A new species of Forcipomyia (Microhelea) Meigen (Insecta: Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from the Neotropical region

Author(s)

Falaschi, Rafaela Lopes ^[1] ; Albertoni, Fabiano Fabian ^[2] ; Fusari, Livia Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, BR-04218970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, Postgrad program, BR-04218970 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Zootaxa; v. 3878, n. 4, p. 379-389, OCT 28 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We describe and illustrate a new species of biting midge belonging to the subgenus Forcipomyia (Microhelea), from the Estacao Biologica de Boraceia, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. We include illustrations of the mouthparts, head, thorax, legs, abdominal setae, and habitus. The new species is similar to the few other recorded Neotropical species of biting midges, such as Forcipomyia (Microhelea) alleni, Forcipomyia (Microhelea) castneri, Forcipomyia (Microhelea) grandcolasi, and Forcipomyia (Microhelea) tettigonaris. However, it can be distinguished by the combination of external characters, such as the number of plates on the maxilla, the number of denticles on the mandible, the size of the labellum, and the morphology of the palpus. The two female specimens examined were found biting on a female stick bug, Paraphasma paulense (Phasmida: Pseudophasmatidae), which was attracted to a light trap. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/16524-9 - Diversity and systematic of Keroplatidae (Diptera: Bibionomorpha): faunistics, taxonomy and scientific collections for the phylogenetic study of the subfamily Keroplatinae
• Grantee: Rafaela Lopes Falaschi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/02441-1 - Faunistic analysis of Saturniidae (Insecta, Lepidoptera) in a fragment of Atlantic Forest of São Paulo, Brazil
• Grantee: Fabiano Fabian Albertoni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master