Colobaea eos Rozkošný & Elberg, 1991

Bratt, Albertus D., Knutson, Lloyd V., Murphy, William L. & Daniels, Anthony A., 2020, Biology, immature stages, and systematics of snail-killing flies of the genus Colobaea (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), with overviews of aspects of the tribe Sciomyzini, Zootaxa 4840 (1), pp. 1-64 : 25-26

Colobaea eos Rozkošný & Elberg, 1991

Map 8

Colobaea eos was described from the male holotype collected at Stolbchatiy, Kunashir Island, Kuril Islands [ Japan], 13 July 1985 and 21 paratypes: 1♂ with the same data as the holotype and 11♀, 9♂ from seven localities in South Maritime Territory, Russia, 4 June–27 August 1983 –1987. Sueyoshi (2001) recorded 31♀ and 29♂ from northernmost to almost southernmost Japan, collected 1 July–22 September. He noted that Rozkošný & Elberg (1991) had described the hind femur as having two anterodorsal setae, but he ( Sueyoshi 2001) noted that, “Some variation in the number of these setae are found: 31 specimens with a single anterodorsal seta on each femur; 4 lacking these setae; 2 with single posterodorsal seta on each hind femur; 1 with single additional distinct seta on left femur.” He also noted that although Rozkošný & Elberg (1991) stated that the dorsal bridge of the hypandrium is absent in C. eos , he found this sclerite to be present.

Przhiboro (2016) recorded 4♀ and 1♂ from three localities on Iturup Island, Kuril Islands [ Japan], collected at three sites: 1) in a “tall grass meadow 100–300 m upstream of the mouth (30.vii.2016, 1♀),” 2) in a “wet mixed forest with grass stands and pools, 1 km from a lake shore (28.vii.2011, 2♀, 1♂),” and 3) “in a tall grass meadow in the ravine of a stream (20.vii.2011, 1♀).” He compared the specimens with a paratype from Kamenushka (109 km N of Vladivostok), presented excellent photos of the male postabdomen showing the hypandrium with a truncate anterior apex, and noted that the shape of the straplike inner process of the anterior surstylus varies somewhat, being curved anteriorly and widened apically. We have seen one undescribed male (genitalia not examined) that agrees exactly with Rozkošný & Elberg’s (1991) description. It is a specimen in the RBINS labeled (1) “Kuril Islands, Shikotang River Bot, Shoja [an island just east of Kunashir], 13.8.1964, K. Elberg”, (2) “ Colobaea [manuscript name] K. Elberg, 1968”, (3) red label “ paratypus ”, (4) “R.I.Sc. N.B., J.G. 23.861.” Verbeke’s detailed (handwritten) catalog of Sciomyzidae in RBINS does not mention this species, nor do his publications. The specimen is in perfect condition except that the right wing is missing beyond the apex of Sc; the head (not KOH prepared) is in perfect condition in a microvial pinned next to the specimen. The collection date of this specimen (1964) predates all of Rozkošný & Elberg’s (1991) dates. Additional specimens collected by Elberg during 1964 (possibly in Tartu University or in Brussels) would be of interest to future students.

As noted above, Li et al. (2019) recorded Colobaea in China for the first time during their review of sciomyzid genera known from China. Their specimen data are as follow: 2♂, CHINA, Inner Mongolia, Genhe , 835 m, 2016. VII. 30, Li Shi ( IMAU) ; 2♂, CHINA, Inner Mongolia, Genhe , 870 m, 2016. IX. 27, Li Shi ( IMAU) . Colobaea sp.: 1♀, CHINA, Xinjiang, Tacheng, 1955. VII. 24, Shijun Ma ( IZCAS) .

Nothing is known about the biology or immature stages of this species.

As noted by Sueyoshi (2001), C. eos and C. flavipleura can be distinguished from their congeners by the presence of a single pair of dorsocentral setae.

Figures

MAP 8. Geographic range of Colobaea eos Rozkošný & Elberg.