Myolepta nigra , Douglas Co

Myolepta nigra (Loew, 1872)

Figs 1 C−D, 4C−D, 6A−B, 7C−D, 8C−D, 10B, 17C

Myiolepta nigra Loew, 1872: 84; the type is deposited in MCZ

Myolepta nigra: Fluke & Weems 1956: 7

Material examined. Canada: “ Douglas Co. Kan / V - 10 - 1923 / W.J. Brown ”, “ CNC DIPTERA / # 43738”, “ Myolepta sub-group / fig no JvSMo1-002”, 1♂ (CNC); “Jordan Ont. / 11.VII.1920 ”, “Collector / H. Curran ”, “ CNC DIPTERA / # 43741”, “ Myolepta sub-group / fig no JvSMo1-007”, 1♀ (CNC).

Short description. Predominantly shiny black species. Face, pleura and sterna entirely shiny; tibiae entirely black; pile on scutum, legs and abdomen erect, short, white and rather scattered. Genitalia (Figs 6 A−B): surstylus al- most round, with widely rounded apex and concave ventral margin, without long pile baso-dorsally; hypandrium at apico-dorsal corner with short triangular extension, in ventral view strongly rounded basally and medially strongly constricted with rectangular apical part; superior lobe with long triangular extension dorsally, with very narrow incision apico-ventrally, apico-dorsal corner almost circular. Body length 8.0 mm (male), 9.2 mm (female); wing length 5.7 mm (male), 6.6 mm (female).

Remarks. This seems to be the smallest species of the M. vara subgroup and is easily recognized by the extensively shiny body. See for further remarks under M. obscura.

Distribution. An eastern North American species known from Quebec and Ontario through Illinois, east Kansas to Texas and northern Florida.