Rhipidia (Rhipidia) lobifera, Zhang, Xiao, Li, Yan & Yang, Ding, 2014

Zhang, Xiao, Li, Yan & Yang, Ding, 2014, A review of the genus Rhipidia Meigen from China, with descriptions of seven new species (Diptera, Limoniidae), Zootaxa 3764 (3), pp. 201-239 : 216-217

Rhipidia (Rhipidia) lobifera sp. nov.

( Figs. 34–39 )

Diagnosis. Male antenna with nine bipectinate flagellomeres. Pleuron brownish yellow with a indistinct brownish black longitudinal stripe. Wing pale yellow with mostly combined very pale brownish yellow spots and some darker spots; combined spots very extensive and almost obliterating lighter areas, most spots very indistinct and making wing almost unicolor; Sc1 ending near midlength of Rs; basal section of CuA1 proximad of fork of M. Lobe of gonostylus with three rostral spines.

Description. Male. Body length 8.0 mm, wing length 7.0 mm.

Head (fig. 35). Brownish black, dusted with grayish white. Hairs on head brown. Antenna 2.5 mm long. Scape and pedicel brown, flagellomeres one to ten pale yellow with basal enlargements and branches brown, remaining flagellomeres brown. First flagellomere stout basally; each of flagellomeres two to ten inclusive with two branches which are the longest at fifth flagellomere and about one-half longer than corresponding flagellomere; eleventh flagellomere enlarged but not pectinate; terminal flagellomere longated, exceeding penultimate. Labellum and palpus dark brown with brownish black hairs.

Thorax (fig. 34). Generally brownish yellow, dusted with grayish white. Pronotum brownish black. Prescutum brownish yellow with three narrow brown stripes. Scutum brownish yellow, middle area paler, each lobe with a pale yellow spot. Scutellum brownish yellow, borders brown. Mediotergite brown with a pale brown median stripe. Pleuron brownish yellow with a indistinct brownish black longitudinal stripe extending from cervical region to base of abdomen. Hairs on thorax brown. Coxae brownish yellow; trochanters pale yellow; femora brownish yellow with tips darker; tibiae and tarsi brownish yellow. Wing (fig. 36) pale yellow; all cells with mostly combined very pale brownish yellow spots; combined spots very extensive and almost obliterating lighter areas, most spots very indistinct and making wing almost unicolor; darker spots at base of cell Sc, middle area of cell Sc, origin of Rs, fork of Sc and tip of R1; veins pale yellow, darker in clouded areas. Venation: Sc1 ending near midlength of Rs, Sc2 near its tip; basal section of CuA1 proximad of fork of M. Halter 1.0 mm long, white with knob darker.

Abdomen (fig. 34). Tergites and sternites yellow. Hairs on abdomen brown.

Hypopygium (figs. 37–39). Posterior margin of tergite nine emarginate. Gonocoxite with two ventromesal lobes: outside one simple as most Rhipidia ; inside one long and thin with five powerful long hairs at tip. Clasper of gonostylus arched at 2/3 length, suddenly narrowed to apical spine. Lobe of gonostylus moderate-sized; rostral prolongation long with three short spines near midlength. Paramere with mesoapical lobe blackened, tip acute.

Female. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype male ( CAU), China: Tibet, Linzhi, Hanmi, 2011. VIII. 4, Lihua Wang (light trap).

Distribution. China (Tibet).

Etymology. The specific epithet is an adjective and refers to the long and thin lobe of gonocoxite (from Latin lobifera = lobus (n., meaning “lobe”) + - ferō (v., meaning “bear, carry”)).

Remarks. This new species is somewhat similar to R. (R.) choprai ( Alexander, 1927) from India, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by the male antenna with nine bipectinate flagellomeres (fig. 35), outside lobe of gonocoxite being simple as most Rhipidia (nearly spherical with scattered hairs), inside lobe of gonocoxite being long and thin with five powerful long hairs at tip, and the base of rostral prolongation without long hair (figs. 37– 39). In R. (R.) choprai , the male antenna has eight bipectinate flagellomeres, outside lobe of gonocoxite is short and stout with five powerful long hairs at tip, the inside lobe of gonocoxite is long and thin with one long and one short hairs at tip, and the base of rostral prolongation has four or five long hair ( Alexander 1927).

Figures

FIGURES 34 – 36. Rhipidia (Rhipidia) lobifera sp. nov. 34: Habitus of male, lateral view; 35: Head of male, dorsal view; 36: Wing. Scale bar: 34 = 2.0 mm; 35 = 0.5 mm; 36 = 1.0 mm.

FIGURES 37 – 39. Rhipidia (Rhipidia) lobifera sp. nov. 37: Hypopygium, lateral view; 38: Hypopygium, dorsal view; 39: Hypopygium, ventral view. Scale bar: 37 – 39 = 0.2 mm.