Achelipoda kanaklua, Plant, Adrian R., 2009

Plant, Adrian R., 2009, Revision of the east Asian genus Achelipoda Yang, Zhang & Zhang, 2007 (Diptera: Empididae: Hemerodromiinae) including designation of a neotype for Achelipoda pictipennis (Bezzi, 1912) and descriptions of six new species, Zootaxa 2020, pp. 37-50 : 40-42

1. Achelipoda kanaklua sp.n.

[ Fig. 2 ]

Type material. Holotype 3: Thailand, Phetchabun, Nam Nao NP, Helicopter landing ground, 16°43.184'N 101°35.137'E 875 m, Malaise trap (site code T268), 3–10.vii.2006, Noopean Hongyothi leg. [ QSBG]. Paratypes: 1Ƥ; same data as holotype (site codeT274), 17–24.vii.2006 [ QSBG]; 1Ƥ; same data as holotype, Malaise trap (site code T271), 10–17.vii.2006 [ NMWC]. Holotype deposited in QSBG.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a contraction of the Thai ‘khun ka na klua’ meaning a ‘horrible killer’ and refers to the presumed predatory habits suggested by the raptorial fore legs.

Diagnosis. A yellowish brown species with wing only faintly infuscated and a clear apex. Vein CuA2 extending to wing margin. Hypandrium + epandrium higher than long. Female hind tibia simple but with small posteroapical spur.

Description. Male: length 2.5 mm, similar to A. pictipennis but differing as follows.

Head: with only inconspicuous pile on lower occiput and postocular setae very small and inconspicuous. Upper occiput appearing strongly whitish dusted or subshining according to perspective. Antenna with basal segments dirty yellow, postpedicel blackish.

Thorax: orange-brown, scutum, scutellum and mediotergite darker; black patch behind fore coxa rather larger than in A. pictipennis . Thoracic setae small and inconspicuous; anterior dc equally strong as others (not clearly stronger); laterotergite with 2–3 minute setulae.

Legs: yellow with apical two tarsomeres darker. C1 as long as thorax, rather slender, hardly narrowed distally. F1 with femoral formula approximately 5/21/17 /5 +1–2 with only the basal spines and two basal spines of av and pv series strong with distal spines of both series very weak.

Abdomen: dark yellowish brown, without a fan of setae on tergite 5 but with a few dark setae on sternite 8. Hypandrium + epandrium rather shorter than high in lateral view, yellowish; phallus and subepandrial process ( Fig. 2 ) emerging through a rather long dorsally positioned aperture. Phallus narrow, emerging from posterior of aperture and strongly and evenly reflexed anteriorly. Subepandrial process strongly looped and anteriorly directed distally where rather wider than phallus. Cercus with median lobe bearing two long pale setae, one of which is directed outwards and the other curving inwardly above distal sections of phallus and subepandrial process; anterior lobe of complex structure with outer part consisting of a spatulate process bearing a ‘brush’ of small setae apically and an inner process less strongly sclerotized (not dissected).

Wing: with veins yellowish grey, membrane faintly tinged darker but without bands of darker colour but with extreme apex clear. Vein CuA2 extending to wing margin.

Description. Female: Very similar to male but tibiae rather darker and T3 with a small but distinct posteroapical spur, rather quadrate and hardly longer than wide. Abdomen pale brown with terminal segments darker. Sternite 8 viewed ventrally with lateral margins dark.

Comment. Achelipoda kanaklua is only known from Nam Nao National Park on the north western edge of the Isaan Plateau in north east Thailand. All specimens were captured in July, at the start of the rainy season.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 4. 3 genitalia of Achelipoda spp., lateral view. 1. Achelipoda kharkhema sp. n. 2. Achelipoda kanaklua sp. n. 3. Achelipoda pictipennis (Bezzi). 4. Achelipoda subobscura sp. n. Abbreviations: cal, anterior lobe of cercus; cml, median lobe of cercus; ej apod, ejaculatory apodeme; go apod, gonocoxal apodeme; ph, phallus; subep, subepandrial process.