Protearomyia nigra (Meigen, 1826)

Macgowan, Iain, 2014, Three new species of Protearomyia McAlpine, 1962 (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) with a key to males of the Palearctic species, Zootaxa 3796 (2), pp. 337-348 : 347

Protearomyia nigra (Meigen, 1826)

This species was re-described by McAlpine (1983), additional notes are provided here on the structure of the male genitalia.

Male terminalia ( Figs.18–21 ). Epandrium approximately 1.5x higher than wide, ventral lobe at least 1.5x higher than wide, although a group of setulae are present at the posterioventral corner, they are not long and curved and are not bourne on a small rounded process ( Fig. 18 ). McAlpine (1983) states that the “cerci are strongly sclerotized at apices” but the small fleshy cerci are fused to the hypoproct apically thus leading to this confusion. Surstylus with two prominent prensisetae posteroventrally. Hypoproct in form of a long, curving rod reaching up through the centre of the epandrium, in posterior view ( Fig. 19 ) its apex is star-shaped with a pair of lateral projections, and two straight, simple apical processes extending ventrally. This feature was also illustrated by McAlpine (1983, Fig. 30 ). Phallus ( Figs. 20 & 21 ) J-shaped, basal plate relatively narrow and tall with lateral processes only slightly projecting, apical section long and sinuous, alignment and amount of curvature varying between specimens. Phallic guide as a simple U-shaped structure, basally with a pair of small ventrally directed, rounded processes ( Figs. 20 & 21 ).

Differential diagnosis.: Males are easily distinguished from other Palearctic Protearomyia in that ventral lobe of the epandrium is rectangular in shape rather than square, approximately 25% higher than it is wide. The shape of the apex of the hypoproct is also a diagnostic feature.

Figures

FIGURES 18 – 21. Protearomyia nigra (Meigen). Male genitalia. 18. Epandrium and associated structures, lateral view. 19. Same posterior view. 20. Phallus and phallic guide, ventral view. 21. Same lateral view. Abbreviations; H = hypoproct, P = phallus, PG = phallic guide, PN = prensisetae, VL = ventral lobe.

FIGURES 27 – 31. Protearomyia hermonensis MacGowan and Freidberg. Male genitalia. 27. Epandrium and associated structures, lateral view. 28. Same, ventral view ventral view. 29. Same, posterior view. 30. Phallic guide, ventral view. 31. Phallus, lateral view.