Lithochrysa borealis, Makarkin, 2017

Makarkin, Vladimir N., 2017, A new fossil green lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from the early Eocene Driftwood Canyon, Canada, Zootaxa 4324 (2), pp. 397-400 : 399

Lithochrysa borealis sp. nov.

Figs 1A, B

Nothochrysinae species A: Makarkin & Archibald 2013: 139, Fig. 22.

Diagnosis. May be distinguished from other species of Lithochrysa by distinctly proximal position of crossvein 2m-cu; from L. wickhami by slightly longer intramedian cell; by distinctly longer branches of RP to CuA between Psc, posterior margin (i.e., Psc located closer to posterior wing margin in L. wickhami than in L. borealis sp. nov.).

Description. Forewing 8.2 mm long as preserved (estimated complete length 8.7 mm), ca. 3 mm wide. Costal space moderately broad. Subcostal veinlets simple, widely spaced. Pterostigma indistinct. Subcostal space quite narrow; subcostal crossveins not detected. Terminal portions of ScP, RA not preserved. RA space broad, with nine preserved crossveins, rather regularly spaced. RP originates far from wing base (at about a third estimated wing length); zigzagged, with eight–nine branches. RP1, MA connected by short crossvein at anterior gradate series (i.e., basal-most crossvein in anterior gradate series present). Basal crossvein 1r-m short, connecting RP, im in proximal half. M forked slightly distad origin of RP. MA, MP slightly divergent toward Psc. Crossvein 1im (distal end of cell im) moderately long. im elongate, narrow (three times longer than wide). Psm poorly developed. Long crossvein 2m-cu connects im, CuA at fork of M (or slightly distad it). CuA apparently with four simple branches. Psc rather well developed. CuP deeply forked. Two crossveins between CuA, CuP; 2icu connecting CuA, anterior branch of CuP. AA1 simple (appears fused with CuA basally). AA2 probably simple. Two gradate series of crossveins; inner series arranged in unbroken, even curve; with nine crossveins.

Hind wing very crumpled, poorly-preserved, 6.5 mm long as preserved (estimated complete length ca. 7.5 mm). Crossveins in RA space regular; two gradate series of crossveins; branches of RP widely spaced. Other details unclear.

Type material. Holotype RBCM.EH2012.003.0007.001 (part only), property of BC Parks (British Columbia Ministry of Environment), deposited in the collections of the RBCM; a rather poorly-preserved, crumpled and overlapping forewing and hind wing.

Locality and horizon. Driftwood Canyon, British Columbia, Canada (public exposure near top); early Eocene.

Etymology. The specific epithet borealis (neuter boreale) is Latin for “northern”, as the new species is the northern occurrence of the genus.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Wings of Lithochrysa. A, B, L. borealis sp. nov., holotype RBCM. EH 2012.003.0007.001. A, specimen as preserved, a crumpled forewing overlaying a partial hind wing; B, forewing venation (hind wing not shown; see Makarkin & Archibald 2013: Fig. 22.3); C, L. wickhami (Cockerell, 1914), holotype MCZ 4499, venation of one of the forewings. Scale bar = 1 mm (all to scale)