Willistoniella Mik

Ibáñez-Bernal, Sergio & Hernández-Ortiz, Vicente, 2012, The new genus Acrocephalomyia, and a new species of Ropalomera from Costa Rica, with additional records for other Mesoamerican species (Diptera: Ropalomeridae), Zootaxa 3478, pp. 553-569 : 564-565

Willistoniella Mik

Rhopalomyia Williston 1895a , 184 (preoccup. name by Rübsaamen 1892). Type-species: Ropalomera pleuropunctata Wiedemann (1824) , by monotypy.

Willistoniella Mik 1895 , 136 (nom. nov. for Rhopalomyia Williston ). Type-species: Ropalomera pleuropunctata Wiedemann (1824) , by automatic designation.

Diagnosis. Species of Willistoniella are recognized by the wide and shallow concave front which is projected anteriorly; head with 2 orbitals; ocellars, postocellars, and inner and outer verticals present; face with median carina; antenna with plumose arista; anepisternum with small spots of golden pollinosity; with 6 or more setae on dorsal margin of posterior spiracle; posterior margin of scutellum rounded with 1 marginal and 1 apical bristles; femora slender compared to other ropalomerid genera (for a complete redescription see Marques & Ale-Rocha (2005)).

Comments. Four species of Willistoniella have been described to date from southern Mexico to Bolivia and northern Argentina. From these, W. pleuropunctata (Wiedemann) , W. spatulata Marques & Ale-Rocha , and W. ulyssesi Marques & Ale-Rocha , had been recorded from Mesoamerica ( Marques & Ale-Rocha 2005). Species only can be distinguished by characteristics of the male and female terminalia (see key).

Willistoniella pleuropunctata (Wiedemann)

Ropalomera pleuropunctata Wiedemann 1824 , 18. Type-locality: “ Amer. Mer.”

Willistoniella pleuropunctata (Wiedemann) : Mik 1895, 136 (as type-species of the new name.

Diagnosis. Male abdominal sternum 5 with three long setae at each posterolateral angle; surstylus short, thin and pointed. Female abdominal tergum 7 with a V-notch at posterior margin; sternum 7 reduced and composed of two prebasal longitudinal plates (for complete redescription see Marques & Ale-Rocha 2005).

Comments. Willistoniella pleuropunctata and W. ulyssesi Coelho Marques & Ale-Rocha , both distributed from Mexico to Brazil, and are very similar species that can only recognized by small differences of male and female terminalia (see key) ( Marques & Ale-Rocha 2005).

Material examined (verbatim). 31 3, 51 Ƥ. COSTA RICA: ALAJUELA: 20 km S Upala, F.D. Parker, 11/12/ 1990, 1 3; same data: 20–26/03/1991, 1 Ƥ; 13/11/1990, 1 Ƥ; 10–19/03/1991, 1 3; 6/12/1990, 1 Ƥ ( USU). GUANACASTE: Bagaces, PN Palo Verde, Extremo E de campo aterrizaje, 0–50m, 13/ 09–06/10/1999, I. Jiménez, Malaise, LN 260952 –385020, 53501, 1 Ƥ; 12 Km SE de la Cruz, Cerro del Hacha, 300m, 00/09/1991, E. López, LN329200–368000, 1 Ƥ ( INBIO); 14 km S Cañas, F.D. Parker, 3–9/07/1988, 1 3; same data: 20–24/03/1989, 1 3; 16–22/02/1990, 1 3; 23–28/02/1990, 1 Ƥ; 1–12/03/1990, 1 3; 5–10/08/1990 ,, 1 3, 2 Ƥ; 21–25/10/1990, 2 Ƥ; 5–11/01/1991, 1 Ƥ; 11–12/06/1991, 1 Ƥ; 11–20/07/1991, 2 Ƥ; 1–10/08/1991, 3 3, 3 Ƥ; 11–20/08/1991, 1 3; S Cañas Exp. Sta., 1–8/08/1988, F.D. Parker, 6 3, 9 Ƥ; same data: 9–16/08/1988, 1 3, 1 Ƥ; 21–25/01/1989, 1 Ƥ; 25–28/02/1989, 1 Ƥ; 3 km SE R. Naranjo, 1–15/08/1993, F.D. Parker, 1 3, 3 Ƥ; same data: 1–10/08/1992, 1 Ƥ; 22–25/01/1993, 1 Ƥ; La Taboga For. Res. 9 km SW Canas, 17–27/02/1987, W.L. Rubink– Mal Tr, 1 3 ( USU). PUNTARENAS: Río Tigre, Centro Operativo El Tigre, Jardín Botánico El Tigre, 100m, 23/11/1996, A. Azofelfa, red golpeo, LS275500–529200, 44784, 1 Ƥ; Península de Osa, Rancho Quemado, 00/03/1991, F. Quesada, LS292500–511000, 2 Ƥ, 3 3; same data, 00/02/1991, LS292500–511000, 1 3; Osa, Est. Esquinas, 200m, 00/12/ 1993, M. Segura, LS301400–542200, 2536, 1 Ƥ; PN Corcovado, Est. Sirena, 0–100m, 00/06/1990, G. Maass, LS 270500 –508300, 2 3, 2 Ƥ; same locality, 00/12/1990, C. Saborio, LS 270500 –508300, 1 3; Est. San Miguel, Finca Suecos, 20m, 17/07/1997, F. Alvarado, LN175200–411600, 47844, 2 Ƥ; Est. Agujas, 300m, 4–5/11/1995, A. Azofelfa, Malaise, LS276750–526550, 6375, 1 3, 2 Ƥ ( INBIO); Nr. Palmar Sur & Hy. To Cerro, 18/08/1965, D.F. Veirs, 1 3, 2 Ƥ; Rincón de Osa, 28/07/1966, D.F. Veirs, 1 Ƥ; Osa Península, 2.5 mi SW Rincon, 0 8 42N, 83 29W, 1–7/03/1967, OTS Adv. Zoo. Course, 1 Ƥ ( USU).

PANAMA: CANAL ZONE: Barro Colorado I., 30/03/1982, W.J. Hanson, 1 3 ( USU).

MEXICO: JALISCO: Careyes, 12/ 02–19/03/1997, F.D. Parker, 1 3, 1 Ƥ ( USU). QUINTANA ROO: 7 km S Ucum, RML/Hig, 30/08/1984, W.L. Rubink, 1 Ƥ ( USU). SAN LUIS POTOSÍ: Cd. Valles, 1/08/1971, W. Davis, 1 Ƥ ( USU).