Beardius phytophilus Trivinho-Strixino et Strixino

Pinho, Luiz Carlos, Mendes, Humberto Fonseca & Andersen, Trond, 2013, Revision of Beardius Reiss et Sublette, 1985 (Diptera: Chironomidae), with the description of twenty new species, Zootaxa 3742 (1), pp. 1-78 : 60

Beardius phytophilus Trivinho-Strixino et Strixino

( Figs 110–111 )

Beardius phytophilus Trivinho-Strixino et Strixino, 2000: 245 .

Beardius sp. 1 Trivinho-Strixino & Strixino (1995: 77).

Material examined. Type material, as in Trivinho-Strixino & Strixino (2000).

Diagnostic characters. The species belongs in the parcus group. The male can be separated from all other members of the genus by the combination of the following characters: acrostichals absent; median volsella wartlike; and inferior volsella with stout, subapical setae and lacking basal projection. The pupa by: tergite II with stronger shagreen orally; tergite VI with shagreen reaching 1/2 the length of the tergite; tergites VII and VIII bare; paratergite VIII with long pointed spines; and spur on tergite VIII with dominant tooth and 1–3 comparatively large accessory teeth. The larva by: antenna with 5 segments; pecten mandibularis distinct; distance between ventromental plates 1,5 times the width of median tooth of mentum; and rugosity on outer margin of mandible indistinct or absent.

Description. The species was described in detail by Trivinho-Strixino & Strixino (2000). After reexamining the type series, a very short anal point was found in some specimens ( Fig. 110 ) and microtrichia were present or absent on superior volsella ( Fig. 111 ).

Remarks. Many unassociated adult specimens from Mato Grosso and Amazonas clearly have microtrichia on the superior volsella, but none of these have an anal point. Although not assigned to this species in the present paper, these specimens may represent B. phytophilus . However, more associations between adults and immatures, especially from São Paulo State, are necessary for a better understanding of the variation within this species.

Distribution. The species is collected in the São Paulo State in Brazil.

Figures

FIGURES 110–111. Beardius phytophilus Trivinho-Strixino et Strixino, male. 110—anal point and tergite IX and dorsal aspect of left gonocoxite and gonostylus; 111—hypopygium with anal point and tergite IX removed, left dorsal aspect, right ventral aspect.