Archebittacus exilis Riek, 1955

Lambkin, Kevin J., 2017, Archebittacus exilis Riek — the oldest hangingfly (Insecta: Mecoptera: Bittacidae), Zootaxa 4290 (2), pp. 385-389 : 386

Archebittacus exilis Riek, 1955 ( Figs. 1–7 )

Archebittacus exilis Riek, 1955: 666 –668, Figs. 11, 12, Plate 2, Figs. 5–7 .

Material. Holotype forewing UQG C2139/2140+, paratypes, UQG: C911/912+, C1495/1496+, C1545/1546+ (forewings), C2091/2092+ (hindwing), all Mount Crosby Locality A. One additional hindwing, KLC: QM F58842 , Mount Crosby Locality C.

Description. Forewing approximately 17.7 mm long, 4.3 mm wide, length/width ratio about 4.1; hindwing 14 mm long, 3.7 mm wide, length/width ratio 3.8.

Notes. The base of Cu in the hindwing and 3A in the forewing are not preserved, and neither nygmata nor thyridia were detected, probably due to poor preservation. The apparent basal fusion of Cu and 1A in the forewing ( Fig.4 ) is a preservation artefact.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 3. Archebittacus exilis Riek, forewing: 1, holotype, UQG C 2139 (mirrored); 2, paratype, UQG C 1495 (mirrored); 3, paratype, UQG C 1545.

FIGURES 4 – 5. Archebittacus exilis Riek: 4, forewing; 5, hindwing; Pcv, pterostigmal crossvein, Pg, pterostigmal groove.

FIGURES 6 – 7. Archebittacus exilis Riek, hindwing: 6, paratype, UQG C 2091 (mirrored); 7, QM F 58842.