Stenogephyra schlingeri, Webb, Donald W. & Hauser, Martin, 2011

Webb, Donald W. & Hauser, Martin, 2011, Revision of the genus Stenogephyra Lyneborg (Diptera: Therevidae: Phycinae), Zootaxa 2837, pp. 67-85 : 81-82

Stenogephyra schlingeri spec. nov.

( Figs. 12–13 , 36–39, 44)

Etymology. This species is named for Evert I. Schlinger, a strong supporter of therevid research and a productive collector.

Diagnosis. Stenogephyra schlingeri spec. nov. is similar to S. janiceae spec. nov., S. namibiensis spec. nov., and S. torrida in possessing silver pubescence on gena (lateral view) restricted to band along posterior margin of eye, ending at lower eye margin ( Figs. 4, 8, 12, 14 ); one pair of dorsocentral macrosetae; and in having vein M2 short, not reaching the hind margin of the wing ( Lyneborg 1987, Fig. 6 ). Stenogephyra schlingeri spec. nov. differs from S. janiceae spec. nov., S. namibiensis spec. nov. and S. torrida in having the silver pubescence on frons restricted to large semicircular expansion at level of antennal base ( Fig. 12 ); two pairs of notopleural macrosetae; katepisternum completely silver pubescence; lower face broadly rounded ( Fig. 13 ).

Description of male. Variation (n=3). Body length 4.0–4.2, 4.1 mm. Head. Length 0.60–0.64, 0.62 mm. Eyes separated by distance about three times width of ocellar tubercle. Frons ( Fig. 12 ) dark reddish brown, glossy with silver pubescence dorsolateral to antennal base; setae black, elongate, scattered ventrolateral to ocellar tubercle and dorsolateral to antennal base. Antenna dark brown; antenna/head length 1.8–2.0, 1.9; scape length 0.14–0.16, 0.15 mm, width 0.10 mm, length/width 1.4–1.6, 1.5, scape/pedicel length 1.8–2.7, 2.2, scape/flagellum width 1.0, setae dark brown, elongate; pedicel length 0.06–0.08, 0.07 mm, width 0.08–0.10, 0.09 mm, length/width 0.6–0.9, 0.8, setae dark brown, short; flagellum length 0.88–1.02, 0.95 mm, width 0.10 mm, length/width 8.8–10.2, 9.5, flagellum/scape length 5.9–7.3, 6.5. Parafacial ( Fig. 12 ) dark reddish brown, glossy, pubescence silver, dense ventrolateral to antennal base ( Fig. 12 ), setae black and whitish brown, elongate. Maxillary palpus black; length 0.24–0.26, 0.25 mm, width 0.06–0.08, 0.07 mm, length/width 3.0–4.3, 3.9; setae dark brown, elongate. Gena ( Figs. 12–13 ) broadly rounded, glossy; setae white, elongate. Occiput ( Fig. 13 ) dark reddish brown, glossy with pubescence silver along margin of eye; setae white, elongate. Thorax. Macrosetae 2 np, 1 dc. Mesonotum black with gray pubescence medially; setae black, short. Pleuron dark reddish brown, pubescence whitish gray, anepisternum, anepimeron, and laterotergite glossy; setae dark brown, elongate on anepisternum (dorsally), laterotergite, and scutellum. Wing. Membrane pale brown; length 2.8–3.0, 2.9 mm, width 1.0 mm, length/width 2.8–3.0, 2.9. M1 and M2 originate separately from discal cell, M2 not reaching wing margin. Halter dark brown. Legs. Dark reddish brown, concolorous, pubescence on coxae white, dense. Abdomen. Dark reddish brown, glossy, tergites 1–4 with narrow, white posterior margin; dorsal and lateral setae black, short. Terminalia (MEI 122603) dark brown. Sternite 8 (Fig. 36) hemispherical, posterior margin truncate, setae dark brown continuous across posterior margin. Gonocoxite ventral view (Fig. 36), quadrate, extending posterolaterally as bluntly pointed projection, setae brown; lateral view (as in Fig. 24), posteroventral projection absent. Aedeagus with distiphallus lateral view (Fig. 37) thick, apex short, sinuate; ejaculatory apodeme lateral view (Fig. 37) clavate anteriorly.

Female. Similar to male except for following. Variation (n=8). Body length 3.8–5.2, 4.7 mm. Head. Length 0.54–0.70, 0.61 mm. Antenna/head length 1.4–2.0, 1.7; scape length 0.14–0.20, 0.17 mm, width 0.08–0.11, 0.10 mm, length/width 1.4–2.3, 1.8, scape/pedicel length 2.0–3.2, 2.5, scape/flagellum width 0.8–1.3, 1.0; pedicel length 0.06–0.07, 0.07 mm, width 0.06–0.09, 0.08 mm, length/width 0.7–1.3, 0.9; flagellum length 0.58–0.92, 0.77 mm, width 0.08–0.12, 0.09 mm, length/width 7.0–11.5, 8.4, flagellum/scape length 3.7–5.7, 4.5. Maxillary palpus length 0.24–0.28, 0.26 mm, width 0.06–0.07, 0.06 mm, length/width 3.7–4.7, 4.1. Thorax. Macrosetae 2 np, 0 dc. Wing. Length 2.7–3.5, 3.2 mm, width 1.0–1.2, 1.1 mm, length/width 2.7–3.5, 3.1. Abdomen. Terminalia (MEI 170182). Sternite 8 (Fig. 38) oval, anterior margin emarginate medially with anterolateral projections. Furca (Fig. 39) quadrate; anterior margin with anteromedial and posteromedial process; length 0.28 mm, width 0.14 mm.

Distribution. Stenogephyra schlingeri spec. nov. is known from South Africa, East Cape Province ( Fig. 44 ).

Habitats and Phenology. Stenogephyra schlingeri spec. nov. has been handnetted or collected in Malaise traps in dry washes. Adults have been collected in November.

Specimens examined (n = 14). Type specimens. The holotype male of Stenogephyra schlingeri spec. nov. (MEI 124784) is labeled “ SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape, Wolwekraal Farm, Bauaiaanskloof Mtns, 28 km S Steytlerville; 535 m, malaise in dry wash; 18/ 22-XI-1999, ME Irwin, EI Schlinger, FD Parker, 33º32.76’S 24º21.29’E ” and is deposited in NMSA. PARATYPES. South Africa. Eastern Cape Province. 19 km ENE Steytlerville, Waaipoort Pass [-33.247, 24.33], 600m, 23.XI.1999, Irwin, M.E., Schlinger, E.I., Parker, F.D., 3Ψ MEI 122675 (NMSA), 1226766 (CSCA), 122680 (MEIC); 28 km S Steytlerville, Bauaiaanskloof Mountains, Wolwekraal Farm [-33.546, 24.355], 535m, 18–22.XI.1999, Irwin, M.E., Schlinger, E.I., Parker, F.D., 1ɗ MEI 124784, 1Ψ 170182 (MEIC), Malaise trap in dry wash; 29 km S Steytlerville, Bauaiaanskloof Mountains, Wolwekraal Farm [-33.563, 24.352], 620m, 17–22.XI.1999, Irwin, M.E., Schlinger, E.I., Parker, F.D., 2Ψ MEI 124781 (SAMC), 124780 (MEIC), Malaise trap in dry wash; 3 km N Steytlerville [-33.305, 24.367], 440m, 21–23.XI.1999, Irwin, M.E., Schlinger, E.I., Parker, F.D., 2Ψ MEI 124788–9 (MEIC), Malaise trap in dry creek; 6 km N Steytlerville [- 33.281, 24.38], 500m, 18.XI.1999, Irwin, M.E., Schlinger, E.I., Parker, F.D., 1ɗ MEI 122603, 1Ψ 122604 (INHS), Malaise trap in dry riverbed; 19.XI.1999, 1ɗ MEI 122602 (CSCA), Malaise trap along river syncline cliff; 21/ 23.XI.1999, 1ɗ MEI 124785 (SAMC), Malaise trap in dry riverbed.

Figures

FIGURE 44. Stenogephyra spp. distribution. Open circle, S. dianeae spec. nov.; open square, S. janiceae spec. nov.; closed triangle, S. parkeri spec. nov.; closed circle, S. schlingeri spec. nov. FIGURE 45. Stenogephyra spp. distribution. Closed triangle, S. minuta; closed circle, S. namibiensis spec. nov.; open circle, S. torrida.

FIGURES 2 – 15. Stenogephyra sp. nov. 2 – 3. S. dianeae spec. nov.. 2. Head frontal view. 3. Head lateral view. 4 – 5. S. janiceae spec. nov.. 4. Head frontal view. 5. Head lateral view. 6 – 7. S. minuta. 6. Head frontal view. 7. Head lateral view. 8 – 9. S. namibiensis spec. nov.. 8. Head frontal view. 9. Head lateral view. 10 – 11. S. parkeri spec. nov. 10. Head frontal view. 11. Head lateral view. 12 – 13. S. schlingeri spec. nov. 12. Head frontal view. 13. Head lateral view. 14 – 15. S. torrida. 14. Head frontal view. 15. Head lateral view.