Triepeolus eliseae Rightmyer, new species ( verbesinae group)

(Figs 10, 11)

Diagnosis. This is the only species of the Triepeolus verbesinae (Cockerell) species group found in eastern North America. Females are known by the circular pseudopygidial area (Fig. 10A) and strongly downturned S5 (Fig. 10B), both characters that are diagnostic for the species group as a whole in North America (Rightmyer 2008: 131). In addition, T. eliseae is one of a few Triepeolus species in which the banding of hairs on the body are extremely pale yellow to white (sometimes appearing grey) (Fig. 10C). Among those very pale yellow species, females and males of T. eliseae are known from other eastern North American species by the lack of a preoccipital carina on the dorsal margin of the head, short erect hairs on the mesepisternum (such hairs 0.5 OD or less in length) (Fig. 10D), absence of a midline on the clypeus (Fig. 10E), and short, rounded axillar spines (Fig. 10F).

Males of T. eliseae might be confused with T. obliteratus but can be separated by the pygidial plate, which is very narrow (ca. 1 OD in width) and parallel-sided in T. eliseae, and wider and more triangular in appearance in T. obliteratus, and by the axillar spines, which are somewhat rounded apically and do not reach the scutellar midpoint in T. eliseae (reaching or exceeding scutellar midpoint in T. obliteratus).

Description. Length ca. 8–9 mm; ITW 1.6–1.9 mm. Integument black, orange on basal half of mandible, tegula, and legs, sometimes orange on apical margin of labrum, outer F1, and pronotal lobe; dorsal aspect with bands of setae very pale yellow, almost white, relatively narrow on metasoma (Fig. 10C). Clypeus convex in profile, lacking midline and larger punctures, asetose or sparsely covered with white setae (especially males). Mesepisternum lacking erect, simple setae or with sparse, short, erect, simple setae, with punctures nearly contiguous, but separated by up to one or two puncture diameters in a few places ventrally, these areas somewhat elevated, weakly tuberculate in appearance; with dense, white, branched setae on dorsal third, anterior margin, and anterior surface of mesepisternum, ventrally mostly asetose. Paramedian bands distinct (some females) or joined laterally to diffuse pale setae on anterior margin of scutum (some females and all males). Scutellum with moderate biconvexities; axillar spines triangular; sometimes rounded apically, almost reaching or reaching midpoint of scutellum (Fig. 10F). T1 interspace widely ovate; T2 with lateral bands forming acute angle with apical transverse band of pale setae (Fig. 10C). Female: Pseudopygidial area strongly circular (Fig. 10A); S5 strongly downcurved (Fig. 10B); S2–S4 with white apical bands of setae. Male: Pygidial plate narrow, lateral margins nearly parallelsided, lacking or with weak basal transverse ridge; S3–S4 with brown apical fringes (slightly white laterally on S4); S2–S3 with white apical bands of setae (medially extending past apical margin of S3).

Comments. This species was referred to as Triepeolus n. sp. 1 in the key to males and females of the United States east of the Mississippi River and Eastern Canada (Rightmyer 2008: 26); it is also known as Triepeolus sp. 101 in the online guide Discover Life (http://discoverlife.org). JSA has examined additional specimens of what he considers to be this species from Maritime Canada (S. Javorek collection) and has identified images taken in New Brunswick as this taxon under the name “ Triepeolus new species in the verbesinae group”: http://bugguide.net/ node/view/826110/bgimage. An additional Michigan record was photographed in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Fig. 11) (see also: http://bugguide.net/node/view/967055/bgimage).

Distribution. CANADA: Ontario; USA: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

Floral Records. Heliopsis sp., Solidago sp., Symphyotrichum sp.

Seasonal Records. June 27 to August 27.

Holotype. —" 17 mi. SE Kenora, Ontario CAN. [Canada] VIII-7-1979 J. R. Powers, Collr. // M. G. Rightmyer Triepeolus Database Specimen No. 1190 // Holotype. ♀ Triepeolus eliseae Rightmyer " (CAS).

Paratypes. CANADA: ONTARIO: 15 mi. SE Kenora, 4 Aug. 1979, J. R. Powers (1♀ CAS), 17 mi. SE Kenora, 7 Aug. 1979, J. R. Powers (1♀ CAS) ; USA: INDIANA: Jasper Co.: Prairie Border, 25 Jul. 2003, Heliopsis sp., R. P. Jean (1♀ RJPC) ; MARYLAND: Prince George's Co.: North Tract Patuxent, 27–28 Jun. 2012, S. Droege lab, pan trap (1♀ NMNH) ; MICHIGAN: Alger Co.: (no locality), 31 Aug. 1946, R.R. Dreisbach (1 ♀ MSUC); Dickinson Co.: T42N R29W Sec. 13, 14 Aug. 1983, R.L. Fischer (1 ♀ MSUC) ; T43N R29W Sec. 14, 18 Aug. 1983, Solidago, A. R. Porter (1 ♀ MSUC) ; T43N R29W Sec. 14, 16 Aug. 1983, Aster, A. R. Porter (1 ♀ MSUC) ; Kalkaska Co.: (no locality), 21 Jul. 1966, window pane trap, L. F. Wilson (2 ♀ MSUC); Leelanau Co.: 5 Jul. 1941, R.R. Dreisbach (1♂ NMNH); Missaukee Co.: Lake City, 3 Aug. 1948, D. Bray (1 ♀ MSUC) . MINNESOTA: [St. Louis Co.]: Eagles Nest, 10 Aug. 1959, W. V. Balduf (1♀ INHS) ; NEW JERSEY: Union Co.: Westfield, 1956, C. Ferguson (1♀ OSAC) , 8 Jul. 1956, C. Ferguson (1♀ BBSL); WISCONSIN: Bayfield Co.: Salmo, 12 Aug. 1919, Solidago, W. L. McAtee (1♂ NMNH) , Douglas Co.: Wascott, 21 Jul. 1910, Timberlake (1♂ NMNH) .

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Mary Elise G. Y. Gee, daughter of M. G. Rightmyer.

County records: Alger, Dickinson, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Kent, Missaukee.