Eurygarka Quate 1959

Curler, Gregory R. & Moulton, John K., 2008, A review of the Nearctic species of the genus Eurygarka Quate (Diptera: Psychodidae), Zootaxa 1740, pp. 28-36 : 29-30

Eurygarka Quate 1959

Philosepedon (Eurygarka) (Quate) , Duckhouse 1973, 6A: 11 (as subgenus).

Eurygarka Quate, Quate & Vockeroth 1981 , p. 299 (key to Nearctic genera, as genus) Psychoda helicis Dyar 1929 , 31: 64 (type species by monotypy).

Diagnosis. Larva: Unknown. Pupa: Unknown. Adult: Male eye bridge contiguous or slightly separated, with 4 facet rows. Antenna 16-segmented; flagellomeres with nodes strongly bulbous, terminal 3 diminutive. Ascoids paired, with 1 posterior and 2 anterior branches inserted dorsomedially and ventrolaterally on node of flagellomeres 1–11; posterior branch of ascoids spathiform, anterior branches of ascoids leaf-shaped, each with 4–7 longitudinal veins. Mouthparts reduced; labellum bulbous, without blunt apical teeth. Wing without Sc vein ending in R1. Male terminalia: gonocoxites with a posteromedial lobe bearing 5–7 setiform sensilla; aedeagus symmetrical, consisting of a single sclerite, laterally compressed basally, furcate or acuminate apically, with sternal bridge; cercopods cylindrical or tapered, curved slightly dorsad, with a pair of simple retinacula placed side by side, inserted dorsoapically. Female terminalia: cerci semi-circular in shape from lateral aspect, slightly longer than tall, their medial surface with dense vestiture of microtrichia; hypovalvae digitiform.

Description. Larva: Unknown.

Pupa: Unknown.

Adult Male: Head strongly rounded from anterior aspect. Vertex rounded. Postocular bristles prominent, numbering 20–22. Eyebridge with 4 rows of facets, narrowly divided or contiguous at median. Frontal scar patch subquadrate anteriorly, bilobed posteriorly, with median spur in some species. Antenna 16-segmented, flagellomeres with nodes strongly bulbous, flagellomeres 1–8 gradually increasing in length, 9–11 decreasing in length, apical 3 diminutive. Ascoids numbering 2, with 1 posterior and 2 anterior branches, inserted dorsomedially and ventrolaterally on node of flagellomeres 1–11; posterior branch of ascoids spathiform, anterior branches of ascoids leaf-shaped, each with 4–7 longitudinal veins. Palpi typical of Psychodinae ; first palpomere never more than 1/2 length of second palpomere, distal 3 palpomeres subequal or increasing in length; medial surface of palpomeres with numerous setiform sensilla directed medially, palpomere 4 with pair of setiform sensilla inserted at apex. Mouthparts extending slightly beyond palpomere 1; labellum bulbous or somewhat laterally compressed, bearing numerous setiform sensilla of varying length. Body with vestiture typical of Psychodinae ; dense patches of spatulate hairs. Wings ovate, with apex acuminate; distal half of each cell with longitudinal patch of spatulate hairs; base of costa with single break, wings held horizontally over body in life; veins R5 and CuA1 basally wider than adjacent veins, vein Sc subequal in width to costa, parallel to, not ending in vein R1. Legs typical of Psychodinae , with femora and tibia slender, parallel-sided; tibial spurs absent. Terminalia with hypandrium (sternite IX) represented by narrow transverse sclerite; epandrium (tergite IX) short, subequal in length to, or slightly longer than gonocoxites, with suboval depression anterodorsally, directly below distiphallus, bearing numerous erect macrotrichia; aedeagus symmetrical, consisting of single sclerite; basiphallus laterally compressed; distiphallus furcate or acuminate, with ventral transverse bridge; parameres articulated at ventral bridge of aedeagus and gonocoxal apodeme, bridged dorsally forming sheath around base of distiphallus, with acuminate or sinuate extensions ventrally, flanking aedeagus. Gonocoxites nearly contiguous anterodorsally, with posteromedial lobe bearing 5–7 setiform sensilla. Gonostyli simple, tapered, with single stout setiform sensillum inserted subapically, directed medially. Cercopodia cylindrical or tapered, curved slightly dorsad, with pair of retinacula placed side by side, inserted dorsoapically; retinacula length greater than, or about equal to 1/2 length of cercopod.

Adult Female: Head shape as in male. Frontal scar patch shape identical to male. Eyebridge with 4 rows of facets, divided by 1 or more facet diameters. Postocular bristles prominent, numbering 35 or more. Palpomeres 2 and 3 slightly swollen and sinuous. Palpomeres 1–3 each with transverse, ovoid sensory organ placed mid-length on their lateral surface; sensory organs bearing several hundred digitiform papillae. Length of palpi typical of Psychodinae ; first palpomere greater than or equal to 1/2 the length of second, distal 3 palpomeres subequal or slightly increasing in length. Antenna 16-segmented, flagellomeres with nodes strongly bulbous, flagellomeres 1–10 subequal in length, flagellomere 11 with little or no distal neck, apical 3 diminutive. Ascoids numbering 2, Y-shaped, with 1 slender, digitiform posterior branch and 2 broad, spathiform anterior branches, inserted dorsomedially and ventrolaterally on the node of flagellomeres 1–11; anterior branches without veins. Mouthparts extending slightly beyond palpomere 1; somewhat laterally compressed, bearing numerous setiform sensilla of varying length. Wings as in male, except for having 2 breaks at base of costa, and held roof-like over body in life. Legs as in male. Terminalia with tergite X lightly sclerotized, uniformly covered in setulae dorsally and laterally. Cerci semi-circular in shape from lateral aspect, slightly longer than broad in some species, not elongate or arched dorsally; with uniform covering of setulae; bearing numerous macrotrichia dorsally and apically. Subgenital plate (hypogynium) short, about 1/2 length of tergite X. Hypovalvae with single median protuberance, not emarginate, rounded or subquadrate. General structure of genital complex typical of Psychodinae ; paired ovoid components, with reticulated pattern ventrally; lateral struts simple, transverse bands, about 1/4 width of genital duct; longitudinal struts narrow, less than 1/2 width of lateral struts; larviduct about as wide as paired ovoid components, some species with larviduct bearing numerous spiniform projections internally; spiniform projections directed posteriorly.

Remarks. Adult Eurygarka are easily distinguished from all other Psychodinae by the shape of the male and female terminalia; specifically by the structure of the gonopods, parameres and aedeagus of males, and the subgenital plate, cerci and larviduct of females. Characteristics of the antenna are also useful for distinguishing Eurygarka from related genera. Previous authors have described the ascoids of Eurygarka males and females as having 2 anterior branches and no posterior branch, but close examination of ascoids in the males of all known species, and the female of E. cyphostylus n.sp. confirmed that a posterior branch is indeed present.