Leucophora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830

Ramírez-Mora, Manuel A. & Patitucci, Luciano Damián, 2025, Revision of the genus Leucophora (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) from South America, with the description of eight new species, Zootaxa 5707 (1), pp. 1-82 : 5-6

Genus Leucophora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830

Diagnosis. [This only applies to South American species] Eyes bare. Interfrontal setae present. Eyes separated in males by at least the diameter of the anterior ocellus, in females slightly wider. Face constricted at the lower part of the head. Parafacialia projected anteriorly, at least with the same width as the postpedicel. Parafacialia with a dark spot at level of the antennae. Thorax dorsally with 1–5 longitudinal dark vittae. Prealar setae usually present. Scutellum ventrally with fine and short setulae. Prosternum bare. Mid tibiae with one ventral seta in females, absent in males. Abdomen oblong-ovate. Male distiphallus usually with free paraphallic processes. Females with abdominal segment 7 usually with a continuous band of setulae on tergite and sternite, extending on the lateroventral membranes, almost forming a ring. Female cerci usually with strong and recurved spines dorsally.

Identification key to the South American species of Leucophora

(Females of L. calilegua sp. nov., L. chancani sp. nov., L. curruhue sp. nov., L. flavipes , L. junin sp. nov., unknown, L. subvittata not included. Males of L. delestero sp. nov., unknown, L. plumiseta not included. Species in brackets were included from photographs of type material).

1 Male............................................................................................... 2

- Female............................................................................................ 14

2 Prementum long, length from insertion of palpi to apex more than 1x the head height.................... L. longilingua

- Prementum short, length from insertion of palpi to apex less than 0.8x the head height.............................. 3

3 Wing with r-m and/or dm-cu transverse veins darkened ( Fig. 30A )...................................... L. johnsoni

- Wing without darkened veins........................................................................... 4

4 Thorax with central longitudinal vitta extending on ventral surface of scutellum and mediotergite ( Fig. 35E ) L. junin sp. nov.

- Thorax with central longitudinal vitta not extending on ventral surface of scutellum and mediotergite.................. 5

5 Only one longitudinal dorsal vitta on thorax; genae very narrow, less than 0.1x eye height.................. [ L. flavipes ]

- Three or more longitudinal dorsal vittae on thorax; genae more than 0.2x eye height................................ 6

6 Arista with longest hairs as long or longer than postpedicel width (plumose); head and thorax with dark brown to brown ground color............................................................................................... 7

- Arista with longest hairs less than 0.5x the postpedicel length (short plumose and/ or pubescent); head and thorax with black ground color........................................................................................ 10

7 Processes of sternite 5 with longest setae as long as sternite 5 length ( Figs. 20A ; 44A ); surstylus, in posterior view, incurved and widened preapically ( Figs. 20B ; 44B ); free paraphallic processes dorsally papillate ( Figs. 21C–D ; 45C–E )........... 8

- Processes of sternite 5 with longest setae shorter than sternite 5 length ( Figs. 10A ; 49A ); surstylus, in posterior view, not incurved and tapered apically ( Figs. 10B ; 49B ); free paraphallic processes without dorsal papilla...................... 9

8 Palpi completely light brown or brown; cercal plate tapered distally ( Fig. 20B ); postgonite without seta, only sensilla ( Fig. 21B )............................................................................... L. chancani sp. nov.

- Palpi light brown or brown with dark apex; cercal plate slightly widened distally ( Fig. 46B ); postgonite with one long seta ( Fig. 45B ).................................................................................. L. tacuil sp. nov.

9 Palpi straight; cercal plates with a pair of long and stout setae preapically ( Figs. 49B, C ); inner margin of processes of sternite 5 with long and thin setae ( Fig. 49A ); pregonite with a wide lateral lobe ( Figs. 49F ; 50B, C ); acrophallus slightly directed downward ( Fig. 49D )................................................................ L. yacochuya sp. nov.

- Palpi curved; cercal plates without long and stout setae preapically ( Figs. 10B, C ); inner margin of processes of sternite 5 with short and spiniform setae ( Fig. 10A ); pregonite without lateral lobe ( Figs. 10E ; 11B ); acrophallus up-curved ( Figs. 10D ; 11A ).................................................................................. L. catamarca sp. nov.

10 Genae more than 0.5x the eye height ( Fig. 41C ).................................................. [ L. subvittata ]

- Genae less than 0.4x the eye height...................................................................... 11

11 Trochanters light brown or yellow...................................................................... 12

- Trochanters dark brown or black........................................................................ 13

12 Palpus 0.5x as long as head height, slightly expanded at tip; distiphallus with 1 pair of free paraphallic processes............................................................................................... L. chalten sp. nov.

- Palpus 0.5x the head height, filiform; distiphallus with 2 pairs of free paraphallic processes.......... L. calilegua sp. nov.

13 Abdominal tergites 3–5 with lateral patches on middle of each segment ( Fig. 22F ); surstylus, in posterior view, strongly narrowed distally ( Fig. 23B ); pregonite with 2 acute projections ( Figs. 23E ; 24B )......................... L. chilensis

- Abdominal tergites 3–5 with lateral patches on anterior margin or posterior margin ( Fig. 1H ); surstylus, in posterior view, slightly narrowed distally ( Fig. 2B ); pregonite without 2 projections ( Figs. 2E ; 3B )........................ L. andicola

14 Prementum long, length from insertion of palpi to apex more than 1x the head height.................... L. longilingua

- Prementum short, length from insertion of palpi to apex less than 0.8x the head height............................. 15

15 Wing with r-m and/or dm-cu transverse veins darkened ( Fig. 33A )...................................... L. johnsoni

- Wing without darkened veins.......................................................................... 16

16 Arista with longest hairs less at most 0.5x the postpedicel length (short plumose or pubescent)....................... 17

- Arista with longest hairs at least 1.0x the postpedicel length (plumose)......................................... 19

17 Cerci modified into flat and strong plates, not digitiform, with very short spines ( Figs. 18A, C, D ); ovipositor only with 1 pair of spiracles ( Fig. 18B )................................................................... L. chalten sp. nov.

- Cerci not modified, digitiform, with long and stout recurved spines; ovipositor with 2 pairs of spiracles............... 18

18 Frontal vitta at narrowest point less than 2.5x width of anterior ocellus; thorax with longitudinal central vitta not extending over the scutellum ( Fig. 4D ); lateral plates of tergites 6–7 narrowly separated ( Fig. 5A ); tergite 8 in profile not acute anteriorly ( Fig. 5C ); spiracles 6 th and 7 th both in membrane of segment 6 ( Fig. 5B )..................................... L. andicola

- Frontal vitta at narrowest point more than 3x width of anterior ocellus; thorax with longitudinal central vitta extending over the scutellum ( Fig. 25D ); lateral plates of tergites 6–7 connected on posterior margin ( Fig. 26A ); tergite 8 in profile acute anteriorly ( Fig. 26B ); spiracles 6 th in membrane of segment 6 and spiracles 7 th in membrane of segment 7 ( Fig. 26B )..... L. chilensis

19 Cerci without recurved and stout spines ( Figs. 52A, C ); tergite 8 wider than long................. L. yacochuya sp. nov.

- Cerci with recurved and stout spines; tergite 8 noticeably longer than wide...................................... 20

20 Cerci modified into a pair of flat and unmovable plates, with very short spinules ( Figs. 13A, C, D ); epiproct transverse in relation to tergites 6–7 ( Fig. 13C ); only 1 pair of spiracles ( Fig. 13B ).................................. L. catamarca

- Cerci not modified, digitiform, with long and strong spines; epiproct in line with tergites 6–8; with 2 pairs of spiracles... 21

21 Tergite 7, in dorsal view, with anterolateral corners acute and slightly inward; lateral plates of tergite 8 with a preapical inner projection ( Fig. 40A ); sternite 6 wider than long ( Fig. 40B ).......................................... L. plumiseta

- Tergite 7, in dorsal with, with anterolateral corners not acute nor inward; lateral plates of tergite 8 without preapical inner projection; sternite 6 longer than wide................................................................... 22

22 Lateral plates of tergite 6 widely separated anteriorly ( Fig. 28A ); spiracles 6th on membrane of segment 6 and spiracles 7th on membrane of segment 7; sternites 6–7 with posterior half almost of the same width as the anterior half ( Fig. 28B )............................................................................................. L. delestero sp. nov.

- Lateral plates of tergite 6 narrowly separated anteriorly ( Fig. 47A ); spiracles 6th and 7th both on membrane of segment 6; sternites 6–7 with posterior half noticeably narrow about the anterior half ( Fig. 47B ).................. L. tacuil sp. nov.

Taxonomy

The following commons characters omitted from the descriptions of Leucophora species (unless otherwise stated): Eyes without pubescence, dichoptic; face flat to slightly convex ventrally; arista with its third article thickened at base; 3 pairs of presut acr s, the middle pair longest; 2+3 dc s with short setula/e in between; posthumeral (intralar presutural) 1 seta; presutural supra-alar 1 seta; postpronotal 2 setae, outer seta longer or with similar length; notopleural 2 setae, anterior one longer; postsutural intralar 2 setae; postsutural supra-alar 1 seta; basal scutellar 1 seta; discal scutellar 1 seta; scutellum with 2 long marginal pairs of setae and 1 pair of shorter discal, finely pubescent ventrally; prosternum bare; proepisternum and anepimeron bare; fore femora with a complete row of setae on pv and pd, female with av setae absent; fore tibiae with 1 ad and pv setae, apical setae on d, pv surfaces; mid tibiae with apical setae on a, ad, d, pd, pv, v surfaces; hind tibiae with 1 apical av, ad and d setae; basitarsomere of fore and hind leg with a long ventral basal seta; pulvilli small in female; processes of sternite 5 in male with outer lateral setae become progressively longer distally; additional ventral sclerite between synsternite 6+7 and hypandrium absent; hypandrium with pedestal-like posterior extension; processus longi absent; inner basal surfaces of surstylus fused with epandrium as well as with sides of cercal plate. Three spermathecae longer than wide, of the same size, with striate surface.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Leucophora andicola (Bigot, 1885), male. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D–E. Thorax, dorsal view. F–G. Abdomen, dorsal view. H. Same, lateral view. Scale bars: A = 1 mm, B–H = 0.5 mm

FIGURE 2. Leucophora andicola (Bigot, 1885), male. A. Sternite 5, ventral view. B. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, dorsal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Aedeagus, lateral view. E. Gonites, lateral view. F. Distiphallus, dorsal view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite. Scale bars: A = 0.2 mm; B–F = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 3. Leucophora andicola (Bigot, 1885), male. A. Aedeagus, dorsolateral view. B. Gonites, ventrolateral view. C. Distiphallus, dorsolateralview.D.Aedeagus, lateral view.E. Distiphallus, dorsolateralview.Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; hypd = hypandrium; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite.

FIGURE 4. Leucophora andicola (Bigot, 1885), female. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E Abdomen, lateral view. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 5. Leucophora andicola (Bigot, 1885), female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Spermathecae. Arrows indicate the spiracles. Abbreviations: tg 5 = tergite 5; tg 7 = tergite 7. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 10. Leucophora catamarca Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Sternite 5, ventral view. B. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, dorsal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Aedeagus, lateral view. E. Gonites, lateral view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 11. Leucophora catamarca Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A.Aedeagus, dorsolateral view.B. Gonites, lateral view. C. Distiphallus, dorsal view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; hypd = hypandrium; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite.

FIGURE 13. Leucophora catamarca Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Same, posterior view. E. Spermathecae. Arrow indicates the spiracle. Abbreviations: cerc = cerci; epiproct = epiproct; hyprct = hypoproct; st 8 = sternite 8; tg 8 = tergite 8. Scale bars: A–D = 0.2 mm; E = 0.1 mm

FIGURE 18. Leucophora chalten Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Same, posterior view. E. Spermathecae.Arrow indicates the spiracle. Abbreviations: cerc = cerci; epiproct = epiproct; hyprct = hypoproct; st 8 = sternite 8; tg 5 = tergite 5; tg 6 = tergite 6; tg 8 = tergite 8. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 20. Leucophora chancani Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Sternite 5, ventral view. B. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, dorsal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Aedeagus, lateral view. E. Gonites, lateral view. F. Distiphallus, dorsal view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 21. Leucophora chancani Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Aedeagus, dorsolateral view. B. Gonites, ventral view. C. Distiphallus, dorsal view. D. Free paraphallic processes, dorsal view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite.

FIGURE 22. Leucophora chilensis (Malloch, 1934), male. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view. F. Abdomen, lateral view. Arrows indicate lateral brown patches on abdominal tergites 3–5. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–F = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 23. Leucophora chilensis (Malloch, 1934), male. A. Sternite 5, ventral view. B. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, dorsal view.C. Same,lateral view. D.Aedeagus, lateral view.E. Gonites,lateral view.F. Distiphallus, dorsal view.Abbreviations:acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 24. Leucophora chilensis (Malloch, 1934), male. A. Aedeagus, lateral view. B. Gonites, lateral view. C. Distiphallus, lateral view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; hypd = hypandrium; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite.

FIGURE 25. Leucophora chilensis (Malloch, 1934), female. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 26. Leucophora chilensis (Malloch, 1934), female. A. Ovipositor dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Spermathecae. Arrows indicate the spiracles. Abbreviations: tg 6 = tergite 6. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 28. Leucophora delestero Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Spermathecae. Arrows indicate the spiracles. Abbreviations: tg 7 = tergite 7. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 30. Leucophora johnsoni (Stein 1898), male. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 33. Leucophora johnsoni (Stein 1898), female. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 35. Leucophora junin Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view. Arrows indicates the central vitta on scutellum and mediotergite. Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 40. Leucophora plumiseta (Malloch, 1934), female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Spermathecae. Arrows indicate the spiracles. Abbreviations: tg 7 = tergite 7. Scale bars: A–C = 0.2 mm; D = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 41. Leucophora subvittata (Malloch, 1934), male. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Habitus, dorsal view. Specimen from Department of Entomology, NMNH, Smithsonian Institution. Image captured by Robert Finn, USDA – National Identification Services. Scale bars: A, D = 1 mm; B–C = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 44. Leucophora tacuil Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Sternite 5, ventral view. B. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, dorsal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Aedeagus, lateral view. E. Gonites, lateral view. F. Distal section of distiphallus, dorsal view Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 45. Leucophora tacuil Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male A. Aedeagus, lateral view. B. Gonites, ventrolateral view. C. Distiphallus, lateral view. D. Same, dorsal view. E. Free paraphallic processes, detail, dorsal view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; hypd = hypandrium; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite.

FIGURE 46. Leucophora tacuil Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., female. A. Habitus, lateral view. B. Head, frontal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Thorax, dorsal view. E. Abdomen, dorsal view Scale bars: A = 1 mm; B–E = 0.5 mm.

FIGURE 47. Leucophora tacuil Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Spermathecae. Arrows indicate the spiracles. Scale bars: A–D = 0.2 mm; E = 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 49. Leucophora yacochuya Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Sternite 5, ventral view. B. Epandrium, surstylus and cerci, dorsal view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Aedeagus, lateral view. E. Gonites, lateral view. F. Same, ventral view. G. Distiphallus, dorsal view Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 50. Leucophora yacochuya Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., male. A. Aedeagus, lateral view. B. Gonites, lateral view. C. Same, ventrolateral view. D. Distiphallus, dorsolateral view. E. Free paraphallic processes tip, close-up, dorsolateral view. Abbreviations: acroph = acrophallus; distph = distiphallus; ds = dorsal sclerotization; epiph = epiphallus; fpp = free paraphallic process; hypd = hypandrium; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallopodeme; pregt = pregonite.

FIGURE 52. Leucophora yacochuya Ramírez-Mora & Patitucci, sp. nov., female. A. Ovipositor, dorsal view. B. Same, ventral view. C. Same, lateral view. D. Spermathecae. Red arrows indicate the spiracles. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.