Penniverpa gracilis (Kröber) Krober, 2008

Webb, Donald W. & Metz, Mark A., 2008, A revision of the New World genus Penniverpa Irwin and Lyneborg (Diptera: Therevidae: Therevinae), Zootaxa 1720, pp. 1-45 : 30-32

Penniverpa gracilis (Kröber) , comb. nov.

( Figs. 44–49, 84 , 89 )

gracilis Kröber (1911: 498 male key, 500 fem. key, 507 desc.; 1913:30 listing; 1928:6 dist., 8– 9 male key, 10–11 fem. key) ( Psilocephala ). Type locality Peru, Piura. Lectotype male in USNM. New combination.

brunnipennis Kröber (1914:56 desc.; 1928:6 dist., 9 male key, 18 desc.) ( Psilocephala ); Metz and Irwin (2000:1016 trans. orig. desc., 1017 dist.) ( Penniverpa ). Type locality Peru, Bella Vista bei Callao. Holotype male in ZMUH (destroyed, H. Riefenstahl personal communication). New synonym.

Psilocephala brunnipennis Kröber, 1914 is synonymized with Psilocephala gracilis Kröber, 1911 based on the male frons being silver with a dark brown medial stripe which expands dorsally when viewed frontally. Kröber (1928: 9 male key) originally separated males of brunnipennis and gracilis (Kröber) based on males of P. gracilis lacking a median brown stripe on the frons. This stripe is present on all males of gracilis examined, including the lectotype male, although it disappears when the specimen is rotated laterally.

Diagnosis. Penniverpa gracilis is unique from other species of Penniverpa in having the male frons setose, the coxal setae yellowish gold, the hind coxa with a large, broad anterior lobe, and the ventral lobe ( Fig. 45) with an elongate, apical PVL. The female differs from other species of Penniverpa in having white pubescence ( Fig. 84 ) across the posterior margin of tergites 1–4, posterolaterally on tergites 5–6, and over the entire dorsum of tergite 7.

Redescription of MALE. Variation (n=10).

Body length 5.0–6.0, 5.5 mm.

Head. Length 0.72–0.78, 0.73 mm. Ommatidia of equal size. Frons pubescence white to silver with dark brown medial stripe which expands dorsally when viewed frontally; setae black, short (occasionally absent). Antenna with scape and pedicel reddish brown, pubescence gray, dense, flagellum brown; antenna/head length 0.74–0.85, 0.80; scape length 0.14–0.17, 0.16 mm, width 0.10 mm, length/width 1.4–1.7, 1.6, scape/ pedicel length 1.8–2.7, 2.1, scape/flagellum width 1.0, setae dark reddish brown, short; pedicel length 0.06– 0.08, 0.08 mm, length/width 0.6–0.8, 0.8; flagellum length 0.32–0.38, 0.36 mm, width 0.10 mm, length/width 3.2–3.8, 3.6, flagellum/scape length 2.0–2.4, 2.3. Maxillary palpus dark reddish brown; length 0.26–0.38, 0.31 mm, length/width 4.3–5.7, 4.9; setae dark reddish brown. Genal setae pale yellow. Occipital setae white to pale yellow, absent dorsomedially; macrosetae in single row extending ventrally from lateral end of postocular macrosetae.

Thorax. Macrosetae 3 np, 1–2 sa. Mesonotum dull brown, pubescence brownish gray; vittae indistinguishable; setae black, erect, moderately long intermixed with pale yellow, appressed setae. Pleuron pubescence silver gray; setae pale yellow on propleuron, anepisternum, katepisternum, laterotergite, and scutellum. Wing. Membrane diffuse pale brown; veins brown, anterior veins pale yellowish brown; length 4.5–5.0, 4.6 mm, width 1.5–1.8, 1.7 mm, length/width 2.6–2.9, 2.8; pterostigma yellowish brown, faint. Halter dark brown. Legs. Coxal setae yellowish gold; hind coxa with large, broad, anterior projection. Femora dark reddish brown, pubescence white; ventral setae white on fore– and midfemora, yellowish gold dorsally; av 0– 1:0:1–2, pv 0:0:1–5. Tibiae and tarsi dark reddish brown.

Abdomen. Dark reddish brown, glossy; dorsal setae white, appressed. Terminalia (MEI 088538) pale brown. Sternite 8 ( Fig. 44), setae dark brown, absent medially on posterior margin. Gonocoxite ventral view ( Fig. 44), setae dark brown; ventral lobe ( Fig. 45), PVL elongate, apical. Gonostylus ( Fig. 45), LGP oblong, apical setae moderately long, VMP absent. Aedeagus with dorsal apodeme ( Fig. 46), anterior margin truncate; ventral apodeme ( Fig. 47), extending slightly beyond anterior margin of dorsal apodeme; distiphallus dorsal view ( Fig. 46) broad basally, tapered posteriorly with one pair of thin spinous projections basally and several short spinous projections along apicolateral margin, ventral view ( Fig. 47) AAP short with apical spinous projections, lateral view ( Fig. 48) tapered posteriorly in broad curve.

FEMALE. Similar to male except for following. Variation (n=10).

Body length 5.4–7.2, 6.6 mm.

Head. Length 0.62–0.98, 0.80 mm. Frons pubescence silver (occasionally dark brown dorsally); setae black, short. Antenna/head length 0.65–0.84, 0.76; scape length 0.14–0.20, 0.17 mm, width 0.10–0.12, 0.10 mm, length/width 1.4–2.0, 1.7, scape/pedicel length 1.8–2.5, 2.2, scape/flagellum width 0.8–1.0, 0.9; pedicel length 0.06–0.08, 0.08 mm, length/width 0.6–0.8, 0.8; flagellum length 0.30–0.40, 0.36 mm, width 0.10–0.13, 0.11 mm, length/width 2.8–3.7, 3.2, flagellum/scape length 1.9–2.4, 2.1. Maxillary palpus length 0.26–0.40, 0.34 mm, length/width 4.3–6.7, 5.3. Occipital macrosetae sparse, scattered.

Thorax. Macrosetae 3 np, 1–2 sa. Mesonotum black, pubescence brownish gray; vittae dull black separated by broad, gray pubescent stripe; setae black, erect, moderately long intermixed with pale yellow, appressed setae. Pleuron pubescence silver gray; setae pale yellow on propleuron, anepisternum, katepisternum, laterotergite, and scutellum. Wing. Veins brown, anterior veins pale yellowish brown; length 4.2–6.0, 5.3 mm, width 1.5–2.0, 1.8 mm, length/width 2.2–3.3, 2.9; pterostigma yellowish brown, faint. Halter dark brown. Legs. Anteroventral macrosetae 1–3:0:1–2, pv 0:0:1–5.

Abdomen. Dark reddish brown to black, glossy ( Fig. 84 ), pubescence gray in narrow band across posterior margin of tergites 1–4, in posterolateral area on tergites 5–6, over entire dorsum of tergites 7; dorsal setae dark reddish brown, sparse on tergites 1–4, tergites 1–3 with white, appressed, dense setae across posterior margin. Terminalia (MEI 088538). Furca ( Fig. 49), sides sinuate; length 0.84 mm, width 0.22 mm; anterolateral projection short.

IMMATURE STAGES. Fifteen males (MEI 088522–6, 088575–8, 0 88580, 0 88583, 088585–8) have been reared from larvae sifted from sand dunes at Bodegones, 8ɗ (MEI 0 88519, 0 88521, 088571–2, 0 88574, 0 88579, 088581–2) have been reared from larvae sifted from sand dunes west of Lambayeque, and 4ɗ and 21Ψ (MEI 174520, 174524–47) have been reared from larvae sifted from vegetated dunes at Lambayeque.

Distribution. Penniverpa gracilis is known from Peru ( Fig. 89 ).

Habitats and phenology. Penniverpa gracilis has been collected in river valleys and coastal dunes as well as on dry shrubs, weeds, and lima beans from October through July.

Specimens examined. Type specimen. Kröber described Psilocephala gracilis based on an unknown number of syntypes which he deposited in his collection. Two syntypes of this series are in the USNM bearing the following label information: male, 1st label: "[pink label] [typeset] TYPE ". 2nd label: "[green label] [handwritten] Peru Piura 11.VI ". 3rd label: "[red label] [typeset] TypeNo. [handwritten] 24212 [typeset] U.S. N.M.". 4th label: "[typeset] Psilocephala [handwritten] gracilis Krob. [typeset] Krober-det.1911 [handwritten]" (MEI 170153), female, 1st label: "[pink label] [typeset] TYPE ". 2nd label: "[green label] [handwritten] Peru Saman 24.XI ". 3rd label: "[red label] [typeset] TypeNo. [handwritten] 24212 [typeset] U.S. N.M.". 4th label: "[typeset] Psilocephala [handwritten] gracilis Krob. [typeset] Krober-det.1911[handwritten]1" (MEI 113143). The male specimen is designated as the lectotype. This lectotype is designated in order to fix the concept of P. gracilis and to ensure universal and consistent interpretation of the same. The female specimen from Peru, Saman is designated as a paralectotype. The holotype male of Psilocephala brunnipennis Kröber, 1914 was deposited in the ZMUH. (destroyed). Other specimens. PERU. Chincha, 10.VI.1960, Young, D.A., 1ɗ MEI 0 90147 (NCSU); Chancay, 15.III.1951, Ross, Michelbacher, 2ɗ MEI 156072, 156074, 1Ψ 156085 (CAS), river valley; 25.III.1951, 1Ψ MEI 156082 (CAS), river valley; 53 km N Chimbote, 16.III.1951, Ross E.S., Michelbacher A.E., 5ɗ MEI 088503–4, 088506–8 (CAS), dry brush. ANCASH. Chimbote [-9.0833, - 78.6000], 1.VII.1960, Young, D.A., 1ɗ MEI 0 90148 (NCSU), on weeds. CAJAMARCA. Nanchoc Quebrada [- 6.95, -79.25], 400 m, 21.XII.1984 – 17.I.1985, Carpenter J.M., 1Ψ MEI 0 81058 (MCZ). CONSTITUCIONAL DEL C ALLAO. Callao [-12.0667, -77.15], 16.XI.1950, Ross E.S., Michelbacher A.E., 1ɗ MEI 0 88505 (CAS); 17.XI.1950, 1ɗ MEI 0 88529 (CAS). I CA. Ica [-14.068, -75.726], 9.VI.1960, Young, D.A., 1ɗ MEI 0 90179 (NCSU); Pisco [-13.72, -76.21], –. II.1954, Elbeing, W., 1ɗ MEI 0 88569 (NCSU); 9.VI.1960, collector, 1ɗ MEI 0 90180 (NCSU). CUSCO. Machupicchu [-13.13, -72.53], 14.V.1978, Irwin, M.E., 3ɗ MEI 088426–7, 182853 (MEIC). HUARMEY. Huarmey [-10.068, -78.152], 2.VII.1960, Young, D.A., 1Ψ MEI 0 90182 (NCSU). L A L IBERTAD. Simbal CA.Trujillo [-8.11, -79.03], 4–7.VII.1974, Porter C., Stange L.A., 2ɗ MEI 0 88528 (FSCA); 29.VI.1960, González, Young, 5Ψ MEI 090184 –8 (NCSU). L AMBAYEQUE. Saman [-6.7711, -79.805], 24.XI. –, collector?, 1Ψ MEI 113143 (USNM); Chiclayo [-6.76, -79.84], 12.III.1979, Chicama, F., 1ɗ MEI 0 88447 (MEIC); Bodegones [-6.72, -79.99], 2.IV.1975, Irwin, M.E., 15ɗ MEI 088521–6, 088575–8, 0 88580, 0 88583, 088585–8 (MEIC), reared from larvae sifted from sand dunes; Northwest Oyotun [-6.817, - 79.3], 200 m, 15.I.1985, Carpenter, J.M., 1ɗ MEI 0 81059, 2Ψ 0 81054, 0 81060 (MCZ); W Lambayeque [- 6.69, -79.91], 1.VI.1975, Irwin, M.E., 8ɗ MEI 0 88519, 0 88521, 088571–2, 0 88574, 0 88579, 088581–2 (MEIC), reared from larvae sifted from sand dunes; Lambayeque [-6.7, -79.91], 28.VI.1960, Young, González, 2ɗ MEI 0 90178 (NCSU); 2.XI.1979, Irwin, M.E., 1ɗ MEI 0 88448 (MEIC), coastal dunes; 5.III.1981, Irwin, M.E., 1ɗ MEI 0 88446 (MEIC); 40 m, 1.IV.2005, Irwin, M.E., 4ɗ MEI 174520, 174524–6, 21Ψ 174527–47 (MEIC), sieve, from vegetated dunes. L IMA. Lima [-12.05, -77.05], 14.II.1932, Wille, 1Ψ MEI 0 88573 (EELM); 5.III.1932, Wille, 1ɗ MEI 0 88561 (EELM); Cañete [ San Vicente de Cañete] [-13.09, - 76.4], 10.V.1978, Irwin, M.E., 1ɗ MEI 0 88590, 1Ψ 0 88591 (MEIC); 64.4 km N Lima, Chancay [-11.57, - 77.27], 29.VII.1971, Broomfield P.S., Broomfield H.L., 1ɗ MEI 109339 (BMNH), shrubs near river in arid coastal desert; Lima airport [-12.02, -77.11], 30.III.1975, Irwin, M.E., 39ɗ MEI 088530–60, 088562–8, 0 88570, 5Ψ MEI 088597–601 (MEIC), sandy soil; La Molina [-11.85, -77.0333], 27.XI.1970, Boyes J.W., 2Ψ MEI 141442, 141576 (CNC); 12.V.1978, 5ɗ MEI 088592–6 (MEIC); –. X.1978, Irwin, M.E., 2ɗ MEI 141425, 141561, 1Ψ 141543 (MEIC); Lomas de Lachay, near Chancay [-11.57, -77.27], 9.I.1955, Ross E.S., Schlinger E.I., 1Ψ MEI 0 90018 (CNC), P UNTANERA. 27 km S Lima [-12.283, -77.04], 28.III.1975, Irwin, M.E., 8ɗ MEI 088438–45 (MEIC), lima beans.

Figures

FIGURE 89. Penniverpa spp., distribution map. alvatra (open circle), bradleyi (open square), dives (closed circle), evani (closed triangle), gracilis (open triangle), megaplax (asterisk), multisetosa (closed square).

FIGURES 78 – 87. Penniverpa spp., female abdomens. 78. alvatra, 79. chersonesa, 80. dives, 81. epidema, 82. evani, 83. festina, 84. gracilis, 85. insular, 86. megaplax, 87. multisetosa.