Pellucidomyia Macfie

Borkent, Art, 2014, The Pupae of the Biting Midges of the World (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), With a Generic Key and Analysis of the Phylogenetic Relationships Between Genera, Zootaxa 3879 (1), pp. 1-327 : 77-79

Pellucidomyia Macfie

( Figs. 12A , 13G , 16F , 20P , 26D , 30I , 33C , 37F , 45E–F , 50F , 64A , 75G–H )

DIAGNOSIS: Only pupa of Ceratopogonidae with the thorax and segment 2 markedly wider than abdominal segment 3 ( Fig. 12A ); also unique in having an apically truncate segment 9 and very widely spaced terminal processes ( Figs. 12A , 75G–H ); also unique in having a well-developed prothoracic extension ( Fig. 26D ) and a respiratory organ with the pores arranged in a nearly complete circle ( Figs. 45E–F ).

DESCRIPTION: Habitus as in Fig. 12A . Total length = 2.22–2.84 mm. Without larval exuviae retained on abdomen. Exuviae with flagellum appressed against lateral margin of midleg, wing (as in Figs. 16B , 33C ). Ecdysial tear around base of antenna, with narrow connection between face and base of antenna ( Figs. 16F , 79G ). Head: Dorsal apotome ( Fig. 20P ), with ventral line of weakness, without dorsomedial tubercle, without central dome; dorsolateral cephalic sclerite ( Fig. 13G ) fused to scutum, each side separated medially by dorsal apotome in whole pupa; mouthparts ( Fig. 26D ) with mandible well-developed, lacinia absent; palpus extending posterior to posterolateral margin of labium; labium separated medially by labrum, hypopharynx; apex of antenna ( Fig. 37F ) posterior to posterior extent of midlength portion of midleg (portion lateral to mesosternum); sensilla: dorsal apotomals ( Fig. 20P )—1 elongate seta, 1 campaniform sensillum; dorsolateral cephalic sclerite sensilla—1 seta, 1 campaniform sensillum; clypeal-labrals ( Fig. 26D )—2 moderately thick setae; oculars ( Fig. 26D )—1–2 setae, 1 campaniform sensillum. Thorax: Prothoracic extension ( Fig. 26D ) wide, well-developed, narrow dorsolaterally, not extending to antenna; mesonotum with short tubercles, not extending posteromedially, not dividing metathorax medially ( Fig. 50F ); respiratory organ ( Figs. 45E–F ) length/width = 2.27–2.38, moderately elongate, trumpetshaped, somewhat flattened apically (circular area), with pores closely abutting at apex of respiratory organ, arranged circularly, outer surface smooth, without pedicel, base with elongate posteromedial apodeme, membranous base of respiratory organ short, tracheal tube straight to slightly curved along length, with spirals restricted to base, plates to half length; wing ( Fig. 37F ) without apical tubercle or angle, separated medially by fore-, midlegs; halter apex and hind leg ( Fig. 33C ) broadly abutting; halter apex extending just anterior of anterolateral margin of tergite 2; legs ( Fig. 37F ) with lateral margin of foreleg near midlength of wing evenly curved; hind leg visible at lateral margin of wing ( Fig. 33C ); with apex of foreleg moderately anterior to apex of midleg; apex of hind leg abutting apex of midleg laterally; sensilla: anteromedials—2 elongate setae, 1 campaniform sensillum (1/2 distance to anterolaterals) (as in Figs. 31L–M ); anterolaterals—1 elongate seta; dorsal setae ( Fig. 30I )—D-1-T, D-2-T, D-4-T, D-5-T setae, D-3-T campaniform sensillum; D-1-T, D-2-T on single tubercle, D-3-T posterior to D-4-T; supraalar 2—campaniform sensillum; metathoracics ( Fig. 50F )—1-2 campaniform sensilla; M-3-T near anterior margin of metathorax. Abdomen: pigmentation very light brown or just indicated by bare patches, with tergite 1 with 3 medial spots, 2 (medial area with stripe, 2 spots), anterolateral spots, 3–7 only light brown medial patch, sternites not pigmented or sternites 3–7 with light brown medial patch, segment 2 much wider than segment 3, segments with or without bifurcating setae, with rounded to pointed, short to moderately elongate tubercles, tergites or sternites entire, each without membranous disc; segment 9 ( Figs. 75G–H ) widely truncate posteriorly, terminal processes widely separated basally, each projecting posteriorly or slightly posterolaterally, tapering to pointed apex; sensilla: tergite 1 ( Fig. 50F ) with 8 setae, 1 campaniform sensillum or 7 setae, 2 campaniform sensilla, including 4 lateral sensilla, D-2-I, D-3-I closely approximated, D-7-I situated anterolaterally near L-1-I; segment 4 ( Fig. 64A )—D-2-IV, D-3-IV long setae on moderately elongate tubercles; D-5-IV, D-8-IV, D-9-IV elongate setae, D-5-IV, D-8-IV simple or bifurcating; D-5-IV on elongate tubercle, D-8-IV, D-9-IV on separate but closely approximated elongate tubercles, posterior dorsal sensilla in transverse row, arranged medially to laterally: D-5-IV, D-4-IV, D-8-IV, D-9-IV; D-7-IV near D-3-IV; L-1-IV moderately elongate seta, close to base of tubercles with L-2-IV, L-3-IV; L-2-IV, L-3-IV, L-4-IV elongate, simple or bifid setae on elongate tubercles, V-5-IV, V-6-IV, V-7-IV elongate simple or bifid setae, on rounded tubercles, V- 6-IV, V-7-IV closely approximated; segment 8 without D-3-VIII, without L-1-VIII; segment 9 ( Figs. 75 G- H)—with D-5-IX, D-6-IX campaniform sensilla.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: The genus Pellucidomyia is known from nine species in the Neotropical, Afrotropical and Australasian Regions ( Borkent 2014), including the new combination of P. geari noted below. Pupae have been collected from small streams and creeks, backwaters of a creek, and from the margin of a reservoir.

TAXONOMIC DISCUSSION: Two species of Pellucidomyia are known as pupae ( Tables 2–3 ). Pupae of this genus are distinctive (see diagnosis) and easily distinguishable from other Ceratopogonidae . Examination of the pupae of South African species Macropeza geari indicates that it shares the pupal synapomorphies of P. leei and that it belongs within this genus as a new combination as follows:

Pellucidomyia geari (de Meillon & Wirth), 1981: 547 ( Macropeza ). new combination.

Pellucidomyia geari is otherwise known only as the male holotype. Because males of Heteromyiini + Sphaeromiini s. lat. + Palpomyiini + Stenoxenini are generally poorly characterized in much of the world, a generic misplacement is more than possible. Additionally, the male adult P. geari is very similar to that of P. sambulena (de Meillon) 1942 which likely is a senior synonym. Examination of the types is needed to confirm this possibility.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: P. geari : 1 pupal exuviae (of holotype), Burgershall, Hazyview, East Transvaal, South Africa, 3-XII-1973 (NMSA). P. leei : 1 pupal exuviae (in glycerin), Mason Creek, Queensland, Australia, no date (CNCI); 4 pupal exuviae, Merricumbene Creek, Moruya River, New South Wales, Australia, 2-III-1964 (ANIC).

Figures

FIGURE 12. Habitus. A. Pellucidomyia leei, male, in dorsal view (from Debenham 1970). B. Dibezzia prominens, sex unknown, in dorsal view (form Mayer 1934c). C. Macropeza albitarsis, male, in dorsal view (from Szadziewski & Dominiak, 2007, modified). D. Mallochohelea munda, male, in ventral view (from Szadziewski et al. 1997). E. Sphaeromias fasciata, sex unknown, in dorsal view (from Mayer 1934a). F. Bezzia glabra, female, in ventral view (from Thomsen 1937). G. Palpomyia sp., male, in dorsal view (from Grogan & Wirth 1979). H. Paryphoconus oliveirai, female, in ventral view (modified from Ronderos et al. 2007).

FIGURE 13. Anterior portion of heads and thoraces, in anterior or anterodorsal view. A. Leptoconops kerteszi, ecdysial sutures of head enhanced to show position. B. Culicoides denticulatus. C. Ceratopogon nr. abstrusus. D. Brachypogon sp. (from 6 km E. Falkland, BC, Canada). E. Alluaudomyia bella, dorsal apotome absent. F. Clinohelea curriei. G. Pellucidomyia leei. H. Mallochohelea caudellii. I. Bezzia sp. (from Bolean Lake, BC, Canada).

FIGURE 16. Anterior portion of heads. A. Parabezzia huberti, in ventral view (distorted slide specimen). B. Parabezzia sp. (5 km. E. Danby, Vermont, USA), ventrolateral view. C. Clinohelea curriei, in ventral view. D. Heteromyia clavata, in ventral view, dorsal apotome not present. E. Heteromyia wokei, in ventral, slightly lateral view. F. Pellucidomyia leei, in ventral view, dorsal apotome not present.

FIGURE 20. Dorsal apotomes, anterior view. A. Stilobezzia soror (from Mayer 1934c). B. Stilobezzia lutea (from Wirth & Grogan 1981). C. Stilobezzia antennalis (from Wirth & Grogan 1981). D. Stilobezzia pallidiventris (from Wirth & Grogan 1981). E. Schizonyxhelea forattinii (from Borkent 2000a). F. Schizonyxhelea bulla (from Wirth & Grogan 1981, modified). G. Serromyia sp.. H. Allohelea japonica. I. Monohelea obscura. J. Atyphohelea macroneura (from Borkent 1998). K. Parabezzia alexanderi male (from Grogan & Wirth 1977a, modified). L. Parabezzia alexanderi female (from Grogan & Wirth 1977a, modified). M. Clinohelea dryas (from Elson-Harris & Kettle 1986). N. Clinohelea tasmaniensis (from Elson-Harris & Kettle 1986). O. Heteromyia wokei (from Wirth & Grogan 1977, modified). P. Pellucidomyia leei (from Elson-Harris & Kettle 1986).

FIGURE 26. Posterior portion of heads, in ventral view. A. Echinohelea lanei (reconstructed from distorted specimen). B. Clinohelea curriei. C. Heteromyia wokei. D. Pellucidomyia leei. E. Dibezzia debenhamae (reconstructed from distorted specimen). F. Hebetula tonnoiri. G. Jenkinshelea magnipennis H. Macropeza bayeri.

FIGURE 30. Dorsal setae from left side of thoraces. A. Serromyia sp. B. Allohelea japonica. C. Monohelea obscura. D. Atyphohelea macroneura. E. Parabezzia huberti. F. Echinohelea lanei. G. Clinohelea curriei. H. Heteromyia clavata. I. Pellucidomyia leei. J. Dibezzia debenhamae (dirty specimen, D-5-T perhaps broken setal socket). K. Hebetula tonnoiri. L. Jenkinshelea magnipennis. M. Macropeza natalensis. N. Mallochohelea caudellii. O. Probezzia sabroskyi. P. Neobezzia fittkaui (from Ronderos et al. 2011, modified). Q. Nilobezzia curticornis. R. Johannsenomyia argentata. S. Lanatomyia miles. T. Anebomyia atripes.

FIGURE 31. Dorsal setae from left side of thoraces; anteromedial setae. A. Homohelea delanoe. B. Leehelea hispida. C. Sphaeromias longipennis. D. Xenohelea galatea. E. Bezzia nobilis. F. Clastrieromyia dycei. G. Pachyhelea pachymera. H. Palpomyia jonesi. I. Phaenobezzia mashonensis. J. Paryphoconus oliveirai. K. Echinohelea lanei, partial lateral view (distorted slide specimen). L. Palpomyia (JAD685), dorsal view. M. Palpomyia (JAD685), dorsolateral view. N. Probezzia seminigra, dorsal view of left side.

FIGURE 33. Cephalothoraces and abdominal segments 1–3, in lateral view. A. Parabezzia sp. (5 km. E. Danby, Vermont, USA). B. Clinohelea curriei. C. Pellucidomyia leei. D. Hebetula tonnoiri. E. Jenkinshelea sp. (from Ottawa, ON, Canada). F. Mallochohelea caudellii. G. Probezzia seminigra. H. Nilobezzia sp. (from Kruger NP, South Africa). I. Sphaeromias longipennis. J. Bezzia sp. (6 km E. Salmon Arm, BC, Canada) K. Palpomyia sp. (Black Lake, Quebec, Canada). L. Phaenobezzia sp. (from Skulsuza, South Africa).

FIGURE 37. Legs, wings and apices of the antennae, in ventral view. A. Atyphohelea macroneura. B. Parabezzia huberti. C. Echinohelea lanei (reconstructed from distorted specimen). D. Clinohelea currei. E. Heteromyia clavata. F. Pellucidomyia leei.

FIGURE 45. Respiratory organs, in dorsal view, pattern on tracheal tubes shown only in some. A. Clinohelea tasmaniensis (from Elson-Harris & Kettle 1986). B. Clinohelea bimaculata (from Wirth & Grogan 1979, modified). C. Heteromyia wokei (from Wirth & Grogan 1977). D. Heteromyia clavata (from Wirth & Grogan 1977). E. Pellucidomyia leei (from Elson-Harris & Kettle 1986). F. Pellucidomyia geari (from de Meillon & Wirth 1981). G. Dibezzia prominens (from Mayer 1934c). H. Hebetula tonnoiri (from Debenham 1974). I. Jenkinshelea albaria (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). J. Macropeza albitarsis (from Szadziewski & Dominiak, 2007). K. Mallochohelea albihalter (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). L. Probezzia pallida (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). M. Probezzia xanthogaster (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). N. Neobezzia fittkaui (from Ronderos et al. 2011). O. Nilobezzia aranea (from Elson-Harris 1987). P. Nilobezzia virago (from Elson-Harris 1987). Q. Johannsenomyia argentata (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). R. Lanatomyia electra (from Debenham 1974). S. Lanatomyia miles (from Debenham 1974). T. Anebomyia atripes (from Wirth & Grogan 1979).

FIGURE 50. Metathoraces and tergites 1, in dorsal view. A. Atyphohelea macroneura. B. Parabezzia huberti. C. Echinohelea lanei. D. Clinohelea currei. E. Heteromyia wokei. F. Pellucidomyia leei.

FIGURE 64. Abdominal segments four, in dorsal and ventral view (shagreen not shown). A. Pellucidomyia leei. B. Dibezzia debenhamae (reconstructed from distorted and dirty specimen). C. Hebetula tonnoiri.

FIGURE 75. Abdominal segments 9. A. Parabezzia huberti, female, in ventral view (from Grogan & Wirth 1977a). B. Echinohelea lanei (from Wirth 1994b). C. Clinohelea bimaculata, female, in ventral view (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). D. Heteromyia wokei, male, in dorsal and ventral view (from Wirth & Grogan 1977). E. Heteromyia wokei, female, in dorsal and ventral view (from Wirth & Grogan 1977). F. Heteromyia clavata, female, in dorsal and ventral view (from Wirth & Grogan 1977). G. Pellucidomyia leei, male, in dorsal view (from Elson-Harris & Kettle 1986). H. Pellucidomyia geari, male, in ventral view (from de Meillon & Wirth 1981). I. Dibezzia debenhamae, male, in dorsal and ventral view (shagreen not shown). J. Hebetula tonnoiri, female, in dorsal view (from Elson-Harris 1987). K. Jenkinshelea albaria, male, in dorsal and ventral view (from Wirth & Grogan 1979). L. Jenkinshelea albaria, female, in dorsal and ventral view (from Wirth & Grogan 1979).

FIGURE 79. Evolution of ecdysial sutures and splits in pupal exuviae of Ceratopogonidae, head and anterior portion of thorax in ventral view. Numbers refer to character states of characters 2 and 8 in text. Red indicates ecdysial splits. A. Leptoconopinae. B. Forcipomyiinae. C. Dasyheleinae. D. Most Ceratopogonini. E. Most Ceratopogonini, Clinohelea. F. Allohelea, Atyphohelea, Parabezzia. G. Heteromyia, Pellucidomyia, Hebetula. H. most Sphaeromiini s. lat., most Palpomyiini, Paryphoconus; some Bezzia are nearly completed fused (as in Fig. 79I), with only the dorsal apotome separate, along with an ecdysial split along the base of the antenna and the dorsal thoracic split. I. Jenkinshelea, Macropeza, Mallochohelea, Probezzia, Neobezzia.