Kymachrysa placita (Banks, 1908) Banks, 1908

Tauber, Catherine A. & Garland, J. Allan, 2014, Kymachrysa, a new genus of Nearctic Green Lacewings (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae, Chrysopini), ZooKeys 437, pp. 87-108 : 101-102

Taxon classification Animalia Neuroptera Chrysopidae

Kymachrysa placita (Banks, 1908) comb. n.

Chrysopa placita Banks, 1908: 259 [MCZ, Lectotype, designated by Tauber and Flint 2010: 61].

Ceraeochrysa placita (Banks). First combination in Ceraeochrysa by Adams (1982: 73). Removed from Ceraeochrysa by Tauber (2003: 484). Combination reinstated by Freitas et al. (2009: 568), but subsequently considered uncertain by Tauber and Flint (2010: 64).

Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) placitus [= placita] (Banks). First combination in Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) by Tauber (2003: 484). Removed from Chrysopodes by Freitas et al. (2009: 568). Generic and subgeneric association with Chrysopodes (Neosuarius) considered uncertain by Tauber (2010: 12).

Chrysopa forreri Navás, 1913-14 [1914]: 97 [Syntype, The Natural History Museum, London (BMNH)]. Junior subjective synonym of Ceraeochrysa placita by Adams (1982: 73). Recognized as a junior subjective synonym of Ceraeochrysa intacta ( Navás) by Tauber and Flint (2010: 62).

Chrysopa intacta Navás, 1912: 199 [Neotype, Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, (CNC), designated by Garland 1985: 138]. Junior subjective synonym of Ceraeochrysa placita by Garland (1985: 137). Recognized as a valid species, with uncertain generic assignment by Tauber and Flint (2010: 62).

Species specific characters.

The species was most recently re-described by Freitas et al. (2009: 568). Externally, it is recognized by its characteristic broad, dark brown facial markings (Fig. 4) and broadly cleft tarsal claws (Fig. 8C). The distinctive male features include: microtholi absent (Fig. 8A); ventral apodeme of S8+9 convex, with smooth curve; gonocornua broad, touching each other mesally (Fig. 6). Female character states include: spermathecal invagination small (<1/4th the width of the spermatheca), shallow (<1/2 the depth of the spermatheca); basal section of spermathecal duct smooth, without hairiness (Fig. 3). The larvae and biology are unknown.

Geographic distribution.

We have seen specimens or reliable reports only from the USA (AZ: Chafee, Cochise Co.; CO: Clear Creek, Larimer, Jefferson Co.; NM: Cibola Co.; UT: Uintah Co.; WY: Albany Co.).