Sarcophaga (Robackina) triplasia Wulp

Giroux, Marjolaine & Wheeler, Terry A., 2010, Systematics of Bulbostyla, a new subgenus of Sarcophaga Meigen, and change of status for Robackina Lopes (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Zootaxa 2553, pp. 35-59 : 53-58

Sarcophaga (Robackina) triplasia Wulp

( Figs. 59–71 )

Sarcophaga triplasia Wulp 1895: 269 ; Wulp 1896: 283.

Sarcophaga fulvipes nigra Parker 1914: 38 (junior secondary homonym of Myophora nigra Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 ).

Sarcophaga fulvipes: Aldrich (1916: 182) and Roback (1954: 70) (misidentification). Sarcophaga fulvipes dissidia: Parker (1917: 157) (replacement name for Sarcophaga fulvipes nigra ). Robackina triplasia : Lopes (1975: 161; 1980: 229).

Sarcophaga (Neobellieria) triplasia: Pape (1996: 367) .

Type material: lectotype (by present designation): ɗ labelled ‘syntype’; ‘co-type ’; ‘Amula / Guerrero / 6000 ft. / Aug. H.H. Smith’; ‘B.C.A. Dipt. II / Sarcophaga / triplasia / ɗ vdW.’; ‘Central America. / Pres. by / F. D. Godman / O. Salvin / 1903–172.’; ‘ Lectotype / Sarcophaga / triplasia Wulp / des. Giroux & Wheeler’ ( BMNH); Paralectotypes: 3Ψ same data as lectotype except ‘Ψ vdW’ ( BMNH) (see remarks). Type material of Sarcophaga fulvipes nigra : holotype [as inferred from Parker’s (1917) statement about a single specimen]: ɗ labelled ‘Niagara Falls / June 24 NY’; ‘Type’; ‘ Type / 7770’; ‘ Sarcophaga ɗ / fulvipes / dissidia R. Pkr. / det. R. R. Parker’; ‘may become / S. dissidia (RPkr.) ’; ‘collection / C. W. Johnson’ ( MCZ).

Other material examined: CANADA: Ontario: St-Lawrence Islands Nat. Park, Camelot Island, 10.viii.1976 (1ɗ, 1Ψ, CNC); same data except Thwartway Isl., 29.vi.1976 (1ɗ, CNC); same data except 5– 23.viii.1976 (6ɗ, 4Ψ, CNC); Frontenac Co., Perth Road, 25.vii.1957 (1ɗ, CNC); same data except 4.viii.1970 (1Ψ, ROM); Renfrew Co., Calabogie, roadside, 27.vi.1978 (1Ψ, ROM); same data except abandoned road, 15.vi.1978 (1ɗ, ROM); same data except on Salix leaves, 14.vi.1978 (1Ψ, ROM); Leeds Co., Chaffeys Locks, 26–27.vi.1969 (1ɗ, 1Ψ, ROM); same data except 03–30.vii.1969 (4ɗ, 2Ψ, ROM); Leeds Co., 8 mi. N.Westport, on Co. road 10, plants by roadside, 13.viii.1978 (1ɗ, ROM); Georgian Bay Islands Nat. Pk., 5.ix.1983 (1Ψ, DEBU); Québec: Mont St-Hilaire, 25.vi–2.vii.2001 (1Ψ, LEM); Old Chelsea, King Mt., 16.vi.1961 (1ɗ, CNC); same data except 13.viii.1969 (1ɗ, CNC); same data except 22.vii.1970 (1ɗ, CNC); Mount Rigaud, 800', 11.vi.1981 (3ɗ, CNC); same data except 25.ix.1985 (1ɗ, CNC); same data except 16.viii.2005 (4ɗ, LEM); USA: Arizona: Pima Co., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mts., 6.vii.1958, 5000' (1ɗ, 1Ψ, CNC); Arkansas: Washington Co. 27.v.1928 (1Ψ, USNM); Florida: Sanford, 8.viii.1939 (1Ψ, CNC); Wildwood, 2.viii.1930 (1ɗ, CNC); Palm Beach Co., 14.ix.1952 (1ɗ, USNM); St. Augustine (1ɗ, USNM, 1ɗ, MCZ, 1ɗ, CNC); same data except 16.iv.1919 (1Ψ, MCZ); Branford, 31.vii.1930 (1Ψ, CNC); Georgia: Towns Co./White Co., Chattahouchee National Forest, summit of Tray Mountain (34º 47'N. 83º40'W), 4430', 26.v.2000, 11AM to 3PM (23ɗ, GD); Union White/Lumpkin Co's, summit of Cowrock Mountain (34º 43'N. 83º51'W), 3841', 25.v.2000, 11AM to 12:30PM (35ɗ, GD); Rabun Co., summit of Rabun Bald (34º 58'N. 83º18'W), 4696', 22.v.2000, 10AM to 1PM (7ɗ, GD); Rabun Bald, 12.vii.1952 (1ɗ, GD); same data except 24.viii.1949 (1ɗ, USNM); Tray Mountain, 19.vi.1936 (1ɗ, USNM); Indiana: Orange Co., Pioneer Mothers Memorial Forest, 12.vii.1989 (1ɗ, DEBU); Cobb Co., Kennesaw Mt. Nat. Battlefield Pk, summit of Kennesaw Mountain (33º 58'N. 84º34'W), 1808', 21.v.2000, 12:30PM to 1:30PM (2ɗ, GD); Iowa: Boone Co, Ledges St. Pk. 25.ix.1950 (1Ψ, GD) same data except 8.vii.1950 (1ɗ, 3Ψ, GD); Kentucky: Marion Co., Rohan Knob, 19.v.1985 (31ɗ, GD); Louisiana: Opelousas, iii.1997 (1ɗ, FMNH); Maryland: Beltsville, 06.viii.1916 (1ɗ, USNM); Laurel, 4.vi.1967 (1ɗ, USNM); same data except 1.vi.1965, Malaise trap (1Ψ, CNC); Plummers Island, 20.ix.1917 (1ɗ, USNM); Mississippi: Lafayette Co., spring 1943 (2ɗ, CNC); Missouri: Pilot Knob, Pilot Knob Mt. nr., 21–22.viii.1967 (4ɗ, GD); Reynolds Co., Johnson's Shut-ins St. Pk., 11.vi.1968 (2ɗ, GD); New Mexico: Bernalillo Co., 7 mi. S. Tijeras, 7400', 23–26.viii.1975, ponderosa pine-pinyon-juniper wood (1Ψ, FMNH); New York: Bear Mountain, 2.viii.1925 (1Ψ, FMNH); same data except 21.vi.1925 (1ɗ, USNM); same data except 18.v.1941 (1Ψ, USNM); Jefferson Co., Butterfield, 2.viii.1970 (1ɗ, ROM); Tuxedo, 29.vii.1912 (1ɗ, USNM); North Carolina: Otto, Cunningham Cr., Coweeta Hyd. Lab., 17.v.1961 (1ɗ, CNC); Base of Wayah Bald, 10.viii.1957 (1ɗ, CNC); Burke Co., Pisgah National Forest, summit of Hawksbill Mt., 4020', 16.viii.1999, 12h30 to 14h30 (11ɗ, GD); same data except 27.v.1999 (4ɗ, GD); Ohio: Sugar Grove, 8.vi.1926 (1ɗ, USNM); same data except 10.vi.1928 (1Ψ, USNM); Pennsylvania: Schuylkill Co., Auburn, 9.viii.1993 (1ɗ, DEBU); Inglenook, 3.vii.1917 (1ɗ, USNM); South Carolina: Clemson, 26.v.1962 (1ɗ, USNM); Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains Nat. Pk.. Ramsey Cascades, 12.vi.1946 (1ɗ, USNM); same data except Chimneys camp, 11vi.1946 (1ɗ, USNM); same data except Chimneys, 20.vi.1941 (1Ψ, USNM); Texas: Menard, 1929 (2ɗ, USNM); Sonora, 22.ix.1920 (1ɗ, USNM); Jeff Davis Co., Davis Mts St. Pk., 23.viii.1968 (1ɗ, GD); Sheffield, 10.vi.1949 (2ɗ, CNC); Big Bend Nat. Pk., Dugout Wells, 3000', 13.v.1959 (1ɗ, CNC); Chisos Mts. 17.vii.1936 (1Ψ, CNC); Virginia: Hardy Co., Lost River St. Pk., 1–14.viii.1960 (1ɗ, USNM); Augusta Co., George Washington N. F. Great North Mt., at ridge line, 2600' (38º 5'1"N, 79º26'2"W), 11.vii.2001 (1ɗ, CNC); Shenandoah, Big Meadows, 15.vi.1941 (1ɗ, USNM); same data except Lewis Falls, vii.1939 (1ɗ, USNM); Cacapon St. Pk, 31.viii.1955 (1ɗ, USNM); MEXICO: Durango: 5–25 mi W. Durango, between 6500' and 7200', 14.vi–10.viii.1964 (17ɗ, 3Ψ, CNC); same data except 10 mi W. El Salto, 9000' (1Ψ, CNC); 20 mi. E. Concordia, 3000', 8.viii.1964 (1ɗ, CNC); Nuevo Leon: Mamulique Pass 2km NE on microwave road, 17–18.vi.1982, dry wash, 2000' (1ɗ, 2Ψ, GD).

Description (male): body length 7.5–16.0 mm.

Head: 8–12 pairs of medioclinate frontal setae, usually 3–6 pairs of weak interfrontal setae, posterior ones longer and stronger. Genal setae black, postgena with white setae. Middle of arista usually light brown. Palpus sometimes yellow, clavate.

Thorax: scutellum with 1 short apical (sometimes weak), 1 strong and long subapical, 1 basal and 1 moderately long discal pair of setae. Usually 2 katepisternal setae, if 3 then middle one usually smaller than others.

Wing: Lateral margin of alula with fringe of dark hairs as long as those on anterior margin of anal lobe. Posterior margin of upper calypter with short white hairs. Hairs fringing calypters at fold long, whitish, sometimes golden-brown, extending to distal margin of lower calypter.

Legs: tibiae and femora yellow to black, tibiae often paler than femora and femora sometimes with a rounded dark area anteriorly and posteriorly at apex. All femora and tibiae except fore tibia usually with moderately long to long, wavy anteroventral, ventral and posteroventral hairs (denser on hind legs). Hind femur sometimes moderately swollen (see Remarks).

Abdomen: usually 1 pair of median marginal setae on tergite 4. Posterior margin of tergite 5 usually partly orange-reddish and with marginal row of strong setae.

Terminalia: cercal prong black on distal half. Vesica with small teeth on apical margin. Harpes not fused to phallic tube. Lateral stylus with numerous microserrations on exterior margins and long slender hook laterally. Median stylus forming two very long tubular processes.

Female: body length 8.0–12.0 mm. Differs from male as follows:

Head: pedicel sometimes yellow.

Thorax: apical scutellar setae absent. Usually 3 katepisternal setae, middle one smaller than others.

Legs: hind femur never swollen and with second row of anterodorsal setae on proximal half or third usually missing or reduced. Hind tibia sometimes with a third anteroventral setae.

Abdomen: posterior margin of sternite 2 usually with 3–4 strong bristles. Posterior margin of sternite 3 sometimes with few strong bristles.

Terminalia: tergite 6 well developed and forming two distinct plates separated dorsally by a secondarily sclerotized membrane, plates clasp-like and usually covering other genital sclerites. Sternite 6 concave and covered with small setae on distal half. Sternite 7 flattened, rounded with row of short setae on posterior margin. Sternite 8 reduced. Sternite 10 membranous and with row of short setae on posterior margin ( Fig. 63 ).

Remarks: Wulp (1896) based his description on four syntypes, a male and three females. Neither Aldrich (1916, 1930) nor Lopes (1975) designated a lectotype although Aldrich (1930) noted that one of the female syntypes is not conspecific with the others. Accordingly, the male syntype is here designated as lectotype to fix the identity of Sarcophaga triplasia . The male terminalia (except sternite 5) is glued on the second label of the lectotype and the left hind leg is glued on the third label. The three female syntypes have been labelled as paralectotypes but the identification has been confirmed for only two of them. The third female was not examined. The holotype of Sarcophaga fulvipes nigra has been examined and it is conspecific with the lectotype of Sarcophaga triplasia .

There is geographic variation in the shape and chaetotaxy of the hind femur and tibia ( Figs. 68–71 ). Specimens from Durango, Mexico and Menard, Sheffield and Sonora, Texas have long, dense, wavy anteroventral, ventral and posteroventral hairs on all legs (except fore tibia). The hind femur is strongly swollen and the hind tibia strongly curved. The second row of anterodorsal setae is absent on specimens from Durango, Sheffield and Menard ( Figs. 69, 71 ) but present on a specimen from Sonora ( Fig. 70 ). The two anteroventral setae of the hind tibia are absent in specimens from Durango ( Fig. 69 ) and one is present on specimens from Texas ( Figs. 70–71 ). Specimens from Durango also have a dense pad of relatively strong, short ventral and posteroventral setae on the hind trochanter. There are intermediates between the most extreme type ( Fig. 69 ) and the typical Nearctic form ( Fig. 68 ) and the specimens do not differ in other characters.

Figures

FIGURES 59 – 63. Sarcophaga (Robackina) triplasia. 59. Phallus and hypandrial complex, left lateral. 60. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, lateral. 61. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, posterior. 62. Male sternite 5, ventral. 63. Female terminalia, posteroventral. Scale bar = 0.3 mm (Fig. 59), 0.5 mm (Figs. 60 – 63). Abbreviations: cerc, cerci; har, harpes; hyp, hypandrium; jux, juxta; ls, lateral stylus; ms, median stylus; ph, phallic tube; pog, postgonite; prg, pregonite; spr, spiracle; st, sternite; tg, tergite; ves, vesica.

FIGURES 64 – 67. Sarcophaga (Robackina) triplasia. 64. Acrophallus, lateral. 65. Acrophallus, anterior. 66. Acrophallus, posterior. 67. Female terminalia, posterior. Abbreviations: jux, juxta; ls, lateral stylus; ms, median stylus; ph, phallic tube; tg, tergite; ves, vesica.

FIGURES 68 – 71. Geographic variation in hind femur and tibia of Sarcophaga (Robackina) triplasia. 68. Typical Nearctic form. 69. Specimen from Durango, Mexico. 70. Specimen from Sonora, Texas. 71. Specimen from Sheffield, Texas. Scale bar = 1.5 mm.