Schinus mollis, Brake, 2009

Brake, Irina, 2009, Revision of Milichiella Giglio-Tos (Diptera, Milichiidae) 2188, Zootaxa 2188 (1), pp. 1-166 : 94-100

mollis -group

Species in the mollis -group are characterized by the combination of posterior orbital seta absent, ocellar triangle and orbital plates brown microtomentose, mesonotum brown microtomentose and usually with few acrostical setulae, 3+1 dc, 1 pprn, more than 1 prs, calypter margin brown, S5 between sickle moon and roundish shape, posterior margin not round but more straight with slight angle, with long setae, surstylus as long or longer than epandrium high, narrow, tip with preapical posterior edentations.

Distribution: Australia.

Milichiella badia Brake , sp. n. (Pl. 16A, D)

Diagnosis. Differs from congeners in the combination of brown wing, brown microtomentose male T2, and red brown microtomentose T3–5 except for brown tip and lateral sides of T5.

Description. Body length: 3.0 mm; wing length: 3.0 mm. Male coloration and vestiture: frons brown, ocellar triangle and orbital plates brown microtomentose, lunule brown, basoflagellomere black, face grey microtomentose, palpus black; thorax with mesonotum dark brown microtomentose, scutellum same, pleuron lighter, more greyish microtomentose in some lights, wing brown, more strongly on anterior half, veins brown, brown spot at apex of vein R1 weak, calypter brown with dark margin, halter black, legs black; abdomen with T2 brown microtomentose, T3–5 red brown microtomentose except for brown tip and lateral sides of T5.

Pl. 16: A–C. Male genitalia, lateral view. A. Milichiella badia, HT ; B. M. booloombae, HT ; C. M. mollis . D–F. Male sternite 4–5. D. M. badia, HT ; E. M. booloombae, HT ; F. M. mollis . Scale bar: 0.1.

Head: frons with 2 orbital and 2(+0.8) frontal setae, middle frontal seta medioclinate. In males frons 1.9x as wide at posterior margin than at base of antenna, arista about 4.4x as long as basoflagellomere width, pubescence on arista very short, posterior eye margin without notch but emargination (3om).

Thorax: 3+1 dc, 3+1 prsc, 1 pprn, 1+0.7+row prs, 2+0.8 keps setae, posterior prsc about as long as posterior dc, seta between posterior prsc and posterior dc absent. Wing with veins R 4+5 and M convergent (2.7); Mratio is 1.9. Fore femur slightly more densely setulose, tibial organ absent.

Male abdomen: posteromedial triangular projection of T1 into T2 weak. Tergal chaetotaxy: T2 anterolateral corner with more than 3 lines of setae, T2–5 setulose. S5 1.2 x as long as wide, less than 2.4x as long and 3.4x as wide as S4, strongly setulose (Pl. 16D). Male genitalia with apical seta on cercus about as long as longest epandrial seta, 1 seta on subepandrial plate, surstylus 1.0x as long as epandrium high, bent posteriorly, dilated apically (1.6x), preapical posterior margin slightly rugged, 8.5x as long as wide, structure of lateral surface smooth, medial surface with long setulae along anterior margin (Pl. 16A).

Special characters: all setulae long; mesonotum with only few setulae; mid femur with some long setae antero- and posteroventrally in male, but not conspicuous; T 2 in male short, T3 on median line about 10x as long as T2.

Holotype, ♂: AUSTRALIA. New South Wales: Lord Howe I., Ned’s Beach (31°33'0"S 159°4'59.88"E), 1–31.xii.1972, Liepa ( ANIC, 3218063), in good condition, abdomen dissected.

Distribution. Australia (New South Wales).

Etymology. The species name, badia , is an adjective derived from the Latin badius = reddish brown and refers to the colour of male T3–5.

Milichiella booloombae Brake , sp. n. (Pl. 16B, E)

Diagnosis. Differs from congeners in the combination of dark brown mesonotum, 3+1 dc, and male T2–5 silvery microtomentose except for brown microtomentose anterior third and middle of T2 and posterior half of T5.

Description. Body length: 3.2 mm; wing length: 3.3 mm. Male coloration and vestiture: frons brown, ocellar triangle and orbital plates brown microtomentose, lunule brown, basoflagellomere black, face greyish microtomentose, palpus black; thorax with mesonotum dark brown microtomentose, scutellum and pleuron same, wing hyaline, veins brown, brown spot at apex of vein R1 weak, calypter hyaline with brown margin, halter black, legs black; abdomen with T2–5 silvery microtomentose except for brown microtomentose anterior third and middle of T2 and posterior half of T5.

Head: frons with 2 orbital and 2 frontal setae, anterior frontal seta medioreclinate. In males frons 2.3x as wide at posterior margin than at base of antenna, arista about 5.7x as long as basoflagellomere width, pubescence on arista very short, posterior eye margin with wide notch (6om) and slight emargination (1om).

Thorax: 3+1 dc, 4+1 prsc, 1 pprn, 1+0.7+row prs, 2+0.8 keps setae, posterior prsc about as long as posterior dc, seta between posterior prsc and posterior dc present. Wing with veins R 4+5 and M weakly convergent (1.7); M-ratio is 2.3. Fore femur slightly more densely setulose, tibial organ absent.

Male abdomen: posteromedial triangular projection of T1 into T2 present. Tergal chaetotaxy: T2 anterolateral corner with more than 3 lines of setae, T2+T5 posterior half setulose, T3–4 posterior margin with 2 rows of setulae. S5 1.1 x as long as wide, 1.5x as long and 2.1x as wide as S4, posterior margin indented, long and strongly setulose (Pl. 16E). Male genitalia with apical seta on cercus slightly longer than epandrial setae, 1 seta on subepandrial plate, surstylus 1.1x as long as epandrium high, bent posteriorly, dilated apically (1.3x), with small edentation at posterior base of dilation, 9.4x as long as wide, structure of lateral surface smooth, medial surface with long setulae along anterior margin (Pl. 16B).

Special characters: all setulae long; mesonotum with only few setulae; mid femur with long setae antero- and posteroventrally in male. Holotype, ♂: AUSTRALIA. Queensland: Conondale Ra. Booloomba Creek (26°44'S, 152°43'E), 1–3.xii.1985, Cassis & Bickel (ANIC, 3218065), in good condition, abdomen dissected. Distribution. Australia (Queensland). Etymology. The species name, booloombae , is a genitive noun derived from the type locality. Remarks. Milichiella booloombae has been collected in rainforest.

Milichiella cooloolae Brake , sp. n. (Pl. 17B, F)

Diagnosis. Differs from congeners in the combination of dark brown mesonotum, 3+1 dc, and male T2–5 black microtomentose except for silvery broad lateral sides of T2, and anterior part and lateral sides of T3–5.

Description. Body length: 3.2 mm; wing length: 3.2 mm. Male coloration and vestiture: frons brown, ocellar triangle and orbital plates brown microtomentose, lunule brown, basoflagellomere black, face grey microtomentose, palpus black; thorax with mesonotum dark brown microtomentose, scutellum same, pleuron more greyish microtomentose in some lights, wing hyaline, veins brown, brown spot at apex of vein R1 weak, calypter hyaline with brown margin, halter black, legs black; abdomen with T2–5 black microtomentose except for silvery broad lateral sides of T2, and anterior part and lateral sides of T3–5.

Head: frons with 2 orbital and 2 frontal setae, anterior frontal seta medioclinate. In males frons 2.0x as wide at posterior margin than at base of antenna, arista about 4.7x as long as basoflagellomere width, pubescence on arista very short, posterior eye margin with wide notch (6om) and slight emargination (1–2om).

Thorax: 3+1 dc, 3+1? prsc, 1 pprn, 1+0.7 prs and row of short setae, 2+0.8 keps setae, posterior prsc about as long as posterior dc, seta between posterior prsc and posterior dc present. Wing with veins R 4+5 and M weakly convergent (1.8); M-ratio is 2.5. Fore femur densely setulose, tibial organ absent.

Male abdomen: posteromedial triangular projection of T1 into T2 present. Tergal chaetotaxy: T2 anterolateral corner with more than 3 lines of setae, T2–5 setulose on posterior half, even on silvery parts. S5 at least 0.9x as long as wide, at least 1.3x as long and 2.1x as wide as S4, posterior margin indented, strongly setulose (Pl. 17F). Male genitalia with apical seta on cercus longer than epandrial setae, cercus strongly setulose, 1 seta on subepandrial plate, surstylus 1.3x as long as epandrium high, bent posteriorly, dilated apically(1.6x) with small hook at posterior base of dilation, 9.8x as long as wide, structure of lateral surface smooth, medial surface with long setulae along anterior margin (Pl. 17B).

Special characters: all setulae long; mesonotum with only few setulae; mid femur with long setae antero- and posteroventrally in male.

Holotype, ♂: AUSTRALIA. Queensland: Cooloola (26°4'59.88"S 153°0'0"E), 31.viii.1978, Common ( ANIC, 3218064), in good condition, abdomen dissected.

Distribution. Australia (Queensland).

Etymology. The species name, cooloolae , is a genitive noun derived from the type locality.

Milichiella mollis Brake , sp. n. (Pl. 16C, F)

Diagnosis. Differs from congeners in the combination of dark brown mesonotum and male T1–2 brown microtomentose, T3–5 silvery microtomentose except for brown posterolateral corner of T5.

Description. Body length: 2.5–3.2 mm; wing length: 2.8–3.6 mm. Male coloration and vestiture: frons brown, ocellar triangle and orbital plates brown microtomentose, lunule dark brown, basoflagellomere black, face silvery microtomentose, palpus black; thorax with mesonotum dark brown microtomentose, scutellum same, pleuron more greyish microtomentose, wing hyaline, veins brown, brown spot at apex of vein R1 weak, calypter light brown with brown margin, halter black, legs black, fore and hind tarsus with dark brown brush; abdomen with T1–2 brown microtomentose, T3–5 silvery microtomentose except for brown posterolateral corner of T5.

Head: frons with 2 orbital and 2 frontal setae, anterior frontal seta medioclinate. In males frons 1.9x as wide at posterior margin than at base of antenna, arista about 4.7x as long as basoflagellomere width, pubescence on arista very short, posterior eye margin without notch but emargination (4om).

Thorax: 3+1 dc, 4+1 prsc, 1 pprn, 1+0.7 prs and row of short setae, 1+0.7+0.7 keps setae, posterior prsc about as long as posterior dc, seta between posterior prsc and posterior dc absent. Wing with veins R 4+5 and M convergent (2.6); M-ratio is 2.3. Fore femur densely setulose, tibial organ absent.

Male abdomen: posteromedial triangular projection of T1 into T2 present. Tergal chaetotaxy: T2 anterolateral corner with more than 3 lines of setae, T2 with hairs at posterior margin, T3–4 with very scarce setulae at posterior margin, T5 with setulae at posterior margin and lateral sides;. S5 1.3 x as long as wide, 2.1x as long and 2.6x as wide as S4, strongly setulose (Pl. 16F). Male genitalia with apical seta on cercus longer than epandrial setae, 1 seta on subepandrial plate, surstylus 1.0x as long as epandrium high, bent posteriorly, dilated apically (1.6x), with small edentation at posterior base of dilation, 7.5x as long as wide, structure of lateral surface smooth, medial surface with long setulae along anterior margin (Pl. 16C).

Special characters: all setulae long; mesonotum with only few setulae; mid femur with long setae antero- and posteroventrally in male; T 2 in male short, T3 on median line about 6–7x as long as T2, silvery microtomentum very long.

Holotype, ♂: AUSTRALIA. New South Wales: Austinmer (34°18'S, 150°55'E), 17.x.1998, Britton ( AMS, 3218067; K 232531), in good condition.

Paratypes: AUSTRALIA. New South Wales: Iluka, Clarence River (29°24'S, 153°21'E), 19.i.1971, McAlpine (2 ♂ AMS, BMNH, 3218069–70); Upper Allyn River , 457 m (32°33'0"S 151°34'.12"E), 9.ii.1961, Common & Upton (♂ ANIC, 3218072) . Queensland: Lake Placid, near Cairns (16°53'S, 145°46'E), 2.i.1959, McAlpine (♂ AMS, 3218071); Middle Claudie River , Iron Range (12°43'S, 143°17'E), 29.ix.1974, Daniels (♂ AMS, 3218068) .

Material of questionable identity: AUSTRALIA. Queensland: Claudie River, near Mount Lamond (12°45'S, 143°17'E), 5.vi.1966, McAlpine (♀ AMS, 3218074); Kuranda Range State Forest , Black Mountain Road , 7–8 m (16°49'.12" S 145°39'0" E), 20.iv.1967, Colless (♀ ANIC, 3218073) .

Distribution. Australia (New South Wales, Queensland).

Remarks. There are two females from Queensland that might belong to this species. They differ from males in the following characters: posterior eye margin gradually separating from head margin ventrally; mesonotum brown microtomentose except for yellow grey posterior third, scutellum brown microtomentose, pleuron more greyish microtomentose; halter yellow; T2–5 brown microtomentose.

Etymology. The species name, mollis , is derived from the Latin mollis = soft and refers to the soft looking, velvety brown microtomentum on the male mesonotum.

Milichiella multisetae Brake , sp. n. (Pl. 17A, E)

Diagnosis. Differs from congeners in the combination of subshiny black frons, brown microtomentose male T2, and red brown microtomentose T3–5 except for brown tip and lateral sides of T5.

Description. Body length: 4.7 mm; wing length: 4.8 mm. Male coloration and vestiture: frons subshiny black, ocellar triangle and orbital plates brown microtomentose, lunule brown, basoflagellomere black, face grey microtomentose, palpus black; thorax with mesonotum brown microtomentose, scutellum and pleuron same except for big shiny spot on an- and katepisternum, wing anterior margin apical of sc brown, brown spot at apex of vein R1 weak, calypter hyaline with brown margin, halter black, legs black; abdomen with T2 brown microtomentose, T3–5 red brown microtomentose except for brown tip and lateral sides of T5.

Pl. 17: A–C. Male genitalia, lateral view. A. Milichiella multisetae, HT ; B. M. cooloolae, HT ; C. M. velutina . D. M. velutina , surstylus. E–G. Male sternite 4–5. E. M. multisetae, HT ; F. M. cooloolae, HT ; G. M. velutina . Scale bar: 0.1.

Head: frons with 2 orbital and 2 frontal setae, anterior frontal seta medioclinate. In males frons 1.9x as wide at posterior margin than at base of antenna, arista about 5.7x as long as basoflagellomere width, pubescence on arista very short, posterior eye margin with notch (5om) and slight emargination (1om).

Thorax: 3+1 dc, 1 prsc, 1 pprn, 1+0.8+0.6 prs, 2+0.8+0.7 keps setae, posterior prsc about as long as posterior dc, seta between posterior prsc and posterior dc present. Wing with veins R 4+5 and M weakly convergent (1.6); M-ratio is 1.9. Fore femur slightly more densely setulose, tibial organ absent.

Male abdomen: posteromedial triangular projection of T1 into T2 present. Tergal chaetotaxy: T2 anterolateral corner with more than 3 lines of setae, T2–5 posterior half setulose. S5 1.2 x as long as wide, 1.5x as long and 2.1x as wide as S4, extremely setulose (Pl. 17E). Male genitalia with apical seta on cercus as long or longer than epandrial setae, cercus strongly setulose, 1 seta on subepandrial plate, surstylus 1.2x as long as epandrium high, slightly bent posteriorly, slightly dilated apically (1.2x), 7.8x as long as wide, posteroapical margin slightly serrate, structure of lateral surface smooth, medial surface with long setulae along anterior margin (Pl. 17A).

Holotype, ♂: PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Western Highlands: Baiyer River (5°33'0"S 144°7'.12"E), 24.viii.1970, Norris ( ANIC, 3218066), in good condition, abdomen dissected.

Distribution. New Guinea.

Etymology. The species name, multisetae , is an adjective derived from the Latin multus = many and seta = bristle, referring to the strongly setulose sternites of the male.