Himantigera nigrifemorata Macquart, 1847

Fachin, Diego Aguilar & Hauser, Martin, 2018, Taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genus Himantigera James, 1982 (Diptera: Stratiomyidae: Sarginae), including the description of two new species and a key to the known species, Zootaxa 4531 (4), pp. 451-498 : 458-459

Himantigera nigrifemorata Macquart, 1847

( Figs 1, 10, 13–16, 25–26, 33, 39, 45–47, 56–58, 62–63, 86–89, 106–107, 112–113, 120–121, 126, type specimens, BMNH)

Sargus nigrifemorata Macquart, 1847: 47 –48 (original description). James & McFadden (1982): 19 (identification key to species). Type locality: Mexico. Holotype ♂ [BMNH]. Ref.— McFadden, 1972: 260.

Chrysochroma pulchrum Williston, 1900: 233 . Type locality: Mexico, Guerrero, Chilpancingo, 6000 feet. Lectotype ♀, Paralectotype ♀ [BMNH]. Refs.— McFadden, 1972: 265 (lectotype designation); McFadden, 1971: 411 (syn.).

Chrysochroma albipes Adams, 1903: 31 –32. Type locality: Mexico, Guito. Holotype ♂ [SEMC]. Attributed to Townsend. Ref.— James & McFadden, 1982: 19 (syn.).

Diagnosis. Relatively small and unmetallic (e.g., Figs 106–107). Upper frons and frontal callus relatively wide ( Figs 13–16). All apical tarsomeres dark brown. Abdomen oval-shaped, third or fourth segment widest; tergites 3– 5 densely covered with golden pilosity ( Figs 45–47).

Material examined. Type material: HOLOTYPE ( Fig. 126, A–E), ♂ labeled: “Holo- / type [printed on small round white label with a light red margin]”; “ Merosargus / nigrifemoratus / Mexico Macq [Macquart] [handwritten on white paper] / ex Bigot Coll: / BM.1960-539. [printed on white paper]”; “ ♀ [handwritten on white paper]”; “ Sargus / nigrifemorata n. sp. [handwritten on white paper] [the rest of the label is illegible]”; “M. nigrifemoratus ♀ / Sargus . id. Macq. [Macquart] / Mexic. [ Mexico] J. Bigot [handwritten on white paper]” (BMNH). LECTOTYPE [ Chrysochlora pulchra ] ( Fig. 126, F–I), ♀ labeled: “Lecto- / type [printed on small round white label with a dark blue margin]”; “ LECTOTYPE / Chrysochlora / pulchra Williston / des. McFadden 1972 [handwritten on white paper]”; “Para- / type [printed on small round white label with a light yellow margin]”; “Chilpancingo, / Guerrero, / 4600 ft. / June. H.H. Smith [printed on white paper]”; “B.C.A. Dipt. I. / Chrysochroma / pulchrum, / Will. [Williston] [printed on white paper]”; “ Himantoloba / pulchra / (Will.) / McFadden 1970 [handwritten on white paper]” (BMNH). PARALECTOTYPE [ Chrysochlora pulchra ] ( Fig. 126, J–L), ♀ labeled: “Para- / Lecto- / type [printed on small round white label with a light blue margin]”; “ PARALECTOTYPE / Chrysochlora / pulchra Williston [printed on white paper]”; “Para- / type [printed on small round white label with a light-yellow margin]”; “Amula, / Guerrero, / 6000 ft. / Sept. [September] H.H. Smith [printed on white paper]”; “B.C.A. Dipt. I. / Chrysochroma / pulchrum, / Will. [Williston] [printed on white paper]”; “ Chrysochlora / pulchra / Will. [Williston] [handwritten on white paper]”; “ Himantoloba / pulchra / (Will.) / McFadden 1970 [handwritten on white paper]” (BMNH).

Additional material: 1 ♂, COSTA RICA, Cartago, La Suiza 24’, 29.ix, P. Schild ( USNM) . 2 ♂, Heredia Prov. [Province], Santo Domingo, INBio Parque , 9°59’N 85°05’W, 1150, 08.viii.2001, N.E. Woodley ( USNM) . 1 ♂, Puntarenas, Monteverde , 1400–1500, 11–12.viii.76 [1976], E.M. Fisher, collr. [collector] ( CSCA) ; 1 ♂, Monteverde, Est. Biol. [Estación Biológica], 1500 m, 10°19.138’N 84°48.508’W, 15–18.viii.2010, M. Hauser ( CSCA) . 1 ♂, Santa Elena , 25.vi.1993, A. Borkent, CD 1452 ( CNC) . 1 ♂, San José, 28.viii.1962, M.T. James ( USNM) . 3 ♂, San Antonio de Escazú , 1300 [meters], vi.1987, W.G. Eberhard ; 5 ♂, ix.1987 ( USNM) . 1 ♂ (antennae and wings slide-mounted), San Antonio de Escazú , 9°54’N 84°09’W, 1300 m, xi.1988, W. Eberhard, Malaise trap ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, Escazú , 01–05.vii.1988, F.D. Parker ( LACM) ; 1 ♂, 20.vi–14.vii.1989 ( LACM) ; 2 ♂, 22.vii–05.viii.1989 ( LACM) ; 1 ♀, 21.viii–27.viii.1989 ( LACM) . 1 ♀, Zurquí de Moravia , 10°03’N 84°01’W, vi.1990, 1600 m, Malaise, P. Hanson ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, vi.1990 ( USNM) . 1 ♂ , EL SALVADOR, San Salvador, San Salvador, San José via, 01.viii.43 [1943], C.B. Spencer (USNM). 1 ♂, 1 ♀, La Libertad, C.N.A.S. Tecla [= District of Santa Tecla, currently Nueva San Salvador), 03.vii.53 [1953], Salazar ( USNM) . 1 ♂, GUATEMALA, Chimaltenango, Yepocapa , viii.1949, H.T. Dalmat ( USNM) . 1 ♀, Guatemala, Amatitlán , 27.vii.1949, E.G. Smith ( LACM) . 5 ♂, Guatemala City, 04.vi.1989, K & S Bloem colrs [collectors] ( UCD) . 1 ♀, Sacatepéquez, Antiqua [Antigua Guatemala], 24.vi.1923, E.G. Smyth ( USNM) ; 1 ♀, Antigua [Antigua Guatemala], Fca [Finca] Salinas , 29.vi.1980, arbol N°. 12, 3 : 45 p. m. ( LACM) . 1 ♀, Sololá, 5 km. ne. [NE] Panajachel , 1700m, 14–15.viii.1974, E.M. & J.L. Fisher ( CSCA) . 2 ♂, MEXICO, Chiapas, Município de Angel Albino Corzo (Jaltenango), above Finca Custepec , 1371 m, 11.viii.1981, D.E & L.A. Breedlove ( CAS) . 1 ♂, 11 mi. [miles] NE. Las Margaritas on rd. [road] to La Soledad , 1676 m, 15.xi.1974, D.E & L.A. Breedlove ( CAS) . 3 ♂ , Durango, Durango [city], Road , 21.vii.1967, R.H. Crandall, col (LACM). 2 ♀, Guerrero, Taxco , 27.vii.1951, M. Quigley ( USNM) . 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Jalisco, mi Teocaltiche , 21.viii.1970 ( UCD) ; 1 ♀, Teocaltiche 5600’, Racho La Quinta , 25.viii.1979, B. Villegas ( UCD) . 1 ♂, Tecolotlán , 18.ix.1975, B. Villegas ( UCD) . 1 ♂, Michoacán, Cotija , 08.ix.1972, E.A. Kane & B. Villegas ( CSCA) . 2 ♂, Morelos, Crawford ( USNM) . 1 ♂ (left antenna and wing slide-mounted), Cuernavaca , 12 mi. E., 4300’, 14.viii.1954, J.G. Chilcott ( CNC) . 1 ♀, Tepoztlán , YMCA camp, 21.viii.1958, H.F. Howden ( CNC) . 4 ♂, 3 ♀, Oaxaca, Crawford ( USNM) ; 1 ♂, Crawford , Frank M. Hull Collection ( CNC) ; 1 ♂, Crawford ( UCB) . 1 ♂, Puebla, Atencingo [belongs to the city of Chietla], 02.vi.1922, E.G. Smyth ( USNM) . 1 ♂, Sinaloa, Concordia , 08.ix.1970, K.J. Capelle ( LACM) . 1 ♀ (left antenna slide-mounted), 15 mi. W. El Palmito , 5000’, 30.vii.1964, W.R.M. Mason ( CNC) . 1 ♀, Santa Lucía , 25.vii.1964, 4000’, J.F. McAlpine ( CNC) . 3 ♂, 3 ♀, 50 mi NE Mazatlán , 09.ix.1970, W.J. Hanson, T.L. Whiworth ( LACM) . 1 ♂, Sonora, Racho Santa Bárbara, La Posa de Encino Boludo , 27 km NE Alamos, mt at isolated water hole in oak, woodland, 1242m, 27°06.27’N 108°43.86’W, 21–24.viii.2009, M.E. Irwin & Stephanie Meyer ( CSCA) . 1 ♂, Zacatecas, Nochistlán 6300’, Presa Los Tuzas , 26.viii.1979, B. Villegas ( UCD) .

Redescription. Male. Length: body, 8.0–10.0 mm; wing, 6.5–8.5 mm. Head ( Figs 13, 15). Upper frons slightly narrower than widest margin of frontal callus. Frontal callus margin slightly divergent towards face. Aristalike terminal flagellomere with four thin setae basally. Thorax. Legs mostly yellow, except mid and hind coxae, apical half of mid and hind femora, and at least all apical tarsomeres dark brown. Wing ( Figs 25–26). R 2+3 originating beyond r–m, at a distance as long as r–m ( Fig. 33). Proximal branch of M 1+2 slightly shorter than distal branch of M 1+2. Alula with microtrichia along anterior half, rarely few sparse microtrichia apically ( Fig. 39). Abdomen ( Fig. 45). Elongate, at least twice as long as wide, widest at about third to fourth segments; distinctly metallic green on tergites, dark brown with green to coppery reflections on sternites; long yellow pilosity laterally on tergites 1–2; shorter golden pilosity densely covering most of tergites 3–5 and sternites. Terminalia ( Figs 56– 58, 86–89). Genital capsule as wide as high, its posterior margin rounded dorsally; medial process of synsternite weakly developed ( Fig. 89); anterior end of gonocoxal apodeme and anterior end of phallus at same level as anterior margin of genitalia. Epandrium slightly wider than long ( Fig. 56).

Female. As for males, except as follows. Length: body 7.0–10.0, wing 6.5–9.0. Head ( Figs 14, 16). Upper frons nearly as wide as frontal callus. Lateral area of upper frons as wide as medial area. Thorax. Distal half of all femora dark brown (rarely basal two-thirds darker). Terminalia ( Figs 62–63). Genital fork widest medially ( Fig. 63), anterior arm clearly triangular; long projections of posterior bridge widely spaced; posterolateral process very slender dorsally.

Biology. Male post-coupling courtship of this species was described by Eberhard (1988).

Geographic distribution. Mexico (Chiapas, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Sinaloa, Sonora, Zacatecas) , Guatemala ( Guatemala, Chimaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Sololá) , El Salvador (La Libertad, San Salvador) , Costa Rica (Cartago, Heredia, Puntarenas, San José) ( Fig. 130) .

As commented by James & McFadden (1982), this species seems to occur at higher elevations, often above 1000 meters.

Comments. Some male and female specimens, mainly from Costa Rica (see Figs 107, 113, 121), El Salvador and Guatemala, differ in having darker legs, exemplified in the femora and in the distal half of all tibiae antero-dorsally that are dark brown. Females may also have the last two tarsomeres (not just the apical segment) of the legs dark brown instead, and paler males ( Mexico, Figs 106, 112) may be without dark brown spots on the fore femur.

One female specimen from Mexico (Tuxtepec, Oaxaca) deposited in WSU was identified as H. silvestris (determination label by James 1981), but this same specimen was included in James & McFadden’s (1982) revision as H. nigrifemorata . It is here considered to be H. nigrifemorata since all terminal tarsomeres are black.