Megaselia tofteensis, Henry & Bøggild, 2021

Henry, R. & Bøggild, Esben, 2021, Nineteen new species of Megaselia Rondani (Diptera, Phoridae) from Denmark, Zootaxa 4975 (2), pp. 306-342 : 337

Megaselia tofteensis n. sp.

( Figs 225–237 )

Diagnosis. In the key of Lundbeck (1922) for Group IV it runs to couplet 40 M. setigera (Lundbeck), a synonym of M. brevifemorata Schmitz , from which it differs in having only 2 notopleural bristles, SPS vesicles in the postpedicels, 6 axillary bristles and a different hypopygium. In the key to the males of the British species ( Disney, 1989) it runs to couplet 107 lead 1 M. consetigera (Schmitz) but our species has a longer anal tube and 5–6 axillary bristles. In the key of Schmitz & Beyer (1965) for Abteilung IV Zweite Reihe it runs to couplet 60 lead 2, M. brevifemorata Schmtz , but it has a brown hind femur, 6 axillary bristles and 3 bristles on the notopleuron; or it runs to couplet76, lead 1 M. subpalpalis (Lundbeck), already excluded in the key to the males of the British species. In Borgmeier’s (1964) key for Nearctic Group IV it runs to couplet 16 lead 1 M. subpleuralis (Wood), which is covered by the above keys but is immediately excluded by having 3 notopleural bristles and the hairs below the basal half of the hind femur shorter than those of the anterovental of the outer half. In the in the key to the species of the Seychelles ( Disney, 2009) it runs to M. falsoluta Disney , but its mesopleuron has 1–3 bristles as well as hairs and much larger labella of the proboscis. It most closely resembles M. simestedensis described above. It differs in having only 2 bristles on the notopleuron, a longer wing but shorter costal index, a dorsal hair palisade on all five segments of the front tarsus, instead of 1–4 only, longer hairs below the basal half of the hind femur and a much longer left hypandrial lobe. Otherwise it fails to run down in keys for the rest of the world’s fauna and subsequent additions. We should add, that M. tofteensis at first sight appears exactly like a species of the giraudii/ densior complex (definition see Buck & Disney p 75) with the long hairs on protiger and well developed left and right hypandrian lobe. Even the shape of epandrium suggests the giraudii/ densior complex. But as tofteensis has hairs (although only 2–3) on mesopleuron it is not included in this species complex.

Description. Male. Frons as Fig. 225 , with dense but very fine microtrichia. Cheek with 5 bristles and jowl with 4 that are a little longer and more robust. Postpedicels as Fig. 226 , with a few SPS vesicles. Palp as Fig. 227 . Labella of proboscis with numerous small spinules below ( Fig. 228 ). Thorax as Fig. 229 , with 2 notopleural bristles and no cleft in front of these, and mesopleuron with 2–3 small hairs only. Scutellum with an anterior pair of small hairs and a posterior pair of bristles. Abdomen as Fig. 230 venter with hairs on segments 3–6. Hypopygium as Figs 231–234 . Legs yellow but hind femora yellowish brown. Fore tarsus ( Fig. 235 ) with posterodorsal hair palisade on segments 1–5 and 5 longer than 4. Dorsal hair palisade of mid tibia extends about 0.84 times its length. Hairs below basal half of hind femur clearly longer than those of anteroventral row of outer half ( Fig. 236 ). Hind tibia with about a dozen differentiated posterodorsal hairs, without anterodorsals, and spinules of apical combs simple. Wings ( Fig. 237 ) 1.87 mm long. Costal index 0.45. Costal ratios 4.2:2.1:1. Costal cilia (of section 3) 0.15 mm long. Vein 3 hair 0.05 mm long. 2 axillary bristles, the outermost being 0.12 mm long. Sc not reaching R1. Halteree knob pale ( Fig. 230 ).

Type material. Holotype male, DENMARK, Dk NEJ, Tofte Mose, 13–24.V. 2007, Esben Bøggild ( UCMZ — 9–22).

Etymology. Named after the type locality.

Figures

FIGURES 225–237. Megaselia tofteensis n. sp. male. 225, frons; 226, postpedicel; 227, palp, 228, labella of proboscis from below; 229, side of thorax; 230, side of abdomen, 231, left face of hypopygium; 232, left face of epandrium; 233, hypandrial lobes viewed from left side; 234, right face of hypopygium; 235, front tarsus; 236, hind femur; 237, wing.