Nikandria brevitarsis Mamaev, 1964

Jaschhof, Mathias & Jaschhof, Catrin, 2017, Mycophagous gall midges (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae: Lestremiinae, Micromyinae, Winnertziinae, Porricondylinae): first records in Sweden and descriptions of closely related new species from elsewhere, Zootaxa 4226 (4), pp. 546-570 : 556-558

Nikandria brevitarsis Mamaev, 1964

Fig. 6A–E

Nikandria brevitarsis was previously known from a series of males and females collected in European Russia in 1960 ( Mamaev 1964). The same species is now, more than 50 years later, reported to occur in both Sweden and Germany. The specimens studied here were identified on the basis of the original description, which includes a useful genitalic illustration ( Mamaev 1964: fig. 13). Mamaev (1964) described the palpi of Nikandria brevitarsis as two-segmented, which was probably incorrectly observed. All the specimens studied here have single-segmented palpi. In lateral view ( Fig. 6C) the palpus appears to be attached basally to another segment, which actually is the atrophied and completely merged labella, as is obvious in frontal view ( Fig. 6D). Male characters not mentioned in either Mamaev’s (1964) description or the diagnosis below are as follows. The postfrons is asetose; the scape, which is slightly smaller than the pedicel, has 2–3 setae in specimens from Sweden and 4–5 setae in specimens from Germany; the pedicel has 0–1 seta; flagellomeres number either 10 or 11, depending on whether or not the two apical flagellomeres are merged; the first to fourth or fifth flagellomeres bear small, stout translucent sensilla subapically ( Fig. 6B); the clypeus is setose; the labella bear 2 setae subapically ( Fig. 6D); the antepronotum bears 0–1 seta; the costal break at the apex of wing is indistinct ( Fig. 6E); setae are present on C, stem vein, Sc, R1, R5, CuA, and CuP; and the pad-like empodia are half as long as the claws.

Diagnosis. Nikandria brevitarsis is distinguished from Heteropezini classified in other genera by presence in combination of five-segmented tarsi, single-segmented palpi, the eye bridge 2–3 ommatidia long dorsally, a setose wing membrane, and three obvious longitudinal veins (R1, R5, and CuA) ( Fig. 6E). A distinctive male genitalic structure is the tegmen, which is narrowed apically into a sclerotized collar with a tiny spike at either edge ( Fig. 6A). A second species of Nikandria , which is similar to N. brevitarsis , is described below.

Infraspecific variation. The gonostylar tooth may be longer or shorter than illustrated here ( Fig. 6A). Its position seems to vary from apical to slightly subapical ( Fig. 6A), but apparently depends on the viewing angle. The outline of the dorsal gonocoxal bridge varies from deeply concave ( Fig. 6A) to almost straight, which might be affected by the specimens’ preparation.

Previous distribution. Russia (Europe). Occurrence in Sweden: Öland.

Specimens studied. SWEDEN: male (CEC150), Öland, Mörbylånga , Gamla Skogsby , scrubby meadow (“diversity meadow”), 15 Aug.–6 Sep. 2006, Malaise trap, SMTP (trap 22, collecting event 1829); male (CEC147), Gamla Skogsby, mixed deciduous forest, 27 June–30 July 2014, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof; male (CEC148), Mörbylånga, Lilla Vickleby forest NR, thin old oak forest, 30 Aug.–24 Sep. 2014, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof ; 6 males, 1 female (CEC263–269), Mörbylånga, Stora Dalby forest NR, mixed deciduous forest with much dead ash, 9 July–3 Oct. 2015, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof; male (CEC149), Västerstad elm forest NR, mature elm forest, 10 July–5 Aug. 2014, Malaise trap, SMTP (trap 3002, collecting event 3055) ; 2 males (CEC259, 273), Öland, Borgholm , Lindreservat NR, mixed deciduous forest, 22 July–1 Oct. 2015, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof; male (CEC262), Borgholm, Rönnerum-Abbantorp NR, swampy mixed deciduous forest, 16 July–21 Aug. 2015, Malaise trap, M. & C. Jaschhof. New to GERMANY : 3 males (A7626–7628), Brandenburg, Uckermark, Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, Langer Berg near Luisenfelde , beech forest, Malaise trap (M4a), 13 June 2007, SDEI (in SDEI) .