Sigmoleia melanoxantha Edwards

Jaschhof, Mathias & Kallweit, Uwe, 2009, The Cycloneura Marshall group of genera in New Zealand (Diptera: Mycetophilidae: Leiini), Zootaxa 2090, pp. 1-39 : 11-12

Sigmoleia melanoxantha Edwards in Tonnoir & Edwards 1927

( Figs 3, 4 , 14 , 55–62)

Tonnoir & Edwards 1927: 827 (description both sexes), plt. 61, fig. 65 (photo wing). Holotype. Sex unknown, Ohakune [Taupo, North Island], in May/ July 1923, T.R. Harris leg. In NHM (specimen not seen).

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the strongly sinuous M1 of which the basal portion runs almost parallel to M2 ( Fig. 14 ). For a similar species, see below S. similis .

Redescription. Male. Head. Nodes of antennal flagellomeres 1.5–2.1 times as long as wide (Figs 60, 61). Apical segment of maxillary palpus as long as, or slightly longer than, preceding segment (Fig. 59).

Wing. Fig. 14 . Length 1.6–3.0 mm. C almost reaching to wing apex. M-stem little shorter than M2. Outline of M1 variable, in large specimens more sinuous than in small specimens. Ventral setae on R1, R5, ta, and tb.

Terminalia. Sclerotized portions of tergite 9 interconnected by narrow sclerotized bridge; apical margin emarginate mesally (Fig. 57). Basal portion of gonocoxites large and setose; ventrolateral processes about as long as basal portion, curved mesally (Fig. 55). Stalk of gonostylus bulging, with large setae (Fig. 57). Tegmen apex narrow, rounded (Fig. 58).

Female. Head. Nodes of antennal flagellomeres 1.8–1.9 times as long as wide (Fig. 62).

Wing. Length 3.0 mm.

Distribution and phenology. Endemic to NZ: NO (ND, TO, WN), SO (NN, BR, KA, OL, WD, SL). Widespread in both the main islands. Adults captured abundantly in forests of beeches, podocarps, kauris as well as mixed forests, and in tussock grassland adjacent to woodland, up to an altitude of 800 m above sea level. Adult activity throughout the year.

Material studied. NO. ND: 3* males, 5 (3*) females, Waipoua F., along S. H. 12, 24 July –17 Aug. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; TO: 7 males, Pureora F., Waipapa Res., 3 Nov. 1983, J. Hutcheson; WN: 1 male, Tararua F. P., Blue Range Hut Track 10 km SW Mt Bruce, 2 Feb. 2002, M. Jaschhof. SO. NN: 28 males, 2 females, Kahurangi N. P., Takaka R. valley (Cobb dam road), 31 Aug.–7 Oct. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; BR: 76 (4*) males, 4 females, Maruia F., Shenandoah Saddle, 9 Oct.–25 Nov. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 1 male, same locality but 25 Dec. 2001, M. Jaschhof & U. Kallweit; 17 males, 2 females, 5 km W Maruia Springs, 26 Nov.–25 Dec. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 10 males, L. Daniells Track 7 km E Springs Junction, 24 Nov.–26 Dec. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 2 males, 1 female, Lewis Pass, 26 Nov.–25 Dec. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; 23 (7*) males, Ahaura, Granville S. F., Dec. 1994, J. Hutcheson; 1 male, Paparoa N. P., 5 km E Punakaiki, Inland Pack Track, 30 Sept.–5 Nov. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; KA: 2 males, Blue Duck Sc. Res., 12 May–9 June 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; OL: 6 males, 1 female, Fiordland N. P., Hollyford R. valley, S Divide Creek, 6–24 Jan. 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof; 6 males, 2 females, Moraine Creek Track, 5–24 Jan. 2001; M. & C. Jaschhof; 12 males, 7 females, Eglinton R. valley, Deer Flat, 4–24 Jan. 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof; WD: 1 male, Westland N.P., SE Gillespies Beach, 14 Oct.–21 Nov. 2001, M. & C. Jaschhof; SL: 3 (1*) males, Catlins, Purakaunui Scenic Res., 27 Jan.–5 March 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof; 25 males, 3 females, Catlins Coastal Rain F. P., Catlins R. valley, 27 Jan.–5 March 2002, M. & C. Jaschhof.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. Specimens in lateral view. 1: Paradoxa fusca Marshall, male. 2: Paradoxa fusca Marshall, female. 3: Sigmoleia melanoxantha Edwards, male. 4: Sigmoleia melanoxantha Edwards, female.

FIGURES 13 – 18. Wings. 13: Paradoxa fusca Marshall, dorsal view. 14: Sigmoleia melanoxantha Edwards, ventral view. 15: Sigmoleia similis sp. n., ventral view. 16: Sigmoleia separata sp. n., dorsal view. 17: Sigmoleia peterjohnsi sp. n., vental view. 18: Cycloneura triangulata Tonnoir, ventral view.