Helina obscurisquama pseudonivalis (Santos Abréu), ssp. rev

Michelsen, Verner, 2023, Macaronesian Muscidae (Diptera). IV. The genus Helina Robineau-Desvoidy, and description of the male of Spilogona maderensis Michelsen, Zootaxa 5293 (2), pp. 251-276 : 257

3. Helina obscurisquama pseudonivalis (Santos Abréu), ssp. rev .

( Fig. 4B )

Mydaea (Spilaria) pseudonivalis Santos Abréu ; Santos Abréu 1976: 126 ff., fig. 20 (La Palma).

Helina obscurisquama (Stein) ; Kirchberg 1967: 334 (p.p., La Palma); Chandler 1979: 119 (La Palma); Baéz 1983: 180 ff. (p.p., La Palma).

Material examined. CANARY ISLANDS: [ NHMD]. LA PALMA: Tigalate, 28°32´N 17°48´W, 680m, 1♁, 5♀ 10‒21.i.2013 ( V. Michelsen); Las Tricias, 28°47´N 17°58´W, 660m, 1♁, 3♀ 11‒16.i.2013 ( V. Michelsen); Cueva de Agua , 28°48´N 17°57´W, 380m, 2♁, 1♀ 12.i.2013 ( V. Michelsen); Playa de la Veta, 28°43´N 17°58´W, 10m, 3♀ 16.i.2013 ( V. Michelsen) .

Description. Male: Differs from the nominal subspecies as follows: Thorax and abdomen more densely dark greyish rather than bluish grey pruinose; tergites III and IV with paired dark marks larger and more distinct; calypteres ochre rather than brown. Female: Very similar to females of the nominal subspecies except for greyish abdominal pruinosity ( Fig. 4B ) forming tessellating bronze-black reflections.

Distribution. Endemic to La Palma.

Taxonomic notes. The population of Helina obscurisquama from La Palma differs significantly in colour from the populations on Tenerife and La Gomera. As no structural differences were found in the male terminalia or externally I suggest that these allopatric colour forms are treated as different subspecies.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Helina obscurisquama obscurisquama (Stein) (A), H. obscurisquama pseudonivalis (Santos Abréu) (B), females. Abdomen (A, B).