Paryphoconus grandis, Macfie 1939

Ronderos, María M., Marino, Pablo I. & Díaz, Florentina, 2012, Description of the pupa and male of Paryphoconus grandis Macfie (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), Zootaxa 3242, pp. 39-46 : 40-45

Paryphoconus grandis, Macfie 1939

( Figs. 1–28 )

Paryphoconus grandis Macfie 1939: 6 (female; Brazil); Lane, 1956: 299 (in key, distrib.); Spinelli & Wirth 1984: 896 ( Belize, Mexico, Venezuela; notes; wing photo); Borkent & Wirth 1997: 136 (in world catalog); Borkent & Spinelli 2000: 65 (in catalog of species south of USA); Borkent & Spinelli 2007: 98 (in Neotropical catalog); Borkent 2012: 169 (online catalog).

Paryphoconus barretoi: Wirth & Ratanaworabhan 1972: 1373 (female; Mexico, Venezuela).

Diagnosis. Female: only extant species of Paryphoconus with an infuscated wing, especially darker on anterior margin. Male: only extant species of Paryphoconus with mandibular teeth and an aedeagus with the posteromedial portion slightly notched.

Description. Female adult: Head ( Fig.1 ): eyes bare, separated by distance equal to diameter of nine ommatidia. Antenna dark brown, except bases of flagellomeres 1–8 paler; flagellomeres 9–13 elongate, proportions as shown in Figs. 1–2 ; antennal ratio 1.39–1.48 (1.42, n = 5). Palpus short, third segment bearing few sensilla on inner margin, segments 4–5 produced beyond proboscis; palpal ratio 1.62–1.92 (1.78, n = 5). Mandible with 5 strong teeth. Thorax: yellowish brown, anterior spine short. Legs ( Fig. 3 ) yellowish brown except knees, tarsomeres 4–5 on forelegs, midlegs, apex of hind tibia, hind tarsomeres 1–5 blackish; tarsomeres 1–3 of midlegs with row of thick spines; tarsomeres 1–2 of hind leg with a row of ventral palisade spines; hind tibial comb with 8 spines; metathoracic tarsal ratio 2.08–2.29 (2.18, n = 5). Wing ( Fig. 4 ) membrane pigmented, darker along anterior margin; wing length 5.43–5.94 (5.71, n = 5) mm; width 1.59–1.68 (1.63, n = 5) mm; costal ratio 0.99 (0.99, n = 5). Halter brown. Abdomen: tergites uniformly brown. One pair of gland rods. One ovoid spermathaeca ( Fig. 5 ), measuring 160 x 98 µm, neck short, 8 µm. Cercus brown ( Fig. 5 ).

Male adult: As in female, with following differences. Head: Brown except vertex dark brown. Bare eyes separated by distance equal to diameter of seven ommatidia. Antenna with plume developed; scape and pedicel dark brown; flagellomeres 1–10 brown with plume setae, flagellomeres 11–13 dark brown, 10–13 elongated; antennal ratio 0.64–0.65 (0.64, n = 3). Palpus ( Fig. 6 ) brown, short; third segment with few subapical sensilla on inner surface; palpal ratio 1.30–1.54 (1.41, n = 7). Mandible ( Fig. 6 ) well developed, with 3–4 teeth. Thorax: dark brown; scutum with anterior spine short. Legs pale brown except knees, apex of hind tibia and hind tarsomeres 1–2 infuscated; tarsomeres 1–2 of hind leg with row of ventral palisade spines; hind tibial comb with 7 spines; metathoracic tarsal ratio 2.00–2.23 (2.10, n = 7); claws curved, bifid at tip. Wing ( Fig. 7 ) membrane not pigmented, anterior margin slightly infuscate beyond costa; anal angle poorly developed; wing length 2.04–2.22 (2.14, n = 7) mm; width 0.57–0.66 (0.62, n = 7) mm; costal ratio 0.84–0.87 (0.86, n = 7). Halter brown. Abdomen: tergites uniformly brown. Genitalia ( Fig. 8 ): dark brown, tergite 9 elongate, progressively narrowed distally, extending to level of apex of gonocoxite, posterior margin slightly notched. Sternite 9 with distal margin irregular, slightly excavated. Gonocoxite stout, two times longer than greatest breadth, inner margin with anterior blunt protuberance; gonostylus 0.9 as long as gonocoxite, deeply curved with pointed tip. Parameres (Fig. 26) separated basally, contiguous distally with apical portion slightly expanded. Aedeagus (Fig. 27) quadrangular; small basal arms, well sclerotized; basal arch very high; tip lightly sclerotized, elongate. Cercus elongate, extending beyond apex of 9th tergite.

Female pupa ( Figs. 9–16 , 20–25): Entire pupa ( Fig. 9 ). Total length 6.165 (6.03–6.27, n = 4) mm. Exuvia brown. Operculum ( Fig. 11 ) 3.28 times broader than long, anterior margin rounded with small median pointed projection and single row of marginal small rounded tubercles; disc mostly smooth, mesal portion with a few spicules, posterior margin concave; anteromarginal seta (am) long, stout, located on small tubercle, basal sensillum present; OL 0.105 (0.10–0.11, n = 4) mm, OW 0.345 (0.31–0.37, n = 4) mm, OW/OL 3.19 (2.88–3.44, n = 4). Cephalothorax ( Figs. 9–10 ) quadrangular, surface smooth, with short medial crest crenulated; length 2.355 (2.31–2.40, n = 4) mm, width 1.485 (1.44–1.50, n = 4) mm. Two anterodorsal sensilla (ad) ( Figs.13 , 20) one medium-sized, thin, hyaline seta, one pore; three dorsomedian sensilla (dm) ( Figs. 14–15 , 20), two long subequal, hyaline setae, one pore; one dorsolateral (dl) ( Figs. 14–15 , 20) medium-sized, stout setae; 6 dorsal sensilla (Fig. 21) i–iv long, hyaline setae, v–vi pores. Respiratory organ ( Figs. 9–10, 12 , 20), pale brown, straight, 4.50 longer than broad, surface with reticular cell-like pattern, apex with 22–24 spiracles; RO length 0.46 (0.42–0.48, n = 5) mm, RO width 0.09 (0.08– 0.10, n = 5) mm; pedicel (P) ( Fig. 9, 12 ) pale brown, smooth, short, stout, length 0.07 (0.06–0.07, n = 5) mm, P/RO 0.15 (0.13–0.17, n = 5). Two long, stout, subequal ventromedian setae (vm); one long, stout, ventrolateral seta (vl) (Fig. 22). Abdominal segments covered with small spicules, with pale spots dark brown in the middle of 1–7 segments. First abdominal segment ( Figs. 9–10 , 23) with sensilla as follow: two anterior hyaline setae, one long, hyaline setae, one short seta; three posterior sensillae: i–ii long, hyaline setae, iii pore; three lateral setae: one mediumsized; one long, hyaline seta, located on small tubercles, one medium-sized stout seta on stout tubercle. Second abdominal segment similar to first, except three anterior setae, one pore, two long, thin setae; one anterior lateral setae, four posterior setae, one pore, three long, stout setae. Fourth abdominal sensillar pattern ( Figs. 9 , 24–25) as follows: three dorsal anterosubmarginal (d.a.s.m.) i, ii long, stout setae, i on rounded tubercle, ii on cylindrical tubercle, iii pore; 4 dorsal posteromarginal (d.p.m.) i, iii–iv with long, stout setae, ii pore, i on rounded tubercle, iii– iv on stout tubercle; three lateral posteromarginal (l.p.m.) i–iii medium-sized, stout setae, each located on stout triangular tubercle; one lateral anterosubmarginal (l.a.s.m.) one long, stout seta on stout tubercle; three ventral posteromarginal (v.p.m.) i medium-sized, stout setae, ii–iii long, hyaline setae, all on rounded, stout tubercles. Anal segment ( Figs. 9, 16 ) 1.35 times longer than greatest width, anterior margin of ventral surface with a band of small spicules; length 0.36 (0.36–0.38, n = 5) mm, width 0.26 (0.24–0.26, n = 5) mm. Apicolateral processes (AP) ( Fig. 16 ) triangular, base broad with dorsal pore, divergent, apical 1/3 slightly pigmented, tip slightly pointed; length 0.15 (0.14–0.17, n = 5) mm.

Male pupa ( Figs. 17–19 ). Similar to female with sexual differences: Total length 4.76 (4.56–4.95, n = 7) mm. Exuviae pale brown. Operculum ( Fig.17 ) with OL 0.09 (0.08–0.10, n = 7) mm; OW 0.30 (0.28–0.31, n = 7) mm; OW/OL 3.14 (2.88–3.25, n = 7). Respiratory organ length 0.35 (0.32–0.37, n = 7) mm, width 0.07 (0.05–0.08, n = 7) mm; pedicel length 0.07 (0.06–0.07, n = 7) mm, P/RO 0.19 (0.17–0.22, n = 7). Cephalotorax length 1.71 (1.65– 1.77, n = 7) mm, width 1.02 (0.99–1.11, n = 7) mm; dorsal sensilla as in Fig. 18 . Anal segment ( Fig. 19 ) length 0.30 (0.28–0.32, n = 7) mm, width 0.21 (0.20–0.24, n = 7) mm; apicolateral processes length: 0.12 (0.11–0.13, n = 7) mm.

Biological notes. Pupae of P. grandis were found floating in streams clear-water, as in Figs. 28 a–b. Probably these pupae were attached to the abundant submerged Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc and were released when we disturbed the water. Laboratory reared pupae emerged in 3–6 days at 10º C. Paryphoconus oliveirai inhabits in stream turbid-water. Finally, further studies of the breeding ecology of additional species can provide insight into the relationships and evolution of the genus.

Distribution ( Fig. 28 ): Mexico (on train quarantined in Arizona), Belize, Venezuela, Brazil (Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso, Ceará) and Argentina (Corrientes).

Specimens examined. Argentina, Corrientes, ruta Nac. 12, arroyo Vega, 30º06’39.2’’ S, 59º31’56.9’’W, 18- IX-2010, Díaz - Marino, 7 males (with pupal exuviae), 5 females (with pupal exuviae), collected as pupa, reared in laboratory (6 males, 4 females in MLPA, and 1 male, 1 female in CNCI).

Examined female holotype of Paryphoconus taragui Spinelli : Argentina, Misiones, Monte Caseros, 13-I-1987, L. Biestro, CDC light trap (MLPA).

Taxonomic discussion. Spinelli (1998) described P. taragui based on one female specimen. Our study here showed the only character distinguishing it from P. grandis is its hyaline wing, with a well developed anal lobe (wing coloration present but anal lobe poorly developed in P. grandis ). Lane (1956) reported one specimen from Brazil he identified as P. grandis had a hyaline wing. However, this specimen may belong to P. taragui .

Ronderos et al. (2007) in the description of pupa of P. oliveirai did not describe the dorsomedian sensilla (dm) and incorrectly described the dorsal anterosubmarginal tubercle (d.a.s.m.) iii as lateral anterosubmarginal tubercle (l.a.s.m.) ii. The revision of the mentioned pupa reveals that the dorsomedian (dm) sensilla are represented by two long setae and one pore. However, this is a characteristic of a large group, including most of Palpomyiini and some Sphaeromiini (Borkent, pers. com.).

The pupa of P. oliveirai is similar to P. grandis but there are slight differences that distinguished them. The pupa of P. oliveirai is slightly smaller (length 6.00 mm), has a much smaller respiratory organ (length 0.26 mm) with fewer spiracles (18–20), and longer, divergent and pointed apicolateral processes. Possible differences between P. grandis and the incompletely described pupae of P. mayeri and P. flavidus , are as follows: shorter pupal length (4.3 mm and 3–3.5 mm, respectively) and fewer spiracles (15–16 in P. mayeri , and 11–12 in P. flavidus ).

FIGURES 20–27. Paryphoconus grandis , 20–25, female pupa; 26–27, male adult; 20, anterodorsal setae, dorsolateral seta and dorsomedian setae; 21, dorsal sensilla; 22, ventral setae; 23, 1st abdominal segment; 24, 4th abdominal segment; 25, detail of setae of 4th abdominal segment; 26, parameres; 27, aedeagus. Scale bars: 0.05 mm. anterodorsal seta (ad); dorsal anterosubmarginal (d.a.s.m); dorsolateral setae (dl); dorsomedian setae (dm); dorsal posteromarginal (d.p.m.); lateral anterosubmarginal (l.a.s.m.); lateral posteromarginal (l.p.m.); respiratory organ (RO), spiracular scar (sp.s); ventral posteromarginal (v.p.m.); ventrolateral setae (vl); ventromedian setae (vm).

1 31°19'50.70"N 110°56'23.64"W Mexico, Nogales

2 17°10'13.39"N 89°03'08.08"W Belize, Cayo Dist. Western Hwy 3 09°02'37.62"N 69°45'01.13"W Venezuela, Guanare Estado Portuguesa 4 07°13'57.22"S 39°24'52.75"W Brazil, Ceara, Crato

5 22°30'0.53"S 53°01'0.12"W Brazil, Mato Groso do Sul Porto Primavera 6 27°02'59.92"S 52°24'0.04"W Brazil, Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia 7 29°01'41.00"S 58°10'26.75"W Argentina, Corrientes, arroyo Pay Ubre 8 30°03'03.37"S 59°31'57.34"W Argentina, Corrientes, arroyo Vega

Figures

FIGURE 28. Distribution of Paryphoconus grandis.

FIGURES 1 – 8. Paryphoconus grandis, 1 – 5 adult female, 6 – 8 adult male; 1, head; anterior view, 2, flagellomeres 8 – 10; 3, thorax and legs, lateral view; 4, wing; 5, abdominal segments with spermatheca, ventral view; 6, mouthparts; 7, wing; 8, genitalia, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm. mandible (MD).

FIGURES 9 – 19. Paryphoconus grandis, 9 – 16, female pupa; 17 – 19, male pupa; 9, entire pupa (slide mounted specimen), ventral view; 10, cephalothorax, ventral view; 11, operculum; 12, respiratory organ and dorsomedian setae; 13; anterodorsal seta; 14 dorsolateral seta; 15, dorsomedian setae and dorsolateral seta; 16, anal segment, ventral view; 17, operculum; 18, dorsal setae; 19, anal segment, ventral view. Scale bars: 0.05 mm. anterodorsal setae (ad), antermarginal seta (am); antenna (AN); anal segment (AS); apicolateral processes (AP); cephalothorax (CT); dorsolateral seta (dl), dorsomedian setae (dm); foreleg (fl); genital sac (GS); hind leg (hl); midleg (ml); pedicel (P); pore (ps); respiratory organ (RO) spiracles (sp).