Polana (Varpulana) McKamey, 2006

Type-species Polana alata DeLong & Freytag, 1972

Diagnosis. Body (Figs 99, 100) approximately oval, not flattened dorsoventrally; small, between 6.2 to 8.0mm. Head (Figs 4, 16), in dorsal view, not produced; median length of crown approximately half as long as interocular width; crown with transverse parallel striae; anterior margin of crown approximately parallel to posterior margin; transocular width of head slightly narrower than maximum pronotum width. Ocelli equidistant between eyes and median line and near anterior margin of crown. Head (Figs 34, 62), in lateral view, with crown-face transition rounded and with several parallel striae. Pronotum in lateral view, slightly declivous, with transverse striae on disc and posterior third. Forewing (Figs 35, 47) without extra crossveins; appendix developed. Foreleg with AV and PV rows formed by few and sparse setae, AV row restricted to proximal half and PV with one to three setae, IC row formed by slightly arched comb of fine setae beginning at distal half of femur and extending to AM1. Hind leg with femoral setal formula 2:2:1; tibiae AD row with intercalary microsetae between macrosetae; first tarsomere with two rows of setae on plantar surface, medial row with setae slightly smaller than external row; apex with four or five patellae; second tarsomere with two rows of setae on plantar surface; apex with two apical patellae. Male sternite VIII (Figs 36, 48) commonly wider than long, partially hiding subgenital plates. Male pygofer with (Figs 49, 65) or without short processes, on dorsal margin, at base; with tuft of hairlike setae near ventral margin; macrosetae dispersed on posterodorsal quadrant; posterior margin with (Figs 10, 66) or without (Fig. 22) short and rounded protrusion near apex of pygofer. Subgenital plate (Figs 11, 23) with hairlike setae on external margin; not produced posterad as far as apex of pygofer (Figs 9, 21). Style with a conspicuous protrusion on ventral margin near base of blade (Figs 13, 41). Aedeagus with shaft elongate, cylindrical, with (Fig. 54) or without (Fig. 86) processes; preatrium not developed; dorsal apodeme rounded, not developed laterally; atrium with processes. Female pygofer (Figs 29, 57) with apex rounded; macrosetae dispersed on dorsoapical fourth and ventroapical half. Female sternite VIII (Fig. 89) membranous. First valvifer (Figs 74, 90) higher than long, anterior margin slightly rounded, dorsal margin straight. First valvulae (Figs 1–3) apical portion with a lateral carina serrated; in lateral view (Figs 58, 90) slightly curved dorsally; basal portion produced anterad and rounded; apical third with dorsal sculptured area strigate; apex acute. Second valvulae (Figs 1–3) with apical portion triangular, expanded laterally forming a lateral carina, not serrated, in lateral view (Figs 31, 59) higher near mid-length; dorsal margin with very small teeth on apical fourth; apical portion gradually narrowed to acute apex.

Coloration. Head and thorax (Figs 4, 44) yellow or brown. Forewings commonly with small black maculae (Figs 35, 103) on corium and apex of anal veins; with or without larger black maculae on costal margin at midlength of wing (Figs 47, 79).

Distribution. Species are known mainly from Brazil, states of Bahia [new record], Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais [new record], Paraná [new record], Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo [new record]. The exception is P. elera, which was described from Mexico, Department of Tabasco. According Freytag & Sharkey (2002), P. elera is also known from Brazil, (unknown state) and Colombia, departments of Amazonas and Putumayo.

Remarks. It is unlikely that P. elera belongs to Varpulana because it does not have basal processes on the dorsal margin of the pygofer. The shape of the style is also different from the other described species of the subgenus, with the ventral protrusion much wider at base than at apex. Also, this is the only species known to occur in Central America. Until we can study specimens of P. elera, however, we retain it in Varpulana.