Ungla mexicana Tauber

Tauber, Catherine A., Sosa, Francisco, Albuquerque, Gilberto S. & Tauber, Maurice J., 2017, Revision of the Neotropical green lacewing genus Ungla (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), ZooKeys 674, pp. 1-188 : 50-51

Ungla mexicana Tauber sp. n. Figs 61, 62, 63, 144c

Holotype

(Figs 61-63, 144c). FSCA, female. Mexico, Chiapas, 21 mi. SE San Cristóbal de las Casas, 2.iv.1962, F. D. Parker, L. A. Stange.

The holotype (a female) is the only specimen of this species that we have seen, and we were reluctant to describe it as new on the basis of such limited material. However, the specimen is very well preserved, and its external features (head and body coloration and markings, wings) are notable. The abdomen is cleared, stained, and in a vial attached to the specimen. Because of the specimen’s importance as the northernmost record for the genus, we describe it to facilitate future identifications.

Etymology.

The type locality of this species is in the highlands of southern Mexico (State of Chiapas). Its species name, mexicana (Latin, adj., fem.), recognizes that it is the first, and at this time the only, species of Ungla reported from Mexico.

Diagnosis.

The female holotype expresses many of the characteristics that typify most Ungla species: a U-shaped marking around the margins of the vertex, dark genal markings, dark [albeit, thin] markings on the palpi, and a typical doughnut shaped spermatheca.

Ungla mexicana is recognized by its green body with reddish markings; prothorax with a distinctive red lateral band that extends only about one half the length of the segment (from the anterior margin to the midlength of the segment), and mesothorax with a pair of bold black markings anteriorly. The U. mexicana forewing venation is green, with most longitudinal and transverse veins marked with dark brown at intersections; crossveins are dark brown, with the gradate veins having brown suffusion on the adjacent membrane. This species most closely resembles U. martinsi ; however, the two differ as follows. In addition to the above features, the U-shaped marking on the U. mexicana vertex is much larger, the scape is without a distinct dorsal stripe, and the distal three maxillary palpomeres have a thin lateral stripe rather than being black throughout.

Description.

Head cream-colored with red markings; vertex smooth anteriorly, shiny, with U-shaped marking large, robust, lateral arms separated anteriorly, meeting posteriorly, with lateral margins marked with red adjacent to eyes, posterior section unmarked; dorsal fossae probably with small, red mesal mark; area between antennae unmarked; frons cream-colored, unmarked; clypeus with lateral margin red; tentorial pits amber-colored; gena with bold, black stripe throughout, contiguous with red clypeal mark. Antenna: cream-colored, dorsal surface of scape possibly with tinge of red, but no stripe, flagellar setae pale; maxillary palp pale, distal segments with thin black lateral stripe; labial palp pale throughout.

Thorax mostly cream-colored; prothorax with pair of broad lateral bands - red anteriorly, green posteriorly; transverse furrow slightly posterior to middle of segment, not extending to lateral margins; setae pale. Legs cream-colored, unmarked. Measurements: head width: 1.4 mm; ratio head width: eye width: 2.3: 1; prothorax width: 1.0 mm, length: 0.8 mm.

Forewing, hindwing somewhat broad, apex slightly acute; membrane clear, hyaline. Forewing with veins robust, not crassate; Rs slightly sinuous; first intramedian cell ovate; basal inner gradate meeting Psm; stigma slightly opaque; longitudinal veins green, marked with brown at intersections, most transverse veins green, marked either basally (most R-Rs crossveins) or on both ends (most veins leaving Rs, most Psm-Psc crossveins, bases of distal forks on posterior margin); gradates, three of four crossveins below stigma, dark brown with brown suffusion on adjacent membrane; basal Rs-M crossveins, second icu crossvein dark brown without suffusion. Hindwing with venation green, unmarked. Forewing 14.1 mm long, 4.7 mm wide (ratio, L: W = 3.0: 1); height of tallest costal cell 1.1 mm (cell number 5); width of first intramedian cell 1.0 mm; 10 radial cells (closed cells between R and Rs); third gradate cell 2.0 mm long, 0.5 mm wide (ratio, L: W = 4.3: 1); fourth gradate cell 1.6 mm long, 0.7 mm wide (ratio, L: W = 3.5: 1); 4 Banksian cells (b cells, sometimes distinct), 4 b’ cells; 4 inner gradates (basal one sometimes not clear), 6 outer gradates. Hindwing 12.7 mm long, 4.2 mm wide (ratio, L: W = 3.0: 1), 10 radial cells, 3 Banksian (b) cells, 4 b’ cells, 3 inner gradates, 5-6 outer gradates.

Male. Unknown.

Known distribution.

MEXICO: Central Highlands region in state of Chiapas.

Specimens examined

. Holotype only.