Vieira, Navas, 1913

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 : 534

Vieira ( Penny 2002: 205–206, Figs 129–131;

Tauber 2006, 2007;

Tauber et al. 2006;

Sosa & Tauber 2017; here Fig. 23 ).

Size: Body large and stout to relatively small and slender; forewing length 11.6–26.0 mm; males and females of similar size. Coloration: Cream with bold, black body markings; antennal flagellum dark basally. Wings: Not narrowed; ratio of forewing length to width = 2.5–2.6: 1; costal area of forewing with patch of splayed crossveins, with dark markings (splaying very moderate in V. elegans (Guérin Méneville) ; forewing and hindwing with dark patches; veins in dark patches also dark, other veins mostly pale. Tarsal claws: Basal dilation present. Abdomen: Setae relatively long, moderate density. Male: Dorsal apodeme of T9+e sinuous, with proximal section extending downward and well into A8; S8+9 fused with prominent suture; microtholi on S3–S8; gonarcus without gonocornu or frontal plate; mediuncus with or without frontal setae; parameres large, quadrate, closely attached to gonaracus via stiff membrane. Female: Abdominal tergites without mesal suture; dorsum of T9+e with or without deep mesal invagination; praegenitale absent.

In summary, Vieira is the only New World belonopterygine genus having the following suite of features: a robust, pale body with bold, black markings, wings with large dark markings, costal area of forewing with a series of splayed costal crossveins within a dark marking; males with quadrate parameres that are closely associated with the gonarcus, and females lacking a praegenitale.

Figures

FIGURE 23. New World Belonopterygini. A–E. Belonopteryx arteriosa Gerstaecker: A. Head, thorax, base of wings, dorsal. B. Bases of forewing, hindwing. C. Forewing and hindwing. Note the reddish suffusion on the RP and M veins. D, E. Head, thorax, base of abdomen, dorsal. F, G. Tarsal claw (dilated) and distal tarsomeres, lateral; F. Vieira leschenaulti Navás; G. Vieira brooksi Tauber. [A–E: Argentina, MACN, photos by G.S. Albuquerque; F: Costa Rica, Cartago, LACM; G: Bolivia, Sara Province, CMNH].