Pantaleonius toschiorum Tauber, 2021

Tauber, Catherine A., 2021, The New World Belonopterygini (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): descriptions of a new genus and species from the West Indies and comparisons among the genera, Zootaxa 4975 (3), pp. 509-543 : 515-523

Pantaleonius toschiorum Tauber , New Species

( Figs. 1–11 )

Holotype. Male from the West Indies, Bahamas, Great Exuma Island , Simons Pt [23.31.50–75.47.30], 20 Jan 1980, Tim. L. McCabe (Cornell University Insect Collection, Ithaca NY, CUIC, with red Holotype label).

Etymology of the species name. The species, P. toschiorum , is named in honor of the author’s brother (recently deceased) and sister-in-law, Steven Richard Toschi and Mary Jane Toschi, a wonderful pair. In accordance with ICZN Article 31.1.2, the species name, which is formed from a family name that refers to both a male and a female person, is assigned the Latin, masculine, plural genitive ending “- orum ”.

Diagnosis. Relative to other New World belonopterygines, this species is distinctive in its small body size, its bold head and body markings, and its lack of markings on the wings ( Figs 1–2 , 4 ). Externally, it is quite similar in size and coloration to Pseudomallada luctuosus (Banks) , a relatively uncommon chrysopine species reported from central and southwestern United States. However, unlike the new species, P. luctuosus does not express the antennal features typical of belonopterygine lacewings. The male and female genitalia of the two species are very distinctive and should be used in making identifications (see Adams & Garland 1982 for P. luctuosus and Figs 5–11 here for P. toschiorum ).

Description. Head. (n=4; Figs 1 , 2A, 2B , 3 ). Width (frontal, including eyes) 1.35–1.72 mm; ratio of head width to eye width = 2.0–2.4: 1; width between tentorial pits 0.41–0.46 mm; length mid-antenna to midway between tentorial pits 0.55–0.73 mm; length midway between tentorial pits to tip of clypeus ~ 0.20–0.26 mm. Scape with lateral margin straight, mesal margin rounded; vertex with surface smooth, cream on fresh specimens. Frons shiny, with large torulli; epistomal suture not distinct, probably convex with slight transverse fold below. Clypeus with surface transversely striated, distal margin indented. Labrum rounded laterally, not withdrawn; distal margin indented mesally. Antennal length 8.4–9.2 mm (n=3); scape about equal in length and width [length 0.29–0.30 mm, width 0.27– 0.30 mm (base, frontal, n= 2 specimens, left and right each)]; flagellomeres short basally (length 0.10–0.13 mm, basal seven flagellomeres), becoming longer distally (length 0.11–0.12 mm, midantenna; length 0.14 mm, distal); ratio of flagellomere length to width = 1.0–1.6: 1 basally, 2.3–2.5: 1 distally; each flagellomere (except very basal ones) with setae in four rings, with fewer setae in fourth ring than in basal three rings. Most flagellar setae short, brown, extending distally; each flagellomere with one to two pairs of long, erect, white setae near distal margin. Mandibles broad throughout, asymmetrical; right mandible without mesal tooth, with inner margin of apex smooth, crescent-shaped; left mandible with short, acute mesal tooth, inner margin of apex broadly J-shaped. Labium with ligula bulbous, bearing short stout setae basolaterally and fine long setae distally. Maxilla with stipe and galea broad, stout, extending beyond labrum in some specimens. Coloration: Largely cream with dark brown markings. Dorsum (vertex, dorsal torulli, scapes) with dark brown lateral stripe that extends posteriorly through cervix and pronotum. Face with torulli unmarked; frons with small oblong mark mesally, slightly below torulli, pair of lateral streaks extending from mesal surface of eye inward toward pair of spots on upper margin of clypeus; genae, lateral margins of clypeus dark brown; labrum amber, unmarked.Antenna: scape with wide, dark brown longitudinal stripe dorsolaterally; pedicel dark brown except tan frontobasally; flagellum with basal ~1/5 dark brown, distal ~4/5 light brown. Maxilla pale except galea bright orange, apex of cardo, lateral margin of stipe, and palp dark brown; labium pale, except palp dark brown distally, brown basally.

Thorax. (n=4; Fig. 2 ). Robust; pronotum broad, 2.0–2.7 times wider than long; pronotum, mesonotum with long, dark setae. Legs long, slender; tibia with straight, elongate dorsal spur on distal margin; tarsal subsegments each with ~two pairs of small spurs embedded within tarsal setae along lateral margin; tip of pretarsus with pair of elongate slender setae; tarsal claws elongate, recurved, each with large quadrate base; tip of claw extending well below base; arolium large, membranous. Coloration: Background cream to amber. Pronotum with two pairs of dark brown longitudinal stripes, one submesal, one lateral. Mesothorax with prescutum bearing two pairs of dark brown oblong spots in longitudinal arrangement submesally and posterior margin with single fused, dark brown spot; scutum with two pairs brown spots; scutellum with elongate brown spot anteromesally, pair of brown spots above posterior margin. Metanotum gold, without marks. Pleural regions pale, unmarked. Legs pale, with setae gold to brown; protibia, mesotibia with brown transverse stripe frontolaterally that aligns with costal and radial crossveins of forewing; metatibia with similar, lighter stripe posterolaterally; tarsal claw amber to brown; arolium shiny, white.

Wings. (n=3; Fig. 4 ). Forewing length 12.0– 13.1 mm, maximum height 4.3–4.8 mm; slightly broad throughout, with tallest portion of wing being third distal quadrant; height at distal end of basal quadrant 3.1–3.6 mm; height at basal end of distal quadrant 4.2–4.6 mm; anterior margin relatively straight; apex broad, rounded. Costal area slightly raised basally; tallest costal cell (c9, c10) tall, 0.17–0.19 times maximum height of wing. Subcosta, radius slightly sinuous to straight; most costal veinlets and radial crossveins straight or very slightly curved; basal sc-r crossvein 0.30–0.31 mm distal to crossvein between mcu1 and mcu2, slightly less than half the distance to M f. Eleven to twelve closed radial cells (rarp); height of tallest radial cell (#5, 6) 1.5–1.9x width. First rp-m crossvein meeting M at first intramedian cell (mamp1); mamp1 triangular, composed of MA, MP, no distal crossvein (therefore true im1 cell), width 0.74–0.82 times width of third medial cell (mcu3); gradate veins in two rows, with five to six inner gradates, five to six outer gradates, both rows regularly spaced, slightly divergent distally, with last pair of gradate veins convergent. Five b cells, five b’ cells. Three intracubital cells; icu1 slightly longer than icu2; icu3 (dcc) open distally; CuP forked at icu2. Vein A1 forked. Hindwing length 10.7–12.0 mm, maximum height 3.6–4.1 mm; fairly broad throughout, with apex rounded. Nine to twelve radial cells (rarp); base of M merged with R, t cell absent; five to six inner gradates; six outer gradate veins; three b cells; four 4 b’ cells. Coloration: Forewing and hindwing hyaline, glossy; stigmata prominent, white with dark brown spots basally and distally. All longitudinal veins pale with large dark marks at each intersection; all veinlets, crossveins dark brown to black; setae dark.

Abdomen—Male. (n=4; Figs 5–8 ). Exterior: Texture of integument soft, flexible, with tendency to fold or tear. Tergites, sternites (except T9, S9) with sparse, medium-length, slender setae; T9+e, S9 with longer, more dense, slightly more robust setae. Microtholi inconspicuous but present distally on S7, widely on S8 (always absent from S9). Pleural region large, with medium-length to short, sparse setae; spiracles medium sized (length ~ 0.06–0.08 mm, width 0.03–0.05 mm), round, simple. Tergites (dorsal view) entire, without division or mesal suture visible, roughly quadrate with rounded sides, slightly broader than long; T9 and ectoproct entirely fused, without mesal suture dorsally; distal margin (dorsal view) straight to very slightly concave; ventral margin (lateral view) fairly straight, sloping steeply in straight line proximally, with basal section ending well below T8; dorsal apodeme extending through middle of T9+e, encircling callus cerci, with broad, rounded ventral spur/branch extending below callus cerci; areas ventral and distal to dorsal apodeme with elongate setae. Tip of ventral spur articulating with stiff scabrous membrane that extends below and slightly around tip of mediuncus. Callus cerci almost circular (height 0.15–0.17 mm, width ~ 0.12–0.14 mm), with ~29–30 trichobothria. Basal sternites tall, e.g., for S6, ratio of length to height (lateral view) = 2.0–2.1: 1; S7 shorter, ratio of length to height = 0.72–0.87: 1. Sternite S8+9 fully fused, with suture present (teneral specimens) or not visible (mature specimens); proximal margin approximately as tall as adjoining distal margin of S7; dorsal margin sloping very slightly through most of sternite; terminus truncate; ventral apodeme along dorsal margin of S8+9 lightly sclerotized (difficult to see in teneral specimens). Terminus of S9 with smooth, relatively straight margin; parameres, gonapsis absent. Coloration: Dorsum, pleural region cream, with dark brown to black spots in regular pattern, similar to female ( Fig. 2C ); venter cream to tan without spots (male only); callus cerci cream, encircled with dark brown ring.

Genitalia: Gonarcal complex slender, erect (lateral view), without gonocornua or frontal plate; gonarcal bridge straight, dorsoventrally flattened, with gonarcal apodemes extending perpendicularly from lateral margins. Gonarcal apodemes expanded and rounded distally, with frontal margin (at attachment to gonarcal bridge) bearing small protruding spurlike extensions dorsally and ventrally. Mediuncus flattened dorsoventrally, extending from frontal surface of gonarcal bridge, composed of mediuncal beak mesally and pair of round lateral wings attached to lateral margins of beak, with one to several relatively elongate setae projecting forward from distal margin; mediuncal beak bifurcated, bearing short, slender process mesally; area below mediuncus with scabriculous membrane (probably not a gonosaccus) extending from extensions of gonarcal apodeme, below mediuncal wings, around and above mediuncal beak, and attaching to ventral spur of T9+e dorsal apodeme. Hypandrium internum V-shaped, relatively large, with tall, elongate keel dorsally; comes sickle-shaped, smaller than keel. Gonosaccus, gonosetae absent.

Abdomen—Female. (n=2; Figs 2C, 2E , 9–11 ). Exterior: Integument soft, flexible, with tendency to fold or tear. Tergites, sternites (A2–A8) with relatively dense, long, slender setae throughout; pleural regions (A2–A7) with sparser, smaller setae. T9+e, gonapophyses laterales, with dense, short setae throughout; pleural region large, with sparse, medium-length to short setae. Spiracles oblong (length ~ 0.04–0.06 mm, width 0.03–0.05 mm), with simple atria. Tergites, sternites quadrate, with relatively straight margins (lateral view), rounded corners. S6 (lateral view) approximately same length as height; S7 ~2 times longer than tall (lateral view: length along ventral margin, height along basal margin), with dorsal margin straight over basal three quartiles, steeply sloped over distal quartile. Ninth tergite short; dorsal surface smooth, entire, without mesal suture; proximal margin with shallow invagination; apical margin with deep, round invagination ( Figs 8C, 8E ). T9 and ectoproct fused, with suture and indentation visible below callus cerci, with lateral margins expanding abruptly below level of anus, becoming very broad ventrally, sometimes extending over entire lateral surface of gonapophyses laterales (width of T9+e along ventral margin>0.6 times entire length of T9+e). Callus cerci ~round (height 0.12–0.13 mm, width 0.13–0.14 mm), with approximately ~35 trichobothria. Gonapophyses laterales slender, crescent shaped (height ~ 0.60 mm, width ~ 0.15 mm). Subgenitale relatively small, externally visible as protruding knob; base largely membranous with slender, lightly sclerotized lateral arms supporting knob. Praegenitale slender, transversely elongate, embedded in membrane below subgenitale and above tip of S7. (The praegenitale is obvious in mature, sclerotized specimens. In teneral specimens, it is not visible, but the robust membrane between the subgenitale and the tip of S7 is elongate.) Coloration: Exterior cream to tan with dark brown to black marks as follows: tergites of each segment with one pair of large spots anteriorly, two pairs of spots (sometimes coalesced) posteriorly; pleuron of each segment with spot anteriorly, two posteriorly; sternites S4 and S5 dark brown to black (female only).

Genitalia: Internal female genitalia large, filling most of S7 abdominal cavity ( Fig. 9A, 9C ). Spermatheca tubula, bent, tapering; length (opening to U-shaped bend) 0.80 mm, width at mouth 0.22 mm, with prominent, U-shaped invagination (width 0.11 mm, depth 0.20 mm) ( Fig. 9F ). Dorsal surface of spermatheca with large velum giving rise to spermathecal duct; base of spermathecal duct and velum with slit along their dorsal surfaces; slit contiguous with bursa copulatrix. Spermathecal duct straight, attached to top of spermathecal base, becoming tightly coiled after extending from spermathecal opening, length ~ 1.15 mm, with basal ~half slender and smooth, distal ~half brushy, partially attached to membrane within and above subgenitale. Distal end of spermatheca bent, bifurcated; far section giving rise to smooth, robust, moderately slender tube with two fully circular curves leading to closed end ( Fig. 10D , sp.t. on figure); basal section (with internal tubule), making sharp, U-shaped turn, and extending back along dorsal surface of spermatheca, becoming textured and delicately fluted, ultimately coalescing with large circular pouch on side of bursal copulatrix ( Fig. 10E , sp.e., b.t. on figure). Bursa copulatrix large, saclike; basal section near spermatheca with irregular folds; distal section large, membranous, relatively smooth, with pair of sclerotized, very slender, elongate, intertwined tubules extending proximally. Single pair of elongate bursal glands extending laterally from distal section of bursa. Colleterial complex consisting of very delicate membranes; structures not distinguished. Transverse sclerite roughly rectangular, slightly expanded in middle, with numerous elongate setae extending dorsally ( Fig. 9E ).

Specimens examined. In addition to the Holotype, twenty-one paratypes (15♀, 6♂) from the West Indies: Bahamas: Andros Island , Forfar Field Station , nr. Stafford Creek , 9-VI-2009, M. Thomas (1♀, 1♂, FSCA), 25-July- 2006, M. Thomas & T. Smith (4♀, 1♂, FSCA); Eleuthera Island , Rainbow Bay , I-VII-1958, E. W. & D. B. Wiley (1♀, FSCA); Great Exuma Island , Simons Pt., 23.31.50–75.47.30, 17–26 Jan 1980, Tim. L. McCabe (7♀, 4♂, CUIC); South Bimini Island , 12-vi-1950, Cazier & Rindge (1♀, AMNH). Greater Antilles : Dominican Republic , La Altagracia , 2 km N Bayahibe, 18-23N, 68-41W, 10 m., 3-July-1992, C. Young, R. Davidson, S. Thompson, J. Rawlins, Dry seasonal forest on limestone (1♀, CMNH).

Known geographic distribution. West Indies. Four islands of the Bahamas (Andros, South Bimini, Eleuthera, and Great Exuma); one island of the Greater Antilles (Hispaniola).

Figures

FIGURE 1. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. A. Head, frontal. B. Head, dorsal. C. Head, lateral. D. Head, ventral. E. Antenna, dorsal. F. Terminal flagellomeres. G. Midantennal flagellomeres; arrows indicate four rows of setae on flagellomere. H. Holotype labels. Abbreviations: co, cardo; e.s., epistomal suture; lbr, labrum; l.p., labial palp; m.p., maxillary palp; stp, stipe; to, torulus; t.p., tentorial pit. [A–D: Andros Island, female, FSCA; E–G: Exuma Island, female, CUIC].

FIGURE 2. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. A. Head, prothorax, mesothorax, dorsal. B. Head, prothorax, mesothorax, dorsal. C. Abdomen, dorsal. D. Upper body, lateral; arrows indicate lateral tibial markings. E. Abdomen, ventrolateral. F. Tarsus, ventral; upper arrow indicates tibial spur; lower arrow indicates one of several tarsal spurs. G. Tarsal claws and arolium, frontal. H. Tarsal claw, lateral. Abbreviations: ar, arolium. [A–D, F–H: Andros Island, female, FSCA; E: Exuma Island, female, CUIC].

FIGURE 3. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Head, cleared.A. Head, frontal. B. Upper region of head, frontal. C. Lower region of head, dorsal. D. Lower region of head, ventral. E. Flagellomeres x100, near base (upper), midantenna (lower). F. Flagellomeres x200, midantenna.Abbreviations: bg, basigalea; fl, flagellum; ga, galea; ge, gena; lc, lacinia; lg, ligula; l.p., labial palp; mb, mandible; mb-L, mb-R, mandible, left, right; mx, maxilla; m.p., maxillary palp; pd, pedicel; sc, scape; stp, stipe; t.p., tentorial pit. [All: Exuma Island, female, CUIC].

FIGURE 4. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. A. Forewing. B. Hindwing. Scale applies to both A and B. Forewing length: 13.0 mm; hindwing length: 12.4 mm. Abbreviations: b1, b5, first and fifth b cells; b’1, first b’ cell; icu1, icu3, first and third intracubital cells; im1, first intramedian (mamp1) cell; mcu1, mcu2, mcu3, first, second, and third medial (mcu) cells; m1-m2, crossvein between mcu1 and mcu2; Mf, furcation of M; rarp1, first radial (rarp) cell; 1sc-r, first subcostal crossvein. [A, B: Exuma Island, male, CUIC].

FIGURE 5. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Male abdomen. A. Segments A4 to terminus, lateral, with gonarcus partially exposed. B. Segments A6 to terminus, lateral, with gonarcus extruded. C. Eighth and ninth sternites, lateral. D. Callus cerci. E. Eighth tergite and ninth tergite+ectoproct, lateral, showing dorsal apodeme and callus cerci. The arrows on A, B, and C indicate the position of the suture between S8 and S9 and demonstrate the variation in the line of fusion.Abbreviations: c.c., callus cerci; d.ap., dorsal apodeme; spi, spiracle; S7, seventh abdominal sternite; T8, eighth abdominal tergite; v.sp., ventral spur of dorsal apodeme. [A: Andros Island, FSCA; B–E: Exuma Island, CUIC].

FIGURE 6. Terminus of male abdomen. A. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov., eighth and ninth tergites, dorsal. B. Abachrysa eureka (Banks) eighth and ninth tergites, dorsal. C. P. toschiorum sp.nov., abdominal terminus, with gonarcal complex in situ, lateral, teneral. Note inverted position of gonarcus, with gonarcal apodemes located posterior to tip of mediuncus. D. P. toschiorum sp.nov., abdominal terminus with gonarcal complex in situ, slightly everted, caudal. Abbreviations: g.ap., gonarcal apodeme; g.br., gonarcal bridge; memb, stiff membrane between ventral spur of the dorsal apodeme to base of mediuncus; mu, mediuncus; S9, ninth abdominal sternite; T8, T9, eighth and ninth abdominal tergites; v.sp., ventral spur of dorsal apodeme. [A, C: Exuma Island, CUIC; B: Alabama, TRC; D: Andros Island, FSCA].

FIGURE 7. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Gonarcal complex. A. Dorsal. B. Lateral, with hypandrium internum. C. Dorsal, showing internal structure of mediuncus. D. Frontal. E. Dorsofrontal. Abbreviations: d.st., dorsal seta; fr.st., frontal seta; g.ap., gonarcal apodeme; g.br., gonarcal bridge; g.ex, dorsolateral extension of gonarcal apodeme; hy.i., hypandrium internum; mu.b., mediuncal beak; mu.w., mediuncal wing. [All: Exuma Island, CUIC].

FIGURE 8. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Hypandrium internum. A. Dorsal. B. Ventrolateral. C. Lateral. Abbreviation: co, comes. [All: Exuma Island, CUIC].

FIGURE 9. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Female abdomen. A. Abdominal segments A2-terminus, lateral. B. Terminal abdominal segments with genitalia, lateral. C. Abdominal segments A8-A9+ectproct, lateral. D. Callus cerci. E. Transverse sclerite. F. Genitalia, lateral. Abbreviations: b.c., bursal complex; c.c., callus cerci; g.l., gonapophysis lateralis; prae, praegenitale; sg, subgenitale; sp, spermatheca; sp.c., spermathecal complex; sp.i., spermathecal invagination; S7, seventh abdominal sternite; T7, seventh abdominal tergite; T9+e, ninth abdominal tergite and ectoproct; vel, velum. [A, C–E: Exuma Island, CUIC; B: Andros Island, FSCA; F: Dominican Republic, CMNH].

FIGURE 10. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Female genitalia. A. Genital complex, ventral. B–D. Spermathecal complex, ventral (B, D) and lateral (C). E, F. Bursal complex, lateral.Abbreviations: b.c., bursa copulatrix; b.gl., bursal gland; b.t., tubule within bursa copulatrix; sp, spermatheca; sp.d., spermathecal duct; sp.e., external section of spermatheca running into bursa copulatrix; sp.i., spermathecal invagination; sp.t., tubular section of spermatheca leading to closed end; vel, velum. [A–D, F: Exuma Island, CUIC; E: Andros Island, FSCA].

FIGURE 11. Pantaleonius toschiorum sp.nov. Subgenitale and associated structures, in situ. A. Lateral. B. Dorsal. C. Caudolateral. D. Caudoventral. Abbreviations: prae, praegenitale; sp.i., spermathecal invagination; sg, subgenitale; sp.d.b., basal (sclerotized) section of spermathecal duct; sp.d.d., distal (brushy) section of spermathecal duct; S7, seventh abdominal sternite. [All: Exuma Island, CUIC].