Leucotaraxis piniperda (Malloch) Gaimari & Havill, 2021

Gaimari, Stephen D. & Havill, Nathan P., 2021, A new genus of Chamaemyiidae (Diptera: Lauxanioidea) predaceous on Adelgidae (Hemiptera), with a key to chamaemyiid species associated with Pinaceae-feeding Sternorrhyncha, Zootaxa 5067 (1), pp. 1-39 : 18-19

Leucotaraxis piniperda (Malloch) , comb. nov.

( Figs 1D , 2E–H , 3C, 3H )

ieucopis piniperda Malloch 1921: 351 . United States. Illinois: Urbana (HT ♀, INHS). References – McAlpine 1965: 709 (catalog); Cole & Schlinger 1969: 376 (note); Tanasijtshuk 2002: 203 (redescription), figs 29–30 (head), figs 31–34 (♂ genitalia). Kohler et aä. 2008: 494 (biology, as ieucopis atrifacies ); Grubin et aä. 2011: 1410 (biology); Havill et aä. 2018 (biology, population genetics); Neidermeier et aä. 2020 (biology, biological control); Dietschler et aä. 2021 (biology, biological control).

Diagnosis. The lunule, face and parafacial are either entirely silvery-grey pruinose ( Fig. 2F , eastern form), entirely brown to black pruinose ( Fig. 2H , western form), or the lunule and face are brown to black pruinose with the parafacial silvery-grey pruinose ( Fig. 2G , mixed form). The postpronotum ( Fig. 2E ) has 1 strong postpronotal seta, and no additional setulae longer than those on the scutum. In the male (see figs 31–34 in Tanasijtshuk 2002), the epandrial complex is simple, small, and yellowish- to silvery-grey pruinose, with no central epandrial process; the surstylar lobe is short and stout; the phallus ( Fig. 3C ) is very long and thin in lateral view, more than 10 X longer than its height at the middle, and is gently curved throughout to a pointed tip. In the female ( Fig. 3H ), tergite 6 enlarged and about 1.5 X wider than long, tergite 7 absent (position represented only by tiny setulae), tergite 8 longer than wide, parallel-sided, with distal end enlarged; sternites as in ieucotaraxis atrifacies ( Fig. 3F ).

fmmatures. Egg and puparium as in ieucotaraxis atrifacies .

Biology. Predators as larvae on species of Adeäges and mineus on Pinaceae ( Abies , micea, minus). Specific records (including our own rearings) include: Adeäges piceae on Abies grandis ; Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa ( Kohler et aä. 2008) ; mineus boerneri on minus densifäora; mineus coäoradensis on minus sp. (a 5-needle pine, possibly minus äambertiana) and micea engeämannii; mineus pini on minus syävestris; mineus simiäis on micea gäauca ; mineus strobi on minus strobus ( Tanasijtshuk 2002; Wantuch et aä. 2019); mineus sp. on minus syävestris. They have also been collected as adults from minus contorta and minus resinosa.

Remarks. Unfortunately, the few specimens from Oregon and Washington in the study by Kohler et aä. (2008) were misidentified as ieucopis atrifacies . After examination of the specimens from this work and from Tanasijtshuk (2002), the color of pruinosity on the lunule, face and parafacial are variable, with a distinct distributional pattern. The specimens from eastern North America ( Canada – New Brunswick, Quebec; USA – Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia) all have uniformly silvery-grey pruinosity ( Fig. 2F ), while those in western North America ( Canada – Alberta, British Columbia; USA – California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming) all have uniformly brown to black pruinosity ( Fig. 2H ). The east-west divergence is also displayed in molecular data (see Havill et aä. 2018). Only the specimens from Ontario, Canada, have a mixed state ( Fig. 2G ), with the lunule and face being brown to black pruinose with the parafacial silvery-grey pruinose. Both the male and female genitalia, as well as other external characteristics, make the identity of this species unambiguous despite this variation. The puparial stage is indistinguishable from that of ieucotaraxis atrifacies , both of which are only distinguishable from ieucotaraxis argenticoääis by the shorter posterior spiracular tubercle that is not heavily sclerotized distally, and the slightly smaller size.

Distribution. Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan). USA (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia).

Specimens examined. All specimens from Tanasijtshuk (2002) were examined, with additional specimens as follows. CANADA: ALBERTA. Seebe, 20.i.1971, ex. duff around `. com . infected m [inus]. contorta, #2670 (1 ♀, CNC). ONTARIO. Chalk River, 1.viii.1951, coll. J.M. Anderson, ex. missodes strobi (1 ♀, CNC). Ottawa, 29.vi.1994, coll. J.R. Vockeroth, ex. damp second-growther Acer -Betuäa woods (1 ♀, CNC). Sault Ste. Marie, 18. vii.1951, coll. L. Lyons, ex. red pine [= minus resinosa], No. R-70-19 (1 ♀, CNC). SASKATCHEWAN. Smeaton, 53.6181, –104.7409, 9.vi.2010, coll. N. Havill, ex. mineus on micea sp. (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT764124). USA. CALIFORNIA. El Dorado Co., Eldorado National Forest, 38.9148, –120.3904, 31.v.2010, coll. Nathan Havill, Stephen Gaimari, ex. mineus coäoradensis on minus sp. (5-needle) (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT790140). COLORADO. Boulder Co., Boulder, Flagstaff Canyon, 5800 ft., 10.vi.1961, coll. C.H. Mann, ex. on side of stream (1 ♂, CNC). Larimer Co., Zimmerman Lake trail, 40.5397, –105.8792, 27.vii.2016, coll. Nathan Havill, ex. mineus coäoradensis on micea engeämannii (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT857046). CONNECTICUT. Hartford Co., Hartford, Cedar Hill Cemetery, 41.7266, –72.6932, 5.vi.2016, coll. M.E. Montgomery, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (8 larvae [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT961079–86). New Haven Co., Hamden, Exeter Rd. & Deerfield Dr., 41.426°N 72.936°W, 16.vi.2009, coll. M.E. Montgomery, ex. reared from mineus sp. on minus syävestris, N. Havill sample 09-134, Specimen #09E471 (1 ♂ [molecular voucher], CSCA). IDAHO. Idaho Co., Warm Springs Point, 13.viii.1969, 51-488b (2 ♀, USNM). ILLINOIS. Champaign Co. Urbana, 12.vi.1967, coll. J. Appleby, ex. larvae in wax mass of pine aphid (1 ♀ with puparium, 2 ♀, USNM). Morgan Co., Meredosia, 29.v.1917 (1 ♀, INHS). MARYLAND. Baltimore Co., Baltimore, Cylburn Arboretum, 39.532, –76.653, 28.v.2008, coll. Melody Keena, ex. mineus boerneri on minus densifäora (7 larvae [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856378–84). MASSACHUSETTS. Hampshire Co., Amherst, 42.3928, –72.5323, 20.v.2018, coll. Ryan Crandall, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT996097). Worcester Co., Worcester, 42.2790, –71.7733, 12.v.2018, coll. Felicia Andre, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT996096). MICHIGAN. Benzie Co., Lake Ann, 44.7436, –85.9131, 6.xi.2018, coll. Scott Lint, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (2 puparia [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT996098–99). MINNESOTA. Beltrami Co., Bemidji, visitor center nr. Paul Bunyan statue, 47°28’13”N 94°52’43”W, 23.v.2009, coll. N. Havill, ex. old gall of Adeäges sp. on micea sp., N. Havill sample 09-123, Specimen #09E475 (1 ♂ [molecular voucher], CSCA). NEW MEXICO: San Miguel Co., Las Vegas Hot Springs, 7.viii, coll. H.S. Barber (1 ♂, USNM). NEW YORK. Cayuga Co., McIlroy Bird Sanctuary, 42.6661, –76.2834, 2.vii.2019, coll. Nicholas Dietschler, Marshall Lefebvre, Katharine O’Connor, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (1 puparium [molecular voucher], CUIC). Monroe Co., Rochester, Highland Park, 43.1278, –77.6122, 8.vii.2017, coll. Cynthia Smith, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (3 larvae, 13 puparia [molecular voucher], CUIC). Steuben Co., Addison, McCarthy Hill State Forest, 42.0975, –77.1938, 26.vii.2018, coll. Nicholas Dietschler, Marshall Bigler-Lefebvre, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus, (7 larvae, 2 puparia [molecular voucher], CUIC). Tompkins Co., Ithaca, Cornell campus, 42.4454, –76.4755, 3.vi.2016, coll. Nathan Havill, Mark Whitmore, Amalia Havill, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (12 larvae [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856925–36). Ulster Co., Woodstock, Overlook Mountain Forest, 42.0760, –74.1259, 31.v.2018, coll. Nicholas Dietschler, Marshall Bigler-Lefebvre, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (5 larvae [molecular voucher], CUIC). NORTH CAROLINA. Macon Co., Highlands, Wightman College, 10. vii.1987, coll. W.W. Wirth, ex. UV light (1 ♀, USNM). Transylvania Co., Sapphire, 20.vii.1990, coll. W.W. Wirth, ex. UV light trap(2♀,USNM). OHIO. Morgan Co., Beverly, 39.6431, –81.7060, 26.vi.2019, coll. Page Weckbacher, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (1 larva, 4 puparia [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT961088–92). Portage Co., Kent, 16.vii.1969, coll. T.P. Sluss, biological note 6914 (1 ♂, UAIC). OREGON. Benton Co., Corvallis, 12.v.1951, coll. R.G. Mitchell, ex. reared, predaceous on Adeäges piceae (1 ♂, CNC). Multnomah Co., Portland, Grant Park, 45°32.450’N 122°37.800’W, 14.iv.2006, coll. G. Kohler, ex. reared from field collected puparium on Adeäges tsugae (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA), 12.v.2006, ex. flight caught (2 ♀, CSCA). PENNSYLVANIA. Greene Co., Mt. Morris, 39.7730, –80.1475, 19.vi.2015, coll. Andrew Liebhold, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (2 larvae [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856919, ENT856697). RHODE ISLAND. Washington Co., University of Rhode Island, Kingston, 12.vi.1982, coll. R. Casagrande (1 ♂, USNM). UTAH. Davis Co., Farmington Canyon, 40.9932, –111.8186, 5.ix.2017, coll. Danielle Malesky, ex. Adeäges piceae on Abies äasiocarpa (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT996095). VIRGINIA. Fairfax Co., Alexandria, 14.vi.1952, coll. W.W. Wirth (1 ♀, USNM), 15.vi.1952 (1 ♂, USNM). Montgomery Co., Blacksburg, Coal Mining Heritage Park, 37.1870, –80.427, 18.v.2010, coll. Melissa Fischer, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus. (9 larvae [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856988–89, ENT856702–08). WASHINGTON. Clark Co., Vancouver, 45.7031, –122.6707, 21.vi.2013, coll. Darrell Ross, ex. Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa (1 larva [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856663). Island County; Camano Island, 48.1474, –122.4411, 4.iv.2017, coll. Mark Whitmore, Isis Caetano, ex. Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa (1 larva, 2 puparia [molecular voucher], CUIC). King Co., Vashon, 47°27.200’N 122°26.950’W, 22.iii.2006, coll. G. Kohler, ex. reared from field collected puparium on Adeäges tsugae (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA), S. Grubin sample L48, Specimen #10F865 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), 4.viii.2010, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa , Specimen #10F880 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA-FTC). Pierce Co., Ruston, 47°18’02.86”N 122°31’01.31”W, 22.vii.2010, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA). Tacoma, 47°16’41.02”N 122°31’01.69”W, 7.vii.2010, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex., reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa, S. Grubin sample L44 (1 ♂, CSCA), S. Grubin sample SU132 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA), 22.vii.2010 (2 ♂ with puparia, 1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA), S. Grubin sample L50 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA), S. Grubin sample SU180 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA), S. Grubin sample SU181, Specimen 10F864 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F874 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA-FTC), Specimen #10F878 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA-FTC). Tacoma, 47°16’49.80”N, 122°30’58.96”W, 24.iv.2010, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa (2 ♂ with puparia, 2 ♀ with puparia, CSCA), Specimen #10F663 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F664 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F665 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA). Tacoma, Masonic Memorial Cemetery, 1.i.2016, coll. Rachel Brooks (2 larvae [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856920–21). Tacoma, Point Defiance Park, 47.304, –122.516, 12.v.2008, coll. Michael E. Montgomery, Richard McDonald (2 adults [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856401, ENT856408). Tacoma, Point Defiance, 47°18.300’N 122°30.000’W, 9.vi.2005, coll. G. Kohler (1 ♀, CSCA). Tacoma, Point Defiance, 47°18.246’N 122°30.979’W, 25.iv.2009, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa, N. Havill sample 10-05.1, Specimen #10F135 (1 ♀ [molecular voucher], CSCA), N. Havill sample 10-05.2, Specimen #10F133 (1 ♀ [molecular voucher], CSCA), N. Havill sample 10-05.3, Specimen #10F138 (1 ♂ [molecular voucher], CSCA), N. Havill sample 10-05.4, Specimen #10F134 (1 ♀ [molecular voucher], CSCA), N. Havill sample 10-05.5, Specimen #10F137 (1 ♂ [molecular voucher], CSCA), 24.iv.2010, S. Grubin sample SP023, Specimen #10F655 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA), 5.v.2010, Specimen #10F656 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F657 (1 ♀ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F658 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA-FTC). Thurston Co., Olympia, 47°01’03.42”N, 122°54’10.50”W, 24.iv.2010, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa , Specimen #10F666 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F667 (1 ♀ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), Specimen #10F668 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA-FTC), Specimen #10F669 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA), Specimen #10F670 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA), 5.v.2010, Specimen #10F678 (1 ♀ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), 21.vi.2010, S. Grubin sample SU120, Specimen #10F868 (1 ♂ with puparium [molecular voucher], CSCA), 7.vii.2010, S. Grubin sample SU166 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA), S. Grubin sample SU162, Specimen #10F879 (1 ♂ with puparium, CSCA-FTC), 22.vii.2010 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA). Olympia, 47°00’48.30”N 122°54’18.21”W, 8.vii.2010, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared, Adeäges tsugae on Tsuga heterophyääa, S. Grubin sample L34 (1 ♀ with puparium, CSCA). Olympia, 47°02.454’N 122°54.054’W, 29.vii.2009, coll. S.M. Grubin, ex. reared from Adeäges tsugae, N. Havill sample 10-02, Specimen #10F136 (1 ♀ [molecular voucher], CSCA). Pierce, King, and Thurston Cos., 11.iv–25.v.2015, from lab colony, coll. Darrell Ross, Arielle Arsenault, (4 adults [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT791591, ENT791607, ENT791616, ENT791620). WEST VIRGINIA. Jefferson Co., Shepherdstown, U.S. Fish & Wildlife National Conservation Training Center, 39.486, –77.805, 28.v.2008, coll. Melody Keena, ex. mineus strobi on minus strobus (3 ♀ [molecular voucher], YPM; ENT856387– 89). MISC. Oregon / Washington. Cage reared on Adeäges tsugae , v–vii.2006, G. Kohler (1 ♂, 3 ♀, CSCA).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Immature stages of ieucotaraxis species. A. i. atrifacies, egg, dorsal view, posterior pole right (measure bar = 0.1 mm). B–C. i. argenticollis, puparium, dorsal view: B. habitus (measure bar = 0.2 mm); C. posterior spiracles. D. i. piniperda, puparial posterior spiracles, dorsal view.

FIGURE 2. ieucotaraxis species. A–B. i. argenticollis: A. head and thorax, lateral view; B. head, anterior view. C–D. i. atrifacies: C. head and anterior thorax, lateral view; D. head, anterior view. E–H. i. piniperda: E. head and thorax, lateral view; F–H. heads, anterior view: F. eastern form; G. mixed form; H. western form.

FIGURE 3. Terminalia of ieucotaraxis species. A–C. Male, phallus, oriented with distal part right (measure bar = 0.1 mm): A. i. argenticollis; B. i. atrifacies; C. i. piniperda. D–H. Female, terminalia. D–E. i. argenticollis: D. ventral view; E. dorsal view. F–G. i. atrifacies: F. ventral view; G. dorsal view. H. i. piniperda, dorsal view. Numbers to the left indicate segments (D, F are sternites; E, G, H are tergites).