Aprionus sifae sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 1F9333D3-0C73-49B6-AFC7-803A29D74286

Fig. 5

Diagnosis

Aprionus sifae sp. nov. is tentatively classified in the insignis subgroup because of the outline of its subanal plate, the tegmen with slightly indicated twin-cavity structure, and the gonostyli resembling that of A. friggae sp. nov. An obvious distinction to other species of the halteratus group is that the tegminal fingers, present in 3–4 (rarely 2 or 5) pairs, are very small and point dorsally rather than laterally (↓, Fig. 5A).

Etymology

Sif, distinguished for her golden hair, is the wife of Thor.

Material examined

Holotype

SWEDEN: ♂, Öland, Mörbylånga, Ullevi, 56.37° N, 16.36° E, herb-rich meadow near broadleaf forest, Malaise trap, M. and C. Jaschhof leg., 14 Jun.–15 Jul. 2015 (NHRS, no. CEC290).

Paratypes

SWEDEN: 1 ♂, same data as for the holotype (NHRS, no. CEC 291); 2 ♂♂, same data, but 24 May–13 Jun. 2015 (NHRS, nos CEC 292–293).

Other material studied

SWEDEN: 2 ♂♂, Öland, Mörbylånga, Ottenby Bird Observatory, coastal meadow, MT, MCJ leg., 16 Jun.–8 Jul. 2015 (DEI, nos CEC 294– CEC 295).

Other characters

Body size 1.3–1.4 mm.

HEAD. Eye bridge 4 ommatidia long dorsally. A dense row of 9–10 postocular bristles. Neck of fourth flagellomere slightly longer than node; 3–4 thick translucent sensilla, usually simply hair-shaped, rarely two- to three-pointed (Fig. 5B). Palpus with 3 segments, apical segment slender, almost as long as first and second segments together.

WING. ApicR 1 3.0–4.0 times as long as Rs.

LEGS. Claws subrectangular, 2–3 fine teeth. Empodia rudimentary.

TERMINALIA (Fig. 5A). Ninth tergite subrectangular, anterior margin fully sclerotized, concave medially. Gonocoxites rounded to slightly pointed ventroposteriorly, depending on preparation; projections of medial bridges absent to slightly indicated; dorsal bridge small, typically subtriangular. Gonostylus thick and convex on basal half, elongate and tapered on apical half, apical tooth indistinct, 2 (rarely up

to 4) bristles subapicomedially. Tegmen rounded apically. Subanal plate subrectangular, with darkly marked shoulders posteriorly, indistinct variable dark markings elsewhere.

Distribution and phenology

Sweden (Öland). Adults were collected from May to July in various types of meadow.