Diplonevra stuckenbergi, Disney, 2012

Disney, R. H. L., 2012, Five new species of scuttle fly (Diptera: Phoridae) from southern Africa, African Invertebrates 53 (1), pp. 113-113 : 117-118

Diplonevra stuckenbergi sp. n.

Figs 8, 9

Etymology: The species is named after Brian Stuckenberg.

Description:

Male.

Frons brown, midline length slightly longer than maximum breadth, microtrichia absent, with only 20 hairs which are situated mainly towards each side. Bristle sockets surrounded by pale spots. Supra­antennal bristles are well below antials, which are lower on frons than anterolaterals. Likewise, mediolaterals clearly lower than pre­ocellars. No bristles on cheeks, but strong pair on each jowl. Pedicel and postpedicel of antenna as in Fig. 8 , postpedicel being orange­brown with brown arista. Palps at most 0.6× as broad as postpedicel and with brown basal segment and yellow second segment, which bears 5 bristles and many fine hairs. Brown labrum about 1.2× as broad as postpedicel. Labella pale. Thorax brown and with 3 bristles on notopleuron. Scutellum with 3 bristles on one side and 2 on the other. Abdominal tergites brown, T6 being longest, with fine hairs, which are longer at rear of T6 ( Fig. 9 ). Venter brownish grey with fine hairs below segments 3–6. Hypopygium yellowish brown to yellow with pale yellow anal tube, and as in Fig. 9 . Legs with brown coxae and femora (except for tips), and mid and hind tibiae; otherwise rest of legs yellow. Front tibia with near-dorsal spine near end of first quarter followed by half a dozen differentiated hairs. Front tarsus with posterodorsal hair palisade on segments 1–5, and 1–4 somewhat thickened. Mid tibia with 2 longitudinal hair palisades, anterodorsal one being sharply deflected onto anterior face just beyond anterodorsal bristle of basal pair of bristles. Base of hind femur with crowded fine hairs only. Hind tibia with anterior bristle in basal quarter, with a series of transverse dorsal combs between two hair palisades, and row of long but fine posterodorsal hairs. Wing 4.3 mm long. Costal index 0.46. Costal ratios 4.7–4.8:1.20:1.0. Costal cilia 0.18 mm long. Sc very pale and fading away long before approaching vein 1. Long bristly hair at base of vein 3. With 4 axillary bristles all longer than costal cilia, but shorter than vein 3 hair. All veins brown. Membrane grey in basal third and more brownish grey beyond (clearly evident to the naked eye when viewed against a white background). Haltere very pale.

Holotype: ♂ MALAWI: Ntschisi [= Ntchisi] Forest Reserve [13.32°S 34.05°E], 1500 m, montane forest and woodland, 3–4.xii.1980, J. Londt & B. Stuckenberg ( NMSA, 5–108).

Figures

Figs 8, 9. Diplonevra stuckenbergi sp. n., ♂: (8) right pedicel and postpedicel of antenna (with ventral side uppermost); (9) left face of hypopygium. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.