Leptocera Olivier, 1813

Buck, Matthias & Marshall, Stephen A., 2009, Revision of New World Leptocera Olivier (Diptera, Sphaeroceridae), Zootaxa 2039 (1), pp. 1-139 : 16-20

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.2039.1.1

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/BB4C084E-FFC0-A729-0CE0-FC34FE3CA2D1

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Leptocera Olivier
status

 

Key to New World species of Leptocera Olivier View in CoL View at ENA

1 Most species micropterous ( Figs. 11–15 View FIGURES 10–15 ; except L. duplicata View in CoL ). Mid tibia with lowermost bristle of proximal posterodorsal series very long ( Fig. 17 View FIGURES 16–29 : l pd; longer than other bristles on mid tibia), more or less shifted distally (usually inserted at or below middle of tibia) ( Chile: Robinson Crusoe I.).................( L. cultellipennis subgroup) ... 2

- Macropterous. Mid tibia with lowermost bristle of proximal posterodorsal series shorter at least than distal dorsal bristle ( Fig. 16 View FIGURES 16–29 ), not shifted distally (inserted at least slightly above middle of tibia) (widespread, absent from Robinson Crusoe I. except L. caenosa View in CoL )......................................................................................................................... 5

2 Wings fully developed ................................................................................................................. L. duplicata Richards View in CoL

- Micropterous ( Figs. 11–15 View FIGURES 10–15 )........................................................................................................................................... 3

3 Wing rudiment elongate with pointed apex ( Fig. 13 View FIGURES 10–15 ); wing blade lacking veins beyond R 1 and behind costa. Scutum with four dorsocentral bristles (as in Fig. 109 View FIGURE 109 ). Hind margin of male sternite 5 without enlarged scales ( Fig. 113 View FIGURES 110–116 ). Fused female tergite 10 + cerci fairly well developed, ca. twice as wide as long ( Fig. 114 View FIGURES 110–116 ) ......................................... ............................................................................................................................................ L. cultellipennis (Enderlein)

- Wing rudiment wedge-shaped with truncate apex; wing blade with several veins beyond R 1 and behind costa. Scutum with 5 or 4 dorsocentrals. Hind margin of male sternite 5 with or without enlarged scales. Fused female tergite 10 + cerci extremely reduced, over 5x as wide as long (e.g., Fig. 128 View FIGURES 124–130 ) ............................................................ 4

4 Wing veins R 4+5 and M not fused or with point-like fusion at level of r-m ( Figs. 11, 12 View FIGURES 10–15 ); last sector of R 4+5 thus arising far basad of level of apex of discal cell. Mid tibia with small dorsal and ventral posteroapical setae ( Fig. 19 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Posterior margin of male sternite 5 with 3–5 conspicuously enlarged scales ( Fig. 127 View FIGURES 124–130 ). Distal portion of spermathecae with bumpy surface ( Fig. 129 View FIGURES 124–130 ) ......................................................................... L. ellipsipennis Richards View in CoL

- Wing veins R 4+5 and M fused along apical portion of discal cell ( Figs. 14, 15 View FIGURES 10–15 ); last sector of R 4+5 thus arising at or just basad of level of apex of discal cell. Mid tibia with small dorsal posteroapical seta ( Fig. 18 View FIGURES 16–29 , ventral posteroapical indistinguishable from surrounding setulae). Posterior margin of sternite 5 without enlarged scales ( Fig. 134 View FIGURES 131–137 ). Distal portion of spermathecae with finely striate surface ( Fig. 136 View FIGURES 131–137 ) ........................................ L. parallelipennis Buck sp.n.

5 Thorax bicoloured, brown with clearly delimited yellow stripes extending from postpronotal lobe to posterior corner of notopleuron ( Fig. 1 View FIGURE 1 ). No hairs between paramedian rows of enlarged acrostichals. Setulae of costal sector 1 unusually short ............................................................................................................................. L. schlingeri Richards View in CoL

- Thorax more or less unicolorous; coloration at most a little lighter along sutures; sometimes with distinct pruinose pattern. Scutum with 1–2 rows of hairs between rows of enlarged acrostichals, or acrostichals of uniform size. Setulae of costal sector 1 normal, long ( Fig. 10 View FIGURES 10–15 ) .......................................................................................................... 6

6 Orbit with 1(–4) additional setulae between upper orbital and inner vertical bristles ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 2–6 : ad s; sometimes absent on one side). Posteroapical bristles of mid tibia short (as in Figs. 19, 20 View FIGURES 16–29 ; except L. sphaerotheca sp.n.). Male cerci desclerotized and small, pad-like (e.g., Figs. 38, 39 View FIGURES 38–44 ). Female tergite 7 long, its medial length at least as great as length of fused tergite 10 + cerci (e.g., Figs. 42 View FIGURES 38–44 , 66 View FIGURES 62–68 ) ...............................................................( L. caenosa View in CoL group*) ... 7

- Orbit without additional setulae between upper orbital and inner vertical bristles. Posteroapical bristles of mid tibia frequently long ( Figs. 24–29 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Male cerci usually well developed and sclerotized (except L. plax group), variously shaped. Female tergite 7 short, its medial length less than length of fused tergite 10 + cerci (e.g., Figs. 152 View FIGURES 148–154 , 236 View FIGURES 232–238 , 284 View FIGURES 280–286 ; except L. insularum sp.n.)........................................................................................................................................... 17 * Excluding L. cultellipennis subgroup.

7 Palpus inflated, at most 3.5x as long as wide. Uppermost orbital setula inclinate (sometimes absent on one side). Arista long-pubescent ( Fig. 6 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Scales at hind margin of male sternite 5 slender, with fine tips ( Figs. 49 View FIGURES 48–54 , 58 View FIGURES 55–61 ) ........... 8

- Palpus slender, at least 4.5x as long as wide. Uppermost orbital setula usually exclinate (except in L. mendozana and exceptional specimens of L. gongylotheca sp.n. and L. argentinica sp.n.). Arista short- to long-pubescent ( Figs. 4–6 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Scales at hind margin of male sternite 5 usually stout, with narrowly rounded tips (e.g., Figs. 65 View FIGURES 62–68 , 72 View FIGURES 69–75 ; except L. aequilimbata View in CoL : Fig. 41 View FIGURES 38–44 )................................................................................................................................................... 9

8 Male sternite 5 with desclerotized posteromedial area wide ( Fig. 49 View FIGURES 48–54 ). Posterior section of surstylus slender, curved medially ( Fig. 48 View FIGURES 48–54 ); anterior process of surstylus with apex conspicuously pointed ( Fig. 50 View FIGURES 48–54 ). Female tergite 7 usually with narrow shining median stripe ( Fig. 52 View FIGURES 48–54 ) (widespread).......................................................... L. caenosa (Rondani) View in CoL

- Male sternite 5 with desclerotized posteromedial area small, triangular ( Fig. 58 View FIGURES 55–61 ). Posterior section of surstylus stout and straight ( Fig. 56 View FIGURES 55–61 ); apex of anterior process weakly pointed ( Fig. 55 View FIGURES 55–61 ). Female tergite 7 pruinose throughout ( Fig. 59 View FIGURES 55–61 ) (California, Argentina) ......................................................................................................... L. erratica Buck sp.n.

9 Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal short, at most as long as bristle above distal anterodorsal. Male sternite 5 with posteromedial emargination ( Fig. 65 View FIGURES 62–68 ). Female tergite 7 pruinose throughout, paramedian pair of setae neither unusually enlarged nor cruciate ( Fig. 66 View FIGURES 62–68 ). Female sternite 7 with simple hind margin (widespread)........................ 10

- Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal long, clearly longer than bristle above distal anterodorsal. Male sternite 5 with straight hind margin (e.g., Fig. 72 View FIGURES 69–75 ; often appearing emarginate in undissected specimens through inward folding of posteromedial desclerotized area). Female tergite 7 usually with shining median stripe ( Fig. 73 View FIGURES 69–75 , except in L. aequilimbata View in CoL and probably L. longilimbata sp.n.), paramedian pair of setae strongly developed and usually cruciate (non-cruciate in atypical specimens). Female sternite 7 with hind margin thickened and shining (Andean countries from Ecuador to Tierra del Fuego) .............................................................................................................. 11

10 Mid tibia with short posteroapical bristles ( Fig. 20 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Female spermatheca elongate ( Fig. 67 View FIGURES 62–68 ). Neotropical specimens usually with well developed yellow areas on lower frons, face, gena and legs. 0–1,800 m in Central America ( Canada to Argentina including Caribbean) ............................................................................. L. erythrocera (Becker) View in CoL

- Mid tibia usually with long posteroapical bristles* ( Fig. 21 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Female spermatheca spherical ( Fig. 107 View FIGURES 102–108 ). Usually darker than Neotropical L. erythrocera View in CoL . 700–2,950 m in Central America (southern TX, AZ to Panama) ................... ............................................................................................................................................. L. sphaerotheca Buck sp.n. *Note. This character shows geographic variation: towards the southern part of the range the bristles become shorter, and the character is thus not very reliable for separating specimens from Costa Rica and Panama. Males from these countries can sometimes not be identified with certainty.

11 Mesoscutum and scutellum with heavy greyish-brown pruinosity ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Frons orange-brown between orbital plates and in front of ocellar triangle ( Fig. 2 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Arista short- to medium-pubescent ( Figs. 4, 5 View FIGURES 2–6 ) ( Argentina, Bolivia).... ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

- Mesoscutum and scutellum lightly pruinose, subshining (as in Fig. 37 View FIGURES 36–37 ). Frons at most obscure reddish anteriorly (except in some L. mendozana , which has the arista long-pubescent as in Fig. 6 View FIGURES 2–6 )..................................................... 13

12 Spermatheca spherical ( Fig. 74 View FIGURES 69–75 ) .......................................................................................... L. gongylotheca Buck sp.n.

- Spermatheca elongate ( Fig. 46 View FIGURES 45–47 ) ............................................................................................. L. argentinica Buck sp.n. Note: Males of these two species cannot be distinguished morphologically.

13 Arista short-pubescent ( Fig. 4 View FIGURES 2–6 ).................................................................................................................................... 14

- Arista medium- to long-pubescent ( Figs. 5, 6 View FIGURES 2–6 ) ........................................................................................................... 15

14 Hind margin of male sternite 5 with shorter, apically tapered scales that become shorter laterally ( Fig. 41 View FIGURES 38–44 ). Female terminalia as in Figs. 42–44 View FIGURES 38–44 ( Peru to Argentina) ......................................................................... L. aequilimbata Duda View in CoL

- Hind margin of male sternite 5 with long, blunt-tipped scales of subequal length ( Fig. 79 View FIGURES 76–79 ). Female unknown ( Chile) .............................................................................................................................................. L. longilimbata Buck sp.n.

15 Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal bristle long, usually more than 0.75x (rarely only 0.6x) as long as distal anterodorsal. Male sternite 5 without pale desclerotized area in front of posteromedian field of dense microtrichia; hind margin with 4–6 long scales ( Fig. 98 View FIGURES 94–101 ). Male cercus with small, finger-like medial process ( Fig. 95 View FIGURES 94–101 ). Distal portion of female spermatheca with bumpy surface ( Fig. 100 View FIGURES 94–101 ) ( Ecuador, Peru) .................... L. papallacta Buck sp.n.

- Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal bristle shorter, at most 0.6x as long as distal anterodorsal. Male sternite 5 with pale desclerotized area ( Fig. 83 View FIGURES 80–86 : da) in front of posteromedian field of dense microtrichia; hind margin with 6–14 smaller scales. Male cercus without finger-like process. Distal portion of female spermatheca with striate or bumpy surface ( Peru to Argentina, Chile) .................................................................................................................. 16

16 Male sternite 5 with pale medial desclerotized area bare, its hind margin with 11–14 long scales ( Fig. 83 View FIGURES 80–86 ). Male cercus simple ( Fig. 81 View FIGURES 80–86 ). Posterior section of surstylus with three spine-like apical bristles ( Fig. 81 View FIGURES 80–86 ). Distal portion of female spermatheca with bumpy surface ( Fig. 85 View FIGURES 80–86 ). Uppermost orbital setula inclinate (sometimes absent on one side). Arista long-pubescent (similar to Fig. 6 View FIGURES 2–6 ) (south Peru to north Argentina) ..................... L. mendozana Richards

- Male sternite 5 with pale medial desclerotized area microtrichose, its hind margin with 6–10 long scales ( Fig. 90 View FIGURES 87–93 ). Male cercus with transparent medial lamella ( Fig. 88 View FIGURES 87–93 : lp). Posterior section of surstylus with two spine-like apical bristles ( Fig. 88 View FIGURES 87–93 ). Distal portion of female spermatheca with weakly striate surface ( Fig. 92 View FIGURES 87–93 ). Uppermost orbital setula exclinate. Arista medium-pubescent ( Fig. 5 View FIGURES 2–6 ) ( Chile, central and south Argentina) ............................................. .............................................................................................................................................. L. neocurvinervis Richards View in CoL

17 Mid tibia with posteroapical bristles extremely unequal: ventral one greatly enlarged and dorsal one very short ( Fig. 29 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Acrostichals uniform. Male sternite 5 with spinulose lobe on each side of deep posteromedial emargination ( Fig. 275 View FIGURES 273–278 ) ( Venezuela) ............................................................................................................................ L. nigra Olivier View in CoL

- Mid tibia with posteroapical bristles of similar length (or ventral one absent: L. plax sp.n.), short or long but always shorter than in L. nigra View in CoL . Often with enlarged acrostichals near middle of scutum (except L. fulva View in CoL group). Male sternite 5 without lobes and at most with shallow posteromedial emargination ........................................................ 18

18 Lower orbital bristle short, 0.5–0.6x as long as upper one ( Fig. 3 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Acrostichals completely uniform, short and hairlike. Basal half of mid tibia with lowermost bristle of posterodorsal row short, 0.5–0.6x as long as lowermost bristle of anterodorsal row. Scutellum velvety, contrasting with subshining scutum ( Fig. 9 View FIGURES 7–9 ) (Neotropical, south Florida) ..... ......................................................................................................................................................... ( L. fulva View in CoL group)...19

- Lower orbital of normal size, only slightly shorter than upper one (at least 0.8x as long). At least some acrostichals of paramedian rows enlarged and/or mid tibia with lowermost bristle of proximal posterodorsal series long, subequal in length to lowermost bristle of anterodorsal row. Scutellum usually subshining, if velvety then scutum also in part velvety......................................................................................................................................................................... 23

19 Male cercus bifurcate. Posterior section of surstylus lacking series of short, stout, blunt-tipped bristles ( Figs. 233 View FIGURES 232–238 , 247 View FIGURES 246–252 ). Female sternite 7 emarginate or slightly convex posteromedially ( Figs. 238 View FIGURES 232–238 , 252 View FIGURES 246–252 ).......................................... 20

- Male cercus simple. Posterior section of surstylus frequently with three short, stout, blunt-tipped bristles near apex (e.g., Fig. 240 View FIGURES 239–245 ). Posterior margin of female sternite 7 distinctly biemarginate (e.g., Fig. 266 View FIGURES 260–266 ).................................. 21

20 Male sternite 5 with scales at posterior margin very numerous ( Fig. 235 View FIGURES 232–238 ). Posterior section of surstylus with thick apical bristle relatively short and only slightly curved ( Fig. 233 View FIGURES 232–238 ). Fused female tergite 10 + cerci with a very long and conspicuous pair of setae in basal half ( Fig. 236 View FIGURES 232–238 ). Female sternite 7 emarginate posteromedially ( Fig. 238 View FIGURES 232–238 ) ( Mexico to Peru, Brazil) ........................................................................................................... L. dicrofulva Buck sp.n .

- Male sternite 5 with scales at posterior margin less numerous ( Fig. 249 View FIGURES 246–252 ). Posterior section of surstylus with thick apical medially directed bristle long and curved ventrally in a wide arc ( Fig. 247 View FIGURES 246–252 ). Enlarged pair of setae of fused female tergite 10 + cerci much shorter and inserted in distal half ( Fig. 250 View FIGURES 246–252 ). Female sternite 7 slightly convex posteromedially ( Fig. 252 View FIGURES 246–252 ) ( Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic) ............................................. L. insularum Buck sp.n.

21 Posterior section of surstylus with three hair-like tapered bristles apically ( Fig. 261 View FIGURES 260–266 ). Posteromedian projection of female sternite 7 broadly rounded ( Fig. 266 View FIGURES 260–266 ) ( Venezuela to northern Argentina) ............... L. rhadinofulva Buck sp.n.

- Posterior section of surstylus with three stout blunt-tipped bristles apically (e.g., Fig. 240 View FIGURES 239–245 ). Posteromedian projection of female sternite 7 more prominent and pointed, sometimes more or less arrow-shaped (e.g., Fig. 259 View FIGURES 253–259 ) ................ 22

22 Posterior section of surstylus with strong, medially directed bristle inserted slightly above level of uppermost stout, blunt-tipped bristle of apical series ( Fig. 240 View FIGURES 239–245 ) (south Florida, Caribbean, Mexico to Bolivia, Paraguay)..................... ............................................................................................................................................................ L. fulva (Malloch) View in CoL

- Posterior section of surstylus with strong, medially directed bristle inserted well above apical series of stout bristles ( Fig. 254 View FIGURES 253–259 ) ( Panama to Ecuador, Venezuela) .......................................................................... L. prolixofulva Buck sp.n. Note: Females of these two species cannot be reliably separated.

23 Arista long-pubescent (similar to Fig. 6 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Neotropical species (southern Mexico to Ecuador).................................. 24

- Arista short-pubescent (similar to Fig. 4 View FIGURES 2–6 ). Nearctic species ( Canada, U.S.A.)......................( L. fontinalis View in CoL group*)...28 * Excluding L. cymatonota subgroup.

24 Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal long: distinctly longer than bristle above distal anterodorsal, and about half as long as distal anterodorsal. Male sternite 5 without enlarged scales at posterior margin ( Fig. 214 View FIGURES 211–217 ). Female sternite 7 with densely microtrichose posteromedial tab ( Fig. 217 View FIGURES 211–217 )............................................( L. cymatonota subgroup)...25

- Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal short: at most as long as bristle above distal anterodorsal, and at most 1/3 length of distal anterodorsal. Male sternite 5 with heavily sclerotized enlarged scales at posterior margin ( Fig. 283 View FIGURES 280–286 , 293 View FIGURES 290–296 ). Female sternite 7 with straight hind margin or with shining, bare posteromedial projection ............................... ........................................................................................................................................................ ( L. plax group) ... 26

25 Scutellum with six pairs of bristles, three of which are small and hair-like. Thoracic scutum with weak pruinose pattern as in Fig. 8 View FIGURES 7–9 ( Costa Rica, Panama). ................................................................................. L. hexadike Buck sp.n.

- Scutellum with the usual four pairs of bristles. Thoracic scutum with conspicuous, irregular, pruinose pattern as in Fig. 7 View FIGURES 7–9 ( Mexico, Guatemala) ................................................................................................... L. cymatonota Buck sp.n.

26 Mid tibia with one posteroapical bristle only ( Fig. 22 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Male sternite 5 with ca. 8 enlarged scales at posterior margin ( Fig. 283 View FIGURES 280–286 ). Fused female tergite 10 + cerci with more or less parallel lateral margins ( Fig. 284 View FIGURES 280–286 ) ( Ecuador)................. ........................................................................................................................................................... L. plax Buck sp.n.

- Mid tibia with two posteroapical bristles ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Male sternite 5 only with a pair of enlarged scales at posterior margin ( Fig. 293 View FIGURES 290–296 ; male of L. posteronitens sp.n. unknown). Fused female tergite 10 + cerci with lateral margins converging towards apex from almost near base ( Figs. 287 View FIGURES 287–289 , 294 View FIGURES 290–296 ) (C. America) ....................................................... 27

27 Female sternite 7 only slightly convex posteriorly, uniformly dull grey ( Fig. 296 View FIGURES 290–296 ). Male terminalia as in Figs. 290–293 View FIGURES 290–296 ( Costa Rica, Panama) ..................................................................................................... L. tapanti Buck sp.n .

- Female sternite 7 strongly protruding posteromedially, medial lobe shining black ( Fig. 289 View FIGURES 287–289 ). Male unknown ( Mexico, Guatemala) .......................................................................................................... L. posteronitens Buck sp.n.

28 Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal bristle long, distinctly longer than anteroapical bristles............................ 29

- Mid tibia with bristle above distal dorsal short, at most as long as anteroapical bristles ........................................... 36 Note: the variable L. kanata sp.n. keys both ways.

29 Males ........................................................................................................................................................................... 30

- Females ....................................................................................................................................................................... 33

30 Ventral lobe of surstylus somewhat angulate and with scattered short bristles, posterior section of surstylus with few bristles (at most four) on dorsal (posterior) surface ( Fig. 185 View FIGURES 185–191 ) (NU to AK, in Rocky Mts. south to CO) ..................... .......................................................................................................................................................... L. parafinalis Papp View in CoL

- Ventral lobe of surstylus either evenly rounded ( Figs. 158 View FIGURES 157–162 , 163 View FIGURES 163–169 ) or distinctly notched (Fig. 177); posterior section of surstylus with numerous bristles (more than four) on dorsal (posterior) surface, usually restricted to basal half ( Figs. 159 View FIGURES 157–162 , 164 View FIGURES 163–169 , 178) ............................................................................................................................................................. 31

31 Ventral lobe of surstylus with distinct notch in front of large, posterior bristle (Fig. 177). Enlarged acrostichals normal, longest one at most 0.75x as long as lower orbital bristle (YT, AK, in Rocky Mts. south to NM) .................. ............................................................................................................................................. L. neovomerata Buck sp.n.

- Ventral lobe of surstylus evenly rounded in front of large, posterior bristle ( Figs. 158 View FIGURES 157–162 , 163 View FIGURES 163–169 ). Enlarged acrostichals long, longest one usually>0.75x as long (up to same length) as lower orbital bristle ............................................... 32

32 Sternite 5 with numerous long soft pale hairs in desclerotized posteromedial area. Anterior section of surstylus with anterior process stouter; ventral lobe with bristles more slender, and enlarged posterior bristle inserted more dorsally (posteriorly) ( Fig. 158 View FIGURES 157–162 ) (Atlantic Coast from NF to NH) .............................................................. L. fontinalis (Fallén) View in CoL

- Sternite 5 with fewer shorter straight hairs in desclerotized posteromedial area ( Fig. 166 View FIGURES 163–169 ). Anterior section of surstylus with anterior process more slender; ventral lobe with bristles stouter (less so in western specimens), and enlarged posterior bristle inserted more ventrally (anteriorly) ( Fig. 163 View FIGURES 163–169 ) (QC and MA to AK;?Rocky Mtn. states) ... ......................................................................................................................................... L. kanata Buck sp.n. (in part) Note: most specimens of L. kanata sp.n. key to couplet 39 below.

33 Hind margin of sternite 7 straight, with sharply defined, slightly darkened and shining edge (i.e., devoid of microtrichia) ( Fig. 162 View FIGURES 157–162 )............................................................................................................................................... 34

- Hind margin of sternite 7 sometimes produced medially ( Fig. 169 View FIGURES 163–169 ), with poorly defined, dull, microtrichose edge (i.e., sternite gradually becoming paler and more membranous posteriorly) ............................................................. 35

34 Enlarged acrostichals very long, longest one at least 0.8x (usually as long) as lower orbital bristle (Atlantic Coast from NF to NH) ............................................................................................................................. L. fontinalis (Fallén) View in CoL

- Enlarged acrostichals normal, longest one at most 0.65x as long as lower orbital bristle (YT, AK, in Rocky Mts. south to NM) ....................................................................................................................... L. neovomerata Buck sp.n.

35 Hind margin of sternite 7 straight; sternite 8 with lateral margins slightly convex near middle, hind margin with narrow, shallow notch between posteromedial and posterolateral lobes ( Fig. 191 View FIGURES 185–191 ) (NU to AK, in Rocky Mts. south to CO) ................................................................................................................................................... L. parafinalis Papp View in CoL

- Hind margin of sternite 7 produced medially; sternite 8 with lateral margins distinctly angulate near middle, hind margin with wide, deep notch between posteromedial and posterolateral lobes ( Fig. 169 View FIGURES 163–169 ) (QC and MA to AK;?Rocky Mtn. states) ........................................................................................................ L. kanata Buck sp.n. (in part) Note: most specimens of L. kanata sp.n. key to couplet 39 below.

36 Posteroapical bristles of mid tibia unequal (with dorsal one clearly shorter than ventral one) and usually longer, ventral bristle often clearly extending beyond level of insertion of ventrobasal metatarsal bristle ( Fig. 26 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Hind margin of female sternite 7 straight ( Fig. 176 View FIGURES 170–176 ). Spermathecae without or with small and very shallow apical invagination, surface spiculate mainly near base ( Fig. 175 View FIGURES 170–176 )....................................................................................... 37

- Posteroapical bristles of mid tibia of same length and usually shorter, ventral one not clearly extending beyond level of insertion of ventrobasal metatarsal bristle ( Fig. 28 View FIGURES 16–29 ). Hind margin of female sternite 7 with more or less developed medial projection ( Figs. 154 View FIGURES 148–154 , 169 View FIGURES 163–169 ). Spermathecae with narrow but deep apical invagination, surface fairly evenly spiculate ( Fig. 197 View FIGURES 192–198 ) ..................................................................................................................................................... 38

37 Anterior section of surstylus with anterolateral corner angulate and darker than surrounding area ( Figs. 170, 172 View FIGURES 170–176 : as). Relatively common ( Canada and northern U.S., in mountains south to WY, northern CA) .... L. neofinalis Buck sp.n.

- Anterior section of surstylus with anterolateral corner rounded and concolorous with surrounding area ( Figs. 155, 156 View FIGURES 155–156 ). Rare (LB, NS to AK) ................................................................................................................. L. finalis (Collin) View in CoL Note: we were unable to separate females of these two species.

38 Anterior process of surstylus angulate and stout ( Fig. 148 View FIGURES 148–154 ). Female sternite 8 with lateral margins slightly sinuate ( Fig. 154 View FIGURES 148–154 ) (YT, AK) .............................................................................................................. L. angulispina Buck sp.n.

- Anterior process of surstylus rounded and more slender ( Figs. 163 View FIGURES 163–169 , 192 View FIGURES 192–198 ). Female sternite 8 with lateral margins angulate ( Figs. 169 View FIGURES 163–169 , 198 View FIGURES 192–198 ) ............................................................................................................................................ 39

39 Anterior section of surstylus with at least one long bristle that is more than half as long as the large posterior bristle; anterior process moderately slender ( Fig. 163 View FIGURES 163–169 ) (QC and MA to AK;?Rocky Mtn. states) ........................................... ......................................................................................................................................... L. kanata Buck sp.n. (in part)

- Anterior section of surstylus with short bristles only, all of which are less than half as long as the large posterior bristle; anterior process very slender ( Fig. 192 View FIGURES 192–198 ) (BC,?Rocky Mtn. states) ............................. L. tenuispina Buck sp.n. Note. We were unable to separate females of these two species. The identity of females from Rocky Mountain states remains uncertain.

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Diptera

Family

Sphaeroceridae

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