Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis Tauber and Albuquerque

Tauber, Catherine A., Albuquerque, Gilberto S. & Tauber, Maurice J., 2008, A new species of Leucochrysa and a redescription of Leucochrysa (Nodita) clepsydra Banks (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Zootaxa 1781, pp. 1-19 : 10-17

Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis Tauber and Albuquerque , new species

( Figs. 6–10 ; additional images: http://morphobank.geongrid.org/permalink/?F15)

Type Material. Holotype. Male; abdomen not cleared. Labels read as follows [material in square brackets added]: (1) “ Brazil: R[io de] J[aneiro], Campos dos Goytacazes, Est. Exp. PESAGRO [Estação Experimental da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 21°44’55”S, 41°18’30”W, 14m altitude], IV–19–2005 ”; (2) “G. S. Albuquerque, J. S. Multani, Collectors”; (3) “ HOLOTYPE Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis Tauber and Albuquerque , desig. 2008.” In the collection of the Coleção Entomológica Pe. Jesus Santiago Moure (Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil; DZUP).

Paratypes. Data as above, except the collection dates on Label (1) for some “ IV–19–2005 to I–31–2006 ”, and Label (3) reads: “ PARATYPE Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis Tauber and Albuquerque , desig. 2008.” Two males, 2 females (pinned), DZUP; 2 males, 2 females (pinned), UENF; 2 males, 2 females (pinned), Tauber Research Collection; 2 males, 2 females (pinned), Essig Museum, University of California, Berkeley ( UCB).

Diagnosis.—Externally, L. (N.) digitiformis closely resembles L. (N.) clepsydra in that it has a green body, with brownish-red marks on the genae, dorsolateral surfaces of the scapes, sides of the pronotum (two discontinuous pairs of spots), and prescutal-scutal margin of the mesonotum (one distinct pair of spots). Leucochrysa (N.) digitiformis can be distinguished from L. (N.) clepsydra and other Leuchochrysa ( Nodita ) species by the following combination of traits: dorsum of head without marks; genal mark located dorsally on the gena, extending dorsally along margin of frons; longitudinal mark on scape located dorsolaterally, not mesally; distal palpomeres marked with brown; a brownish-red mark at the base of the costal region of the forewing; a relatively long prothorax; male with mediuncus attached directly to gonarcal bridge, dorsal horn extending from below gonarcal bridge (not from above); dorsal horn deeply bifurcate, prongs of horn elongate, digitiform, separated by V-shaped trough; female with subgenitale bearing an elongate, flat ventral projection that extends into the seventh abdominal segment, spermatheca with large, coiled bursal duct, and a relatively long spermathecal duct (> 2x diameter of spermatheca) that is thick basally, tightly looped mesally and with long distal section of glandular setae.

Adult description.—[Measurements: head, thorax, abdomen, wings (n=4), genitalia (n=2 mature males, 2 mature females)]. Head: 1.2–1.8 mm wide (including eyes); ratio of head width to eye width = 1.96–2.35:1. Vertex approximately oval, raised slightly, with smooth to slightly textured surface, with transverse patch of short setae, without posterior fold. Antenna 21.1–24.5 mm (~1.5 times length of forewing); scape longer than broad, (~ 0.27 mm long, ~ 0.21 mm wide), width = 0.2x distance between scapes, with three to four long setae distally on dorsal surface, shorter setae laterally; lateral margin fairly straight, mesal margin straight basally, curved outward distally; pedicel ~ 0.16 mm long, ~ 0.11 mm wide (at widest point); proximal flagellomeres short (segments 1, 2, 3: length = 1.3–1.7 times width), with three to four concentric rings of setae; middle and distal segments becoming longer (segments 6–8: length = 1.8–2.0 times width; distal segments: length = 3.0– 3.9 times width), with four concentric rings of setae. Distance between scapes 0.12–0.15 mm; distance between tentorial pits 0.46–0.67 mm; length of frons (midway between scapes – midway between tentorial pits) 0.40–0.59 mm. Torulus large (below scape, 0.12–0.15 mm deep). Frons relatively flat mesally, with slightly scalloped fold below toruli; surface smooth to slightly textured, with short setae. Clypeus straight basally; surface slightly textured, not horizontally striated. Labrum with distal margin slightly indented mesally; dorsal surface smooth, rounded, setose; sides rounded. Gena short; ratio of genal length to distance between tentorial pits = 0.24–0.32:1.

Head coloration: Antennae with scape greenish-yellow and bearing brownish-red distolateral stripe; pedicel greenish yellow with amber ring distally; flagellum white with greenish tinge, setae dark amber. Eyes purplish-grey to black. Vertex yellowish-green, unmarked. Frons yellowish-green, with brownish-red stripe anteromesal to eyes extending onto upper margin of gena and posterior margin of clypeus. Otherwise, genal area light green; clypeus, labrum yellowish-green throughout. Torulus cream. Maxilla with basal two palpomeres cream; mesal palpomere brown distally and laterally, penultimate palpomere brown throughout; distal palpomere brown basally, cream distally. Labium and labial palpi cream.

Thorax: Cervix collar-like, quadrate, slightly concave anteriorly, yellowish-green, with dorsolateral-lateral patches of very short setae, dorsomesal section punctate. Prothorax 0.90–0.93 mm long; 1.10–1.20 mm wide; ratio of length: width = ~0.8:1; setae thin, long (longest 0.23 mm), light golden; pronotum yellowishgreen, with two pairs of brownish-red markings: narrow, darker pair anterolaterally, larger pair posterolaterally; posterior marks widest mesally, tapering posteriorly; sometimes a yellow mesal stripe; pleuron, venter light green. Mesothorax, metathorax yellowish-green dorsally, sometimes with a yellow mesal stripe, light green laterally and ventrally; mesoscutum with pair of bold dark brownish-red spots mesally (size variable); metascutum unmarked or with pair of small, diffuse brown spots mesally. Legs light green, unmarked, with golden to dark amber setae. Tarsal claws simple, elongate, narrow, with quadrate base.

Wings ( Fig. 6 ): Forewing 14.4–16.5 mm long, 5.1– 6.0 mm wide (at widest point); ratio of length: maximum width = 2.7–2.8:1. Costal area not exceptionally broad; longest costal veinlet (#7, #9) 1.1 mm long, 1.6– 2.1 times width of distal adjacent cell, 0.23 times width of wing (midwing). First intramedian cell triangular, 0.5–0.6 width of third median cell (m3). First radial crossvein distal to origin of radial sector (Rs); radial area (between Radius and Rs) with single row of 12–14 closed cells; tallest cell (# 5, #6) 2.0–2.3 times taller than wide. No veins crassate except slight swelling at furcation of Cu (male and female); 5–6 b cells; distal b cell 0.3–0.5 times wider than tall. First two cells beneath Rs, free of pseudomedia (= eighth, ninth or tenth cells beneath Rs) 2.5–3.1 times taller than wide. Two series of gradate veins; 6–7 inner gradates, 8 outer gradates; second to fourth cells bounded by gradates 3.2–4.3 times taller than wide. Five to six b’ cells; last b’ cell 0.5– 0.6 times taller than wide. Three intracubital cells (two closed); first cubital crossvein located basal to second mediocubital crossvein; first, second, third intracubital cells of similar lengths. Vein 1A forked. Membrane clear; stigma slightly opaque. Veins green, with black on gradates, some marginal forks, ends of costals, basal and distal radials, origin of Rs, median arculus, branches of pseudomedia and pseudocubitus, anal veins; base of forewings (between the bases of the costal and subcostal veins) with small, dark brown spot.

Hindwing 12.5–13.2 mm long, 3.9–4.3 mm wide. Two series of gradate veins; 6 inner, 6–7 outer; 13–14 radial cells (counted from origin of Radius, not false origin). Five b cells (including small b1 cell); five b’ cells beyond second intramedian cell; two intracubital cells (one closed). Membrane clear, with stigma pronounced, brown. Veins mostly light green, but dark on parts of Rs (base, distal regions, and branches), gradates, middle costals, and marginal forks.

Abdomen: Distal segments (beyond A4) expanded; pleural region ca. twice height of sternites. Sternites, tergites with microsetae relatively sparse; male: S6 approx. 1.1–1.2 times longer than tall, S7 approx. 0.95– 0.97 times longer than tall (lateral view); female: S6 approx 1.4 times longer than tall, S7 approx. 1.7 times longer than tall. Tergites narrow, roughly rectangular, with lighter setae and longer microsetae than on sternites. Spiracles oval externally; atria not enlarged. Integument mostly yellowish-green, with mesal yellow stripe dorsally; T2–T6 with pair of irregularly shaped, brownish-red, pigmented spots submesally (small or sometimes missing on T2–T5, large on T6); gonapophyses laterales, callus cerci light green; setae pale.

Male ( Figs. 7 , 8 ): Callus cerci oval to round, 0.20–0.26 mm diameter (range), with 38–40 relatively thin trichobothria of various lengths (0.04–0.24 mm long). Sternites 5–8 (possibly proximal segments as well) with microtholi. Dorsum of T9+ectoproct truncate distally, fused mesally, midline without deep cleft, setae robust throughout; ventral section of T9+ectoproct with elongate proximal extension reaching almost full length of A8; proximal section well sclerotized, with ventral apodeme heavy, extending along ventral margin below callus cerci; dorsal apodeme lighter, extending almost to callus cerci. S8+9 fused, without suture; S9 without microtholi; S8 much shorter, slightly taller than S9; S8+9 (lateral view) with proximal margin straight, acute dorsally and ventrally; distal margin straight, with rounded apices, approximately ½ height of proximal margin. Setae on S9 slightly heavier than those on S5–S8; terminus of S9 without gonocristae. Subanal region membranous, with small pouch below anus, no setae. Gonarcal complex large, almost as wide as T9+ect; gonarcal apodemes extending proximally to region of callus cerci; distal section (including dorsal horns) extending out from heavy membranous cuff within T9+ect; dorsal structures (gonocornua, mediuncus; not dorsal horns) covered with tight-fitting, thorny membrane that extends to gonosaccus. Gonarcus Ushaped, heavy, with lateral apodemes greatly expanded, rounded throughout, attached laterally on gonarcal bridge, but not extending laterally much beyond bridge. Gonocornu large, elongate, extending forward from gonarcal bridge, rounded basally, acute, curved inward apically at tip of mediuncus. Mediuncus with pair of dorsoventrally flattened internal rods that extend upward and outward; terminus truncate, with small rounded, beak-like tip, pair of rounded distal lobes beneath heavy membrane; membranous lateral surface with 9–10 short gonosetae; ventral surface with heavy, rugose membranous flange and hollow pouch beneath. Dorsum of mediuncus with pair of elongate, digitiform horns that extend well above dorsal surface of gonarcal complex (visible externally on uncleared specimens). Area below gonarcal complex with large, delicate membrane bearing hypandrium internum internally, near proximal margin of S8 and no gonosetae. Entoprocessus, tignum, gonapsis, pseudopenis, spinellae and gonocristae absent. Hypandrium internum with apex rounded, large but very delicate, lightly sclerotized; comes elongate, thin.

Female ( Figs. 9, 10 ): Callus cerci oval, 0.15–0.17 mm maximum diameter, with 34 relatively short trichobothria (0.02–0.03 mm long). Tergite 8 roughly quadrate (lateral view), similar in depth to T6. Tergite 9+ectoproct elongate; posterior margin vertical, quadrate; ventral margin extending slightly below gonapophyses laterales. Sternite 7 with dorsal margin straight, not tapering distally; terminus unmodified, with terminal (posteroventral) setae slightly more dense, robust, and longer than other setae. Gonapophysis lateralis rounded, small (~0.63 length of T9+ect); inner membranous surface slightly expandable, with two vertical rows of short setae. Colleterial gland very delicate (difficult to see), bifurcate at transverse sclerification, each section with short, narrow constriction at junction, upper section smaller than lower section, lower section extending well into A7, resting in trough above bursal copulatrix, reservoir not identified. Transverse sclerification robust, relatively flat, platform-like, with long, fine longitudinal ridges. Bursa copulatrix bulbous, consisting of robust, loosely folded membrane, extending anteriorly over spermatheca and bursal duct, well beyond midpoint of S7. No bursal glands found. Spermatheca small, tubular, approx. 0.1 mm diameter, 0.2 mm length, with deep (0.14 mm), mesal invagination; connected to bursa via elongate, coiled and looped, sclerotized bursal duct extending directly from base of spermatheca; bursal duct becoming membranous distally (anteriorly), opening to bursa on left distoventral surface. Spermathecal glands not identified. Spermathecal duct attached to right distal side of spermatheca, broad basally, then tapering before mesal bend; mesal bend heavily sclerotized, with tight coil on either side; duct recurving anteriorly after mesal bend; glandular setae on distal ca. one-half of entire duct. Subgenitale broad, rounded, with sparse transverse folds, terminus broad, bilobed, with shallow, flat depression between lobes, with flat, oblong, elongate, distal process that recurves anteriorly along ventral surface of subgenitale and extends into fold at tip of S7; membrane above lobes with crescent-shaped, lightly sclerotized lamellae; small ventral fold on S7 without setae.

Larvae and biology.—Larval descriptions and an analysis of the seasonal occurrence are the topics of two PhD dissertations scheduled for completion in 2008 (E. Mantoanelli, J. S. Multani).

Distribution.—Currently known only from Brazil: the type locality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and Fazenda São Nicolau, Cachoeira do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul, 30º07’32”S, 52º49’20”W, 30 m altitude, XII–28–2005, G. S. Albuquerque, collector.

Variation.—The female specimen from Cachoeira do Sul in the state of RS is slightly larger than those from Campos dos Goytacazes in the state of RJ. The wings are about 2 mm longer than the average specimen from Campos; however all other features correspond to the description.

Although our adult specimens showed the full range of post-emergence maturation and sclerotization, most were teneral. On teneral males, the gonarcal bridge was acute mesally (not rounded, as shown for a mature male in Fig. 8 ), and the mediuncus and dorsal horns tended to evert, thus distorting the shape of the gonocornua. The variation shown by teneral males is visible on images on our project website at http://morphobank.geongrid.org/permalink/?F15. Teneral females had delicate bursa, and many of their internal membranous structures were difficult to identify. Among our specimens, there was considerable variation in the size and darkness of the brownish-red markings on the thorax and abdomen. It is possible that this variation reflects both individual variation and the degree of maturation.

Adult specimens examined.— Types listed above and an additional 50 M and 50 F with same data as types except collection dates range from VII to X–2007 (alcohol), maintained at UENF.

Etymology.—The specific name digitiformis (adjective) refers to the finger-like shape of the prongs on the dorsal horn of the mediuncus.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis, forewing (top), hindwing (bottom). Abbreviations: b #, upper Banksian cells; b’ #, lower Banksian cells; icu #, intracubital cells; ig, inner gradate veins; im #, intramedian cells; m 3, third medial cell; og, outer gradate veins; Psm, pseudomedia; R, Radius; Rs, radial sector; r 1, first radial cell; r-m 1, first crossvein between Rs and Media; 1 A, first anal vein; 2, 3, second and third cells bounded by gradates; 8, 9, eighth and ninth cells beneath Rs (= first two cells beneath Rs, free of Psm).

FIGURE 7. Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis, male terminal abdominal segments, lateral. Abbreviations: cc, callus cerci; cuff, heavy membranous cuff surrounding genital opening; dh, dorsal horn; gc, gonocornu; gs, gonarcus (lateral apodeme); S 8 + 9, fused eighth and ninth sternites; T 8, eighth tergite; T 9 + ect, fused ninth tergite and ectoproct (dorsal apodeme diffuse).

FIGURE 8. Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis, male. A, gonarcal complex, lateral; B, same, ventral; C, mediuncus, frontal. Abbreviations: base, base of mediuncus; c, comes; dh, dorsal horn; flange, heavy membranous flange below tip of gonarcus; gb, gonarcal bridge; gc, gonocornu; gs, gonarcus (lateral apodeme); gse, gonosetae; hi, hypandrium internum; memb, membrane surrounding mediuncus; pouch, pouch below mediuncus; tip, tip of mediuncus.

FIGURE 10. Leucochrysa (Nodita) digitiformis, female. A, spermathecal complex, lateral; B, subgenitale, ventral. Abbreviations: base, base of subgenitale; bc, bursa copulatrix; bd, bursal duct; inv, invagination; lobe, lobe of subgenitale; pr, ventrally projecting process on neck of subgenitale; sp, spermatheca; sd, spermathecal duct; vel, spermathecal velum.