Psilota auripila Young and van Steenis, 2020

Young, Andrew D., Skevington, Jeffrey H. & Steenis, Wouter Van, 2020, Revision of the Psilota Meigen, 1822 flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Australia, Zootaxa 4737 (1), pp. 1-127 : 29-32

Psilota auripila Young and van Steenis sp. nov.

(Species plate: Fig. 10 ; Genitalia: Fig. 40 G–H; Map: Fig. 52A )

Diagnosis: Face black, densely white pollinose, with white pile. Frons and vertex black pilose. Thorax black. Hind femur with a distinct rounded apicoventral setulose carina. Hind tibia with basoventral spur. Calypter with dark brown border. Halter pale, sometimes with knob slightly pigmented. Abdomen black. Anterior half of tergites 2 and 3 pale pilose. Body length: 7.1–12.2 mm.

Description: MALE: Head: Head black, face pale pollinose. Face pale pilose. Scape and pedicel orangebrown, postpedicel brown. Postpedicel triangular, approximately 1.5 times as long as widest point. Eye densely brown pilose. Thorax: Thorax black. Legs variable, ranging from mostly orange to almost entirely dark brown, with only apices of femora and bases of tibiae orange. Hind femur with a distinct rounded setulose carina. Hind tibia with a basoventral spur. Pleuron densely grey pollinose. Pile on anepisternum and anepimeron mixed black and white, pile on remainder of pleuron white. Pile on scutum mixed black and yellow anterior to transverse suture, usually entirely black posterior to suture. Scutellum usually entirely black pilose, with only scutellar fringe pale pilose. Wing colourless. Wing bare on anterior three-quarters of cell bm and one-quarter of cell cua, cell c bare on basal one-third. Alula completely microtrichose. Halter pale, sometimes with knob slightly pigmented. Calypter with border dark brown, upper calypter hairs brown, lower calypter hairs yellow. Abdomen: Abdomen black. Tergites 2 and 3 white pilose on anterior two-thirds, and black pilose on posterior one-third. Tergite 4 with mixed black and white pile. Sternites black, with white pilosity. Genitalia: Epandrium compact, about as long as tall. Cercus approximately triangular. Outer lobe of surstylus inserted just above mid-height on inner lobe, curved downwards on apical onethird, with apex of lobe thickened and curved slightly backwards towards base of surstylus. Inner lobe of surstylus broadening over entire length, with a slight ventral excavation at midlength, rounded at apex. Phallapodeme smooth. Gonostylus thick, not darkened.

FEMALE: Similar to male aside from sex-specific differences. Pile on thorax much shorter than male, pile of scutum entirely yellow to entirely black.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘ auripila ’ consists of auri -, derived from the Latin for “gold” or “lustre” (‘aurum’), and -pila, derived from the scientific term “pile”, which refers to the hair-like structures covering some tergites in Syrphidae . This is in reference to the bright, pale pile on the face of Psilota auripila sp. nov. that distinguishes it from similar species, Psilota spathistyla sp. nov. and Psilota nigripila sp. nov.

Specimens examined: HOLOTYPE: AUSTRALIA: Queensland: 2 km W of Rainbow Beach , -25.966667 153.150000, heathland; rainforest, 24.ix.1994, G. & A. Daniels & C.J. Burwell, GDCBReg_19577 (1♂, AM) ; PARATYPES: Australian Capital Territory: Canberra , -35.282000 149.128686, 1-10.xii.1953, F.M. Hull, CNC _ Diptera 254993 (1♂, CNC); 14.xii.1959, Z. Liepa, ANIC29034894 (1♀, ANIC) ; 18.xi.1934, M. Fuller, ANIC29034895 (1♀, ANIC) ; 8.ii.1948, S.J. Paramonov, ANIC29034994 (1♂, ANIC) ; Cotter River , -35.531650 148.875125, 29.xi.1962, Z. Liepa, ANIC29034886 (1♀, ANIC) ; Paddy’s River , Canberra , -35.282000 149.128686, 18.i.1959, K.R. Norris, ANIC29034887 (1♀, ANIC) ; New South Wales: 10 km West of Murwillumbah , -28.331308 153.281278, 25-27.ix.1981, N.W. Rodd, AustralianMuseumK407028; AustralianMuseumK410613 (2♀♀, AM) ; 3 km North of Lansdowne , via Taree , -31.758753 152.534258, on Acradenia euodiiformis , 19.ix.1991, G. Williams, AustralianMuseumK410248 (1♂, AM); Armidale , -30.501561 151.666203, 24.i.1960; 29.i.1960, C.W. Frazier, CNC _ Diptera 253691-253692; ANIC29034988 (3♂♂, ANIC) ; Batehaven, -35.737953 150.203817, 30.iv.1972, K.R. Norris, ANIC29034889 (1♀, ANIC) ; Bateman’s Bay 4 m. N ., -35.658458 150.177744, 20.x.1953, G. Daniels, CNC _ Diptera 255023 (1♂, CNC); Bellmore Falls , -34.633958 150.555914, 1948, S.J. Paramonov, ANIC29034884 (1♀, ANIC) ; Concord, near Sydney, -33.926375 151.125936, 7.xii.1968, R. Coveney, AustralianMuseumK410277 (1♀, AM); East of Taree Manning Point , -31.894433 152.658919, littoral rainforest on Acmena smithii blossoms, 3.xi.1990, G. Williams, AustralianMuseumK408013 (1♂, AM); Gundamain, National Park , 23.viii.1925, Mackerras, ANIC29034991 (1♂, ANIC) ; Mooney Mooney CK nr Gosford, -33.437894 151.246467, 1.i.1977, G. Daniels, GDCBReg_19771 (1♂, GDCB); Mount Tomah, Blue Mountains , -33.549614 150.416033, 16.ii.1986, N.W. Rodd, AustralianMuseumK410179 (1♀, AM); Nullo Mountain 20 miles Northeast of Rylstone , -32.737947 150.226400, 12.xi.1950, T.G. Campbell, ANIC29034979 (1♂, ANIC) ; Nullo Mountains , 20 miles Northeast of Rylstone , -32.737947 150.226400, 12.xi.1950, T.G. Campbell, ANIC29034885 (1♀, ANIC) ; Orange, -33.284228 149.102683, 25.xii.1951, Z. Liepa, ANIC29034888 (1♀, ANIC) ; Tregeagle, 10 km SE Lismore, -26.233333 153., 25.vii.1984, D.K. Yeates, UQIC_ Reg 94589 (1♂, QM); Winburndale National Reserve, Northeast of Bathurst , - 33.333164 149.789450, 6.xii.1974, J. Cardale, ANIC29034882 (1♀, ANIC) ; [Royal] National Park, -34.076208 151.054569, 1.i.1930, L.M. Willings, ANIC29034883 (1♀, ANIC) ; near Camden Head, -31.644103 152.829400, littoral rainforest, 4.i-5.ii.2000, G. & T. Williams, Malaise trap, SEPP 26 Site 122, AustralianMuseumK410286 (1♀, AM); Willoughby , 2.xi.2007, D.K. McAlpine , -33.807108 151.199375, AustralianMuseumK410615, (1♂, AM); Kangaroo Park, Manly , -33.803722 151.294769, D.S. Horning Jr., 9.XI.1986, AustralianMuseumK410111, (1♂, AM); nr. Camden head, G.&T. Williams, 4.i-5.ii.2000, Malaise trap , -31.644103 152.829400, Australian- MuseumK410285, (1♂, AM); Lorien Wildlife Refuge , 3km N Lansdowne, G. Williams , 26.xii.1991, -31.7587 152.5342, AustralianMuseumK410173, (1♂, AM) ; 3 km North of Lansdowne via Taree , -31.758753 152.534258, Acradenia euodiiformis , 19.ix.1993, G. Williams, AustralianMuseumK409933 (1♂, AM) ; Queensland: 2 km W of Rainbow Beach , -25.966667 153.150000, heathland; rainforest, 24.ix.1994, G. & A. Daniels & C.J. Burwell, GDCBReg_13080; GDCBReg_19580; GDCBReg_19585-19587 (1♂, 4♀, GDCB); Bluff Ra. foothills, Biggen- den , -25.512597 152.037758, ix.1974, H. Frauca, ANIC29034485 (1♀, ANIC) ; Brisbane, -27.526975 153.040322, 10.ix.1927; 7.ix.1927; 16.ix.1962; 3.ix.1955, J. Mann; C.F. Ashby; F.A. Perkins, UQIC_ Reg 94812; ANIC29034987 ; ANIC29034989 ; UQIC_ Reg 94596; UQIC_ Reg 94817; UQIC_ Reg 94701 (5♂♂, 1♀, QM; ANIC); Cairns District , -16.918678 145.777725, Dodd, ANIC29034983 (1♂, ANIC) ; Danbulla For. Res. 13km NE by N of Yungaburra , - 17.271111 145.583058, 17.xi.1981,D.H. Colless, Malaise trap, ANIC29034487 (1♀, ANIC) ; Dunk Island , -17.944558 146.153289, 25.viii.1927, ANIC29034982 ; UQIC_ Reg 94684; UQIC_ Reg 94685-94690; UQIC_ Reg 94805 (9♂♂, ANIC; QM); Enoggera Res. , site 3 , -27.450000 152.916667, 100m, 27.i-15.iii.2000, Burwell, Evans, Malaise trap, QM Samp. #50274, QM _ REG._NO._T222143-222145 (3♀, QM); Iron Range, Cape York Pen., N. Qld ., - 12.700008 143.300000, 16-23.xi.1965, G. Monteith, UQIC_ Reg 94663 (1♀, QM); Jamboree Heights, Brisbane , -27.552778 152.930556, 20m, flying about compost bin, 7.x.2001, G. Daniels, GDCBReg_17094 (1♀, GDCB); Lamington NP , -28.188000 153.121000, 2-19.ii.2009, F. Turco, Malaise trap, QM _ REG._NO._T222164 (1♀, QM); Landsborough , 2.55km NE , -26.789000 152.978000, 55m, rainforest, 24.ix-9.x.2010, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM _ REG._NO._T222160 (1♀, QM); Landsborough , 2.66km NE , -26.790000 152.980000, wet sclero, 9-24.i.2011, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM _ REG._NO._T222159 (1♀, QM); Mt Coolum , -26.900000 153.083333, rainforest, 17.ix.1989, R. Eastwood, GDCBReg_19517 (1♀, GDCB); Mt Marlay near Stanthorpe , -28.666667 151.933333, summit, 11.x.1998, J. Skevington, P. Bouchard, C. Lambkin, UQIC_ Reg 94740 (1♂, QM); Mt Marlay near Stan- thorpe, S.E ., -28.653583 151.946906, on Leptospermum brevipes , 30.x.1985, D.K. Yeates, UQIC_ Reg 94662 (1♂, QM); North West Is., near Yeppoon , -23.295058 151.707692, 17-22.viii.1968, D.M. Reeves, UQIC_ Reg 94601 (1♂, QM); Palm Island , -18.689428 146.539225, 20.xii.1930 - 6.i.1931, I.M. Mackerras, ANIC29034486 (1♀, ANIC) ; Bancroft, ANIC29034984 (1♂, ANIC) ; Rockpool Gorge Mt Walsh Nat Park Biggenden , -25.605889 152.027519, 4.xi.1976, H. Frauca, USNM _ ENT_00249843 (1♂, USNM); Rockpool Gorge, Mount Walsh National Park , Big- genden , -25.605889 152.027519, 4.x.1976, H. Frauca, ANIC29034990 (1♂, ANIC) ; Tallegalla Weir Junction, - 25.757000 152.695000, 35m, 6-22.xii.2011, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM _ REG._NO._T222162 (1♀, QM); 7- 22.xi.2011, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM _ REG._NO._T222156 (1♀, QM); The Blunder , -27.526975 153.040322, 18.ix.1966; 26.ix.1966; 15.x.1967, C.F. Ashby, CNC _ Diptera 253690; ANIC29034488 ; ANIC29034985 (3♂♂, 1♀, ANIC) ; Toowong, -27.483333 152.983333, 3.iii.2000, UQIC_ Reg 94721 (1♀, QM); Yarraman , 2.2km SSE , -26.857000 151.994000, 12.iii-10.iv.2010, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM _REG._NO._T222157-222158; QM_ REG._NO._T222161 (3♀♀, QM); Yeppoon , -23.133408 150.733383, 9.ix.1924, ANIC29034452 (1♀, ANIC) ; Cainbable Quarry, -28.145000 153.113000, 20.ii-5.iii.2009, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM _ REG._NO._T222163 (1♀, QM); Dayboro , 0.5 km South , -27.200000 152.816667, 18-19.ix.1999, S.G. Evans, QM Samp. #50152, QM _ REG._NO._T223196 (1♀, QM); Bauple SF , -25.530000 152.000000, ex. Trichosurus vulpecula nest, 8.xii.1999 - 15.iii.2000, M. Shaw, K. Wormington, QM _ REG._NO._T222166 (1♀, QM); Enoggera Res. , site 3 , - 27.450000 152.916667, 100m, 27.i-15.iii.2000, Burwell, Evans, Malaise trap, QM Samp. #50274, QM _ REG._ NO._T222165 (1♀, QM); Tallegalla Weir Junction , -25.757000 152.695000, 35m, 7-22.xi.2011, G. Monteith, Malaise trap, QM Samp #35012, QM _ REG._NO._T222155 (1♀, QM); Daintree National Park, Cape Tribulation area , -15.117622 145.076950, 5.xii.2014, J.H., A.M. and A.W. Skevington, CNC385020-385021 (2♀♀, CNC) .

Discussion: Psilota auripila sp. nov. exhibits more variation in COI sequence divergence, pleural pile, and leg colouration than most Psilota species, and may represent a complex. However, no definite characters could be found to reliably separate genetic entities, and so it is here treated as a single species.

Figures

FIGURE 10. P. auripila sp. nov., A) male dorsal habitus, B) male anterolateral face, C) male lateral habitus. Scale bar =1 mm.

FIGURE 40. Lateral and dorsal male genitalia of A, B) P. alexanderi sp. nov.; C, D) P. apiformis sp. nov.; E, F) P. auricauda Curran, and G, H) P. auripila sp. nov.. Scale bar =1 mm.

FIGURE 52. Known range of A) P. auripila sp. nov.; B) P. azurea sp. nov.