Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa, 2019

Ježek, Jan & Oboňa, Jozef, 2019, Three new species of moth flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from the Afrotropical Region, Zootaxa 4577 (1), pp. 73-90 : 74-78

Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–17 )

Description. Male. Head hardly rounded from frontal view (1.1 times broader laterally). Vertex largely elevated, cut terminally, without a cleft ( Fig. 1 ). Posteriolateral margins of eyes without alveoli of supraocular bristles on both sides. Eyes separated, eye bridge divided by 5.7 facet diameter ( Figs. 1, 2 ) and formed by 4 facet rows ( Fig. 2 ). Ratio of distance of apices of eyes (tangential points) to minimum width of frons approximately 2.9:1. Dorsal and ventral apices of eyes are approximately of the same size. Frons without a frontal suture ( Figs. 1, 2 ). Scar patch above the upper apices of eyes and between them in a form of a vertical stripe of small alveoli from vertex to basis of antennae, where expanded laterally; both sides of upper part of head with alveoli twice larger ( Fig. 1 ). Antennae ( Figs. 3 , 7 , 11 ) of 16 articles. Scape barrel-shaped, a little shorter and narrower than ovoid pedicel ( Fig. 11 ). First flagellomere spindle-shaped ( Fig. 11 ), approximately 1.5 times contracted in comparison with the foregoing flagellomere. Flagellomeres 2–12 pitcher-shaped, symmetrical, internodes (necks) are diminuted to the end of anntenna. Last two articles are globular ( Fig. 7 ), flagellomere 13 of the same size as bulbose part of the foregoing article. Terminal flagellomere almost twice minuted, with bilobed apiculus (protuberances of different length). Ascoids fine, digitate, as rows arising from shallow groves at apex of basal bulb ( Fig. 3 ). Mouthparts extending slightly beyond basal palp segment ( Fig. 1 ). At the labellum, as shown in Fig. 13 , parallel lines of three miniature spines between both lobes are visible. Labellum bulbose, without digital protuberances in between ( Fig. 13 ). Length ratio of maxillary palps 1.0:1.8:2.2:2.6, segment 4 not annulate ( Fig. 12 ). Ratio of maximum length of cibarium to length of epipharynx 2.1:1 ( Figs. 1 , 14 ), labrum pointed.

Thorax. Anepisternum setae patch almost semicircular, with circular thoracic spiracle anteriorly, anepimeron approximately with triangular setose patch ( Fig. 4 ). Spiracles set low on mesothorax. No thoracic allurement organs. Wings ( Fig. 9 ) lanceolate, 1.9 mm long—holotype, paratypes 1.4–2.0 mm, pointed distally in the ending of R 5, inconspicuously expanded at the posterior margin. Wing membrane slightly infuscated except a large dark spot between C and R 1, and a second one almost from the whole length of CuA 1 to the rest of the distal part of the posterior wing margin. There is additionally a short linear spot between R 1 and R 2+3+4. Following veins or their parts strengthened: Sc only in the origin; R 1 nearly entire; R 2+3+4 only in two points; whole R 5; M 1+2 basally, weakened shortly on a level of the end of Sc; CuA 1 and CuA 2 for entire length, both with a sticker start basally (CuA 2 more). Radial and medial forks complete, their position see on Fig. 9 . Wing indices AB:AC:AD = 4.7:3.8:3.2; BC:CD:BD = 1.0:1.3:2.3. Wing index 2.7, medial wing angle 199° (BCD). Halteres ( Fig. 8 ) almost ovoid with a prolonged stem and narrow lancet-shaped scales. Ratio of maximum length of halteres to their maximum width approximately 2.6:1. Ratios of lengths of femora, tibiae and first tarsal segments P 1 2.2:2.1:1.1, P 2 2.5:3.1:1.0, P 3 2.4:3.7:1.5. Paired tarsal claws of P 1 twice pointed and bent distad ( Fig. 5 ).

Male genitalia. Ejaculatory apodeme bilobed, with a medial cleft proximally, lateral wings only inconspicuously developed ( Fig. 6 ). Gonocoxal apodemes broadened anteriorly ( Fig. 6 ) with two slerotized arms. Aedeagus with a lateral element, protruding in the middle, reaching far beyond tip of coxites. Main aedeagal shaft until just beyond level of tip of lateral element, straight from dorsal view ( Fig. 6 ), bent from lateral one ( Fig. 17 ); posterior part of aedeagus tapered with a sclerotised bar inside and outside a minute protuberance resembling thumb opposed to palm ( Fig. 17 ). Gonocoxites 1.1 times as long as cone-shaped gonostyli, bent, with two bristles terminally ( Figs. 6 , 16 ). Epandrium oblong-shaped, bare ( Fig. 10 ), central aperture not developed, ventral plate not observed. Hypandrium stripe-shaped ( Fig. 6 ), narrowed in the middle. Hypoproct tongue-shaped and epiproct foldshaped, both parts haired ( Fig. 10 ). Epandrial clasping lobes (surstyli) almost globular proximally in enlarged bases with lancet-shaped scales, slender cylindrical blade only inconspicuously bent ( Figs. 10 , 15 ), 1.6 times as long as epandrium, with three brush-like tenacula ( Figs. 10 , 15 ).

Female. Unknown.

Differential diagnosis. Neoarisemus leponti sp. nov. is morphologically similar to N. satchelli Duckhouse, 1978 , however, head is without frontal interocular suture ( Fig. 1 ) and corniculi not developed ( Fig. 1 ). Flegellomeres 12–14 are gradually diminutive ( Fig. 7 ), radial fork, medial fork and ending of CuA 2 are not in same line ( Fig. 9 ), epandrial aperture is not developed ( Fig. 10 ), posterior part of aedeagus has a sclerotised bar inside and outside a minute protuberance resembling thumb opposed to palm ( Fig. 17 ). On the other hand, N. satchelli has frontal interocular suture and corniculi conspicuously developed, flagellomeres 12–14 bead-like, almost of the same size, radial fork, medial fork and ending of CuA 2 are in same line, epandrial aperture developed and posterior part of aedeagus rounded terminally, with several curved structures indistinctly seen.

Type material. Holotype ♂: Madagascar: Toamasina prov., Analamazaotra 1.4 km SSW Andasibe vill. (Périnet), cca 940 m a.s.l., 18°56ꞌ 09ꞌ ꞌ S, 48°24ꞌ 48ꞌ ꞌ E, 20.i.2000, P. Chvojka leg. (by sweep netting). Slide with a dissected specimen, Cat. No. 34715, Inv. No. 24176 ( NMPC).

Paratypes 27 ♂ (slides): The same locality and collector, date 19.–22.i.2000, Cat. No. 34716–34742, Inv. No. 24177–24203 ( NMPC). All material mentioned above P. Chvojka leg. by black light (ultraviolet lights, 8W) and sweep netting. Additional paratypes 5 ♂ (slides): Toamasina prov., brooklet 3.5 km E Amboditafonana , cca 830 m a.s.l., 17°27ꞌ 32ꞌ ꞌ S, 48°46ꞌ 12ꞌ ꞌ E, 30.i.2000, Cat. No. 34743–34747, Inv. No. 24204–24208 ( NMPC). P. Chvojka leg. (by sweep netting). Slides are often with dissected specimens .

Type locality. Madagascar: Toamasina prov., Analamazaotra 1.4 km SSW Andasibe vill. (Périnet).

Etymology. This species is named in honour of François LePont from France, one of the famous and known specialists in the family Psychodidae .

Bionomics. Unknown. Adults were collected in secondary forest habitat, specifically a swampy area with a nearby rill or brooklet.

Distribution. Currently recorded only from Madagascar.

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa sp. nov. male. 1. Head, frontal view. 2. Frons and facets in detail, frontal view. 3. A medial flagellomere in detail. 4. Thoracic sclerites, lateral view. 5. Tarsal claw of P 1, lateral view. 6. Aedeagal complex and gonopod, dorsal view. [Scale: 4 = 0.2 mm; 1, 2, 6 = 0.1 mm; 3, 5 = 0.05 mm]

FIGURES 7–10. Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa sp. nov. male. 7. Apical flagellomeres. 8. Haltere, lateral view. 9. Wing. 10. Epandrium and epandrial clasping lobes, dorsal view. [Scale: 9 = 1 mm; 7, 8, 10 = 0.1 mm]

FIGURES 11–17. Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa sp. nov. male. 11. Scape, pedicel and basal flagellomeres. 12. Maxilla and palpus maxillaris. 13. Terminal lobes of labium. 14. Cibarium, labrum, epipharynx, maxilla and first palp segment. 15. Epandrial clasping lobes, lateral view. 16. Gonopod, lateral view. 17. Aedeagal complex, lateral view. [Scale: 11–17 = 0.1 mm]