Stenobiella variola, Winterton, Shaun L., 2010

Winterton, Shaun L., 2010, A new species of Stenobiella Tillyard (Neuroptera, Berothidae) from Australia, ZooKeys 64, pp. 1-8 : 3-6

Stenobiella variola sp. n. Figs 13

Holotype

male, AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: Tintinallogy Station, 15.i.2010, light sheet, -31.9994°, 143.01706°, S.L. Winterton & N.B. Hardy, light sheet (Australian National Insect Collection).

Paratypes.

AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 2 males, 1 female, same data as holotype (California Academy of Science Collection).

Diagnosis.

Distinctively contrasted variegated wing pattern; numerous white non-tapered setae on wings and body, pale patch basally in pterostigma, darker distally; dark scale-like setae absent from wings and abdomen; dark, elongate setae absent from mid coxa; single R1-Rs cross-vein; dark, elongate setae along entire posterior margin of both wings; female hypocaudae well developed; male paramere-mediuncus complex relatively large.

Description.

Body length = 5.0-6.0 mm (male), 6.1 mm (female). Head. Black to light brown; anterior tentorial pits distinct; clypeus with dark band and minute pale pubescence; vertex irregularly covered with elongate, non-tapered white setae, multidirectional and partially appressed; raised lateral tubercle with elongate white setae admixed with several longer and more tapered black setae; antenna dark brown to black, scape covered with elongate white setae admixed with dark setae; pedicel with ring of dark setae basally, closely approximating a distal ring of white setae; 51 flagellomeres covered with fine dark setae; mouthparts brown with sparse black setae.

Thorax. Pronotum wider than long, dark brown; two latitudinal depressions extending from midline, each with white setae along length; white setae along midline and around margin; admixed with slightly longer and tapered black setae along lateral and anterior margins; mesonotum light brown, blackish posterolaterally, white setae anteromedially in ‘V’ pattern, admixed with patch of dark setae; dark area glabrous; metathorax light brown with dark patches laterally, posterior portio with tapered pale setae; pleuron with extensive white, non-tapered setae. Wing (Figure 2). Forewing length = 6.1 mm. Hind wing length = 5.2 mm. Forewing hyaline with extensive infuscate mottling; venation brown and tan mottled, numerous dark tapered macrosetae along wing veins with infuscate area around base of each seta; rows of white non-tapered setae extensive along all wing veins, admixed with dark, non-tapered setae, distribution of white and dark non-tapered setae relative to surrounding infuscation (i.e. more white setae in hyaline areas); costal and subcostal areas with extensive infuscation, white areas along costal margin with dark mark basad of pterostigma; pterostigma dark with white either side; dark, elongate along entire posterior margin of wing; single cross-vein between R1 and anterior trace of Rs; 4-5 gradate series cross-veins; distal CuA-MP cross-vein perpendicular to CuA and originating on anterior branch of distal CuA fork; hindwing hyaline; venation light brown to yellow; macrosetae absent, extensive fine tapered setae on all veins, more numerous in distal area of wing and much longer along entire posterior margin of wing. Legs. Uniform dark brown with extensive covering of elongate, white setae; setae shorter and darker on tarsomeres.

Abdomen. Uniform brown to light brown; extensive pile of dark setae admixed with white setae, denser on sternites; stripe of white, non-tapered setae laterally from segment one to terminalia

Male genitalia (Fig. 3 A–D). Tergite 9 + ectoproct rounded posteriorly, slightly acuminate distally; paramere-mediuncus complex very large with well sclerotised guide; hypandrium internum triangular.

Female genitalia (Fig. 3E). Hypocaudae well developed, elongate; spermatheca large and highly convoluted in shape.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is derived from Latin, variola; spotted, mottled.

Comments.

Stenobiella variola sp. n. is a distinctive species based on wing mottling and extensive wing and body covering of white, non-tapered setae. The male genitalia are similar in structure to Stenobiella theischingerorum Aspöck & Aspöck, to which Stenobiella variola sp. n. appears to be closely related. No key to species of Stenobiella exists. The following key is based largely on the published descriptions by Aspöck and Aspöck (1984) and examination of additional non-type material in various collections; considering the high likelihood of new species being collected, it should be considered preliminary only. Both sexes are required for the key to work most effectively for some species.

Key to Stenobiella species