A large new nemestrinid fly from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation at Liutiaogou, Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, NE China

Abstract

A new species of Nemestrinidae, Protonemestrius magnus sp. nov., is described here based on a large, complete, well-preserved individual from the Lower Cretaceous (upper Barremian–lower Aptian) Yixian Formation at Liutiaogou, Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, NE China. The new species can undoubtedly be placed into Protonemestrius and differs from other known species by larger size, vein h opposite MA, M2 curved backward and ending at the wing apex, and the posterior part of CuA nearly vertical to the wing margin. The new species clearly bears a short proboscis with cuticular spines that is consistent with a relationship to Early Cretaceous gymnosperms.