A new species of predaceous midge in the Patagonian genus Austrosphaeromias with a redescription of A. chilensis (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)

Gustavo R. Spinelli,María M. Ronderos,William L. Grogan Jr.

doi:10.1590/1678-47662015105194100

Gustavo R. Spinelli, María M. Ronderos + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-47662015105194100

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Abstract

A new species of predaceous midge, Austrosphaeromias setosa sp. nov., is described and illustrated from adult males and females collected in the Patagonian-Andean region of Argentina and Chile. Based on examination of the type species of Austrosphaeromias Spinelli, 1997 and recently collected specimens from near the type-locality, the female and previously unknown male of Austrosphaeromias chilensis (Ingram & Macfie, 1931) are also described and illustrated. Descriptions are accompanied by color photographs and illustrations of key features of females and males of both species. We also provide a key to adult females and males of the four species of Austrosphaeromias.

Highlights

Spinelli et al (2009) assigned Palpomyia chilensis Ingram & Macfie, 1931 to Austrosphaeromias, and indicated that another undescribed species was in the entomological collection of the Museo de La Plata, Argentina (MLPA)
During our study of Patagonian predaceous midges in the genus Palpomyia Meigen (Spinelli et al, 2009), we initially considered the latter two above species as members of this genus because their uncanny resemblance to species of the distincta group
The holotype and paratypes of our new species are deposited in the MLPA, and paratypes as available are deposited in the U

Summary

Introduction

Spinelli et al (2009) assigned Palpomyia chilensis Ingram & Macfie, 1931 to Austrosphaeromias, and indicated that another undescribed species was in the entomological collection of the Museo de La Plata, Argentina (MLPA). Femora and tibiae yellowish or yellowish brown, apices of tibiae brown, femorotibial joints dark brown; tarsomeres 1-2 yellowish or yellowish brown, 3-5 brown; fore femur greatly swollen, 2.74-3.30x (3.02, n=4) longer than broad, with 18-25 ventral spines, ventral palisade setae in two rows on tarsomeres 1-2 of hind leg, in one row on tarsomere 1 of mid leg; tarsomeres 5 (Fig. 3) with 2-6 stout ventral setae; claws short, equalsized with moderately long basal teeth.

Results

Conclusion