Colonomyia albicaulis COLLESS , 1963

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2008, The Ohakunea group in Tasmania, with description of Colonomyia tasmanica sp. n. (Diptera: Sciaroidea), Beiträge Zur Entomologie = Contributions to Entomology 58 (2), pp. 441-453 : 449-452

Colonomyia albicaulis COLLESS, 1963

( Figs 4B , 5B )

COLLESS 1963: 305, HIPPA &ZASCHHOF 2004: 345, figs 1-8.

Supplement to the redescription by HIPPA & JASCHHOF (2004):

Male. Head: Maxillary palpus at least in some specimens 5-segmented, with first segment weak and non-setose, and third segment bearing translucent setiform sensilla.

Legs: Fore basitarsus proximally with 2-3 pale setiform sensilla, mid basitarsus with 4-5, and hind basitarsus with 3-5.

Terminalia:

Head-like extension of ejaculatory apodeme with 1 mesal pair of straight, retractable processes ventrally, 1 lateral pair of widely spread, curved processes dorsally and stiff, subrectangular plate between the process pairs. Sperm sac similar to that of tasmanica but smaller.

Female. Terminalia:

With modification of segments 8 and 9 as follows. Tergite 8 with 2 wide pubescent lobes on posterior margin ( Fig. 4B ). Sternum 8 with large unsclerotized portion anterior of gonocoxal emargination, and interior sclerotized brace laterally. Surface of tergum 9 bare. Tergite 9 internalized, forming together with gonapophyses strongly sclerotized, complex interior apparatus ( Figs 4B , 5B ). Gonapophyses merged anteriorly; notum moderately sclerotized, with short coneshaped appendage ( Fig. 5B ). Gonocoxites not traceable.

Distribution and phenology:

The distribution of albicaulis in the Australian mainland is southeastern, encompassing the southeasternmost Queensland (unpublished data), New South Wales, Victoria, and Australian Capital Territory. In Tasmania, albicaulis has been found hitherto at five sites distant to one other (including Mt Wellington, cf. HIPPA & JASCHHOF 2004). At Warra findings are from all months but June, September and November, and altitudes ranging from 100 to 1100 m a.s.l. Maximum number is 13 individuals found in a single Malaise sample. Adults were trapped in both unmanaged and treated forest areas. At Mt Weld one male and one female of albicaulis were found at 1100 m a.s.l. in the same pitfall trap that caught also tasmanica .

Material studied (on slide):

Tasmania: 8 males, 1 female, Warra LTER Site, Manuka Road, 14 April 2000 , R. BASHFORD; 1 female, same site but 2 May 2003; 1 male, 1 female, same site but 1 July 2005, 1 male, same site but 1 Aug. 2005; 1 male, same site but 2 April 2007.

Further material (in ethanol):

Tasmania: 47 males, 37 females, Warra LTER Site, Manuka Road and Mt Weld , 24 March 2000 - 7 Jan. 2008 (35 Malaise , 1 pitfall and 1 aspirator samples), R. BASHFORD, N. DORAN, M. & C. JASCHHOF ; 4 males, 2 females, Mersey River 4 km S Liena, 30 Dec. 2007, M. JASCHHOF ; 1 female, Lake St. Clair SW shore, 31 Dec. 2007, M. JASCHHOF ; 1 male, Mt Field National Park, near Lake Dobson Road (750 m a.s.l., 42.40.857S, 146.39.367E), 20 Feb.-2 March 2006, N. JÖNSSON, T. MALM & D. WILLIAMS .

Figures

Fig. 4: Anterior portion of female terminalia, dorsal view. - A: Colonomyia tasmanica sp. n. (paratype); - B: Colonomyia albicaulis COLLESS (specimen from Warra). 1 = eighth tergum, 2 = pubescent lobe(s) on posterior margin of eighth tergum, 3 = ninth tergite, 4 = tenth tergite, 5 = proximal cercus segment. Length of scale bar = 0.05 mm.

Fig. 5: Dorsal wall of female genital chamber, ventral view. - A: Colonomyia tasmanica sp. n. (paratype); - B: Colonomyia albicaulis COLLESS (specimen from Warra). 1 = gonapophysis of ninth segment, 2 = notum, 3 = gonocoxite of ninth segment, 4 = tergite of ninth segment, 5 = spermathecal eminence. Length of scale bar = 0.05 mm.