Archaeochrysa cockerelli, Makarkin & Antell & Archibald, 2022

Makarkin, Vladimir N., Antell, Gwen S. & Archibald, S. Bruce, 2022, A revision of Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) from the late Eocene Florissant Formation Colorado, with description of new species, Zootaxa 5133 (3), pp. 301-345 : 307

Archaeochrysa cockerelli sp. nov.

Fig. 4

Lithochrysa vetuscula (non Scudder, 1890): Bather 1909: 161.

Type material. Holotype NHM I.8417, deposited in NHM. A complete forewing. The specimen was purchased by Prof. T.D.A. Cockerell on 23 May 1908.

Type locality and horizon. USA: Colorado: Teller County: Florissant (precise collecting locality unknown); Eocene , late Priabonian ; Florissant Formation .

Etymology. The specific epithet is formed from the surname of Theodore D.A. Cockerell (1866–1948) in recognition of his contributions to the study of fossil Neuroptera , including Chrysopidae .

Diagnosis. May be distinguished from other species of the genus by a combination of the following character states: sides (MA, MP) of im parallel and converging basally at steeper angle [ A. profracta , A. sanikwa , A. fracta : sides of im converging basally at low angle]; 2m-cu located distinctly proximad middle of im [ A. profracta , A. sanikwa : slightly distad or slightly proximad middle of im]; costal margin convex through costal space [ A. profracta , A. sanikwa , A. paranervis , A. creedei : not convex in middle of costal space].

Description. Forewing 13.3 mm long, 4.8 mm wide (length to width ratio 2.77). Costal margin distinctly convex. Costal space relatively broad, widest at level of basal crossvein 1sc-ra. Subcostal veinlets simple proximad pterostigmal region, rather widely spaced (16 detected; apparently 17 in life). Pterostigma distinct, long, fuscous (distal part poorly preserved); incorporated veinlets not discernible. Distal part of Sc not discernible. Subcostal space moderately narrow; basal subcostal crossvein located far distad origin of RP (nearly at level of M fork); distal crossveins not preserved. RA ending on margin before apex; six distal veinlets preserved distad pterostigma. RA space broad, with 19 rather closely spaced crossveins. RP originating relatively close to wing base (at 0.18 of complete length). Anterior trace of RP zigzagged distally, apically forked; with nine pectinate branches, of them five once forked (RP3, PR 4, RP6–RP8) and RP5 twice forked. Basal crossvein between RP, M (1r-m) short, connecting anterior trace of RP, MA at proximal end of im. M curved inward before its fork; dividing to MA, MP far distad origin of RP. MA, MP zigzagged, each deeply forked at Psc. Crossvein between MA, MP (1im) long. Im elongate (length/width ratio 4.44). Psm poorly developed, zigzagged. Crossvein 2m-cu connecting im, CuA at approximately proximal one-fourth of im. CuA probably with three simple branches. CuA continuing into well developed, only slightly zigzagged Psc, which continues into outer gradate series of crossveins. CuP deeply forked. 1icu located rather far from origin of CuP; 2icu connecting CuA, anterior branch of CuP. c1: c2 length ratio 0.59:1. A1, A2 simple. Two gradate series of crossveins nearly parallel; inner series with nine crossveins distad MA; outer series with eight crossveins distad RP2 (of these, double between anterior trace of RP, RP9).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Archaeochrysa cockerelli sp. nov., holotype NHM I.8417. A, photograph; B, drawing of forewing venation. NH- MUK PI I.8417 image © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum. Scale bar = 3 mm (both to scale).