Bezzia (Bezzia) libanensis Alwin-Kownacka & Szadziewski, 2017

Alwin-Kownacka, Alicja, Szadziewski, Ryszard & Szwedo, Jacek, 2017, Predatory midges of the tribes Palpomyiini and Sphaeromiini (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Middle East, with keys and descriptions of new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 318, pp. 1-30 : 4-6

Bezzia (Bezzia) libanensis Alwin-Kownacka & Szadziewski sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:B1B97EC8-DFA5-4537-BB13-FAC1B73487C6

Fig. 1

Diagnosis

A small dark brown species without fore femoral spines. The male genitalia are unique in having a greatly elongate sternite IX, with narrow V-shaped caudomedian cleft, and a Y-shaped aedeagus without ventral spicules and an abruptly tapered, sharply pointed apex. Female unknown.

Etymology

The specific name refers to the Latin name of Lebanon ( Libanus), where the holotype was collected.

Material examined

Holotype

LEBANON: ♂, Fanar , 33º52.680′ N, 35º33.547′ E, 138 m a.s.l, at light, 6 May 2012, P. Dominiak leg. ( CEIUG).

Description

Male

HEAD. Uniformly brown. Antenna ( Fig. 1C ) pale brown; flagellomeres 10–13 predominately dark brown; flagellomere 10 elongate, considerably longer than 11–13; total flagellum length 0.90 mm; antennal ratio 0.70. Palpus slender, brownish; segment 3 slender with few sensilla capitata; palpal ratio 4.00.

THORAX ( Fig. 1B ). Dark brown. Wing ( Fig. 1A ) veins pale; 1 poorly marked elongate radial cell; wing length 1.30 mm; costal ratio 0.60. Halter brown. Legs ( Figs. 1 D–F) with brown coxae; all femora without ventral spines; fore and mid femora yellowish, proximal ½ of venter brown and with subapical, apical dark brown bands; hind femur brown, with apical, subapical yellow bands; tibiae brown, with sub-basal, subapical yellow bands; tarsi yellow, with pale brown apices, tarsomeres 4–5 slightly darker than 1–3; tarsal ratio of fore leg 2.20, of mid leg 2.40, of hind leg 2.20.

ABDOMEN ( Fig. 1G ). Brown.

GENITALIA ( Fig. 1 G–J). Sternite IX heavily sclerotized, long, apex extending to mid-length of gonocoxites, with narrow, V-shaped caudomedian cleft. Tergite IX short, slender, with elongate cerci. Gonocoxite short, stout; gonostylus moderately long, nearly straight, slightly curved distally, apex tapered, with pointed tip. Parameres ( Fig. 1I ) fused, rod-like; basal arms short, broad, bifurcate with unequal-length prongs; distal portion slightly vasiform, with heavily sclerotized margins, apical ⅓ narrower, more lightly sclerotized, with rounded tip. Aedeagus ( Fig. 1J ) with bare ventral membrane; basal arms broad, heavily sclerotized; basal arch curved, extending ⅓ of total aedeagus length; distal portion short, margin heavily sclerotized, with sharply pointed apex.

Female

Unknown.

Distribution

Lebanon; known only from the type locality.

Remarks

The male antennal flagellum of this new species has an elongate flagellomere 10 and a bare aedeagus, characters typical of members of the subgenus Bezzia . This new species differs from all other Palearctic and Afrotropical members of the genus by its greatly elongate sternite IX, which extends to the midlength of the gonocoxites and covers their bases.

Figures

Fig. 1. Bezzia libanensis Alwin & Szadziewski sp. nov., ♂. A. Wing. B. Thorax. C. Antennal scape and flagellum. D. Fore leg. E. Mid leg. F. Hind leg. G. Male genitalia. H. Male genitalia, ventral view. I. Parameres. J. Aedeagus.