Plecia bucklandi ( Heer, 1849 )

Skartveit, John & Nel, André, 2017, Revision of fossil Bibionidae (Insecta: Diptera) from French Oligocene deposits, Zootaxa 4225 (1), pp. 1-83 : 39

Plecia bucklandi ( Heer, 1849)

( Figs. 20 – 24, 110 – 113)

Protomyia bucklandi Heer, 1849: 238 – 239.

Protomyia elegans Heer, 1856: 36 . Syn.n.

Protomyia gracilis Heer, 1856: 36 . Syn.n.

Bibio edwardsii Oustalet, 1870: 130 Syn. n.

Penthetria edwardsii ( Oustalet, 1870)

Plecia edwardsii ( Oustalet, 1870) ; Brongniart, 1878: XLVIII. Plecia dilatativentris Théobald, 1937: 338 – 339. Syn.n.

The species was described from Radoboj and Aix-en-Provence. Heer in his original description did not fix any holotype, but the description was made with reference to Buckland’s (1837, Pl. 46) illustration of a specimen from Aix-en-Provence, so this should be regarded as the type. We could not find this specimen in NHM. The name has generally been spelled bucklandi as the species was named after the Rev. William Buckland. However, the somewhat awkward form buklandi was used in the heading of the original description ( Heer 1849 p. 238). The form bucklandi was however, used in the legends to the plates ( Heer 1849, Pl. XVI, Fig. 22) and in all subsequent treatises.

Material examined. Two female specimens of Protomyia bucklandi from Aix in ETHZ, not among those illustrated by Heer (1849, Pl. XVI, Fig. 22), but labeled in Heer’s handwriting. Figured specimen (female) FSL 391930 (A 25). Syntype (female) of Protomyia elegans (NHMUK In 39832). Syntype (female) of Protomyia gracilis (NHMUK In 38765). One specimen labeled as Protomyia gracilis in ETHZ, not the one illustrated by Heer but the name is written in Heer’s handwriting. Syntypes (3 females) of Bibio edwardsii (MNHN R 0 6671, R 06669). Holotype (female) of Plecia dilatativentris FSL 391924. Paratypes (2 females) of Plecia dilatativentris MNHN B 24418. Additional material (6 females) FSL 391928, 391931-391935.

Localities. Aix-en-Provence, Corent.

Diagnosis. A medium-large (7.5 – 10.5 mm) Plecia , body and wings dark brown, probably black in life. Antennal flagellum probably 8-segmented. Fore femorae apparently pale brown.

Redescription. Male unknown.

Female Total length 7.5 – 10.5 mm (N=11), dark brown, presumably black in life.

Head (figs. 112–113): Length 0.87 – 1.14 mm (N=5), width 0.96 – 1.35 mm (N=5). Rather short and broad, compound eye a little prominent. Antenna rather short, flagellum probably 8-segmented, cylindrical, 0.57 – 0.71 mm long (N=4).

Thorax: Length 2.2 – 3.0 mm (N=9), width 1.7 – 2.6 mm (N=4). Black. Haltere brown.

Wing (figs. 110–111): Length 7.0 – 9.2 mm (N=10), width 2.5 – 3.7 mm (N=8), length/width = 2.45 – 3.25 (N=8). Blackish fumose, veins brownish black, prominent throughout wing. Pterostigma indistinctive due to generally dark membrane. Subcosta prominent, long, humeral vein present. Costa extending to apex of R4+5. R2+3 a little curved, oblique. Wing vein measurements in Table 2.

Legs: relatively short, slender, femorae brownish, tibiae and tarsi black. Length of fore femur 1.7 mm (N=1), fore tibia 1.6 – 2.2 mm (N=5).

Abdomen: Length 5.2 – 7.7 mm (N=8), width 1.8 – 2.8 mm (N=6), black, cylindrical.

Terminalia: cerci short and indistinct.

Figures

FIGURE 20. Plecia bucklandi, female. Specimen identified as Protomyia bucklandi Heer by Heer, ETHZ, no specimen number.