Revision of the Brazilian species of Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (Diptera: Tachinidae: Dexiinae), with the description of a new species

Abstract

The Brazilian species of the New World genus Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 are revised. Before this study, only one species of Ptilodexia was recorded from Brazil, viz. P. lateralis (Walker, 1836). Herein we record, for the first time, two new records of known Ptilodexia species in Brazil, viz. P. striata (Wulp, 1891) and P. rubricornis (Wulp, 1891). In addition, a new species is described, Ptilodexia matogrossensis sp. nov. from Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states in Brazil; hence four species of this genus are currently recorded from Brazil. The species Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935, from Brazil, placed in the monotypic genus Neomyostoma Townsend, 1935, is proposed as junior synonym of P. lateralis. Illustrations and detailed descriptions are presented for P. lateralis, P. matogrossensis sp. nov., P. striata and P. rubricornis and the male terminalia is described for P. lateralis and P. striata. The female terminalia and the first larval instar are described for the first time for the genus, based on the descriptions of P. lateralis and P. striata. A key to the identification of all recognized Brazilian species of Ptilodexia is presented. Finally, an updated distributional record is given for all studied species.

Key words
Brazil; Dexiini; Neotropical; new species; taxonomy

INTRODUCTION

PtilodexiaBrauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 is a New World genus of Dexiini (Dexiinae) with 46 known species (O’Hara et al. 2020), of which 4 occur both in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, 15 are exclusively Nearctic and 24 are exclusively from the Neotropics. Those last species are very poorly known and most of them are referred to only in the original descriptions, which are brief and uninformative. The situation is far better for the remaining species with Nearctic or with shared Nearctic and Neotropical distribution, because Wilder’s (1979) taxonomic revision of the Nearctic species, making those species fairly well-known, keyed and illustrated. There are a few host records for this genus. Most of them are important for the biological control of some agricultural pests, all parasitizing immature Coleoptera of the families Cerambycidae, Scarabaeidae and Melolonthidae. However, the quality and quantity of host records for Ptilodexia differ in the different biogeographical regions, as nearly all Nearctic records are from determined species of Ptilodexia, on the other hand, with the exception of P. cingulipes, all Neotropical records are from undetermined species; see Table I for all hosts records know for this genus.

Table I
Species of Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (Diptera: Tachinidae): with their respective host records associated with their biogeographical region.

Ptilodexia species	Host	Distribution	References
P. canescens (Walker, 1852)	Rhagium lineatum (Olivier) Saperda calcarata Say Phyllophaga sp.	Nearctic (USA)	Champlain & Knüll 1923 Peterson 1948 Davis 1919
P. carolinensis Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1899	Phyllophaga rugosa (Melsheimer) Popillia japonica (Newman) Phyllophaga sp	Nearctic (USA)	Davis 1919Wilder 1979Wilder 1979, Criddle 1918
P. major (Bigot, 1888)	Phyllophaga sp Phyllophaga farcta (LeConte) Orizabus pyriformis (LeConte)	Nearctic (USA)	Wilder 1979 Wilder 1979 Davis 1919
P. harpasa (Walker, 1849)	Phyllophaga sp Macrodactylus subspinosus (Fabricius)	Nearctic (USA)	Davis 1919, Criddle 1918Wilder 1979
Ptilodexia sp	Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte, 1850)	Nearctic (Canada)	Lim et al. 1981
P. cingulipes Blanchard, 1966	Archophileurus vervex (Burmeister) Bothynus striatellus (Fairmaire) Cyclocephala sp. Diloboderus abderus (Sturm)	Neotropical (Argentina)	Blanchard 1966 Blanchard 1966 Crouzel 1965 Crouzel 1965
Ptilodexia sp	Cyclocephala sp Diloboderus abderus (Sturm) Cyclocephala signaticollis Burmeister	Neotropical (Uruguay)	Silveira & Ruffinelli 1956, Parker et al. 1951Parker et al. 1951Parker et al. 1951
Ptilodexia sp	Liogenys suturalis Blanchard Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser)	Neotropical (Brazil)	Santos & Ávila 2009 Oliveira et al. 2004

Regarding the Neotropical Region, there are some noteworthy host records of economically important pests: (1) P. cingulipes parasitizing the larva of Diloboderus abderus (Sturm) (Blanchard 1966, Crouzel 1965), a significant wheat pest under no-till system in the Southern region of Brazil (Silva & Boss 2002); (2) undetermined species of Ptilodexia paratizing the larva of Cyclocephala signaticollis Burmeister (Parker et al. 1951), an agricultural pest that damages potato crops in Argentina (Berón & Diaz 2005); (3) undetermined species of Ptilodexia from Brazil that attacks Liogenys suturalis Blanchard, also known as corn white grub, that attacks mainly, corn, but also wheat and oat crops in Central-West of Brazil (Santos & Ávila 2009) and Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser), also known as soybean white grub, a major agricultural pest that damages mainly soybean crops, but also corn and sunflower crops (Oliveira et al. 2004).

Some known reasons exist for this asymmetric knowledge of Ptilodexia species from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Santis (2022) discussed the historical contingencies that led to difficulties in the studies of Neotropical Diptera, mainly the Dexiinae. We add some particular reasons brought up by Wilder (1979: 1-2) that made the study of Ptilodexia a complex task.: “... (1) difficulty in associating the sexes, (2) a high degree of intraspecific variation, (3) an... low degree of interspecific variation, and (4) the lack of consistent traditional morphological characters.” The majority of the species of Ptilodexia occur in the Neotropical region, in particular from a single country, Mexico that contains the distribution of 18 species, while there are four species, P. rubricauda (Bigot, 1889), P. sororia (Williston, 1896), P. spinosa (Bigot, 1889) and P. strenua (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), from the Greater Antilles. Concerning South America there are only six records of Ptilodexia: two from Guyana, P. tinctipennis (Curran, 1934) and P. vittigera (Curran, 1934); one from Brazil, P. lateralis (Walker, 1836); and three from Argentina, P. argentina (Bigot, 1889), P. ypsiliformis Blanchard, 1966 and P. cingulipes Blanchard, 1966. Even though important as pest control, such as the white grubs, all the host records from, e.g., Brazil, are derived from undetermined species of Ptilodexia; while only one aforementioned named species is recorded from Brazil. So, the existence of a taxonomic gap is evident and the great importance of better knowing these taxa from the neotropics is absolutely clear. However, before this study, it was virtually impossible to reliably identify a species of this genus without consulting the primary or secondary type material, as there are no keys, redescriptions or diagnoses of the Neotropical species.

Considering the complexities, availability of extensive material from Brazil, and the economic importance of these flies, which are inversely proportional to their knowledge, this study aims to provide a more focused revision of Ptilodexia by revising the Brazilian species, to clarify the issues explained above. This study is the first revision of a Brazilian or Neotropical species of this genus. All species dealt herein were redescribed and photographed. Additionally, when available, the male and female terminalia and the first-instar larvae were also illustrated and described.

The ZooBank Life Science Identifier (LSID) of this publication is: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:36AB00A1-01D1-4810-BAA8-3A1AE8D33810.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The examined material from each institution, as well as the way of access of the material (loan, visit), are indicated as follows: CEIOC, Coleção Entomológica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – visit and loan; MNRJ, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – visit and loan; MZSP, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil – visit and loan; NHMUK, Natural History Museum, London, UK – visit. The label data are presented within quotation marks for each label, with forward slashes indicating line breaks and semicolons separating different labels. Morphological terminology follows Cumming & Wood (2017). The terminology of first instar larvae followed the nomenclature used by Cantrell (1988), but the term ‘cephaloskeleton’ of Courtney et al. (2000) was used.

Photographs of the pinned specimens were taken using a Canon EOS 5DSR digital camera for the material deposited at NHMUK, a Leica MC170 HD digital camera attached to a Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope for the CEIOC, MNRJ and MZSP material. The images were subsequently stacked (merging different focal planes into one image) with the software Helicon Focus 7.5.8. and edited in Adobe Photoshop CC 2019. Illustrations were made using a camera lucida attached to a Leica MZ16 stereomicroscope, and edited and arranged in Adobe Illustrator CC 2019. To digest tissues and clear structures, the last abdominal segments were put into a glass tube containing a 10% KOH solution and heated in boiling water for 5 minutes, neutralized in a 5% acetic acid solution, and rinsed in distilled water. After examination, the dissected parts were placed in glycerin inside a plastic microvial pinned with the source specimen.

RESULTS

Taxonomy

Our study confirms the presence of four species of Ptilodexia in Brazil, viz. P. lateralis, P. striata (Wulp, 1891), P. rubricornis (Wulp, 1891) and a newly herein described species, Ptilodexia matogrossensis sp. nov. from Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states in Brazil. The species Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935, from Brazil, placed in the monotypic genus Neomyostoma Townsend, 1935, is proposed as junior synonym of P. lateralis. Illustrations and detailed descriptions are given for P. lateralis, P. matogrossensis sp. nov., P. striata and P. rubricornis, the male terminalia are described for P. lateralis and P. striata. The female terminalia and the first instar larva is described for the first time for the genus, based on the descriptions of P. lateralis and P. striata. A key for the identification of all recognized Brazilian species of Ptilodexia is given. Finally, an updated distributional record is given for all species.

Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889

Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889: 119 [also 1890: 51]. Type species: Ptilodexia carolinensis Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (as “D. carolinensis Schin.”), by monotypy.

Neomyostoma Townsend, 1935: 218. Type species: Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935, Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil, by original designation. New synonymy.

Note. For a full generic synonymy and a species list see O’Hara et al. (2020: 70-72).

General characterization. Medium to large flies with general color gray, reddish to orangish, thorax dark and abdomen broad, to somewhat conical, usually with blackish longitudinal vitta and bearing numerous median discal and marginal setae on abdominal tergites.

Head. Ocellar setae long, divergent and proclinate. Inner vertical seta decussate and long, outer vertical seta absent. Arista long plumose. Fronto-orbital plate with lowermost frontal seta not reaching antennal insertion. Mid facial elevation present. Postpedicel about 1.4-1.7x the combined lengths of scape and pedicel. Fronto-orbital plate with setulae throughout its length, parafacial usually with setulae, but can be absent or present in various degrees, short to long. Frontal vitta narrowed dorsally. Lower facial margin usually not protruding, invisible in profile. Vibrissa arising at the level of lower facial margin. Thorax. Notopleuron with 2 equal-sized setae. Postalar callus with 3 setae, the outer one weak. Propleuron and prosternum bare. Anepimerum with numerous long setae. Katepisternal setae 2+1. Postmetacoxal area membranous. Anatergite with small tuff of setulae dorsally. Posterior spiracle with posterior lappet larger than anterior. Katepimeron setulose only on posterior region. Wing. Costal spine absent. Cell r₄₊₅ open at wing margin; length of opening shorter than crossvein r-m. Crossvein dm-cu sinuous. Vein M₁ ending at wing margin close to tip, bent forward to R₄₊₅, forming an angle slightly smaller than 90°, and convex after bend. Abdomen. Ovoconic dorsally, broad laterally. Syntergite 1+2 with mid-dorsal longitudinal depression extending to posterior margin. Male Terminalia. Syntergosternite 7+8 broad. Sternite 6 asymmetrical. Sternite 5 with well-developed lobules, apically short setulose (Figs. 4c, 8c). Epandrium broad in posterior view, setulose, and closed dorsally (Figs. 8a-b, 4a-b). Anterior epandrial process poorly developed; lateral lobes of the epandrium well developed. Hypandrial arm short, hypandrial apodeme clearly distinguishable, with narrow central plate. Cerci not fused, broad, and distally slightly tapered in posterior view (Figs. 4a-b, 8a-b). Surstylus broad, not fused with epandrium, convex, and setulose in frontal view; distally tapered in lateral view (Figs. 4a-b, 8a-b). Bacilliform sclerite rod-like. Epiphallus present, distally narrow, and fused with basiphallus. Pregonite and postgonite fused, with a visible seam, appearing as a curved, elongate structure; pregonite connected basally to hypandrium by a sclerotized seam. Basiphallus subrectangular, as long as postgonite. Extension of dorsal sclerite of distiphallus long; dorsal sclerite ventrally slightly serrulated; granular area present (Figs. 4d; 8d). Female terminalia (Figs. 6c, 10c). Tergites 6 and 7 complete dorsally. Tergite 8 absent. Sternites 6 and 7 complete ventrally, with setae on all sclerites, mainly on posterior margin. Sternite 8 subrectangular with setulae mainly on the posterior margin. Sternite 9 as a reduced structure somewhat narrow posteriorly. Sternite 10 as a narrow strip, broad anteriorly, with setulae only on the posterior margin. Syntergite 9+10 absent. Three equal spermathecae, straight and without any pore or adjacent structures.

First larval instar (Figs. 6a-b, 10a-b). Cephaloskeleton thin and lightly sclerotized, with somewhat triangular mouth hook; intermediate region indistinct; dorsal and ventral cornua slightly diverging from each other. Antennae well developed. Body covered with platelets. Segments 1-4 with platelets bearing two to six spines posteriorly, on all segment; segments 1-4 with subrectangular platelets and segment 5-12 laterodorsally with elongate transverse-oval platelets. Segments 5-8 with spines posteriorly on lateroventral regions; segments 9-12 with platelets without spines. Segment 12 elongate conical, with posterior spiracles elongate.

Diagnosis. Ptilodexia is keyed in couplet 176 of the key to Tachinidae genera in the Manual of Central American Diptera (Wood & Zumbado 2010: 1383). In order to further differentiate Ptilodexia from the allied genera of Dexiini, mainly Eudexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 and Mochlosoma Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889, the following diagnosis is given, that is partially based on Wilder (1979): head with mid-facial elevation, prementum shorter than the head height, longer in Mochlosoma, lower facial margin usually not protruding, invisible in profile, parafacial setulae varied, absent or present in various degrees, short to long (in Brazilian species always absent); wing with apical cell open or closed at wing margin (in Brazilian species always open), infrasquamal setulae usually present (in Brazilian species always present); abdomen broad, conical, reddish-brown to blackish and tergites 3 and 4 each with at least two pairs of discal setae, not spine-like as in Eudexia.

Remarks. Potential new generic synonymy currently exists for Ptilodexia, e.g., the genera Rhamphinina Bigot, 1885 and Paramyocera Townsend, 1915. Both are exclusively Neotropical taxa, Rhamphinina comprising two species viz. R. discalis (Townsend, 1915) from Peru and R. pica (Fabricius, 1805) from Mexico, while Paramyocera includes only one species, P. oroyensis Townsend, 1919 from Peru. However, due to the high level of interspecific variability of Ptilodexia, and the unavailability of additional material that could conclusively confirm these synonyms, we are not formally proposing these taxonomic acts, as more material from those aforementioned regions should be further studied.

Phylogenetic status. The most similar taxon, thought to be sister group to Ptilodexia (Wilder 1979), is the New World genus Mochlosoma. Similarly to Ptilodexia, most of its diversity resides in the neotropics, and more precisely, Mexico; 13 of its 18 total species are known only from Mexico. Both genera share their overall appearance, e.g., head with mid facial elevation present, parafacial inconspicuously setulose to distinctly haired, abdomen ovoconic, with reddish, yellowish or brownish coloration with silvery pruinosity, in addition to a conspicuous dark dorsal median vitta, and abdominal tergites 3 to 5 belong with two to five discal setae. Finally, they also share very similar male terminalia with Ptilodexia (Wilder 1979). The most important difference that separates these two genera is the prementum shape and length (Wilder 1979). In Ptilodexia the prementum varies from 0.3 to 0.9 times the head height, and the shape is broad and linear or slightly tapered, while in Mochlosoma the prementum is much longer than the head height, being narrow and flexible. However, this long prementum, that could be a potential synapomorphy, was not considered in phylogenetic approaches. The tribe Dexiini, where both Ptilodexia and Mochlosoma belong, was included in phylogenies with broader approach, concerning all four tachinid subfamilies. One of them is a morphological phylogeny by Cerretti et al. (2014) and the other is a molecular phylogeny by Stireman et al. (2019). In the first one, the morphological phylogeny of Cerretti et al. (2014), Dexiini was represented by only six genera that although including taxa distributed across more than one biogeographical region, only the Palaearctic species were sampled. From those genera, only Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is also recorded from the Neotropical region. Thus, it is very difficult to use this phylogenetic hypothesis to discuss the morphological characters and to ascertain the close relations of Ptilodexia. The situation is better for the molecular phylogeny of Stireman et al. (2019), as they have sampled 21 genera of Dexiini, including three Neotropical species from the totality of 32 species from other regions. Most importantly, they have included two North American species of Ptilodexia, viz. P. conjuncta (Wulp)/P. harpasa (Walker) and Ptilodexia rufipennis (Macquart), in additiona to one undetermined species of Mochlosoma from the USA. Confirming the views of Wilder (1979), they were recovered as sister groups, in addition to a clade that included Trochilodes Coquillett, 1903 (a genus belonging to Voriini, Dexiinae) and Pseudodinera Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1891. Although this is the first phylogenetic hypothesis for these genera, included in a larger phylogenetic hypothesis - for all tachinids - the sampling of a single undetermined species of Mochosoma and only two species of Ptilodexia, in taxa that presents almost sixty species together, in addition to including only Nearctic species, from prominently Neotropical genera, are some limitations for that study. A morphological phylogenetic hypothesis including more taxa from the Neotropical region is highly needed, in order to confirm this phylogenetic hypothesis as sister taxa and to state if this long prementum is an autapomorphy for Mochlosoma. Finally, the use of the first larval instar is of utmost importance, as has been briefly shown herein its usefulness (as diagnostic for the two species with this data, viz. P. lateralis and P. striata), presents a potential phylogenetic signal that can be obtained from this alternate source of evidence.

Identification key to Brazilian species of Ptilodexia

1 - Wings smoky and abdomen entirely brownish black with silvery-gray pruinosity.................................... P. striata (Wulp, 1891)

- Wings hyaline and abdomen orangish to yellowish-tawny with silver pruinosity, bearing a continuous blackish median vittae ...................… 2

2 – Abdomen yellowish, with syntergite 1+2 about ⅓ brownish black anteriorly and tergite 5 entirely brownish black ............................................................................................. P. rubricornis (Wulp, 1891)

- Abdomen orangish to tawny, with syntergite 1+2, at times, about 1/5 brownish black anteriorly and tergite 5 brownish black only medially ......... 3

3 – Scutum and scutellum golden pruinose, females with legs black but with femur and tibia yellowish, males with abdomen light yellowish to tawny in ground color ........................................................................................... P. matogrossensis sp. nov.

- Scutum and scutellum silvery pruinose, females with legs black but with light brownish femur, males with abdomen yellowish-orangish in ground color ................ P. lateralis (Walker, 1836)

Ptilodexia matogrossensis sp. nov.

Holotype male: “Mato Grosso do Sul, Corumbá, BEP – Paratudal/ S19°34’11,4” W57°01’08,5”/14-29.x.2012/ Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols./ SISBIOTA CNPq/FAPESP”; “Holótipo”; “Santis det 2023/ Ptilodexia matogrossensis” (MZSP).

Paratypes females: “Mato Grosso do Sul, Corumbá, BEP – Paratudal/ S19°34’11,4” W57°01’08,5”/14-29.x.2012/ Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols./ SISBIOTA CNPq/FAPESP”; “Parátipo”; “Santis det 2023/ Ptilodexia matogrossensis” (MZSP).

“Brasil: MS: Aquidauana/ Reserva Ecológica UEMS/ Veg. Aberta. Flor. Est. Decidual/ S 20°25’59,0” W 55°39’20,8”/ Malaise 08/ 26.ix-11.x.2012/ Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols./ SISBIOTA CNPq/FAPESP”; “Santis det 2023/ Ptilodexia matogrossensis” (MZSP).

“Brasil: MT: Poconé/ Fazenda Rio Clarinho/ Trilha do Bosque (Paratudal)/ S 16°36’16,8” W 56°43’19,0”/ Malaise 50/ 30.xii,2012-19.i.2013/ Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols./ SISBIOTA CNPq/FAPESP”; “Parátipo”; “Santis det 2023/ Ptilodexia matogrossensis” (MZSP).

Diagnosis. Medium sized tawny fly, with silvery to goldish pruinosity. Head with goldish pruinosity. Scape and pedicel yellow to orangish. Scutum and scutellum golden pruinose. Wings hyaline. Females with femur and tibia yellowish. Males with abdomen light yellowish to light brown in ground color and females with abdomen reddish in ground color, both with less conspicuous and continuous brownish-black median vittae, than most similar species, P. lateralis.

Description. Male. Length: 8.9 mm.

Coloration (Fig. 1). Head with goldish pruinosity, but genal dilation with brownish pruinosity. Occiput whitish, with long golden setulae. Scape and pedicel yellow to orangish. Postpedicel orangish, but about distal ½ dark orangish orangish. Arista dark brown, but proximal ⅕ light brown. Palpus light yellow to orangish. Labellum light brown, prementum shiny black. Scutum brownish-black, but presutural region and anterodorsal portion of postsutural region with goldish pruinosity, fading to brownish-black medially; presutural region with five brownish-black vittae, the three central ones narrow and the two peripheral ones broad. Scutellum goldish, with brownish black on ¼ anteriorly, silver pruinose. Wing hyaline. Tegula brown, basicosta yellowish. Halter yellowish. Posterior spiracle light brown. Legs brownish-black, with median surfaces of front, mid, and hind tibiae yellowish. Upper and lower calypters hyaline. Abdomen yellowish to light tawny with silvery to goldish pruinosity irregular distributed along each tergite, with all setae of the abdomen arising from a bare dark spot; with a less inconspicuous and continuous brownish black median vittae from syntergites 1+2 to tergite 5.

Figure 1
Ptilodexia matogrossensis sp. nov., holotype male: a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus.

Head (Figs. 1b-c). Vertex about 0.16x head width in dorsal view. Width of parafacial measured between inner margin of compound eye and antennal insertion about 0.5x the width of gena. Setulae with different lengths ranging from short to long going through all mediate stages along the frontal-orbital plate. Postpedicel about 1.3x the combined lengths of scape and pedicel. Eye about 0.65x the head height. Gena about 0.4x eye height. Prementum about 0.8x head height. Labellum developed, about 0.1x as long as prementum.

Thorax (Figs. 1a, c). Acrostichal setae 2+2. Dorsocentral setae 3+3. Intra-alar setae 1+2. Intra-postalar seta present. Supra-alar setae 2+3. Postpronotal lobe with 4-5 setae. Katepisternal setae 2+1. Scutellum with one pair of basal, three pairs of lateral, and one pair of strong, straight apical setae; numerous erect discal setae. Wing. Vein R₄₊₅ with setulae ventrally and dorsally at base. Legs. Fore femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae; fore tibia with 7 median anterodorsal, 2 posteroventral in apical third, 3 preapical, 2 anterodorsal and 1 posteroventral setae. Mid femur with 8 anteroventral and 5 anteromedian setae, 2 preapical, and 2 posteroventral setae; mid tibia with 2 median anteroventral and 1 posteroventral setae. Hind femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae. Hind tibia with rows of anterodorsal (6) and posterodrosal setae (6), 3 submedian posteroventral, 4 preapical, 2 anterodorsal, and 2 posteroventral setae.

Abdomen (Figs. 1a, c). Syntergite 1+2 with at least two pairs of lateral marginal setae; tergite 3 with at least two pairs of discal and lateral setae, 1 pair of median marginal setae; tergite 4 with 2-3 pairs of discal setae and tergite 5 entirely covered with spine-like setae.

Terminalia. Not dissected.

Female (Fig. 2). Differs from male as follows. Head. Vertex about 0.28x head width in dorsal view. Fronto-orbital plate with two strong and proclinate setae and one weak lateroclinate orbital seta (Figs. 2b-c). Abdomen broader and shorter than in male, reddish brown to brownish with silver pruinosity dorsally and laterally, occupying almost all tergites (Fig. 2a, c). Tergite 3 and 4 with one pair of discal setae.

Figure 2
Ptilodexia matogrossensis sp. nov., paratype female: a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus.

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. Brazil (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states).

Etymology. The name of the species refers to the union of the two occurrences of this species, in Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso states of Brazil.

Ptilodexia lateralis (Walker, 1836)

Sarcophaga lateralis Walker, 1836: 352. Type locality: São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. References: Aldrich (1930: 14, taxonomic notes, as belonging to Ptilodexia).

Ptilodexia lateralis (Walker, 1836). References: Guimarães (1971: 33, catalogue and new combination as P. lateralis); O’Hara et al. (2020: 71, checklist of World Tachinidae).

Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935: 218. Type locality: Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil. New synonymy. References. Guimarães (1971: 31, catalogue); Toma & Nihei (2006: 250, type material of Tachinidade deposited at MZSP); O’Hara et al. (2020: 59, checklist of World Tachinidae).

Remarks. Herein, we are following the recommendations of Crosskey (1974) and O’Hara & Wood (2004) to consider when a single known specimen (type specimen) exists, and there is no evidence that more than one original specimen may have existed or may exist in other collections, as the holotype. This being the particular case of Francis Walker’s Tachinidae types in NHMUK because the collection has been kept largely intact and that Walker frequently described species from single specimens (O’Hara & Wood 2004). As put by Crosskey (1974: 273): “(I) If a nominal species-group taxon was based upon an unstated number of specimens and had no originally designated type-specimen, a single extant type is the holotype [unless contrary evidence from any source exists or until it is obtained).” Following the fact that the one of us (MDS) and Aldrich (1930) only found a single male at the NHMUK, this type specimen is considered as the holotype of Sarcophaga lateralis Walker, 1836.

Type material examined. Holotype male of Sarcophaga lateralis Walker, 1836 (NHMUK): “Holo-/type”; “Type”; “63/ 43”; “Sarcophaga/ lateralis Wlk. [handwritten]”; “S.P [handwritten]”; “Santo Paulo,/ Brazil,/ Cap. P.P. King./ 63-43. [handwritten]”; Holotype ♂/ of Sarcophaga/ lateralis Wlk./ examined 1970./ R.W. Crosskey.”; “NHMUK 013933588”.

Lectotype male of Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935 (MZSP): “Coleção/ A. Barbiellini”; “Type”; “Neomyostoma/ ptilodexioides TT/ Det CHTT ♂♀”; “Praia Grande/ S. Paulo-934/ A. Barbiellini Jr.”.

Paralectotype female (MZSP): “Coleção/ A. Barbiellini”; “Type”; “Praia Grande/ S. Paulo-934/ A. Barbiellini Jr.”

Remarks. Townsend (1935) described this species with an unspecified number of males and females, and without a designation of the holotype. However, one year later, Townsend (1936: 351) mentioned a “Ht male” for Neomyostoma ptilodexioides from Brazil in MZSP (as “São Paulo B.”). Thus, following O’Hara & Cerretti (2016: 11-12) in recognizing lectotype fixations in Townsend’s Manual of Myiology [Parts I-XII, 1934–1942] when there is a strong possibility of the lectotype being recognized in the stated collection, Townsend’s aforementioned quote is accepted as a lectotype fixation because the specimen in question, this single male, could be conclusively recognized, and additionally bears a determination label of Townsend reading: “Neomyostoma ptilodexioides TT Det CHTT”, that distinguishes it from the other single female within the type series.

As argued by Wilder (1979) some specific characters of Ptilodexia are subtle, difficult to see and unstable, sometimes differing between individuals. This is exactly the case of P. lateralis and N. ptilodexioides as the only difference spotted between these species was the presence of short setulae on the fronto-orbital plate and the scutellum brownish black in P. lateralis and fronto-orbital plate with long setulae and scutellum tawny in N. ptilodexioides. Inspecting a long series of both species, we could conclude that those characters are unstable, with all ranges of variability found. In conclusion, we have not found enough evidence for keeping those species as distinct ones and we propose a new specific synonymy: N. ptilodexioides new junior synonym to P. lateralis.

Additional material examined. BRAZIL. Mato Grosso do Sul: Porto Murtinho, Fazenda Retiro Conceição, Trilha da Mata Bruta, S21°41’52,0” W57°45’57,1”, 1 female, 15.v-01.vi.2012, Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols. SISBIOTA CNPq/FAPESP (MZSP); São Paulo: Bananal, Serra da Bocaína, 22 males and 7 females, 22.ii.1960, J. Luiz & J. Evangelista cols. (MZSP); Campos do Jordão, Lagoinha, 18 males and 6 females, ii.1953, Travassos col. (MZSP), ditto, Fazenda Guarda – Alto da Boa Vista, 5 males and 9 females, 23.iii.1963, Rabello, T.F., J. Guimarães & Barroso cols. (MZSP), ditto, 3 males, 26.xi.1957, K. Lenko col., Coleção Campos Seabra, ditto, 4 males, 12.ii.1958 (MZSP).

Diagnosis. Medium sized blackish fly with orangish abdomen. Wings hyaline and abdomen orangish with tergite 5 brownish black only medially, and legs with brownish black femur. Abdomen yellowish-orangish, with a conspicuous and continuous brownish black median vittae. Male terminalia with granular area about ½ the length of dorsal sclerite. Firs-instar larva with segment 12 with ventrolateral portion with a small paired protuberance, ending with a small spine.

Redescription. Male. Body length: 13.5 mm.

Coloration (Fig. 3). Head with dark silver pruinosity, genal dilation with brownish pruinosity. Occiput whitish, with long golden setulae. Scape and pedicel light brown and pedicel dark brown. Postpedicel orangish, about distal ½ brownish. Arista dark brown, with proximal ⅕ light brown. Palpus light yellow to orangish. Labellum light brown, prementum shiny black. Scutum brownish-black, presutural region and anterodorsal portion of postsutural region with silver pruinosity, fading to brownish-black posteriorly; presutural region with five brownish-black vittae, the three central ones narrow and the two peripheral ones broad. Scutellum tawny to brownish black. With brownish black on ¼ anteriorly, silver pruinose. Wing hyaline. Tegula brown, basicosta yellowish. Halter yellowish. Posterior spiracle light brown. Legs brownish-black, but median posterior surfaces of front, mid, and hind tibiae light brown. Upper and lower calypters hyaline. Abdomen yellowish-orangish with silvery pruinosity irregular distributed along each tergite; with a conspicuous and continuous brownish black median vittae from syntergite 1+2 to tergite 5.

Figure 3
Ptilodexia lateralis (Walker, 1836) (male, holotype): a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus; d. labels.

Head (Figs. 3b-c). Vertex about 0.13x head width in dorsal view. Width of parafacial measured between inner margin of compound eye and antennal insertion about 0.3x the width of gena. Setulae with different lengths from short to long going through all mediate stages along the frontal-orbital plate. Postpedicel about 1.5x the combined lengths of scape and pedicel. Eye about 0.7x the head height. Gena about 0.55x eye height. Prementum about 0.5x head height. Labellum developed, about 0.1x as long as prementum.

Thorax (Fig. 3a, c). Acrostichal setae 3-2+3. Dorsocentral setae 3+3. Intra-alar setae 1+2. Intra-postalar seta present. Supra-alar setae 2+3. Postpronotal lobe with 4-5 setae. Postalar callus with 3 setae, the outer one weak. Scutellum with one pair of basal, three pairs of lateral, and one pair of strong, straight apical setae; numerous erect discal setae. Wing. Vein R₄₊₅ with setulae ventrally and dorsally at base. Legs. Fore femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae; fore tibia with 7 median anterodorsal, 2 posteroventral in apical third, 3 preapical, 2 anterodorsal and 1 posteroventral setae. Mid femur with 8 anteroventral and 5 anteromedian setae, 2 preapical, and 2 posteroventral setae; mid tibia with 2 median anteroventral and 1 posteroventral setae. Hind femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae. Hind tibia with rows of anterodorsal (6) and posterodrosal setae (6), 3 submedian posteroventral, 4 preapical, 2 anterodorsal, and 2 posteorventral setae.

Abdomen (Figs. 3a, c). Syntergite 1+2 with at least two pairs of lateral marginal setae; tergite 3 with at least two pairs of discal and lateral setae, with 1 pair of median marginal setae; tergite 4 with 2-3 pairs of discal setae and tergite 5 entirely covered with spine-like setae. Terminalia (Fig. 4). Tergite 6 undivided, about ¼ length of syntergosternite 7+8. Sternite 5, apically long setulose (Fig. 4c). Ejaculatory apodeme sub-ovate, with base narrow and apex broad (Fig. 4d). Extension of dorsal sclerite of distiphallus with granular area about ¼ the length of dorsal sclerite (Fig. 4d).

Figure 4
Ptilodexia lateralis (Walker, 1836) (male terminalia, São Paulo, Brazil): a. Epandrium, cercus and surstylus, lateral view; b. Epandrium, cerci and surstyli, posterior view; c. Sternite 5, posterior view; d. Hypandrium, phallapodeme, basiphallus, epiphallus, distiphallus, pregonite and postgonite, lateral view. Abbreviations: basph = basiphallus; cerc = cercus; distph = distiphallus; ej apod = ejaculatory apodeme; epand = epandrium; epiph = epiphallus; hypd = hypandrium; pgt = postgonite; phapod = phallapodeme; pregt = pregonite; sur = surstylus.

Female (Fig. 5). Differs from male as follows. Vertex about 0.23x head width in dorsal view. Head with fronto-orbital plate with two strong and proclinate and one weak lateroclinate orbital setae (Figs. 5b-c). Abdomen reddish brown with silver pruinosity dorsally and laterally, sometimes occupying almost all tergites. Tergites 3 and 4 with one pair of discal setae (Figs a, c). Terminalia (Fig. 6c). Tergites 6 and 7 with setae at posterior margin. Cerci well developed, globose, with several setae apically.

Figure 5
Ptilodexia lateralis (Walker, 1836) (female, São Paulo, Brazil): a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus; d. labels.

Figure 6
Ptilodexia lateralis (Walker, 1836) (female, São Paulo, Brazil): a. cephaloskeleton; b. first larval instar; c. terminalia. Abbreviations: AS = accessory sclerite; ant = antenna; C = cercus; DC = dorsal cornua; IR = intermediate region; MD = mouth hook; plat = platelets; post spir = posterior spiracle; SG = sclerite of salivary gland; S6 = sternite 6; S7 = sternite 7; S8 = sternite 8; S10 = sternite 10; T6 = tergite 6; T7 = tergite 7; VC = ventral cornua.

First larval instar (Figs. 6a-b). Cephaloskeleton with accessory sclerite posteriorly broad, narrowing anteriorly, anterior to mouth hook; sclerite of salivary gland as a narrow strip (Fig. 6a). Segment 12 with ventrolateral portion with a small paired protuberance, ending with a small spine on segment 12 (Fig. 6c).

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul [new record] and São Paulo states).

Notes. The holotype male of Sarcophaga lateralis Walker, 1836 was collected by the naval officer, hydrographer and company manager, Phillip Parker King (1791–1856). The British Navy set out a series of expeditions to the Magellan Straits with the purpose of obtaining scientific information, and Captain King was in the command of the first expedition (Papavero 1973). Thus, on 22^nd of May 1826, he sailed to Magellan Straits and in 18^th of September 1827 reached the city of Santos in the State of São Paulo. Captain King stayed there until the 28^th and in this interval he took a quick trip to the city of São Paulo (written “St. Paul” in his book, Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty’s Ships Adventure and Beagle (1839), and in Walker’s (1936) original description; while Walker label data of P. lateralis holotype is written “Santo Paulo”), for the purpose of making barometrical observations (King 1839). During his stay in São Paulo, he collected a single specimen, that along with all his other specimens were given by him to the British Museum (Natural History) in London (now the Natural History Museum, NHMUK), that were later examined and described by English entomologist Francis Walker (1809–1874) in a paper devoted to King’s insects (Walker, 1936), as Sarcophaga lateralis Walker, 1836; later considered as belonging to Ptilodexia (Aldrich 1930, Guimarães 1971).

About one hundred years later this species was collected again, but at this time by Amadeu A. Barbiellini Jr., son of the Italian Count Amadeu A. Barbiellini in 1934 at the district of Praia Grande, then within the city of São Vicente, and now a city by itself. Townsend (1935) described these specimens, that included a single male and a female, as a new genus and species, Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935. This species is herein proposed as junior synonymy of P. lateralis. The life and work of Barbiellini and his contribution to Brazilian Entomology are numerous and relevant, for instance, it was by his hands that the first periodical publication dedicated to insects in Brazil, and for all South America, called “O Entomologista Brasileiro” [The Brazilian Entomologist] was created in 1908 (Carrera 1956). A brief biography about him, based on the studies of Carrera (1956) and Antuniassi & Moura (2005), is given below.

The Cont Amadeu Amadei Barbiellini (1877–1955) was born in Ancona, Italy. He inherited the title of Count from one of his ancestors, who had received it, in turn, from the Vatican. Barbiellini came to Brazil definitively in 1907, with his wife Ana Barbiellini and a daughter; the couple had ten children, all born in Brazil. Years later he became a naturalized Brazilian citizen. Count Barbiellini, since he was a child in Italy, was interested in entomology and could be considered an entomologist amateur. He enjoyed capturing and collecting insects, and sent them to entomologists for identification. Barbiellini was also a member of the Royal Entomological Society and maintained contact with entomologists in Brazil and abroad, for instance, with the renowned Italian dipterist Mario Bezzi (1868–1927). As a result, more than one hundred species were collected, including in the majority of cases insects, but also some arachinids, with some being named barbiellini in his honor. Regarding the tachinids, there are three species that are named in his homage: Melanoromintho barbiellinii Townsend, 1935, Euthera (Euthera) barbiellinii Bezzi, 1925 and Belvosiomimops barbiellinii Townsend, 1935. Most of Barbiellini’s collection of thousands of specimens of insects was donated by him to the National School of Agronomy of Rio de Janeiro, nowadays incorporated to the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). A small sample of Barbiellini’s collection is presently at MZSP; regarding dipterans, and more specifically, the tachinids, there are 10 primary type specimens collected by him (Toma & Nihei 2006), attesting his importance to the taxonomy of Neotropical tachinids and dipterans overall. One of the great scientific achievements of Cont Barbiellini was the creator of Chacaras and Garden’s Magazine (1909–1969) of which he was the editor. The magazine focused on disseminating a wide range of technical and scientific knowledge of great interest to rural landowners, and also discussed the issue of land in Brazil, incisively and recurrently addressing the problems of small and medium-sized properties convinced of its importance for a more balanced development of Brazilian agriculture. Count Barbiellini died in 11^th November 1955 in the city of São Vicente in São Paulo. Finally, it is worth mentioning the last words of Messias Carrera in his necrology of Barbiellini (Carrera 1956: 216): “Cultuava... a grande paixão de toda a sua existência: a Entomologia.” [He reverenced... the great passion of his entire existence: Entomology].

Ptilodexia striata (Wulp, 1891)

Rhynchodexia striata Wulp, 1891: 234. Type locality: Volcan de Chiriquí, Chiriquí, Panama.

Ptilodexia striata (Wulp, 1891). References: Guimarães (1971: 34, catalogue and new combination as P. striata); O’Hara et al. (2020: 72, checklist of World Tachinidae).

Type material examined. Holotype male (NHMUK): “Holo-/ type”; “V[olcan]. De Chiriqui./ 3-4000 ft./ Champion.”; “B.C.A. Dipt.II./ Rhynchodexia/ striata,/ v.d. W.”; “Central America/ Pres. by/ F.D. Godman./ O. Salvin./ 1903-172.”; “NHMUK 013933597”.

Additional material examined. BRAZIL. Bahia: Igrapiúna, Reserva Michelin, 1 female, 24.ii-31.iii.2013, Aragão, Menezes, Mota & Andrena cols (MZSP), Camacan, RPPN Serra Bonita, 780m, S15°23’31” W39°33’53”, 1 male, 01-06.ii.2009, Vitor Becker col (MZSP), ditto, 1 female, 02-06.ii.2009, Nihei, Figueiredo, Almeida & Cezar cols, ditto, 5 females, 01-06.ii.2009, ditto, Reserva Serra Bonita, S15°23’ W39°33’, 800m, 1 male, xi.2008, V.O. Becker col, ditto, 1 female, xii.2012 Calor et al col (MZSP); Goiás: Goiânia, Campinas, 1 male, i.1936, 1 male, Borgmeier & S. Lopes col (CEIOC); Espírito Santo: Linhares, 1 male, xii.1970, P.C. Elias col (MZSP).

Diagnosis. Large blackish fly with silver pruinosity. Wings smoky and abdomen entirely brownish black with silvery pruinosity, and with females with brownish black femur, first instar larvae elongate conical, with posterior spiracles elongate. Male terminalia with granular area about ½ the length of dorsal sclerite. First-instar larva with segment 12 with lateral and apical portion ending each with a pair of small spines.

Redescription. Male. Body length: 18.2 mm.

Coloration (Fig. 7). Head with dark silver pruinosity, but genal dilation with brownish pruinosity. Occiput whitish, with long golden setulae. Scape and pedicel light brown and pedicel dark brown. Postpedicel orangish, but about distal ½ brownish. Arista dark brown, but proximal ⅕ light brown. Palpus light yellow to orangish. Labellum light brown, prementum shiny black. Scutum brownish-black, but presutural region and anterodorsal portion of postsutural region with silver pruinosity; presutural region with five brownish-black vittae, the two submedian narrow, and the central one and the two peripheral ones broad. Scutellum brownish black, with silver pruinosity. Wing slightly smoky on veins. Tegula brown, basicosta yellowish. Halter yellowish. Posterior spiracle light brown. Legs brownish-black, but median posterior surfaces of mid, and hind tibiae reddish brown. Upper and lower calypters hyaline. Abdomen brownish on dorsal view and light brown on lateral view with silvery pruinosity, syntergite 1+2 with silver pruinosity laterally, on dorsal view, tergite 3 mostly with silver pruinosity, except in the median region, tergite 4 with silvery pruinosity located on anterolateral region dorsally, tergite 5 with silver pruinosity on anterior portion.

Figure 7
Ptilodexia striata (Wulp, 1891) (male, holotype): a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus; d. labels.

Head (Figs. 7b-c). Vertex about 0.15x head width in dorsal view. Width of parafacial measured between inner margin of compound eye and antennal insertion about 0.5x the width of gena. Postpedicel about 1.4x the combined lengths of scape and pedicel. Fronto-orbital plate with setulae throughout its length, parafacial bare. Eye about 0.62x the head height. Gena about 0.6x eye height. Prementum about 1.4x head height. Labellum developed, about 0.1x as long as prementum.

Thorax (Figs. 7a, c). Acrostichal setae 3+3. Dorsocentral setae 3+4. Intra-alar setae 1+3. Intra-postalar seta present. Supra-alar setae 2+3. Postpronotal lobe with 4 setae. Postalar callus with 3 setae, the outer one weak. Scutellum with one pair of basal, two pairs of lateral, one pair of decussate apical and one pair of discal setae. Wing. Base of R and apical third of R₁ vein dorsally and ventrally setulose. Legs. Fore femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae; fore tibia with 3 posteroventral on middle to apical third, 2 preapical, 2 anterodorsal setae. Mid femur with 4 anterodorsal setae on apical third; mid tibia with 1 anterodorsal, 1 anteroventral and 1 posteroventral setae on apical third. Hind femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae; hind tibia with three posterodorsal, two anteroventral and 2 posteroventral setae on median portion, 5 preapical, 2 anterodorsal, 1 anteroventral and 2 posteorventral setae.

Abdomen (Figs. 7a, c). Syntergite 1+2 with at least 2 pairs of lateral marginal setae; tergite 3 with at least three pairs of discal and lateral setae, with 2 pairs of median marginal setae; tergite 4 with 2-3 pairs of discal setae and a row of marginal setae and tergite 5 with two rows of marginal setae and 7-10 pairs of discal setae. Terminalia (Fig. 8). Tergite 6 undivided, about ⅐ length of syntergosternite 7+8. Sternite 5 apically short setulose (Fig. 8c). Ejaculatory apodeme narrowed distally and apically, sinuous (Fig. 8d). Extension of dorsal sclerite of distiphallus long with granular area distally bifurcated, about ½ the length of dorsal sclerite (Fig. 8d).

Figure 8
Ptilodexia striata (Wulp, 1891) (male, Bahia, Brazil): a. Epandrium, cercus and surstylus, lateral view; b. Epandrium, cerci and surstyli, posterior view; c. Sternite 5, posterior view; d. Hypandrium, phallapodeme, basiphallus, epiphallus, distiphallus, pregonite and postgonite, lateral view.

Female (Fig. 9). Differs from male as follows. Vertex about 0.27x head width in dorsal view. Head with fronto-orbital plate with two strong and proclinate and one weak lateroclinate orbital setae (Figs. 9b-c). Abdomen reddish brown with silver pruinosity dorsally and laterally, sometimes occupying almost all tergites (Figs. 9a, c). Tergites 3 and 4 with one pair of discal setae. Terminalia (Fig. 10c). Tergites 6 and 7 complete dorsally, with setae in all sclerite, mainly at posterior margin of tergites 6 and tergite 7. Cerci well developed, sub-circular, with several setae apically.

Figure 10
Ptilodexia striata (Wulp, 1891) (female, Bahia, Brazil): a. cephaloskeleton; b. first larval instar; c. terminalia.

Figure 9
Ptilodexia striata (Wulp, 1891) (female, Bahia, Brazil): a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus.

First larval instar (Figs. 10a-b). Cephaloskeleton with accessory sclerite posteriorly broad, narrowing anteriorly, anterior to mouth hook; sclerite of salivary gland as a narrow strip (Fig. 10a). Segment 12 with lateral and apical portion ending each with a pair each of small spines on segment 12 (Fig. 10b).

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. Panama (Chiriquí); Brazil (Bahia, Goiás and Espírito Santo states, new records).

Ptilodexia rubricornis (Wulp, 1891)

Rhynchodexia rubricornis Wulp, 1891: 230.

Ptilodexia rubricornis (Wulp, 1891). References: Guimarães (1971: 33, catalogue and new combination as P. rubricornis); O’Hara et al. (2020: 71, checklist of World Tachinidae).

Type material examined. Syntype male (NHMUK): “Syn-/ type”; “♂”; “Xucumanatlan,/ Guerrero,/ 7000 ft./ July, H.H. Smith.”; “B.C.A. Dipt.II./ Rhynchodexia/ rubricornis,/ v.d. W.”; “Central America/ Pres. by/ F.D. Godman./ O. Salvin./ 1903-172.”; “NHMUK 013933501”.

Additional material examined. BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro: Nova Friburgo, Mury, 3 males, 1-31.i.1965, Gred & Guimarães cols. (MZSP), ditto, 2 males, i.1978, ditto, 1 male, i.1946, Wygod. col. (MZSP); Itatiaia, 1 male, xi.1950, Travassos & Dalcy col. (MNRJ); Teresópolis, 1 male, 12.i.1940, Lopes col. (MZSP).

Diagnosis. Medium blackish fly with abdomen yellowish in ground color. Thorax with scutum and scutellum silvery pruinose. Wings hyaline. Legs brownish-black, but median posterior surfaces of front, mid, and hind tibiae yellowish, and abdomen with syntergite 1+2 about ⅓ anteriorly brownish black and tergite 5 entirely brownish black.

Redescription. Male. Body length: 12.4 mm.

Coloration (Fig. 11). Head with dark silver pruinosity, but genal dilation with brownish pruinosity. Occiput whitish, with long golden setulae. Scape and pedicel light brown. Postpedicel brownish-black, but about distal ⅕ brownish. Arista brown. Palpus yellowish. Labellum brownish, prementum shiny black. Scutum brownish-black, but presutural region and anterodorsal portion of postsutural region with silver pruinosity, fading to brownish-black posteriorly; presutural region with faintly five brownish-black vittae, the three central ones narrow and the two peripheral ones broad. Scutellum tawny to brownish black. Wing hyaline. Tegula brown, basicosta yellowish. Halter yellowish. Posterior spiracle light brown. Legs brownish-black, but median posterior surfaces of front, mid, and hind tibiae yellowish. Upper and lower calypters hyaline. Abdomen yellow with silvery pruinosity only dorsally; syntergite 1+2 with a lateral brownish spot, going though half-way of that same tergite, with a continuous brownish black median vittae from syntergite 1+2 to tergite 5.

Figure 11
Ptilodexia rubricornis (Wulp, 1891) (male, syntype): a. dorsal habitus; b. head, frontal view; c. lateral habitus; d. labels.

Head (Figs. 11b-c). Vertex about 0.12x head width in dorsal view. Width of parafacial measured between inner margin of compound eye and antennal insertion about 0.5x the width of gena. Postpedicel about 1.5x the combined lengths of scape and pedicel. Eye about 0.72x the head height. Gena about 0.6x eye height. Prementum about 0.43x head height. Labellum developed, about 0.1x as long as prementum.

Thorax (Fig. 11a, c). Acrostichal setae 3+3. Dorsocentral setae 3+3. Intra-alar setae 1+3. Intra-postalar seta present. Supra-alar setae 2+4. Postpronotal lobe with 5 setae. Postalar callus with 3 setae, the outer one weak. Scutellum with one pair of basal, three pairs of lateral, and one pair of strong, straight apical setae; numerous erect discal setae. Wing. Vein R₄₊₅ with setulae ventrally and dorsally at base; with numerous erect setae. Legs. Fore femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae; fore tibia with 2 posteroventral in apical third, 3 preapical, 2 anterodorsal and 1 posteroventral setae. Mid femur with 2 posterodorsal setae on distal third; mid tibia with 1 median anteroventral seta. Hind femur with posterodorsal and posteroventral rows of setae. Hind tibia with rows of anterodorsal (5) and posterodorsal setae (5), 4 preapical, 2 anterodorsal, and 2 posteroventral setae.

Abdomen (Fig. 11a, c). Syntergite 1+2 with at least 2 pairs of lateral marginal setae; tergite 3 with at least three pairs of discal and lateral setae, with 2 pairs of median marginal setae; tergite 4 with marginal setae arranged in two transverse rows and 2 to 3 discal setae and tergite 5 entirely covered with spine-like setae.

Terminalia. Not dissected.

Female. Unknown (see remark below).

Biology. Unknown.

Distribution. Mexico (Guerrero, Tabasco and Vera Cruz); Brazil (Rio de Janeiro state, new record).

Remarks. The original syntypic series of this species at the NHMUK presents a mix of different species according to a note probably written by Diana Dee Wilder that reviewed the Nearctic species of Ptilodexia and studied those type materials. Along with the 12 authentic syntypes of P. rubricornis there appear to be, at least, a male and a female of P. conjuncta (Wulp, 1891), four males and one female of P. arida (Curran, 1930), and, finally, a single female of P. major. Thus, although Wulp (1891) refereed to some females as belonging to P. rubricornis in the original description, no legitime specimen was recognized by Wilder. At this time, it is not possible to confirm all those assertions, as the aforementioned specimens were not studied in detail. Thus, before fixing a lectotype and paralectotypes for this species, these issues should be conclusively confirmed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the following curators of the depository institutions for loaning material: Jane Costa (CEIOC) and Carlos Lamas (MZSP). MDS is indebted to Nigel Wyatt (NHMUK) for his kind assistance during his visit and for kindly allowing him to use the NHMUK Diptera section’s image capturing system. Financial support from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq, process number 150141/2022-0 to MDS and 303414/2018-9 to MSC.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  10 May 2024
• Date of issue
  2024

History

• Received
  10 May 2023
• Accepted
  03 Mar 2024