Liancalus hydrophilus Aldrich, 1893

Runyon, Justin B. & Hurley, Richard L., 2015, A revision of the Nearctic species of Liancalus Loew (Diptera, Dolichopodidae), ZooKeys 483, pp. 97-147 : 110-113

Taxon classification Animalia Diptera Dolichopodidae

Liancalus hydrophilus Aldrich, 1893 Figs 3B, 4B, 8, 11B, 14A, 16C

Diagnosis.

This is one of two Nearctic species in which males have setae on the wing margin (Fig. 4). Males can be distinguished by the relatively short, rounded lobe between wing veins M1 and CuA1 (Fig. 4B), and by the long cerci with evenly spaced, long setae along their full-length (Fig. 8).

Redescription.

Male. Body length 8.0-10.5 mm, wing length 6.5-8.0 mm. Habitus (Fig. 8). Head: Face rather broad, widening toward palpus, metallic green above frontoclypeal suture, covered with dense silver pollen below suture. Vertex covered with silver pollen that is often sparser medially revealing metallic green-blue ground color. Vertical setae on very small elevation; ocellar tubercle prominent with 2 large setae (slightly larger than vertical setae); with 2 postocellar setae which are two-thirds length ocellar setae; postocular setae approximately one-half size of vertical setae with about dorsal one-half of postocular setae black (approximately 15 black setae), ventral half (approximately 10 setae) white and more slender and slightly longer than black postocular setae. Ventral postcranial hairs (beard) rather sparse, usually wholly white (sometimes dorsal-most 1-3 hairs brown to black). Palpus black, covered with moderately dense silver pollen apically, golden brown pollen at base, with long, black setae on basal two-thirds. Antenna black, first flagellomere about as long as wide, slightly pointed apically, arista inserted near midpoint of dorsal edge.

Thorax: Scutum green to green-blue with moderately dense silver-gray pollen, with red-bronze stripes between acrostichal and dorsocentral setae, and along intra-alar setae; posterior slope of scutum blue-green with medial bronze stripe; notopleuron and postpronotum (humerus) covered with dense silver pollen, often with some blue-green reflections; 6 dorsocentral setae; 3-8 acrostichal setae (usually <6), in a single row; 2 notopleural setae; postpronotum with 1-3 strong, black setae and often a few smaller white hairs; 2 presutural intra-alar seta (one near suture); 1 presutural and 2 postsutural supra-alar setae; 1 postalar seta; scutellum mostly bronze, with some green-blue color at base, covered with sparse silver pollen, with 6 large marginal setae (3 per side), no additional hairs; proepisternum with 1 dorsal and 1 ventral tuft of white hairs. Pleura metallic bronze-green, covered with dense silver-gray pollen, without setae or hairs.

Legs: Legs concolorous with pleura, but with slightly less silver-gray pollen, femoral ‘knees’ very narrowly orange. Coxa I uniformly covered with white hairs on anterior surface (length of hairs subequal to width of coxa I), with a couple to few black, slender setae at apex. Coxa II with scattered white hairs anteriorly, a few white and black setae near apex, and a black ad seta just beyond 1/2. Coxa III with a few short, white hairs on anterior surface and a black dorsal seta near 1/2. Femur I with row of black, pd setae on apical half (length ≤ half width of femur). Femur II with row of posterior setae on distal half (length ≤ width of femur), those near to just beyond middle of femur longest, white, and becoming black and shorter apically. Femur III with scattered white hairs (length ≤ width of femur) dorsally at base. Tarsus I(2) very short, about as long as wide, with ventral row of setae/setulae (Fig. 3B). Ratios of tibia:tarsomeres for leg I: 17-7-2-5-3-2; for leg II: 24-20-8-4-2-2; for leg III: 35-17-13-4-2-2.

Wing (Fig. 4B): Hyaline, with a longitudinal spurious vein immediately above M1 that ends near junction of M1 with dm-cu and usually two small brown clouds just beyond junction of dm-cu and CuA1 (these spots sometimes faint); apical portion of membrane between R4+5 and M1 with a small, narrow, translucent, area that is white in certain lights and enclosed within a small, brown cloud. Fourth costal sector (between R4+5 and M1) flattened with a cluster of 3-6 black setae at apex of M1 that are usually fused apically; wing margin between M1 and CuA1 with a rather short (length subequal to width), broad lobe bearing several black setae at apex that are usually fused apically. Calypter yellow with a fan of long, pale yellow setae at apex. Halter pale yellow.

Abdomen: Cylindrical, elongate, rather blunt at apex (Fig. 8); T1 metallic green with dense silver pollen laterally becoming less dense dorsally, with bronze along posterior edge and occasionally with a diffuse bronze stripe dorsally. T2-T4 green-blue with dense silver pollen on basal one-half to two-thirds, with apical one-third to one-half bronze; T2 usually bronze dorsally at base. T5 dark bronze with metallic green reflections and sparse silver pollen. T6 dark bronze with blue-green reflections and dense silver pollen. T1-T3 with wholly to nearly wholly yellowish hair laterally, longest on T1 and T2. Sternites bronze with dense silver-gray pollen. S1 bare except for lateral small tuft of yellow hairs at extreme base. S2 and S3 with sparse yellow hairs. S4 mostly bare. Hypopygium (Fig. 11B): cercus very long, as long or longer than abdomen, slender, cylindrical, with very long, evenly-spaced, pale yellow setae along full-length ventrally (Fig. 8), with some hairs crinkly on apical half.

Female. Body length 6.0-8.0 mm, wing length 6.0-7.0 mm. Similar to male except for face wider, dark metallic green to violet covered with sparse to moderately dense brown pollen; palpus black with silver pollen along margins and dense brown pollen basally, and black setae. Femur I with pd row of black setae on apical half (longest subequal to width of femur) and very sparse, very short white hairs on posterior and ventral surface. Femur II posteriorly to pd with row of short (length ≤ width of femur) hairs which are white on basal half and black on apical half. Wing (Fig. 16C) hyaline, with a rather large, diffuse, faint brown cloud in cells r4+5 and bm+dm and crossing M1 just beyond midpoint of wing; usually with some indistinct brown clouding along wing margin between R1 and M1.

Remarks.

Aldrich (1893) described the habits of this species at the type locality near Custer, SD. On page 570, Aldrich writes, "From several seams in the rock there is a gentle flow of almost ice-cold water, which covers a considerable area of vertical rock in a thin sheet. Standing in this icy water were my flies!" Similarly, Van Duzee (1917: 127) wrote, "I took a single male … resting on rocks over which water was trickling in South Cheyenne Canon [sic]".

Distribution.

This species is confined to interior western North America (Fig. 14A).

Type material examined.

LECTOTYPE (designated here to fix identity of the species) ♂, labelled: "Custer/ SD"; "JM Aldrich/ Coll"; "COTYPE/ No. 50276/ U.S.N.M." [red label]; " Liancalus / hydrophilus / Ald." [hand-written]; "LECTOTYPE/ ♂ Liancalus / hydrophilus Aldrich/ des. Runyon & Hurley" [red label] (USNM). PARALECTOTYPE: ♂, labelled: "Cotype" [hand-written]; "Custer SD"; "det. Aldrich"; "Type 13503" [red label]; "PARALECTOTYPE/ ♂ Liancalus / hydrophilus Aldrich/ des. Runyon & Hurley" [red label] (MCZ).

Additional material examined.

USA.Arizona: Cochise Co., 18-28.vi.1916, V.W. Owen (4 ♂, 6 ♀, CAS), Portal, S.W. Res. Sta. AMNH, 23.vi.1968, V.D. Roth & FCH (1 ♂, MTEC), Rustler Park, 9.vi.1972, W.W. Wirth (1 ♂, 1 ♀, USNM), same as previous, 5.vii.1940, R.H. Beamer (1 ♀, SEMC), Ramsey Cyn, Huachuca Mts, 5500 ft, 23.iv.2002, RLH & JBR (3 ♀, MTEC), Cave Crk at Herb Martyr Campgrd (Dam), 5800 ft, N31°52.35', W109°14.09', 6.iv.2011, JBR (1 ♂, 1 ♀, MTEC), Chiricahua Mts, Rustlers Pk., 5.vii.1940, D.E. Hardy (1 ♀, SEMC); Coconino Co., Oak Crk Cyn, 24 mi. S Flagstaff, 25.vii.1959, Samuelson & Radford (1 ♀, UAIC), Oak Crk Cyn, 3500', G.C. Eickwort (2 ♀, MSUC); Graham Co., Wet Cyn, Pinaleno Mts, 5900 ft, 26.iv.2001, RLH & JBR (1 ♂, 1 ♀, MTEC); Pima Co., Catalina Mts, Marshall Gulch near Summerhaven, 28.v.1986, J. Jenkins (15 ♂, 15 ♀, MTEC), Mt Lemmon, Catalina Mts, 14.vi.1979, M. Hetz (1 ♂, UAIC), Cat alina Mts, HkHy mi22, 9.vi.1958, Nutting & Butler (1 ♀, UAIC); Santa Cruz Co., Coronado National Forest, Santa Rita Mts, Madera Cyn, 3-4.vi.1991, B.J. Sinclair (2 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC), same as previous, 27.iv.1979, K.N. Barber (1 ♂, 1 ♀, DEBU), same as previous, 5700 ft, N31°42.59', W110°52.18', 4.iv.2011, JBR (1 ♀, MTEC). Colorado: Green Mt Falls, 12.viii.1943, H.H. Ross (1 ♀, INHS); Boulder Co., Boulder (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CUIC), same as previous, JMA (2 ♂, 2 ♀, USNM), same as previous, C.W. Johnson (3 ♂, 1 ♀, MCZ); Cameron Pass, 13.viii.1964, FCH (2 ♂, 2 ♀, FSCA), Cameron Pass, Campbell L, 12.viii.1947, H.H. Ross (2 ♂, INHS); Garfield Co., Rifle, 18.vii.1947, FCH (2 ♂, 3 ♀, CAS, MTEC, ODAC), Glenwood Cyn, off I-70 rest stop, 19.ix.1986, M.K. Kroening (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CSUC); Larimer Co., Lory St. Park, 15.iv.1984, P. Opler (2 ♀, CSUC), Buckhorn Crk, 12.ix.1996, B. Kondratieff (1 ♂, CSUC); Mesa Co., Big Crk at jct. with Plateau, Rt. 330, 19.ix.1986, M.K. Kroening (1 ♂, CSUC); Mineral Co., Hwy 160, Treasure Falls, 15.viii.1983, PHA (4 ♀, CAS); Moffat Co., 11.vii.1986, Yampa R, B. Kondratieff (1 ♂, CSUC); Montezuma Co., Dolores, 9.vi.1960, FCH (1 ♂, 1 ♀ FSCA); Ouray Co., 5 km S of Ouray, on Uncompahgre R, 2697 m, 14.viii.1973, PHA (1 ♂, CAS); Park Co., Fairplay, 13.vi.1961, FCH (1 ♂, 2 ♀, FSCA, MTEC). Nevada: Elko Co., Lamoille Crk, 25 mi. SE Elko, 8800 ft, 11.viii.2005, JBR & RLH (1 ♂, 3 ♀, MTEC), Ruby Mts, W of Terrace Cmpgrd, 16.viii.1989, RLH (1 ♂, 1 ♀, MTEC). New Mexico: Catron Co., Luna, 25.vi.1968, FCH (4 ♂, 5 ♀, CAS, EMUS, FSCA), Reserve, 25.vi.1968, FCH (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CAS, FSCA); Grant Co., Silver City, 25.vi.1968, FCH (1 ♀, MTEC); Socorro Co., Magdalena Mts, viii.1894, H. Kahl (2 ♂, 1 ♀, CMNH), Magdalena, W.M. Wheeler (2 ♂, 2 ♀, AMNH, CAS). South Dakota: Custer Co., Custer (5 ♂, 8 ♀, LACM, UMSP, USNM), French Crk, Black Hills, A. Borkent, 25.iv.1981 (2 ♀, CNC); Lawrence Co., Bridal Veil Falls, 6 mi. S Spearfish, 4250 ft, 19.viii.2003, JBR (2 ♂, 2 ♀, MTEC). Utah: Boulder Mt, 26.viii.1978, FCH (14 ♂, 7 ♀, CAS, EMUS, FSCA, MTEC), Zion Pk, 29.vi.1940, ALM (1 ♂, USNM); Cache Co., Logan Meadows, 15.x.1939, G.F. Knowlton & FCH (2 ♂, 2 ♀, CAS, CNC), Logan Cyn, 28.viii.1939, FCH (3 ♂, 2 ♀, CAS, EMUS, OSU), same as previous, 15-18.viii.1940 (2 ♂, 5 ♀, EMUS), same as previous, 24.x.1969, R. Kirkland (1 ♂, BYU), Willow Park, 23.viii.1986, B.C. Giwod (1 ♂, EMUS), Logan, 3-11.1934, C.F. Smith (1 ♀, AMNH), same as previous, T.O. Thatcher (1 ♀, AMNH); Daggett Co., Linwood, 6.ix.1939, G.F. Knowlton & FCH (1 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC), Dowd Springs, 17.viii.1978, FCH (1 ♂, 8 ♀, MTEC); Duchesne Co., Uinta Canyon, Wandin Park 18.vii.1950, FCH (1 ♀, CNC), Pole Crk, Uinta Mts, 19.vii.1950, FCH (1 ♂, FSCA); Garfield Co., Death Hollow jct., Boulder Mail Trail, 37°50'37N, 111°30'52W, 11.vii.2000, E.C. Green, W.N. Mendel, M. Moody, C.R. Nelson (1 ♀, BYU), Grand Staircase-Escalante Natl. Monument, spring off Hwy 12, 7.5 mi. E Henrieville, N 37°36'46", W 111°53'48", 6578 ft, malaise trap, 2-17.viii.2000, W.N. Mendel, E.C. Green, M. Moody (2 ♂, BYU, MTEC), Calf Crk between upper and lower falls, off Hwy 12, 37°51'18N, 111°27'07W, E.C. Green, W.N. Mendel, C.R. Nelson (2 ♂, 1 ♀, BYU); Grand Co., Moab, 4.vi.1940, G.F. Knowlton & FCH (3 ♂, 3 ♀, FSCA, MTEC), same as previous, 18.v.1939 (1♂, 4 ♀, CAS, EMUS), La Sal Mts, Warner Cp., 9500 ', 21.vii.1968, Malaise trap, W.J. Hanson (1 ♀, EMUS), Westwater, 26.ix.1939, G.F. Knowlton & FCH (1 ♀, INHS); Kane Co., Sheep Crk jct., Skutumpah Rd, 37°29'43N, 112°03'59W, 5531 ft, 29.ix.1999, R.W. Baumann, K.T. Huntzinger, C.R. Nelson (1 ♂, MTEC), Snake Crk above jct. Paria R, 37°20'44N, 112°00'29W, 3-4.viii.2000, E.C. Green, W.N. Mendel, M. Moody, C.R. Nelson (1 ♂, BYU); San Juan Co., La Sal, 27.vi.1951, FCH (3 ♂, 6 ♀, CAS, EMUS, FSCA, CUIC); Utah Co., Mt Timpanogos, 4.viii.1946, FCH (3 ♂, 1 ♀, CNC, LACM), same as previous, 12.vii.1941, FCH & G.F. Knowlton (1 ♂, 1 ♀, EMUS), American Fork, 6.vii.1939, G.F. Knowlton (1 ♂, EMUS), St. George, 20.iv.1939, G.F. Knowlton & FCH (1 ♀, EMUS), Battle Crk, nr. Pleasant Grove, 31.vii.1984, C.R. Nelson (1 ♀, BYU), 12 mi. E Thistle, Hwy 6, 14.viii.1984, Nelson & Allred (2 ♂, 1 ♀, BYU); Washington Co., Zion Nat’l Park, Birch Crk, 27.vii.1975, W.J. Hanson (2 ♂, 5 ♀, EMUS), Zion Nat’l Park, narrows, 21.vi.1981, C.R. Nelson (1 ♂, 2 ♀, BYU). Wyoming: Albany Co., Laramie, 15.viii.1950, N. Davis (1 ♀, ISUI); Park Co., Yellowstone Nat’l Park, Rustic Falls, 7200 ft, 44°56.03' N, 110°43.55'W, 28.viii.2009, JBR (1 ♀, MTEC), Yellowstone Park, falls, 23.vii.1923, ALM (2 ♀, USNM).