Gnypeta crebrepunctata Casey 1886

10. Gnypeta crebrepunctata (Casey)

(Figs 12, 30 a, b, 117-124, 194)

Tachyusa crebrepunctata Casey 1886: 203. As Gnypeta: Casey 1906: 194; Moore and Legner 1975: 421.

LECTOTYPE (male): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: California, [in orig. description: Monterey Co.]; Type USNM 38861, Casey bequest 1925; Gnypeta crebrepunctata Csy. [Casey], Lectotypus Lohse des. 1988 [designation not published]; Lectotype, male, Tachyusa crebrepunctata Casey [= Gnypeta], des. Klimaszewski 2007 (USNM). Present designation. Examined.

Gnypeta oblata Casey 1911: 168. As synonym of G. helenae: Moore and Legner 1975: 422.

LECTOTYPE (female): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: California, Siskiyou Co; oblata Csy [handwritten by Casey]; Type USNM 38881; Casey bequest 1925 (USNM). Present designation. Examined. PARALECTOTYPE (sex?): UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: California, Siskiyou Co; oblata – 2 Paratype USNM 38881 (USNM). Examined. New synonymy.

Material examined

Specimens are listed in Appendix A.

Diagnosis

This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: body length 3.0-3.2 mm, integument moderately glossy (Fig. 12); elytra at suture slightly longer than pronotum and at least 1/3 wider than maximum width of pronotum (Fig. 12); abdomen at base slightly narrower than elytra and subparallel (Fig. 12); antennal articles 4 -7 moderately elongate, 8-10 slightly transverse (Figs 30 a, b); median lobe of aedeagus with apical part narrowly produced (Figs 117, 118); spermatheca C-shaped, with broadly tubular capsule (Fig. 122); stem broadly tubular and short (Fig. 122); male tergite 8 truncate apically (Fig. 120). The shape of the spermathecal capsule and the shape of the apical portion of the median lobe of the aedeagus are the best characters for recognition of this species.

Description

Body length 2.7-3.0 mm; uniformly dark brown to black, with tarsi rust brown (Fig. 12); integument moderately glossy; pubescence yellowish grey and moderately long and dense; antennal articles 4 -7 moderately elongate, 8-10 slightly transverse (Figs 30 a, b); head and pronotum of about the same width (Fig. 12); elytra and abdomen wider than either head or pronotum; head rounded posteriorly; pronotum broadest in apical third, pubescence directed anterad along midline and laterad elsewhere; elytra at suture slightly longer than pronotum and about 1/3 wider than maximum width of pronotum, pubescence directed obliquely postero-laterad, in wavy pattern medially on each side of disc (Fig. 12); abdomen subparallel, slightly narrower than elytra at base (Fig. 12); metatarsus with two basal articles of about the same length and the third one slightly shorter. Male. Tergite 8 transverse and truncate apically with slight median emargination (Fig. 120). Sternite 8 slightly elongate and broadly rounded apically (Fig. 121). Median lobe of aedeagus with narrowly produced apical part of tubus in lateral view (Fig. 117); internal sac with structures as illustrated (Figs 117, 118). Female. Tergite 8 truncate apically (Fig. 123). Sternite 8 broadly rounded apically (Fig. 124). Spermatheca C-shaped, capsule tubular and short (Fig. 122); stem short and broadly tubular (Fig. 122).

Distribution (Fig. 194)

Gnypeta crebrepunctata is a western Nearctic species known from Oregon and California (Casey 1886, 1906, 1911). We report this species for the first time from the province of British Columbia.

Collection and habitat data

Adults from British Columbia were collected in July and August, from gravel along the edge of a creek, and from rotting Boletus mushrooms.

Comments

The Queen Charlotte Islands specimens had the C-shaped spermatheca typical for this species, but two females had the slightly broadened apical portion of the capsule appearing slightly club-shaped, while the remaining specimens here examined had Cshaped spermatheca with the capsule approximately evenly tubular without broadened apical portion. We regard the slightly broadened apical portion of the capsule as a variable character and within the range variation of G. crebrepunctata.

The California specimens are on average slightly smaller than those from British Columbia but have a similar external morphology and shape of genital structures.