Phthinia lobata Zaitzev, 1984

Fitzgerald, Scott J. & Kerr, Peter H., 2014, Revision of Nearctic Phthinia Winnertz (Diptera: Mycetophilidae), Zootaxa 3856 (3), pp. 301-325 : 309-311

Phthinia lobata Zaitzev, 1984

Figs. 9–13

Material examined: ♂ [ OSAC 000015956], ♂ [ ISUI], USA: IA: Boone Co., Ledges State Park, VII–29–1950, Jean Laffoon; 3 ♂♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except June 23, 1960; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except June 23 1961; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VII–30–1949; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except X–17–1959; 9 ♂♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except XI–18–1951; 6 ♂♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VIII–31–1951; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except 20 Sept. 1960; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VI–12–1952; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VI–23–1953; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VI–27–1951; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VII–27–1951; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VI–25–1949; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VI–21–1950; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VI–25–1950; ♂, J. Laffoon, 3 ♂♂, R.J. Gagne [all ISUI], same as previous record except Sept. 19, 1962; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except June 18 1962, George A. Vaughan; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except Sept. 26, 1962, R.J. Gagne; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI], USA: IA: Guthrie Co., Springbrook State Park, w. ½ Sec. 33, T81N, R3IW, VII–19–1960, J. Laffoon; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI], USA: IA: Van Buren Co., Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, IX–10–1949, Jean Laffoon; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except IX–9–1949; ♂ [ SEMC], IN: Owen Co., McCorm Cr. #6 VI–27–50, G.W. Byers; ♂ [ ISUI], USA: NC: Macon Co., Clear Creek, 1 mile so. Highlands, 3000’, 35º1.5’ N, 83º11.5’ W, VII–2–1958, J. Laffoon; 4 ♂♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VII–1–1958; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except VII–18–1958; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI], USA: NC: Macon Co., Robin Branch (near Wayah Bald), 4400’, 35º10.1’ N, 83º35.1’ W, VII–3–1958, J. Laffoon; ♂ [ CNCI], USA: NC: Highlands, 3800’, 22 VI 1957, J.R. Vockeroth; ♂ [ CNCI], USA: NC: Macon Co., Wayah Gap, 3500’, 16 VIII 1957, J.G. Chillcott; ♂ [ ISUI], USA: NC: Macon Co., 3850’, 35º3.2’ N, 83º11.3’ W, 29 June 1958, J. Laffoon; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except 28 June 1958; ♂ [ ISUI], same as previous record except 27 June 1958; ♂ [ ISUI] USA: NC: Swain Co., Great Smoky Mts., Mingus Creek, 2100’, 35º31.2’ N, 83º18.7’ W, VII–16–1958, J. Laffoon; ♂ [ UNH], USA: NH: Straf Co., Spruce Hole, 3 mi SW Durham, VIII–21 / IX–2–1987, D.S. Chandler, Malaise; ♂ [ UNH], USA: NH: Straf Co., 4 mi W Durham, VIII–2 /5–1982, RM Reeves, Malaise trap; ♂ [ UNH], USA: NH: Rock Co., Odiorne Point, X–14 /20–1988, D.S. Chandler, Malaise trap; ♂ [ UNH], USA: NH: Rock Co., 2 mi SE Northwood, VIII–24 / 26–1982, AT Eaton, Malaise trap; 2 ♂♂, ♀ [ ISUI], USA: NY: Cattaraugus Co., Stoddard Hollow, 1720’–1880’, 42º4’ N, 78º45.5’ W, Aug. 10, 1961, Jean L. Laffoon; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI], USA: NY: Cattaraugus Co., Stoddard Hollow, 1800’–1900’, 42º4’ N, 78º45.5’ W, Aug. 10, 1961, Dick L. Deonier; 5 ♂♂ [ ISUI], USA: NY: Hamilton Co., along Shanty Brook, 1700’, 43º17.2’N, 74º33.4’W, Aug. 5, 1961, Jean L. Laffoon; ♂ [ ISUI] Jean L. Laffoon, ♀ [ ISUI] R.J. Gagne, USA: NY: Hamilton Co., e. foot of West Notch Mt., 1900’, 43º20.6’N, 74º37.2’W, Aug. 6, 1961; ♂ [ ISUI], USA: NY: Ithaca, vic. Sixmile Creek, 9 Aug. 1961, Jean L. Laffoon; ♂ [ MSU], OH: Pike Co., Benton Twnp, 4 Aug. 1979, G.A. Dahlem; ♂, ♀ [ ISUI], USA: PA: Tioga Co., Colton Point State Park, Aug. 27, 1956, Jean L. Laffoon; 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI] Jean Laffoon, 2 ♂♂ [ ISUI] Dick L. Deonier, USA: PA: Clarion Co., Cook St. For., trail to “Forest Cathedral” from Toms Run., Aug. 11 1961; ♂ [ ISUI], USA: TN: Sevier Co., Gr. Smokey Mts., Mt. Collins, north slope, 5900’, 35º35.5’ N, 83º28.3’ W, VI–25–1958, J. Laffoon; ♂ [ UCDC], TN: Sevier Co. GRSM ATBI trap test, Twin Creeks 6-m Malaise trap, 17S 0273865E 3951745N, 3–5 July 2006 coll: J. Gulbransen; ♂ [ UCDC], TN: Sevier Co. GRSM ATBI trap test, Twin Creeks 6-m Malaise trap, 17S 0273865E 3951745N, 14–29 Aug 2006 coll: J. Gulbransen; ♂ [ UCDC], TN: Sevier Co. GRSM ATBI trap test, Twin Creeks 6-m Malaise trap, 17S 0273865E 3951745N, 14–28 Sept 2006, coll: J. Gulbransen; ♂ [ CNCI], CANADA: QUE: Knowlton Ldg., 17 VII 1968, J.R. Vockeroth; ♂ [ CNCI], CANADA: QUE: Knowlton Ldg., 18 VII 1968, J.R. Vockeroth; ♂ [ CNCI], CANADA: QUE: Old Chelsea, 5 IX 1963, J.R. Vockeroth.

Diagnosis and comments. Phthinia lobata is distinguished from other Nearctic Phthinia species by the presence of only a single apical spine on the gonostylus (this character state shared with P. meicigama n. sp. in the Nearctic region) and a semitransparent, dorsally curved, apically broadly spatulate lobe arising from the inner surface of the gonostylus ( Figs. 12–13 ).

Discussion. This taxon has been incorrectly treated in the literature as “ Phthinia tanypus var. a” by Fisher (1937; plate 11, Figs. 8–9 ) and the mistaken identity furthered in Shaw and Fisher (1952: 193). The male terminalia of this species was also illustrated by Zaitzev (1984; Figs. 3.2, 3.3).

Bionomics. Phthinia lobata was previously known only from the holotype collected in Virginia. This species is widespread in the eastern Nearctic with records from Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Quebec, New Hampshire, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina . The seasonal distribution is June–November with the peak of the records June–August. Specimens have been taken in Malaise traps and at elevations of 335m – 1,798m. Many specimens of this species were taken at Ledges State Park, Iowa which includes mixed forests of oak, hickory, maple and basswood.

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 13. P. lobata Zaitzev, male terminalia. 9. Lateral view [paratype specimen # 13 N 212]. 10. Posterior view (right gonostylus removed) [# 13 N 212]. 11. Dorsal view of epandrium, cercus, and hypoproct [paratype # 13 N 214]. 12. Dorsal view of gonocoxites (epandrium removed) [# 13 N 214]. 13. Ventral view (epandrium removed) [# 13 N 214]. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 8. P. cascadica n. sp., terminalia [paratype female, # 12 K 892]. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.