Botanophila nigra, Michelsen, Verner, 2009

Michelsen, Verner, 2009, Revision of the Botanophila helviana species group (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) in Europe, Zootaxa 2108, pp. 45-61 : 55-56

4. Botanophila nigra sp. nov.

Figs. 21–24 .

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘nigra’ is a Latin adjective meaning ‘black’. Description. Size. Relatively large, wing length 4.3–4.9mm (n=3).

Male. Like Botanophila helviana a very dark-coloured, relatively slender and long-legged species. Frons at narrowest point distinctly wider than distance between inner margins of posterior ocelli, frontal vitta at this point much wider than combined width of very narrow parafrontals. Parafacial in broadest aspect distinctly narrower than width of postpedicel. Gena in profile also narrower than postpedicel; genal setae arranged in two close-set rows. Arista rather longer than antenna measured from base of scape to tip of postpedicel; aristomere 3 thickened on basal quarter. Mouthparts relatively long: Palp exceeding length of fore tarsomere 1; prementum even longer, as long as combined length of fore tarsomeres 1–2. Prementum shiny black, only with a little greyish dusting on extreme distal part. Thorax covered in dark brownish grey dusting, except lighter greyish on postpronotal calli and intervening anterior part of mesonotum; pattern of darker stripes not discernible on mesonotum. Presutural acrostichal rows in front farther apart than their distance to dorsocentral rows; middle pair of acrostichals slightly enlarged; several setulae present between rows. Notopleuron without accessory setulae. Proepimerals 5–8 setae and setulae. Wing base and calyptrae dark brown infuscated; knob of halter pale yellow. Hind femur with short, inconspicuous pv-setae on distal half. Abdomen slender, covered in dark brownish grey dusting revealing a black mid-dorsal stripe and narrow anterior bands on tergites III–V. Male terminalia ( Figs. 21, 22 ): Cerci distally without submedian prongs but with a strong median prong reaching well beyond disti-lateral angles; surstylus in lateral aspect expanded distally and with a strongly developed postero-distal lobe.

Female. Parafacial in broadest aspect distinctly narrower than width of postpedicel. Gena in profile also narrower than postpedicel, genal setae and setulae arranged in two close-set rows. Arista longer than antenna measured from base of scape to tip of postpedicel; aristomere 3 thickened on basal quarter. Mouthparts relatively long: Palp exceeding length of fore tarsomere 1; prementum even longer, as long as combined length of fore tarsomeres 1–2. Prementum shiny black, only with a little greyish dusting on extreme distal part. Thorax with rather dense greyish dusting only allowing a matt, lead-grey subshine. Presutural acrostichal rows in front farther apart than their distance to dorsocentral rows; middle pair of acrostichals slightly enlarged; several setulae present between rows. Notopleuron without accessory setulae. Proepimerals 3–6 setae and setulae. Wing base and calyptrae brightly ochreous-yellow tinged; knob of halter yellow. Mid tibia with 2 ad-setae in both available specimens. Oviscapt ( Fig. 23 ) characterized by broad tergite VII pieces and shape of cerci. Spermathecae ( Fig. 24 ) elongate, comparatively large.

Material examined. Type material: NORWAY [ ZMUC]: Sør-Trøndelag (inner): Kongsvoll (62.18N / 09.36E), 900–1100m, 1 male [holotype] 20-28.vii.1983 (V. Michelsen). SWEDEN [ MZLU]: Torne Lappmark: Abisko (68.21N / 18.46E), 400m, 1 female, 5.viii.1948 (H.C. Huckett). FINLAND [ FMNH]: Lapponia inarensis: Utsjoki (69.54N / 27.01E), 80m, 1 female [no date] (R. Frey).

Other material (not examined). SWEDEN [Coll. D.M. Ackland]: Torne Lappmark: Abisko, W. of delta Abiskojokk, 350m, 1 male 24-31.vii.1993 (D.M. Ackland).

Biology. In south-central Norway found in the same subalpine area as B. kitadakeana and B. minuta but in summer rather than spring.

Distribution. So far known only from elevated part of south-central Norway and from northernmost parts of Sweden and Finland.

Figures

FIGURES 21 – 24. Botanophila nigra. 21, 22. Hypopygium in caudal and lateral aspects. 23. Oviscapt, flat mounted. 24. Spermathecae. Scale bar = 0.1 mm (21, 22); 0.25 mm (23, 24).