Wilcoxia apache Pollock & Reichert, 2019

Pollock, Darren A. & Reichert, Lisa A., 2019, Review of the Nearctic genus Wilcoxia James (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae) with descriptions of three new species, Zootaxa 4695 (5), pp. 401-437 : 413-416

5. Wilcoxia apache Pollock & Reichert , n. sp.

( Figs 9–10 , 21 , 30–31 , 41, 43, 46 , 53–54, 58 , 63 , 68–77 )

Holotype (here designated), male, labeled: “ USA, NM, Quay Co. Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Can- yon 34.909227, -103.443162 4,670 feet; 17.x.2015 // coll. on ground; rocky/ stony substrate D.A. & G.W. Pollock collectors // [red label] HOLOTYPE ♂ Wilcoxia apache Reichert & Pollock ”, in CAS . Allotype, female, labeled: “ USA, NM, Quay Co., Hwy 469, ca. 8.7 mi. S. San Jon, 4840 ft. 34.983351; -103.355532; 23.x.2015 D&G Pollock, collectors // coll. on ground; rocky/ stony substrate D.A. & G.W. Pollock collectors // [red label] ALLOTYPE ♀ Wilcoxia apache Reichert & Pollock ”, in CAS .

Paratypes, from the following localities (all with blue “ PARATYPE Wilcoxia apache , n. sp. Pollock & Reichert ” labels): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. New Mexico. Chaves Co. Haystack Mtn. OHV Area 33.630838, - 104.243054, 3983 ft. elev.; 21.x.2017, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, colls., collected on rocks or rocky substrate near edge of canyon wall, ( ENMU, 9♂, 11♀) . Curry Co. Co. Rd. 47, ca 8.6 mi. N. Broadview , 4640 ft., 34.946582, -103.222631, 22.x.2017, D.A. Pollock, collected on rocks along side of road, ( ENMU, 5♂, 4♀) . Doña Ana Co. 5.1 mi. E. Tortugas Mt. [est. 32.291374, -106.594039], 5000 ft., G.S. Forbes, from the following dates (all from NMSU except as noted): 28.x.1982 (2♂, 2♀; BYUC, 1♂); 5.xii.1982 (6♂, 3♀; UCRC, 1♂ [ UCRC ENT 153599 ], 1♀ [ UCRC ENT 153600 ]); 17.xii.1982 (2♂, 3♀; USNM, 1♂ [USNMENT 01457179]); 13.xi.1982 (5♂, 12♀) ; 20.x.1981 (7♂, 4♀; EMEC, 1♂ [ EMEC 1135627 ]); 13.xi.1981 (5♂, 7♀; BYUC, 1♀; USNM, 1♀ [USNMENT 01457180]); 11.xii.1981 (2♂, 4♀; EMEC, 1♂ [ EMEC 1135626 ]); Jornada Range, 0.8 mi E. Coll [ege] Rch HQ [32.530892, -106.790412], 4200’, 6.xi.1983, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 2♀) ; same locality, 10.xii.1983, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 1♂, 1♀) ; Jornada Range, 2 mi. SW Coll [ege] Rch HQ [32.510074, -106.828202], 4500’, 12.xi.1983, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 2♂) ; Jornada Range, 2 mi. S Coll [ege] Rch HQ [32.501533, -106.804316], 10.xii.1983, G.S. Forbes & D. Lightfoot, ( NMSU, 1♀) ; Jor- nada Range, 0.5 mi. S Coll [ege] Rch HQ [32.523136, -106.80404], 4300’, 10.xii.1983, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 1♀) ; Jornada LTER site, 1 mi SW College Rch. [32.520249, -106.816191], 4300’, 1.xii.1984, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 1♀) ; Doña Ana Mts., 6.6 mi. N rt. 70/82, 2.4 mi W Jornada Rd [32.475142, -106.777375], 4700’, 28.x.1981, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 2♂, EMFC, 1♂); 3 mi. NE La Cueva Rock [32.33076, -106.670677], 6000’, 12.i.1987, G.S. Forbes, ( NMSU, 1♀) . Lea Co. Co. Rd. 164 (Ranger Lk. Road) nr. Jct. Hwy 206; 33.357836, -103.315209, 4,026 ft., 25.xi.2016, G. & D. Pollock, collected on rocks around edge of old garbage tip, ( ENMU, 1♂, 1♀) . Quay Co. Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Canyon, 34.909227, -103.443162, 4,670 feet, 17.x.2015, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, coll. on ground, rocky/stony substrate, ( ENMU, 5♂, 6♀) ; same locality, 10.x.2015, D.A. Pollock, G.W. Pollock & L.A. Reichert, collected on large flat rocks on ground, ( ENMU, 6♂, 8♀) ; Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Canyon, 34.912969, -103.447760, 4,655 feet, 17.x.2015, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, coll. on ground, rocky/ stony substrate, ( ENMU, 18♂, 11♀) ; same locality and info, 23.x.2015, ( ENMU, 20♂, 7♀) ; Hwy 469, ca. 8.7 mi. S. San Jon, 4840 ft., 34.984211, -103.355953, 17.x.2015, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, coll. on ground, rocky/stony substrate, ( ENMU, 7♂, 11♀) ; Hwy 469, ca. 8 mi. S. San Jon, 4840 ft., 34.983351, -103.355532, 25.x.2015, D. & G. Pollock, collected on rocks/boulders, ( ENMU, 4♂, 4♀) ; same locality and info, 23.x.2015, ( ENMU, 36♂, 18♀) ; same local- ity and info, 8.xi.2015, ( ENMU, 4♂, 5♀) ; same locality and info, 31.x.2015, ( ENMU, 6♂, 8♀) ; Hwy 156, 0.2 mi W. Co. Rd Bk , 34.909754, -104.071758, 5,360 feet, 1.xi.2015, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, collected on large rocks along edge of canyon, ( ENMU, 4♂, 1♀) ; Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Canyon, 34.909128, -103.442995, 4670 feet, 1.xi.2015, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, collected on rocky substrate, ( ENMU, 1♂) ; Hwy 278, ca. 13.8 mi. SW San Jon, Apache C[an]y[o]n, 4600ft, 34.934684, -103.460314, 1.xi.2015, G & D Pollock, collected on large rocks, ( ENMU, 2♂, 1♀) ; same locality, 22.x.2016, D.A. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♂) ; Hwy 469, ca. 7.5 mi. S. San Jon, 4464 ft., 34.994745, -103.352179, 25.x.2015, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, collected on rocks/boulders, ( ENMU, 2♀) ; Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Cyn, 34.909271, -103.443129, 4600 ft., 1.x.2016, ( ENMU, 1♂, 2♀) ; same local- ity, 1.x.2016, D.A. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♂, 2♀) ; Hwy 469, ca. 8.7 mi. S. San Jon, 34.984075, -103.357327, 4856 ft., 8.x.2016, D. Pollock, on rocks, ( ENMU, 1♂, 3♀) ; same locality and data, 15.x.2016, ( ENMU, 1♀) ; 30.x.2016, ( ENMU, 1♀) ; same locality, 8.xi.2016, G. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♀) ; same locality, 20.xi.2016, Pollocks, ( ENMU, 2♂, 4♀) ; 13.xi.2016, Pollocks, ( ENMU, 1♂, 4♀) ; Hwy 469, ca. 7.5 mi. S. San Jon, 34.994681, -103.351215, 4485 ft., 30.x.2016, D.A. & G.W. Pollock, collected on large rocks, ( ENMU, 1♂) ; same locality, 8.xi.2016, G.W. Pollock, collected on rocky substrate, ( ENMU, 1♂) ; same locality, 13.xi.2016, collected on rocky substrate, ( ENMU, 1♂) ; same locality, 5.i.2019, D.A. & G.W. Pollock and L. Reichert, collected on rock, ( ENMU, 1♂) ; Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Cyn, 34.909204, -103.443090, 4689 ft., 11.xii.2016, G.W. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♀) ; Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Cyn, 34.910545, -103.446762, 4630 ft., 22.x.2016, D.A. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♀) ; same locality, 15.x.2016, D.A. Pollock, on rocks near cliff-side, ( ENMU, 1♀) ; Hwy 278, ca. 15 mi. SW San Jon, Apache Cyn, 34.91187, -103.446672, 30.x.2016, D. & G. Pollock, collected on rocks along cliffside or upper canyon slope, ( ENMU, 2♂, 2♀) ; Hwy 469, ca. 8.7 mi. S. San Jon, 4650 ft., 34.983247, -103.353172, 9.xii.2017, G.W. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♀) . Roosevelt Co. Railroad Mtn. Rd., just S. Kenna , 33.822982, -103.771782, 4550 ft. el., 21.x.2017, D. & G. Pollock, collected on rocky substrate along side of road, ( ENMU, 4♂, 6♀) ; same locality, 25.x.2017, D.A. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♂, 4♀) ; same locality, 28.x.2017, D.A. Pollock ( ENMU, 4♀) ; same locality, 3.xi.2017, D.A. Pollock, ( ENMU, 2♂, 11♀) ; same locality, 4.xi.2017, D. & G. Pollock, ( ENMU, 2♂, 6♀) ; same locality, 11.xi.2017, D.A. Pollock, ( ENMU, 1♀) . Texas. Bailey Co. Muleshoe Nat. Wildlife Refuge; nr. Goose Lake , 33.959236, -102.758367, 3815 ft. elev.; 19.x.2017, D.A. Pollock & L.A. Reichert, colls., coll. along rocky edge of cliff face or on bare patches near edge, ( ENMU, 6♂, 5♀) . Non-type material examined [not mapped; localities not understood]. New Mexico, Lea Co.: 23m Hobbs Hwy., 20.x.1980, 1:00 pm, Tony Martin, warm, cloudy, snkweed, ( NMSU, 1♀); 35 mi. Tatum/Portales, 20.x.1980, Tony Martin, 11:30 am, warm, cloudy, snkweed, ( NMSU, 2♂).

Derivation of specific epithet: Named after the type locality for this species: Apache Canyon, Quay County, New Mexico.

Diagnosis. This species may be separated from the other three members of the martinorum group by the following characters: outer lateral surface of all femora non-pollinose; usually 2 postalar setae present; pair of short, linear, non-pollinose patches on scutum; halter knob pink, distinctly contrasting yellow stem.

Description. Male ( Fig. 9 ). TL 5.6–7.9 mm; wing 5.0– 6.6 mm.

Head ( Fig. 21 ) black, covered in pale grey tomentum, tinted slightly brown on ocellar tubercle; face (in profile) projecting slightly beyond eye; hairs and setae of head white; lower occipital hairs very dense, long, “wispy”; ocellar tubercle with many long, fine white hairs, and about 8 long, fine amber setae (ca. length of postpedicel + style); mystax ( Fig. 21 ) dense, consisting of long setae and hairs (ca. length of antenna), occupying almost entire face; setae and hairs white, bases perpendicular to plane of face; no distinct hairs on face separate from mystax; palpi and proboscis black, with fine white hairs; antennomeres brown to black, pollinose, scape very thinly pollinose; scape and pedicel with long ventral setae (pedicel with one longer hair) and hairs and several relatively long hairs dorsally; ratio of antennomere lengths (scape: pedicel: postpedicel: style+spine = 6: 6: 18: 11.

Thorax black, covered in pale grey tomentum; scutum with divided median stripe, light to dark brown pollinose; acrostichal setae present, 6–8 per row; scutum surface in most specimens with oval non-pollinose patch between median stripe and postalar callus; scutum with relatively dense pile of white hairs (ca. length of postpedicel), densest presuturally but slightly longer postsuturally; 2–3 notopleural setae; 1–2 supraalar setae; usually 3 notopleural setae; stoutest thoracic setae with amber cast; scutellum pale grey pollinose, frequently with a small bare patch on center of disc; 8–10 white marginal setae, longest setae greater in length than scutellum, perpendicular to plane of scutellum, subparallel to each other; several marginal hairs present; disc of scutellum with many shorter, partially appressed hairs; pleura pale grey pollinose; katatergite with ca. 20 long, fine, white setae, tips “crinkly” ( Fig. 43 ); wings hyaline; costa complete around entire wing margin; microtrichiae sparse and inconspicuous on entire wing; halter with base brown and yellow, stem yellow, knob pink to light purple; legs ( Figs 9–10 ) black, hairs and setae white; femora bare, if pollinosity present, confined to distal <1/4; femora dorsally with relatively dense, white appressed hairs (<femur width) and a few longer (about width of femur) erect white setae; ventrally with many longer, suberect white hairs (longest> femur width); tibiae with dense, medium (> half tibia width) slightly appressed white hairs, ventrally with a few longer, more erect hairs, very long on front tibia (longest hairs> 5 x tibial width); mesotibial spine light brown; protibiae without sigmoidal spine.

Abdomen ( Figs 9 , 30 ) black; tergites 2–7 with “checkerboard” pattern of pale grey pollinosity and bare patches; tergites 1–7 densely pale grey pollinose, hairs white; tergites 1–7 with dorsocentral bare patches; 2–7 extending from posterior margin to about midlength; tergite 1 with bare patch extending to anterior edge; tergites 2–6 with anterolateral bare patches; sternites pale grey pollinose with sparse, long, fine white hairs.

Male genitalia ( Figs 53–54 ). Apex of dorsal gonocoxite process deeply bifid, both lobes subequal in length, with carina on outer lobe; dorsal process extending past apex of ventral gonocoxite process; medial gonocoxite processes thin, acute, distinctly curved towards phallus; gonostylus relatively wide, angulate, apex truncate; phallus with distinct, subapical denticle on lateral margins; lateral margins relatively evenly narrowed to apex.

Female ( Fig. 10 ). TL 6.5–9.3 mm; wing 5.6–7.0 mm. Features similar to male, except for the following: pollinosity of frons medium brown; tomentum of scutum and pleura tinted light to medium brown; tergites 1–6 as in male, but pollinosity with light brown cast dorsocentrally; tergites 7–8 bare, non-pollinose ( Fig. 31 ); setae on front tibiae much shorter and sparse than male.

Natural History. Specimens of W. apache were collected as they rested on a variety of substrates: rocky (e.g. Figs 68–70 , 71–72, 76 ), stony (e.g. Fig. 75 ), or sandy, adjacent to rocky substrate (e.g. Figs 73–74 , 77 ). Size of stone/rock ranged from relatively small rocks to large boulders and canyon edges. At a locality in Quay Co., NM, specimens of W. apache were seen sharing the same rocky, cliff edge habitat ( Fig. 69 ) with individuals of the following genera: Backomyia Wilcox & Martin , Comantella Curran , and Metapogon Coquillett. Individuals were not seen on, or swept from vegetation.

Forty-six specimens (11 males and 35 females) were collected in 2015–17 with prey (see below). Bulk indices of these prey items ranged from 0.7 (the anthocorid) to 4.8 (the delphacid). The bulk index ratios—an indication of the relative size of the robber fly to that of the prey—ranged from 21.00 to 5.19. Although the number of prey records is admittedly small, individuals of W. apache seem not to be selective in their preferences, either taxonomically or by size of prey item. Prey records for W. apache (male and female symbols refer to sex of the individual W. apache ): HEMIPTERA (Heteroptera) : Miridae ( Coridromius chenopoderis Tatarnic & Cassis [1♀], Cyrtopeltocoris albofasciatus Reuter [1♀], Trigonotylus slateri Carvalho [1♀]); Anthocoridae (indet. sp.) [1♀]; Lygaeidae ( Nysius sp(p?) [2♂, 3♀]). HEMIPTERA (Auchenorrhyncha) : Cicadellidae ( Ceratagallia uhleri (Van Duzee) [2♂, 3♀], C.? rossi Hamilton [1♂], Ceratagallia sp. [1♂, 1♀], Flexamia sp. [1♀], Graminella sonora (Ball) [1♀], Macrosteles sp. [1♀], Neozygina balli (Beamer) [1♂, 1♀]); Cixidae ( Cixius sp.) [1♀]; Delphacidae ( Bostaera nasuta Ball ) [1♀]. HEMIPTERA (Sternorrhyncha) : Aphididae ( Iziphya sp.) [1♀]. COLEOPTERA : Cryptophagidae ( Cryptophagus sp.) [1♀]. DIPTERA : Bibionidae ( Bibiodes femorata Melander ) [1♂]; Sciaridae ( Eugnoriste sp. [1♂], Sciara sp. [2♂, 2♀]); Cecidomyiidae ( Winnertzia sp. [2♀], indet. sp. 1 [3♀], indet. sp. 2 [1♀]); Chironomidae (indet. sp.) [1♀]; Dolichopodidae ( Medetera sp.) [1♀]; Milichiidae (indet. sp.) [1♀]; Muscidae (indet. sp.) [1♀]. HYMENOPTERA : Formicidae ( Lasius cf. aphidicola (Walsh)), alate ♂ [1♀]; Eulophidae (Tetrastichinae) [1♀]; Encyrtidae ( Meromyzobia sp.) [1♀]; Pteromalidae ( Pteromalinae , cf. Homoporus ) [1♀].

Two mating pairs of W. apache were seen and collected (Railroad Mountain Rd., Roosevelt Co., NM): 10:15 MDT on 4.xi.2017 and 12:30 MDT on 21.x.2018. One specimen of W. apache was observed (and collected) in Quay Co., NM while being consumed by a jumping spider ( Salticidae : Phidippus ? johnsoni Peckham & Peckham). Collection range: 20.x–12.i (Doña Ana Co.), 1.x–7.i (eastern NM and west TX).

Distribution ( Fig. 63 ). The known distribution of W. apache encompasses two “clusters”, one in Doña Ana Co., NM (near Las Cruces) and the other including several counties in eastern NM (Lea, Roosevelt, Curry, Quay, and Chaves) and Bailey Co., TX. It is very likely that the gap between these two groups is illusory and will be filled with additional collecting in the appropriate habitat(s) in central NM and perhaps even west of Las Cruces. Wilcoxia apache and W. forbesi are the only two species in the genus that are relatively broadly sympatric in distribution (Doña Ana Co., NM). The elevational range of collecting localities is narrow for W. apache : from 3,818 to 5405 ft. Four specimens (see above, “non-type material examined”) from NMSU have somewhat cryptic labels indicating presence in Lea County, NM; recent collecting by the authors in fact revealed specimens in northern Lea County.

Figures

FIGURES 9–12. Figs 9–10. Male (9) and female (10) paratypes of W. apache, n. sp. Male from Curry Co., NM; female from Chaves Co., NM. Figs. 11–12. Male (11) and female (12) paratypes of W. flavipennis, n. sp. Both specimens from Sonora, Mexico.

FIGURES 17–25. Laterofrontal view of head of Wilcoxia spp. 17. W. cinerea, male. 18. W. monae, male. 19. W. painteri, male. 20. W. pollinosa, male. 21. W. apache, n. sp., male. 22. W. flavipennis, n. sp., male. 23. W. forbesi, n. sp., male. 24. W. forbesi, n. sp., female. 25. W. martinorum, male.

FIGURES 30–37. Abdomens of Wilcoxia spp. (martinorum group), dorsal. 30. W. apache, n. sp., male; 31. W. apache, n. sp., female; 32. W. flavipennis n. sp., male; 33. W. flavipennis, n. sp., female. 34. W. forbesi, n. sp., male. 35. W. forbesi, n. sp., female. 36. W. martinorum, male. 37. W. martinorum, female.

FIGURES 41–46. Figs 41–42. Detail of posterior scutum and scutellum. 41. W. apache, n. sp. showing uniformly pollinose scutellum and many marginal setae as well as the linear, non-pollinose patches on scutum. 42. W. monae, showing posteriorly non-pollinose scutellum and relatively few marginal setae. Figs 43–44. Katatergite setation. 43. W. apache, n. sp. male, with “crinkly” setae. 44. W. cinerea, female, with “non-crinkly” setae. Fig. 45–46. Apical tibial spurs. 45. W. painteri, female, sigmoidal apicoventral spur on front tibia. 46. W. apache, n. sp., male, stout spur at apex of middle tibia.

FIGURES 47–58. Male genitalia (47–57) and ovipositor (58) of Wilcoxia spp. 47. W. cinerea, ventral view (epandrium removed). 48. W. monae, ventral view (epandrium removed). 49–50. W. painteri, ventral and right lateral view. 51–52. W. pollinosa, ventral (epandrium removed) and slightly oblique view. 53–54. W. apache, n. sp., ventral and dorsal oblique view. 55. W. flavipennis, n. sp., ventral view. 56. W. forbesi, n. sp., dorsal view (epandrium removed). 57. W. martinorum, ventral view (epandrium removed). 58. W. apache, n. sp., terminal abdominal segments and ovipositor. dp = dorsal gonocoxite process; dpc = dorsal gonocoxite process carina; gc = gonocoxite; gs = gonostylus; lep = lateral ejaculatory process; mp = medial gonocoxite process; pd = phallus denticle; ph = phallus; vp = ventral gonocoxite process.

FIGURES 63–64. Known distributions of W. apache, n. sp. (63) and W. flavipennis, n. sp. (64) (maps created at www.gpsvisualizer.com).

FIGURES 67–70. Habitats of Wilcoxia spp. 67. Habitat of W. pollinosa (Chaves Co., NM). Individuals were collected by general sweeping of this diverse vegetation. Unfortunately, no specimens were seen in/on specific plants. 68. Type locality (up on cliff edge) of W. apache, n. sp., Quay Co., NM. 69. Detail of rocky terrain at type locality of W. apache, n. sp., Quay Co., NM. 70. Female of W. apache, n. sp. resting on typical rocky substrate, Quay Co., NM (photo credit: George W. Pollock).

FIGURES 71–76. Habitats of Wilcoxia apache, n. sp. 71. Haystack Mtn., Chaves Co., NM. 72. Near Goose Lake, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, Bailey Co., TX. 73–74. Habitat and individual fly resting on this “atypical” substrate, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, Bailey Co., TX (away from cliff edge seen in Fig. 72). 75–76. Railroad Mtn. Rd., Roosevelt Co., NM. Individuals were seen on the stony substrate and also on the isolated clusters of larger rocks.

FIGURES 77–80. Habitats of Wilcoxia spp. 77. W. apache, n. sp., “atypical” habitat/substrate, field east of Railroad Mtn. Rd., Roosevelt Co., NM. Specimens were seen/collected along this sandy track through prairie. 78–79. W. forbesi, n. sp., habitat, base of Tortugas Mtn., Doña Ana Co., NM. 80. Female W. forbesi, n. sp., on typical substrate, Tortugas Mtn., Doña Ana Co., NM (photo credit: George W. Pollock).