Bengalia floccosa (Wulp, 1885)

Rognes, Knut, 2012, 3553, Zootaxa 3553, pp. 1-79 : 22

Bengalia floccosa subgroup

This subgroup is defined by its members sharing a unique synapomorphy, i.e., the presence of a distal finger in the distiphallus. This is a peculiar bilateral process originating distally on the inside of the dorsolateral wings of the distiphallus and proceeding forwards on the inside of the base of the antlers. It has different length, curvature and direction in the various species of the subgroup. It was discussed in some detail by Rognes (2009: 14–15). The B. floccosa subgroup members share the following additional character states:

(1) parafacial with dark spot in upper part;

(2) frons yellow or brown, frontal vitta with numerous conspicuous setulae or almost bare;

(3) no setulae on lunula;

(4) anepimeron with yellow setulae only, black setulae only or black setulae above and yellow below; in one species with a bundle of strong setae in upper part;

(6) small spinous setae ventrally in proximal half of fore tibia, or such setae absent

(7) hind tibia without pd setae;

(8) tibial fringes variably developed;

(9) ST5 flap variable;

(10) process of the bacilliform sclerite a strong but narrow upturned hook or a small triangular projection;

(11) distal margin of upper lip convex or straight in dorsal view;

(12) upper lip almost flat or concave below as seen from front;

(13) no diverging lines of sclerotisation on upper lip, and no vertical supporting structures below it;

(14) short bifurcate antlers, or long antlers with a serrated flange along front side;

(15) conspicuous lateral finger, with numerous denticles;

(16) ventral finger rounded in lateral view.