Holotype: As reported by Chen et al. (2004): “ ♂, USA: Wayne County, Michigan, 16.VI.1960, (G, Steyskal)” [not examined]. Deposited in National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo (NSMT). Paratypes: “ 4♂, same data as holotype ” (NSMT).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Canada: Ontario: Algoma District, Hilton Beach, edge of hardwood forest and field, 1992-07-05, leg. J.E. Swann, malaise, debu00282842, 1♂ (Am 563*, DEBU); 1992-07-05, leg. J.E. Swann, edge of hardwood forest and field, debu00282850, 1♂ (Am 564, DEBU) ; 1992-07-26, leg. J.E. Swann, edge of hardwood forest and field, debu00298081, 1♂ (Am 630*, DEBU) ; Algonquin Province Park, Swan Lake Station, Scott Lake Survey , 1994-07-01 through 1994- 07-10, [collector unknown], C1 Shore malaise trap, 1♂ (Am 565, DEBU) ; Bruce Co., Dunks Bay , 2000- 07-23 through 2000-07-27, leg. S.A. Marshall, debu00079593, 1♂ (Am 615*, DEBU) ; Bruce Co., Jack Poste Side trail, 4km N Hope Bay, 44 55 25 N, 81 09 17 W, 2011-07-05, leg. J.M. Cumming, 1♂ (Am 1286, CNC) ; Gros Cap 20 km W S.S.Marie, 1986-08-31, leg. K.N. Barber, mixed forest, 1♂ (Am 560*, DEBU) ; Hald.-Norfolk Reg., Cronmiller prop., ~ 6 km St. Williams, site 1, 2011-09-01 through 2011-09-20, leg. Brunke and S. Paiero, forest mals pans, debu00352726, 1♂ (Am 570*, DEBU) ; Hald.- Norfolk Reg., Turkey Point Provincial Park , site 1, 2011-07-05 through 2011-08-05, leg. Brunke and S. Paiero, forest, malaise pans, debu 00350353, 1♂ (Am 571, DEBU) ; 2011-08-05 through 2011-08-17, leg. Brunke and Paiero, forest malaise pans, debu00349960, 1♂ (Am 572, DEBU) ; Lambton Co., Port Franks, Karner Blue Sanctuary , 1996-09-10, leg. J. Skevington, debu01084394, 1♂ (Am 528*, DEBU) ; Lanarck Co., Patterson Lake , 1979-07-21, leg. S.A. Marshall, 2♂ (Am 632, 635*, DEBU) ; 1979-07-22, leg. S.A. Marshall, 1♂ (Am 633, DEBU) ; Marmora , 1952-07-16, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1357, CNC) ; Northumberland Co., Peter’s Woods Provincial Nature Preserve , back woods, 2011-08-26 through 2011-09-12, leg. Brunke and Paiero, forest malaise pans, 44 7 28 N, 78 2 14 W, debu00352726, 1♂ (Am 568*, DEBU) ; Norway Point, Lake of Bays , 1919-07-31, leg. J. McDunnough, “Paratype - No. 8016 paratype” [never published], 1♂ (Am 1346, CNC) ; Ottawa Montfort Hospital , 45 26 52 N, 75 38 27 W, 2007-07-16, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, Acer- Betula Wood, Aerial sweep at 7:30 PM, 1♂ (Am 1224, CNC) ; Sandbanks Pk, nr Picton , 1970-07-01, leg. J.F. McAlpine, 1♂ (Am 1564, CNC) ; Simcoe , 1939-06- 29, leg. G.E. Shewell, “Paratype No. 8016 paratype” [never published], 1♂ (Am 1342, CNC) ; Smith’s Bay , Nr. Picton, 1970-01-07, leg. J.F. McAlpine, 1♂ (Am 1190, CNC) ; Thwartway Island, St. Lawrence Is. National Park , 1976-07-06, leg. A. Carter, Sweep, Ostrich fern, Code 4045-O, 1♂ (Am 1238, CNC) ; 1976-08-27, leg. A. Carter, Malaise trap, Code 4529- G, 1♂ (Am 1239, CNC) ; 7 mi E. Griffith, 1989-07- 08, leg. B.E. Cooper, 2♂ (Am 1232, 1233, CNC) ; [no specific locality], 1990-09-02, leg. J.E. Swann, Edge of HDWD forest and field, malaise, 1♂ (Am 622*, DEBU). Quebec: Duncan Lake nr. Rupert , 1988-08- 08, leg. J.F. McAlpine, hovering at my ear, 1♂ (Am 1402, CNC) ; Gatineau Park, King Mountain , 45 29 28 N, 75 51 31 W, 2011-08-19, leg. J.M. Cumming, 1♂ (Am 1284, CNC) ; Lac Phillipe , 1955-07-30, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1358, CNC) ; Old Chelsea , 1959-09-27, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1435, CNC) ; 1959-09-28, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1436, CNC) ; 1959-09-30, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1438, CNC) ; 1966-08-09, leg. D.D. Monroe, 1♂ (Am 1260, CNC) ; Old Chelsea, King Mt. , 1961-06- 16, leg. J.G. Chillcott, 1♂ (Am 1581, CNC) ; Old Chelsea, Summit King Mtn. , 1965-06-20, leg. D.M. Wood, 2♂ (Am 1440, 1464, CNC) ; 1964-08-26, leg. D.M. Wood, 1♂ (Am 1395, CNC). USA: Arkansas: Logan Co., Magazine Mt. , 2750 ft., 1992-07-06, leg. D. Grimaldi, 8♂ ( Am 320*, 321, 325, 329*, 333, 335*, 343, 364, AMNH). District of Columbia: Rock Creek Park , 1957-06-07, leg. P.H. Arnaud, Jr., 1♂ (Am 394*, CAS). Georgia: Black Rock Mt. S.P., 1953-07-04, leg. M. R. Wheeler, 5♂ (Am 167, 168, 169*, 170, 171, AMNH); Blood Mt. , 1952-07-15, leg. P.W. Fattig, 1♂ (Am 498*, EMUS); Lumpkin Co., 15 mi NW Dahlonega, 1973-06-15, leg. M. R. Humphrey, 1♂ ( Am 497*, EMUS). Illinois: Mason Co. , Sand Ridge St. For. , 4 mi NW Forest City, 1976 -06- 01, leg. C. T. Maier, 1♂ (Am 1597*, INHS) ; Union Co., Trail of Tears State Forest 37.499757, -89.340117, 2018-08-08, leg. L.E. Jones and J.L. Hughes, swept around head, 1♂ (Am 650*, AMNH). Indiana: Crawford Co. , Hoosier N.F., Hemlock Cliffs, 1991- 05-19, leg. B.J. Sinclair, ex. Trickling stream, 1♂ (Am 1302, CNC); Harrison Co., O’Bannon Woods St. Pk., 38.194962, -86.267880, 2018-08-14, leg. L.E. Jones, swept around head, 1♂ (Am 740*, AMNH). Kentucky: Edmonson Co. , Mammoth Cave National Park , 1991-06-09, leg. J.E. Swann, sweep in forest by wet sink hole, 1♂ (Am 750, DEBU). Maryland: Glen Echo, 1921-07-10, [leg. J. R. Malloch], 1♂ (Am 1613, INHS). Massachusetts: Brookline, 08-23 [no year], [collector unknown], Univ. of Kan. , Lot 958, 3♂ (Am 460, 461*, 462, SEMC) ; E. Falmouth, 1924- 07-22, [collector unknown], 1♂ (Am 192*, AMNH) ; Lexington , 1956-06-05, [collector unknown], 1♂ (Am 193*, AMNH) ; Riverside, 08-16 [no year], [collector unknown], Univ. of Kan. , Lot 958, 1♂ (Am 463*, SEMC) ; Woods Hole, 1950-07-17, [collector unknown], 1♂ (Am 189*, AMNH). Michigan: Berrien Co., St. Joseph , 1973-09-02, leg. D.D. Wilder, 1♂ (Am 387*, CAS) ; Delta Co., Escanaba , 45.732003, -87.081676, 2018-06, leg. T. Werner, 1♂ (Am 1093, AMNH) ; Marquette Co., Huron Mtns., Huron Mtn. Club property vicinity, 46.874950, -87.891717, 2018- 07-06 through 2018-07-12, leg. T. Werner , 1♂ ( Am 1064, AMNH). Missouri: Lithium , 1962-09-05, [collector unknown], 1♂ ( Am 186*, AMNH). New York: Putnam Co. , Hudson Highlands St. Pk. , 41.448627, -73.966484, 2017-09-23, leg. L.E. Jones and C. Liriano, swept around head, 9♂ (Am 519– 522*, 728–730*, 1012, 1014, AMNH) ; Jeff Co., Wellesley Is., 1963-08-22, leg. L.L. Pechuman, 1♂ (Am 38*, AMNH) ; Orange Co., Cornwall, Black Rock Forest, 2014 -09-06 through 2014-09-07, leg. D. Grimaldi, 11♂ (Am 417, 418, 420, 423, 424, 425*, 426*, 427–429, 431*, AMNH) ; Sta. Study Insects, Tuxedo , 1928-07-06, leg. C.H. Curran, 1♂ (Am 41, AMNH) ; Tompkins Co., Texas Hollow , 1983-07-26, leg. D. Grimaldi and L.L. Pechuman, flying about head, 6♂ (Am 22*, 23*, 26, 27, 28*, 31*, AMNH) ; Monroe Co., Rochester, Highland Pk. , 43.132600, -77.602784, [no date], leg. J. Jaenike, 1♂ (Am 723*, AMNH). North Carolina: Black Mts. , 09-00 [year and day unknown], [collector unknown], 3♂ (Am 308, 309, 310, AMNH) ; 09-00 [year and day unknown], [collector unknown], “ Phortica n. sp.,” 1♂ (Am 317, AMNH) ; Graham Co., Robbinsville , 1976-06-09, leg. G.E. Bohart, 1♂ (Am 501*, EMUS) ; Highlands , 3800′, 1957-06-08, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1361, CNC) ; 3800′, 1957-06-15, leg. J. R. Vockeroth, 1♂ (Am 1360, CNC) ; 1957-07-14, leg. C.J. Durden, 1♂ (Am 1379, CNC) ; Pisgah Forest , Looking Glass Park , 1957-07-31, leg. W. R. Richards , 1♂ ( Am 1383, CNC). Wayah Bald , 1957-07-13, leg. C.J. Durden, 1♂ (Am 1211, CNC). Ohio: Portage Co., West Branch State Park , 1988-07-17, leg. B.A. Foote, 3♂ ( Am 312, 313*, 314, AMNH). Pennsylvania: Centre Co. , 1972-07-04, leg. D.D. Wilder, 1♂ (Am 391*, CAS) ; Lycoming Co., 1972-07-27, leg. D.D. Wilder, 2♂ (Am 392*, 393*, CAS). Tennessee: Cades Cove, GSMNP, 1953-07 through 1953-08, leg. J.M. Carpenter, 9♂ (Am 172, 175, 176*, 177, 178*, 179, 180, 181*, 190, AMNH) ; Unicoi Co., Cherokee Nat. For., 36.137782, -82.350719, 2018-08-20, leg. L.E. Jones, swept around head, 1♂ ( Am 661*, NH). Vermont: Orleans Co. , nr. Bald Mtn. , 1650 ft., 44.793912, -71.987952, 2016-07-19 through 2016- 07-21, leg. D. Grimaldi, 1♂ (Am 368*, AMNH). Virginia: Blackburg, 1953-09-09, [collector unknown], “male,” 1♂ (Am 166*, AMNH) ; Floyd Co., #1, Mile 175.4 Blue Ridge Parkway , 1960-06-23, leg. G.W. Byers, 1♂ (Am 435, SEMC) ; Giles Co., Cascade Falls , 2001-05-19, leg. O. Lonsdale, 38 21 0 N, 80 36 30 W, debu01007850, 1♂ (Am 641*, DEBU) ; Scott Run, 1954-07, leg. M. R. Wheeler , 1♂ ( Am 194*, AMNH). Wisconsin: Waupaca Co., Hartman Ck. Pk. , 1974-08-13, leg. T. R. Marsh, flying around person, 2♂ (Am 1591*, 1592*, INHS) .

DISTRIBUTION: Amiota communis is very common in the northeastern U.S. and Appalachia and as far west as the Ozarks. The distribution of A. communis is similar to the closely related species A. steyskali Máca.

COMMENTS: In their key to the Drosophilidae of the District of Columbia, Malloch and McAtee (1924) referred to the male genitalia of the then undescribed A. communis as A. alboguttata (Wahlberg) in figures 12 and 13 at the end of the work. Although confusion has surrounded this name, A. alboguttata is not known to occur in the Nearctic. Chen and Steyskal described communis from material found in the National Science Museum of Tokyo (NSMT). The holotype, collected by George Steyskal (1909–1996) and labelled under his manuscript name as A. communis , was presumably sent to Toyohi Okada (1909– 2000) along with other collections of Amiota from North America. Steyskal sent Amiota specimens to other institutions as well, including the National Museums Scotland (NMS), which contains specimens collected in Michigan (L.E.J., personal obs.). Amiota communis exhibits the characteristic behavior of attraction to the eyes and face common to many Amiota .

Figures

FIG. 9. Heads and lateral views, A. alboguttata species group. A–B. A. communis Chen and Steyskal (Am 426). C–D. A. durangoensis, sp. nov. (Am 1509).

FIG. 11. Aristae, A. alboguttata species group. A. A. communis Chen and Steyskal. B–C. A. durangoensis. D–E. A. lineiventris Máca. Not to same scale.

FIG. 12. Male terminalia, A. communis Chen and Steyskal. A. Epandrium and cerci. B. Lateral view. C. Ventral view. D. Surstyli and subepandrial sclerite. E. Aedeagal apodeme. (Am 176).

FIG. 81. Distribution maps, A. hsui species group. A. A. hsui Máca. B. A. hyalou. A. alboguttata species group. C. A. communis Chen and Steyskal.