Camptomyia hedmarki, Jaschhof & Jaschhof, 2019

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2019, New and rarely found species of asynaptine Porricondylinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in northern Europe, Zootaxa 4604 (2), pp. 281-300 : 289-290

Camptomyia hedmarki sp. nov.

Figs 5–9

Diagnosis. This new Camptomyia is a member of the corticalis group, as attested by the gonostylus, which is conspicuously long and slender ( Fig. 5 ); the gonocoxal synsclerite, which is markedly broader than long ( Fig. 5 ); and the ventral parameres, which are reduced to short, slightly sclerotized processes situated posteriorly on the insides of the dorsal parameres ( Fig. 9 ). The enormous extension of gonostyli and gonocoxae distinguishes C. hedmarki from the other species in that group. Should similar species be found in the future, which we regard as likely, characters described below need to be consulted as additional identifiers. Females and preimaginal stages of C. hedmarki are unknown.

Other male characters. Body size 3.2 mm. Color in our balsam-mounted specimen mainly light brown, darker brown portions on lateral thorax and scutum, there present as three longitudinal, posteriorly merging stripes, abdominal sclerites also darker brown, distinct. Head. Eye bridge 8–9 ommatidia long dorsally. Scape and pedicel concolorous with flagellum. Flagellomeres 20. Neck of fourth flagellomere 1.4 times longer than node ( Fig. 8 ). Palpus with 4 segments, 1.2 times longer than head height. Wing as long as body, 2.8 times longer than wide. Legs. Claws with single large tooth basally. Empodia broad, two thirds as long as claws. Genitalia. Ninth tergite elongatesubtrapezoid, with large setae, except a non-setose longitudinal stripe medially; posterior edge sinuous (indicated in Fig. 5 ). Gonocoxal synsclerite with setae of widely differing sizes ( Fig. 5 ); ventral bridge largely non-setose, anterior margin evenly rounded, broadly reinforced, unusually sharply contoured ( Figs 5 , ↓ 1, 7); ventral emargina- tion subrectangular, with distinct, microtrichose lobe anteriorly and protruding shoulders posteriorly ( Figs 5 , ↓ 2, 7); dorsal apodemes short, about as long as the distance separating them. Gonostylus slightly broadened and almost non-setose subapically ( Fig. 6 , ↓ 3); apical claw small, consisting of innumerable fine spines. Aedeagus including apodeme twice as long as parameres; base T-shaped; apex slightly broadened, on same level with parameral apices. Dorsal parameres slender, touching apically; apices bent dorsally, their cross sections in ventro-dorsal view ovate (a peculiarity shared with C. corticalis ); ventral parameres less than half as long as dorsal parameres, slightly sigmoid, blunt-ended, apices finely fringed ( Fig. 9 ); parameral apodemes inconspicuous.

Etymology. This species is named to honor Kjell Hedmark, retired schoolteacher in Orsa (Dalarna, Sweden), for his tireless commitment to preserving Sweden’s natural treasures, in particular old-growth forests and their biodiversity. Bombmurkleskogen, now the type locality of C. hedmarki , owes its preservation largely to Kjell and his fellow campaigners’ work (see the notes below). As regards dipterology, Kjell contributed substantially to the knowledge of fungus gnats in northern Sweden.

Type material. Holotype. Male , Sweden, Lule Lappmark , Jokkmokk, Bombmurkleskogen, 4 km SSE Messaure, small-area, swampy, herb-rich spruce forest, 24–25 August 2016, aspirator, M. & C. Jaschhof (spn. no. CEC 1720 in NHRS).

Notes on the type locality. Bombmurkleskogen is named after the witches cauldron Sarcosoma globosum (Swedish name bombmurkla), a Holarctic fungus typical of well-drained soils in old spruce forests, which has now disappeared from much of Europe due to forestry practices and is categorized as “vulnerable” in Sweden where conservation initiatives help to save its habitats. This charismatic fungus is among the indicator species used in Sweden for identifying remnants of naturally grown forest. Bombmurkleskogen, proven as a habitat rich in red-listed and other rare fauna, enjoys the protective status of both a Natura 2000 site and VVO area (Vattenfall VärnOmråde, meaning as much as Vattenfall’s Protected Area). At the time when conservationists became fully aware of its remarkable biodiversity, the area of slightly more than 20 hectares was already designated and prepared for tree felling (Mats Karström, pers. comm.). One may speculate whether C. hedmarki , whose rarity in nature is obvious, is among the species indicative of forest with long-established tree continuity. Unfortunately, as with other Porricondylinae known only from Malaise trap catches, we can supply no details regarding the biology of this gall midge species.

Figures

FIGURES 5–9. Camptomyia hedmarki, male, holotype. 5: Genitalia, ventral. 6: Apex of gonostylus, ventral. 7: Zoom of central parts of genitalia, ventral. 8: Fourth flagellomere, lateral. 9: Aedeagus and parameres, ventral. Scales for 5, 0.1 mm, for 6, 0.025 mm, for 7–9, 0.05 mm. Arrows refer to characters described in the diagnosis. Abbreviations: dpm = dorsal parameres, vpm = ventral parameres.