Theischingerus imbricatus, Wagner, 2018

Wagner, Rüdiger, 2018, Remarkable new Australian mothflies (Diptera, Psychodidae), Zootaxa 4457 (2), pp. 285-295 : 289-291

Theischingerus imbricatus sp. nov.

( Figs 3 a–d )

Etymology. From latin imbricatus , meaning “tiled”, referring to the median surface of the hypandrium.

Diagnosis. Theischingerus imbricatus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the tiled surface of the broadened median section of the hypandrium.

Material. Holotype 1♂ Australia: New South Wales, Macquarie Pass , 13 October 1986, leg. Theischinger.

Description. Eyes reniform, tight around antennae bases, interocular suture deep U-shaped, distance between the eyes 0.5 facet diameter; antenna with scape, pedicel and 14 flagellomeres; scape increasing in width distally, twice as long as its greatest width, pedicel spherical, diameter smaller than apical width of scape; flagellomeres bottle-shaped, all with a pair of digitate ascoids twice as long as a flagellomere, basal flagellomere with neck as long as bulb, subsequent segments with neck up to twice as long as bulb. Relative length of antennal articles: 80- 29-53-53-57-59-60-60-58-57-60-55-57-57-51-47; absolute length: 0.21-0.08-0.14-0.14-0.15-0.16-0.16-0.16-0.15- 0.15-0.16-0.14-0.15-0.15-0.13- 0.12 mm. Four palpus segments, terminal segment flexible; relative length: 42-78- 78-119; absolute length: 0.11-0.21- 0.21-0.31 mm.

Wing broad with C basally curved out, Sc terminates in C at the end of the outcurve, R1 runs parallel to C and ends in it in distal third of the wing; an elongate digitate ‘sac’ (translucent probably flexible with apical apertures) protrudes from base of Rs; split-up of Rs unusual in Psychodinae , with fork R2/ R3+4 at level of Sc ending, R2 runs parallel to R1 and terminates into C distally of R1; R3/R4 fork at middle of wing; R5 straight terminates short behind wing tip; fork M1/2 basally of fork R3/4; M2 and R2 slightly thicker in short distance (wider with denser setae bases); jugum rhomboid with setose tip pointing distally; CuA long curved, terminates basally of fork M1/ 2 in C; CuP short distally curved. Cross veins r s -r5, r-m1+2, and m1+2-m3 present but very faint.

Abdomen with 8 segments, genitalia inverted; hypandrium broadened in the middle, almost rectangular, surface structure apically as covered with tiles. Gonocoxites tubular, slightly bent, more than twice as long as wide, dorsally connected by a laterally thin, medially expanded parameral bridge; expansion elongate, distally short bilobed, reaching almost the tip of the aedeagus. Gonostyli thin scythe shaped with sharp tip. Aedeagus is a single sclerite as long as gonocoxites; from the thin base it permanently increases in width developing lateral lobes with apically converging tips. Distiphallus sclerites probably missing or fused with basiphallus. Epandrium subquadrate with 1 transverse foramen; proctiger with a large triangular setose hypoproct and a small rhomboid setose epiproct. Surstyli more than twice as long as epandrium, slightly curved, laterally with a line of longer setae at about equal distance, apically with about 15 probably striated retinacula. Subepandial plate widely rectangular.

Comments. The most striking features of Theischingerus males are the slight increase of the subcostal region of the wing, a flexible scent organ at the base of R1, and the unusual furcation of Rs so that only R5 is between radial and medial forks. The gonocoxite bears 2–3 long setae basally on inner side; parameral bridge long, thin and distally split. The construction of the aedeagus is comparatively simple, it is only a single elongate pear shaped sclerite. A sclerotized connection of basiphallus and parameral bridge (like the furca in Palearctic Vaillantodes and Jungiella species) is not discernable.

Extension of the costal wing area is rare in Psychodidae ; it is known form the extant Threticus saetheri Wagner & Andersen, 2007 ( Tanzania, tribus Psychodini ), and two species from Caribbean and Mexican Amber ( Succinarisemus scheveni Wagner, 2001 and S. totolapensis Coty et al., 2013 ; tribus Maruinini ). Some European Ulomyia Walker species show morphological variation of the wing area, partly related to probable ‘scent organs’ (e.g. Elger 1981). The mentioned species belong to different tribes and thus it is evident that broadening of the basal costal area has developed independently in several lines in Psychodidae .

Figures

FIGURE 3. Theischingerus imbricatus sp. nov. a. wing; b. wing base with expandable organ; c. genitalia, ventral view; d. aedeagus with parameral bridge. [Scale: a 1.0 mm, b–d 0.1 mm]