Palirika culgoafloodplainensis Lambkin

Lambkin, Christine L. & Bartlett, Justin S., 2011, Bush Blitz aids description of three new species and a new genus of Australian beeflies (Diptera, Bombyliidae, Exoprosopini), ZooKeys 150, pp. 231-280 : 236-238

Palirika culgoafloodplainensis Lambkin sp. n. Figs 1C234511

Material examined.

Holotype.Queensland: ♂, 28.94°S, 146.918°E, Culgoa Floodplain NP, 7km NNW Toulby Gate, 160m, (CG4AM), Malaise, 20Jan-19Mar2010, C. Kelly, A. Coward, 19273, [dissected], PS1937, A006859, T165704 (QM). Condition: Fair (see remarks below).

Diagnosis.

Wing length 20.0 mm

Large dark flies with distinct triangular basal infuscation on the wings wings. Face and frons with transparent scales. Occiput with white scales broadly filling indentation. Collar whitish-cream. Broad laterothoracic stripe of dense white flattened scales. Scutum black with lime-green metallic scales except pink metallic scales anterolaterally to PR bristles and posterolaterally anterior to APA. Scutellum with lime-green metallic scales; very long, white, flattened-scale fringe on posterior margin. Widened base of costa with reddish-brown scales, white scales posteriorly. Wing pattern dimidiate (Fig. 4C); with distinct indentation base of first r2+3; extension along R4+5, covering basal 1/3 of first r2+3 and r5; indistinct mottling base of m1 along m-m; no infuscated band; anal and posterior cells with apically notched hyaline area, infuscation extending along CuA2; cup infuscated basal 4/5; anal infuscated basal 2/3. Squama edged with dense white scales admixed with some reddish-brown scales. T1 with Ma white dorsally, black medially and ventrally, dense very long flattened white scales posterolaterally. Abdominal tergites black with bluish-green scales. Epandrium with long setae grouped loosely apically. Epiphallus with short, medial projection. G with long black setae medially, directed basally, longest on weak ventral ridge; LAEA very large, extending well beyond G margins.

Description.

Male. Head (Figs 4 A–D). Face red with transparent scales, frons brown with transparent scales; setae black, frontal depression distinct. Antennal scape red, 3 × length of pedicel, with long black setae dense laterally and ventrally; pedicel red; PP black, conical, 3 × length of pedicel, distinct apical joint; BSM rod-like, black, 3 × length of pedicel; ASM black, conical, length at least width of BSM (Fig. 4B). Occiput with white scales broadly filling indentation (Fig. 4A).

Thorax.(Figs 4 C–D). Collar whitish-cream. Broad laterothoracic stripe of dense white flattened scales (Fig. 4D). Scutum black with lime-green metallic scales except pink metallic scales anterolaterally to PR bristles and posterolaterally anterior to APA; black setae. Pleural hairs black with reddish-brown iridescence. AN with black Ma; long, lightly iridescent scales at base of wing reddish-brown; long flat broad pale brown scales posteromedially. K with very long fine reddish-brown scales medially. Ma on LT black with reddish-brown iridescence. Tympanal ridge and PL with dense very long fine white flattened scales. Scutellum red, darker basally with lime-green metallic scales; very long, white, flattened-scale fringe on posterior margin. Legs. Legs reddish-brown, darkening apically, with black scales and setae, tarsi dark reddish-brown to black; fore-tarsi with straight microtrichia. Pulvilli sharp, curved, 1/3 length of mid- and hind-tarsal claws. Halter knob reddish-brown with apical margin yellow. Wing (Fig. 4C), cup narrowly open or closed only at wing margin. Patagium distinct with dense white long flat scales. Widened base of costa with reddish-brown scales, white scales posteriorly. Wing pattern dimidiate (Fig. 4C); with distinct indentation base of first r2+3; extension along R4+5, covering basal 1/3 of first r2+3 and r5; indistinct mottling base of m1 along m-m; no infuscated band; anal and posterior cells with apically notched hyaline area, infuscation extending along CuA2; cup infuscated basal 4/5; anal infuscated basal 2/3. Anal basal edge with dense black scales; alula edged with dense reddish-brown scales; squama edged with dense white scales admixed with some reddish-brown scales.

Abdomen.Black, T1-4 dark reddish-brown posterolaterally; tergites with bluish-green scales; T1 with Ma white dorsally, black medially and ventrally, dense very long flattened white scales posterolaterally; T2-7 with tufts of long, black setae laterally and posteriorly. Sternites black with dark reddish-brown scales and hairs. Genitalia (Figs 4 E–H, 5 A–H). Epandrium strongly convex, red with convex apical margin; tapering basal flange; long, black setae loosely grouped apically; SES large, fused medially (see Fig. 4E). Gonocoxae red, narrowed apically; GA short, triangular; thick tufts of long black setae medially, directed basally, longest on weak ventral ridge (Fig. 5C); EJA very large, extending well beyond gonocoxal margins, racquet-shaped; LAEA very large, extending well beyond G margins, deeply convex (Fig. 5A); AAES strong wedges (Fig. 5E, H); GS (Fig. 5B) cupped within G margins, large subquadrate base projecting apically; EP long, expanded slightly apically, without lateral lobes, short medial projection; medioventral flange above AE present (Fig. 5G); large recurved R (Fig. 5F, H); H triangular, projecting slightly in lateral view (Fig. 5C).

Female. Unknown.

Etymology. This species is named culgoafloodplainensis after the remote Queensland Culgoa Floodplain National Park where the type specimen was collected, and where CLL and Noel Starick received so much hospitality, enthusiasm, and encouragement over the years from all the staff, but especially RIC Andy Coward.

Distribution.

(Fig. 11). This species has only been collected from the type locality in central south-western Queensland.

Remarks.

Due to extended storage in propylene glycol as retrieval of sample was prevented by extensive and prolonged flooding the specimen bears few setae, hairs or scales, therefore colour patterns referred to in the description are based on those remaining, usually at junctions of sclerites.