Pieza, Evenhuis, Neal L., 2002

Evenhuis, Neal L., 2002, Pieza, a new genus of microbombyliids from the New World (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae), Zootaxa 36, pp. 1-28 : 3-4

Pieza , gen. nov.

Type of genus: Mythicomyia angusta Melander, 1961 , by present designation.

All species placed in genus­group taxon Mythenteles previous to this study except for its type species are transferred here to Pieza . Also, the species Mythicomyia minuta Greene from California and Mythicomyia agnastis Hall from Chile are newly transferred to this genus. In addition, seven new species have been sorted in the material under study and are described below. The genus is currently known from 11 species (including one fossil amber species).

Diagnosis: Pieza is distinguished from Mythenteles primarily by the subapical placement of the style of the second antennal flagellomere (apical in Mythenteles ) (see Figs. 1– 2 ), the absence of vein A2 (present in Mythenteles ) (see Figs. 3–4 ), and the V­shaped vaginal furca of the female genitalia (U­shaped in Mythenteles ). It is similar to Nexus Hall & Evenhuis in many respects, but differs in the wing having a complete cell dm, having the apical venation of the medial and anal fields reaching the wing margin (these veins are evanescent or absent in Nexus ), and by vein R2+3 originating from Rs about three­fourths distance from R1 to the r­m crossvein. The head in Pieza is also narrower than the thorax, whereas it is subequal in width to the thorax in Nexus .

Etymology. The name is derived from the Greek “ ” = to squeeze, referring to the peculiar shape of the sperm pump and apical valve of the female genitalia. Gender is feminine.

Figures

FIGURES 1 ­ 2. Antennae of Mythicomyiinae. 1. Pieza sinclairi, sp. nov. 2. Mythenteles propleuralis (Melander).

FIGURES 3 ­ 4. Wings of Mythicomyiinae. 3. Pieza agnastis (Hall). 4. Mythenteles propleuralis (Melander).