Evertomyia webbi, Gaimari, Stephen D., 2004

Gaimari, Stephen D., 2004, A new genus of Lauxaniidae (Diptera) from New Caledonia, Zootaxa 449, pp. 1-39 : 32-37

Evertomyia webbi , sp. nov.

( Figs. 3 F, 14A–E, 15A–C)

Etymology. Named for the dipterist Dr. Donald W. Webb, my good friend and one of the collectors of this and several species of this genus.

Diagnosis. Like E. frankadelia , this species has weaker, divergent ocellar setae, the face lacks paired spots, the ptilinial suture and antennal groove are unmarked, the scutum and scutellum are brownish orange, lacking vittae or silvery grey pruinescence, and the anepisternum is pale without dark marks, although in this species is paler. Like E. helenae , E. irwini , and E. matilei , the anterior orbital seta is closer to the lunule edge than to the posterior seta. Like E. helenae and E. irwini , the antennal arista is short plumose. Like all species except E. frankadelia , the orbital setae are strong with the posterior seta slightly stronger than the anterior seta, and the anterior dorsocentral seta is closer to the transverse suture than to the middle seta. Like all species except E. albeto , the face lacks a median spot and the midtibia has 1 strong spur. Unlike all other species, the fronto­orbital plate lacks pruinescence and displays shiny ground color, and the face is silvery grey pruinose. In the male: the surstylus is subcircular in lateral view, is setose laterally, and is entirely pilose; the aedeagus only tapers distally, the ventral surface has a median longitudinal furrow; the hypandrium is a broad band with the anterior and posterior edges parallel; the paramere is present, tusk­like, curved outwards, and has several small setulae at the base. In the female: sternites 2–5 are less than 2 X broader than long; sternite 8 is elongated but tapering anteriorly, with anteriorly­directed lateral arms, and the paired central processes are slightly elongated, each with a distal hook.

Adults, ɗ, Ψ. Body length 5.7–7.1 mm.

Head ( Fig. 3 F). 1.3–1.4 X higher than long, 1.6–1.8 X wider than high; eye slightly higher than long. Vertex orange, but darker brown behind ocellar triangle to postocellar setae; outer vertical seta as strong as anterior orbital seta, inner seta 1.4–1.6 X longer. Ocellar triangle covered with brown pruinescence continuous with vertex. Ocellar setae weak, half length of anterior orbital seta and much thinner; divergent. Postocellar setae strong, nearly as strong as anterior orbital seta. Occiput and median occipital sclerite orange. Frons with anterolateral part with light dusting of silvery white pruinescence visible in profile below fronto­orbital plate. Fronto­orbital plate shiny brownish­orange, lacking pruinescence. Orbital setae strong; posterior seta 1.2–1.5 X longer than anterior; anterior seta arising slightly closer to edge of lunule than to posterior seta; anterior setae slightly closer together than posterior setae. Antennal scape, facial carina, and area lateral to antennal base pale yellow, with light dusting of silvery white pruinescence. Antennal pedicel brown; 1st flagellomere brown with orange basally, 1.5–1.7 X longer than high; arista short plumose, with longest rays 1.2–1.5 mm and 0.6–0.8 X height of 1st flagellomere. Face dark, covered with pale silvery grey pruinescence; antennal grooves unmarked. Parafacial and gena dark, covered with pale silvery grey pruinescence; postgena orange, covered with silvery grey pruinescence. Clypeus dark brown. Maxillary palpus brownish; subcylindrical, nearly spatulate; with black setulae.

Thorax. Scutum 1.1–1.3 X longer than wide; scutellum with width at base 1.5–1.8 X greater than length; scutum and scutellum brownish orange dorsally, fading abruptly to nearly yellow at lateral edges. Pleural area entirely pale yellowish orange, as on lateral edge of scutum. Distances between anterior and middle dorsocentral setae and between middle and posterior setae subequal, with anterior seta closer to transverse suture than to middle seta. Legs. Yellowish orange, except as noted. Forefemur darker orange to brown on distal third, with patch of greyish brown pruinescence on anterodorsal surface; ctenidium as evenly spaced (each 0.19–0.23 mm apart) row of 13–16 setulae; posterior surface with short row of smaller setae. Foretibia with brown bands basally, sub­basally, and apically. Midtibia with 1 strong spur. Wing. Length 5.3–6.3 mm; 2.4–2.7 X longer than high. Discal medial cell 3.9–4.2 X longer than crossvein dm­cu. Halter yellow with darkened knob.

Abdomen. Dark greyish brown pruinose (some specimens vary in having certain areas, especially along midline and on distal segments, with reduced or no pruinescence, showing orange ground color; in most extreme case, dark pruinescence only present laterally and along posterior portion of each tergite); slightly shorter than scutum. Sternites yellowish orange; with sparse fine setulae; in female, sternites 2–5 1.7–1.8 X broader than long, with slightly elongated setae along posterior edges.

Male genitalia. Surstylus articulated with epandrium ( Figs. 14 D–E); subcircular from lateral view; posterior edge slightly sharpened; entirely pilose; setose laterally and on both sides of posterior edge. Aedeagus ( Figs. 14 A–B) evenly thick through basal half, then tapering distally; ventral surface with median longitudinal furrow to broadly open gonopore; dorsally with median longitudinal ridge. Hypandrium ( Fig. 14 A) a broad band with anterior and posterior edges parallel, with posterior edge slightly concave. Paramere ( Figs. 14 A, C) present, tusk­like, curved outwards; with several small setulae at base. Aedeagal apodeme normal, thick; branched posteriorly into 2 arms, appearing as “Y”; curvature such that ventral surface concave from lateral view. Ejaculatory apodeme subequal to aedeagal apodeme.

Female terminalia . Sternite 8 ( Figs. 15 A–B) elongate but tapering anteriorly, width 0.6 X length at posterior end to 0.25 X length anteriorly; with only anteriorly­directed lateral arms sclerotized, with posterior part densely covered with small bumps; paired central processes originating on posterior third of sternite 8, short (but longer than wide) and extending slightly beyond posterior edge of sternite, with medially­oriented distal hooks; process setose. Spermathecae round; single spermatheca 0.13 mm diameter, paired 0.10 mm each; paired spermathecae on short stalks after bifurcation (as in Fig. 13 D).

Immatures. Egg. Micropylar end slightly enlarged, globose ( Fig. 15 C). Eclosion end with distinct lobes, 3 on each side.

Biology. Specimens of this species have been collected in all months from July through April, except September. One specimen was collected in association with a species of Psychotria L. ( Rubiaceae ), but specimens are most commonly collected using Malaise traps, often placed across forest paths and along streams.

Type material. Holotype ɗ (pinned, very good condition) deposited in BPBM ( BPBM 16,530) with the following labels: “Noumea, New Caled. / Nov. 1940 ”, “ HOLOTYPUS / Evertomyia / webbi / Gaimari ɗ” (red label). Paratypes. Province Nord. 13 km SE Kaala­ Gomén, 20°46'07"S, 164°27'26"E, 100 m (M. E. Irwin, D. W. Webb), small Malaise trap across road in dry shrub, 20.I.1996 [1ɗ]. 22 km NW Hienghène, trail to Mont Panié, 600 m (D.W. Webb, E. & M. Schlinger), Malaise trap in tropical forest, 11–25.XI.1992 [1ɗ]. Col des Roussettes, 300–400 m (N.L.H. Krauss), 29.I.1969 [1Ψ]. Headwaters of Houailou R[iver]. (C.R. Joyce), 26.X.1958 [1ɗ]. La Crouen (J. Sedlacek), 16.III.1961 [1ɗ]. Mont Mandjanié, 5.3 km WSW Puébo, 550 m (D. W. Webb), Malaise trap in tropical forest, 9– 26.XI.1992 [2ɗ]. Mont Panié: 260–360 m, (L. Matile) forêt [forest], 11.XII.1983 [1Ψ]; 360 m (L. Matile), 11–16.XII.1983 [1Ψ]. Mont Panié trail (N.L.H. Krauss), 8–9.II.1963 [1Ψ]. On heights between Thio [Prov. Sud] & Nakety [Prov. Nord] (C. R. Joyce), 12.XI.1958 [2ɗ, 3Ψ]. Tiwaka, Poindimié, 20 m (L. Matile), forêt galerie [forest gallery], 23.XI.1983 [1Ψ]. Yiambi [Yambé], NE, 1–50 m (J. & M. Sedlacek), 15.X.1967 [1ɗ]. Province Sud. 10 km NW Sarraméa, 21°34'55"S, 165°47'50"E, 485 m (M. E. Irwin, D. W. Webb), Malaise trap across forest road, 21.I.1996 [1Ψ (dissection 907: SDG 01006)]. Between Plum & Yati [Yaté] (T. C. Maa), 25.III.1968 [3ɗ, 2Ψ]. Col d’Amieu, 380–470m (L. Matile), 29.XI.1983 [1ɗ, 1Ψ]. Col de la Pirogue (N.L.H. Krauss), 23.I.1962 [1ɗ, 1Ψ], 13.II.1962 [1ɗ], 14.II.1963 [1ɗ, 1Ψ]. Mont Koghi: 400–500 m (N.L.H. Krauss), II.1973 [1Ψ], 11.II.1976 [1ɗ, 1Ψ]; 400–600 m (N.L.H. Krauss), II.1973 [1Ψ]; 500 m (C. Yoshimoto), 26–30.I.1963 [1ɗ], (M. Sedlacek), 23–27.VIII.1967 [1ɗ], (C. Yoshimoto & N.L.H. Krauss), Malaise trap, 26–30.I.1963 [1Ψ], (R. Straatman), Malaise trap, 4.XII.1963 [1Ψ]; 500–700 m (R. Straatman), 1.XII.1963 [1Ψ]; ± 600 m (R. Straatman), 30.XI.1963 [1ɗ]; (N.L.H. Krauss), II.1962 [2Ψ], II.1978 [1ɗ], 15.II.1963 [1ɗ], 19.II.1963 [1ɗ], III.1978 [1ɗ, 1Ψ]. Monts [des] Koghis, 420–440 m (L. Matile), 3.XII.1983 [1ɗ]. Mont Koghis [Koghi], 17 km NNE Nouméa: 22°10'34"S, 166°30'17"E, 425 m (M.E. Irwin, D.W. Webb, E.I. Schlinger), Malaise trap across path in rainforest, 8–10.I.1996 [1ɗ], 10–11.I.1996 [1ɗ], 11–12.I.1996 [1ɗ], 24–25.I.1996 [3ɗ (dissection 906: SDG 01005)], 25.I.1996 [1ɗ, 1Ψ (dissection 914: ɗ, SDG 01016)], 27–28.I.1996 [1Ψ]; 22°10.567'S, 166°30.293'E, 550 m (M.E. Irwin, D.W. Webb), Malaise trap, 17.XI.1998 [1ɗ]; 500 m (D. W. Webb), Malaise trap in tropical forest, 5–15.XI.1992 [6ɗ], 15–20.XI.1992 [1ɗ]; 500 m (M.E. Irwin, D.W. Webb), Malaise trap in tropical forest, 1–3.XI.1992 [1ɗ], 3–4.XI.1992 [1ɗ], Malaise trap across forest stream, 27.XII.1991 [1Ψ], 27–28.XII.1991 [3ɗ], 23–26.XII.1991 [4ɗ (dissection 905: SDG 01004)]. Monts des Koghis, 300–600 m (J.L. Gressitt & T.C. Maa), 19.III.1968 [1Ψ], 400–600 m (N.L.H. Krauss), I.1969 [8ɗ, 5Ψ], II.1980 [1Ψ]. Mont Mou: (N.L.H. Krauss), 11.II.1962 [1Ψ]; Foret Inf. [= inférieur] [lower elevation forest], 160– 250m (L. Matile), bord ruiss. [= ruisseau] [stream edge], 6.XII.1983 [3ɗ (dissection 913: SDG 01015)]. Nouméa (R. Straatman), 22–23.XI.1963 [1ɗ]. Plaine des Lacs area (C.R. Joyce), 5.XI.1958 [1ɗ]. Plaine des Lacs (C.R. Joyce), 30.X.1958 [2ɗ, 1Ψ]. Plateau de Dogny: 150–900 m (N.L.H. Krauss), 4.II.1971 [1ɗ, 1Ψ]; 400 m (J.L. Gressitt), Psychotria [plant association], 10.IV.1973 [1Ψ]; (J.L. Gressitt & T.C. Maa), 29.III.1968 [2ɗ]; (N.L.H. Krauss), 31.I.1969 [1ɗ]. Rivière Bleue Provincial Park: 28 km NW Yaté (M.E. Irwin, D.W. Webb), Malaise trap across running stream, 23–27.XII.1991 [1Ψ]; Env. [= environs de] [near] Yaté (L. Matile), ft. [= forêt] cotière [sloping forest], bord ruiss. [= ruisseau] [stream edge], 8.XII.1983 [1ɗ, 1Ψ]; Forêt de la Thy, 150–250 m (L. Matile), 28.XI.1983 [1ɗ, 1Ψ], Forêt de la Thy (J. Chazeau), piège de Malaise [Malaise trap], 21.IV.1981 [1ɗ]; Parc 5, 150 m (L.B. de Larbogne, J. Chazeau), piège de Malaise [Malaise trap], forêt humide sur alluvions [humid forest on river bank], 13–28.I.1986 [1ɗ, 4Ψ]; Parc 6, 150 m (L.B. de Larbogne, J. Chazeau, A. et S. Tillier), piège de Malaise [Malaise trap], forêt humide sur alluvions [humid forest on river bank], 5–20.I.1987 [6ɗ (dissection 912: SDG 01014)], 160 m, (L. B. de Larbogne, J. Chazeau), piège de Malaise [Malaise trap], forêt humide sur alluvions [humid forest on river bank], 13–28.I.1986 [4ɗ, 2Ψ], 160 m (L.B. de Larbogne, J. Chazeau, R. et S. Tillier), piège de Malaise [Malaise trap], forêt humide sur alluvions [humid forest on river bank], 18.VII–1.VIII.1986 [1Ψ]; Parc 7, 170 m (L.B de Larbogne, J. Chazeau), fôret humide sur pente [humid forest on slope], 19.XI–4.XII.1985 [3ɗ]. Thi River Valley (F.X. Williams), 1940 (3ɗ, 1Ψ), 1.XI.1940 [2Ψ]. Yahoue: 60–100 m (N.L.H. Krauss), II.1980 [1ɗ]; (N.L.H. Krauss), II.1978 [1ɗ], 2.III.1978 [1Ψ]. Paratypes deposited in AMNH, AMSA, ANIC, BMNH, BPBM, CASC, CAUC, CNCI, CSCA, DEBU, EMEC, HNHM, INHS, KUEC, MCZC, MHNG, MNHN, MZSP, NHMW, NMSA, QMBA, UCDC, USNM, ZISP, ZMHB, and ZMUC.

Distribution. Found in both the Province Nord and Province Sud, only at lower elevations (below 700 m). In the north, found in the rainforest areas near Kaala­Gomén, on Mont Panié, on Mont Madjanié, in Col des Roussettes, in La Crouen, in the Thio­Nakety vicinity, in the Yambé vicinity, near the headwaters of the Houailou River, and in Tiwaka near Poindimié. In the south, found in the rainforest areas of Col d’Amieu, Col de la Pirogue, the Yaté vicinity, the Yahoue vicinity, the Monts des Koghis, Mont Mou, Nouméa, the Plaine des Lacs vicinity, the Plateau de Dogny, the Thi River valley, and the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Head, oblique view, right arista removed for clarity. Scale bar = 0.5 mm. A) Evertomyia albeto, sp. nov. ɗ. B) Evertomyia frankadelia, sp. nov. Ψ. C) Evertomyia helenae, sp. nov. Ψ. D) Evertomyia irwini, sp. nov. Ψ. E) Evertomyia matilei, sp. nov. ɗ. F) Evertomyia webbi, sp. nov. Ψ.

FIGURE 13. Evertomyia matilei, sp. nov. Ψ. Female genitalia and egg. Scale bar, A – B = 0.2 mm; C – D = 0.1 mm. A) Terminalia, lateral view. B) Terminalia, ventral view. C) Spermathecae. D) Egg, eclosion end, lateral view.

FIGURE 14. Evertomyia webbi, sp. nov. ɗ. Male genitalia. Scale bar = 0.2 mm. A) Aedeagal complex, ventral view. B) Aedeagus, lateral view. C) Paramere, lateral view. D) Epandrial complex, lateral view. E) Surstylus, dorsal view.

FIGURE 15. Evertomyia webbi, sp. nov. Ψ. Female genitalia and egg. Scale bar, A – B = 0.2 mm; C = 0.1 mm. A) Terminalia, lateral view. B) Terminalia, ventral view. C) Egg, micropylar end, lateral view.