Forcipomyia (Saliohelea) leei Wirth & Ratanaworabhan
Creators: name: Spinelli, Gustavo R.
name: Marino, Pablo I.
name: Borkent, Art
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2012
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Ceratopogonidae
Forcipomyia
Forcipomyia leei

description: Forcipomyia (Saliohelea) leei Wirth & Ratanaworabhan
(Figs. 120–128, 146)
Forcipomyia (Saliohelea) leei Wirth & Ratanaworabhan, 1978: 498 (female, male, pupa; Colombia); Borkent & Wirth, 1997: 47 (in catalog of world species); Borkent & Spinelli, 2000: 22 (in catalog of New World species south of the USA); Borkent & Spinelli, 2007: 57 (in catalog of Neotropical species).
Diagnosis. Male: only species of Neotropical Forcipomyia (Saliohelea) with the length of the parameres always shorter than the length of the aedeagus. Female: only species of Neotropical Forcipomyia (Saliohelea) with palpal segment 3 with a shallow sensory pit.
Redescription. Male. Head. Brown. Eyes abutting medially for length of three or four ommatidia. Antenna with plume setae well-developed, flagellomeres 1–4 separate, flagellomeres 5–8 fused, 10–13 (Fig. 120) elongate; flagellomere 13 with apical nipple slightly constricted basally; AR 0.85–1.16 (0.97, n = 15). Palpus brown; segment 3 slender, moderately elongate, swollen at midlength, with subapical sensory pit; PR 2.78–4.00 (3.47, n = 16).
Thorax. dark brown, except pleura brown; scutellum with 5–6 strong setae. Legs pale brown; tarsomere 1 of hind tibia slightly swollen; hind tibial comb with 5 spines; foreleg TR 2.50–2.86 (2.71, n = 16), midleg TR 2.22–2.375 (2.29, n = 16), hind leg TR 2.33–2.78 (2.53, n = 16); claws curved, moderately stout. Wing (Fig. 121) plain; vein M2 not visible; intercalary vein visible; first radial cell obliterated, second well developed, narrow; fork of cubitus situated distad to level of apex of costa; wing length 0.70–1.12 (0.91, n = 16) mm; breadth 0.24–0.36 (0.31, n = 16) mm; CR 0.39–0.47 (0.40, n = 16). Halter brown.
Abdomen. Tergites uniformly brown. Genitalia (Fig. 122): tergite 9 short, extending to 1/3 length of gonocoxite; posterior margin truncate; cercus slender, lobe-like; sternite 9 short with long anterolateral projections; posterior margin nearly straight, with scattered setae. Gonocoxite moderately stout, 2.2 X longer than greatest breadth; gonostylus 0.80 length of gonocoxite, slender, nearly straight, tip blunt. Parameres represented by posteromesally directed processes, the length variable but always shorter than length of aedeagus, each process gradually narrowed posterolaterally. Aedeagus (Fig. 123) broad, triangular, stout, tapering to conical, blunt tip; basal arch extending to 1/5 of total length.
Female. As for male, with following differences; antenna with flagellomeres 1–8 subspherical, slightly longer than broad; progressively longer, flagellomeres 9–13 slightly elongate, 9–12 progressively shorter with proportions as shown in Fig. 124, flagellomere 13 with apical nipple, slightly constricted basally; AR 0.77–0.92 (0.84, n = 16); palpus (Fig. 125) pale brown; segment 3 slender, moderately elongate, swollen at midlength, with broad, shallow sensory pit opening on distal third; segments 4, 5 completely fused, as long as segment 3 or slightly shorter; PR 1.89–2.90 (2.37, n = 16).
Thorax. Dark brown; katepisternum light brown in some specimens, different from scutum, dark brown in others. Legs brown, some specimens with apical portion darker; tarsomere 1 of hind leg not swollen; foreleg TR 2.29–2.83 (2.55, n = 16), midleg TR 2.06–2.43 (2.31, n = 16), hind leg TR 2.22–2.75 (2.60, n = 16), claws curved, moderately stout. Wing (Fig. 126) plain, without pattern of pigmented membrane; first radial cell obliterated; second radial cell well developed, narrow; fork of cubitus situated at level of apex of costa; wing length 0.54–1.02 (0.81, n = 16) mm; breadth 0.24–0.46 (0.36, n = 16) mm; CR 0.40–0.55 (0.44, n = 16).
Abdomen. Tergites uniformly brown. Genital sclerotization (Fig. 127) quadrangular, lateral arms short. One spermatheca (Fig. 128) ovoid with recurved slender neck, heavily sclerotized, measuring 0.070 by 0.038 mm, including neck; one rudimentary spermatheca.
Distribution. Forcipomyia leei is distributed from the eastern U.S.A. to southern Brazil. In Costa Rica (Fig. 146) it is found from sea level to 3017 meters, although most records are from higher elevations. Clearly, it is a common species in Costa Rica. Specimens from one locality in northwestern Costa Rica, appearing on the coast, was taken from a mangrove swamp. Othewise, all other F. leei in Costa Rica are known from wet, humid habitats.
Taxonomic discussion. Males and females were collected at the same locality and date. This species is similar to F. (Saliohelea) digita. Characters to distinguish males and females of both species are in the discussion section of F. digita.
Wirth & Ratanaworabhan (1978), in their original description, noted that flagellomere 9 (as “segment 11”) of the female is unusually long, but this condition is not reflected in the figure of the female that accompained the description. In the specimens studied here flagellomere 9 is subequal in length to flagellomere 10 and slightly longer than flagellomere 8.
There is surprising variation in this species. Higher elevation specimens are darker, the length of the spermathecae also varies greatly, and male and female palpal segment 3 are elongate and with a small pit in a series of specimens, or very short and with a big pit in others. Variation is also particularly evident in pigmentation of the legs. Males legs are entirely dark brown (high elevation specimens), or dark brown with basal third of forefemur pale, or very light brown with mid- and hind femora with a poorly defined dark band on their apical half, or very light brown with just the hind femur with a poorly defined dark band on its apical half or entirely pale or very light brown. Females legs are very light brown with fore-, mid- and hind femora with a poorly defined dark band on their apical half or dark apical bands on just the mid- and hind femora or just on the hind femur, or entirely pale or very light brown.
This variation suggests the presence of more than one species but we were unsuccessful in finding any discrete differences. Further material and perhaps investigation of the immatures may help to better understand this variation.
The female thorax is dark brown, with the dorsal portion of the katepisternum dark and its ventral half pale. The ventral half of the anepimeron is also pale. This appears to be consistent with the description of Wirth & Ratanaworabhan (1978): “Thorax dark brown, pleuron paler”.
Type material. Holotype female, Colombia, Río Raposo, Valle, VI/ VII-1963, V. H. Lee (USNM). Allotype male, same data as holotype except VII-1965, at light.
Two paratypes from the type locality were examined during this study: 1 male (July 1965) and 1 female (June 15, 1964).
Material examined. (3 males, 2 females in MLPA; 6 males, 7 females in CNCI; and 191 males, 146 females in INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Ref. Valle del Silencio, 2460 m, 17-III / 2-IV-2003, González, Delgado, Alfaro & Rubí, Malaise tp., 5 males, 5 females (CNCI). Same data except 2484m, González, Rubí, Delgado & Alfaro, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Send. a Cerro Hoffman, 2460 m, 17-III / 2-IV-2003, González, Rubí, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 1 male, 2 females (INBC). Same data except 2475 m, 1 male, 3 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, send. Ref. a Hoffman, 2460 m, 19-VI / 5-VII- 2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 3 males, 2 females (MLPA). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, send. a Hoffman, 2475 m, 19-VI / 5-VII-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 4 males, 1 female (INBC). Same data except 20-IX / 5-X-2003, 7 males, 8 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, send. Refug. a Hoffman, 2473 m, 19-VI / 4-VII-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 5 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, send. Ref. a Hoffman, 2453 m, 20-IX / 5-X-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, alred. del Refugio, 2460 m, 19-VI / 5-VII-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 6 males, 5 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, alred. del Refugio, 2406 m, 19/ 27-VI-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Amarilla tp., 1 female (INBC). Same data except 2480 m, 20/ 26-IX-2003, 1 male, 3 females (INBC). Same data except 2480 m, 27-IX / 3-X-2003, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, alred. del Refugio, 2460 m, 20-IX / 5-X- 2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 6 males, 5 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, Send. Andarivel, orilla Río Terbi, 2472 m, 17/ 24-III-2003, González, Delgado, Alfaro & Rubí, Amarilla tp., 1 male, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, alred. Andarivel, 2450 m, 20-IX / 5-X-2003, González, Rubí, Delgado & Alfaro, Intersection tp., 1 male, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Send.Toma de Agua, 2460 m, 19-VI / 4-VII-2003, González, Rubí, Delgado & Alfaro, Intersection tp., 1 male, 2 females (INBC). Same data except 17-III / 2-IV-2003, Malaise tp., 1 female (INBC). Same data except 20-IX / 5-X-2003, Malaise tp., 2 males, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, area abierta, 2484 m, 19-VI / 5-VII-2003, Rubí, González, Alfaro & Delgado, Malaise tp., 3 males (INBC). Same data except 20-IX / 5-X-2003, 1 male, 3 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., P. Int. La Amistad, Valle del Silencio, zona de acampar, 2400 m, 16-IX / 16-XI-2003, D. Rubí, Malaise tp., 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, Frente Refugio, 2460 m, 20-IX / 5-X-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Malaise tp., 6 males, 3 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., PILA., Valle del Silencio, Send. Circular, 2480 m, 20/ 26-IX-2003, Rubí, González, Delgado & Alfaro, Amarilla tp., 1 male, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., ACLA-P., PILA., Talamanca, Bratsi, Valle del Silencio, 2500 m, 24-IV / 7-VII-1997, R. Villalobos, Malaise tp., 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., R. Biol. Hitoy Cerere, Sendero Catarata, 160 m, 20-IX-2000, A. Picado, red de golpe, CD 5206, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., Valle del Silencio, Reserva Biol. Hitoy Cerere, Sendero Bobócara, 640 m, 11-X / 11-XI-1999, F. Umaña, Malaise tp., CD 5241, 1 female (INBC). Same data except 280 m, 7-V-1999, F. Umaña, CD 5060, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Limón prov., Est. Biol. Hitoy Cerere, 100 m, 14/ 16-IV-1999, Chaverri, Rojas & Hernández, CD 5088, 1 female (INBC). Same data except 560 m, 12- VII-1998, E. Rojas, CD 5077, 2 males, 3 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., V. Miravalles, Est. Cabro Muco, 1100 m, 3-VI / 6-VII-2003, Azofeifa, Gutiérrez & Hernández, Malaise tp., 2 males (INBC). Same data except 23-VI / 6-VII-2003, 4 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., Macizo Miravalles, Est. Cabro Muco, Sitio Azufral, 1100 m, 22-IX / 5-X-2003, Azofeifa, Malaise tp., 4 males, 3 females INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., V. Miravalles, Est. Cabro Muco, 1100 m, 22-IX / 5-X-2003, J. D. Gutiérrez, Malaise tp., 1 female (INBC). Same data except 24-IX / 5-X-2003, B. Hernández, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., Liberia, Sector Santa María, 25 km NE Liberia, 790 m, 15-I / 15-II-1997, D. Briceño, Malaise tp., CD 5229, 1 male (INBC). Same data, CD 5170, 2 males (INBC). Same data, CD 5244, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., Liberia, Guanacaste NP, Est. Cacao, 1000–1150 m, VII-1996, A.Masis, Malaise tp., CD 5235, 2 males (INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., Sector San Ramón, 4.5 km WSW Dos Ríos de Upala, 720 m, 23-I / 18-III-1996, A. Quesada, Malaise tp., CD 5284, 2 males (INBC). Same data except 17-VIII / 17-IX-1996, 3 males (INBC). Costa Rica, Guanacaste prov., Salinas, Playa Ventanas, 25-XI-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1680, 1 male (CNCI). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., P. Int. la Amistad, Cerro Quemado, 2279 m, 15-VIII / 15-XI-2001, D. Rubí, Malaise tp., 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., P.int. la Amistad, Valle del Silencio, Jardin Natural, 2450 m, 17-IX / 17-XI- 2001, D. Rubí, Malaise tp., 4 males, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Buenos Aires, Est. Altamira, 1 km S del Cerro Biolley, 1450 m, 1/ 28-I-1996, R. Villalobos, Malaise tp., CD 5152, 2 males (INBC). Same data except Est. Altamira, Cerro Biolley, 1766 m, 4-I / 3-II-2000, D. Rubí, CD 5221, 2 males (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Send. a C. Pittier, 1 km N de la Est., 1800–2000 m, 13-IX-1996, A. M. Maroto, CD 5054, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., PILA, Est. Altamira, 1300 m, 20-XI-1996, R. Villalobos, CD 5062, 1 male, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Península de Osa, Río Agujas, Est. Agujas, Send. Purruja, 300 m, 10/ 20-VIII-1996, A. Azofeifa, CD 5079, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas, Corcovado NP, Las Quebraditas, 650 m, 15/X-15/XI-1999, J. A. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5101, 1 male, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Corcovado NP, Est. Agujas, Los Charcos, 600 m, 15/V-15/VI-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5176, 1 male (INBC). Same data except Cerro Rincón, 745 m, 15/VI-15/VII-1999, CD 5354, 4 males (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Corcovado NP, Golfito, Est. Agujas, Cerro Rincón, 745 m, 15/VII-15/VIII-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5168, 3 males (INBC). Same data except 15/V-15/VI-1999, CD 5183, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Est. Agujas, Cerro Rincón, 745 m, 15-II-2000, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5247, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Golfito, Corcovado NP, Est. Agujas, La Bonanza, 495 m, 15- VII / 15-VIII-1999, J. Azofeifa, Malaise tp., CD 5147, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., ACLA-C., Buenos Aires, PILA., 1 km S Cerro Frantzius, 1950 m, 6/ 31-I-1997, R. Villalobos, Malaise tp., CD 5337, 5 males, 3 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., ACLA-C., PILA., Buenos Aires, Potrero Grande, Cerro Frantzius, 2134 m, 28-II / 28-III-1997, R. Villalobos, Malaise tp., CD 5343, 3 males (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., ACLA-P., Pérez Zeledón, Chirripó NP, Est. Santa Elena, Send. El Llano, 1800 m, 28-X / 27-XI-1996, E. Alfaro, red, CD 5151, 3 males (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., ACLA-P., Chirripó NP, Est. Santa Elena, Send. Jueves 13, 1850 m, 15-IV / 2-VI-1997, Segura – Alfaro, red, CD 5352, 7 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., ACLA-P., Pérez Zeledón, Chirripó NP, Est. Santa Elena, Send. Jueves 13, 1850 m, 2-VI / 6-VII-1997, Alfaro – Segura, red, CD 5207, 5 males, 1 female (INBC). Same data except San Pedro, Est. Santa Elena, Las Nubes, 1210 m, 15/ 31-III-1996, CD 5157, 2 males (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Pérez Zeledón, Chirripó NP, Est. Santa Elena, S. Jueves 13, 1850 m, 6-VIII / 15-IX-1997, Segura – Alfaro, Malaise tp., CD 5367, 9 males, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Est. Santa Elena, Sendero Jueves 13, 1850 m, 20-III-1997, Segura – Alfaro, Malaise tp., CD 5107, 4 males, 1 female (INBC). Same data except 6-VII / 6-VIII-1997, Alfaro – Segura, CD 5073, 8 males, 8 females (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., A.C.P.C., Dota, Reserva Forestal Los Santos, Est. Ojo de Agua, 3000 m, 27-VII-1999, A. Picado, red de golpe, CD 5344, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Est. Cuerici Send. El Mirador a 4 km E Villa Mills en sub páramo, 2900 m, 24-IX / 9-X-1996, Gamboa – Picado, Malaise tp., LS 390504/500100E, #32631, CD 5008, 4 males, 5 females (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Est. Cuerici, El Mirador, 4 km E Villa Mills, 2900 m, 9/ 27-X-1996, Gamboa – Picado, CD 5078, 1 male, 3 females (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., 4 km E Villa Mills, 2900 m, 26-IX / 29-XI-1996, Picado – Gamboa, CD 5012, 8 males, 7 females (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Madre Selva, Fca. Los Lagos, 2000–2600 m, IX/ X-1995, M. M. Chavarría, CD 5046, 5 males, 7 females (INBC). Costa Rica, 5 km SE Santa Elena, 29-VI-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1455, 1 female (CNCI). Costa Rica, 2 km E Santa Elena, 30-VI-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1457, 1 male (INBC). Same data except 26-VIII-1993, CD 1557, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, 2 km NE Tárcoles, 2-IX-1993, A. Borkent, CD 1566, 1 female (CNCI). Same data except 11-XI-1993, CD 1657, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Alajuela prov., San Carlos, Res. Ftal. Arenal, Send. Pilón, 600 m, 12/ 25-VI-1999, G. Carballo, Malaise tp., CD 5240, 2 males (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., Paraíso, Tapantí NP, La Represa, Torre ICE entre Porras y Villegas, 1800 m, VI-1997, R. Delgado, Manual, CD 5338, 1 female (INBC). Same data, CD 5339, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., Reserva Forestal Río Macho, Est. Ojo de Agua, 3000 m, 25-VII-1999, A. Picado, CD 5055, 4 males, 3 females (INBC). Same data except 22/ 28-VII-1999, Malaise tp., CD 5105, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., Sector La Represa, Sendero Rancho Negro, 1700–1800 m, 14-VIII / 17-IX-1996, R. Delgado, Malaise tp., CD 5112, 2 males, 2 females (INBC). Same data except 17-IX-1996, R. Delgado, CD 5161, 1 male (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., R.F. Río Macho, Est. Ojo de Agua., 3000 m, 27-V / 27-VI-1997, B. Gamboa, LS-396500N/ 482050E, Malaise tp., #51977, CD 5005, 3 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., R.F. Río Macho, Est. Ojo de Agua cerca de la Est., 3000m, 28-III / 7-IV-1997, B. Gamboa, LS-396500N/482050E, #51976, CD 5006, 6 males, 4 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., R. F. Río Macho, Est. Ojo de Agua, 3000–3017 m, 13/ 25-I- 1997, Gamboa – Segura, L_S_396600_482600, Malaise tp., #45680, CD 5009, 1 male, 3 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov., Tapantí NP, La represa, Torre ICE entre los ríos Porras y Villegas, 1800 m, I-1999, R. Delgado, LS - 186150N/ 160100 E, #47544, CD 5013, 2 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, San José prov., Pérez Zeledón, Est Sta. Elena ACLA P., 14-II / 16-III-1996, Segura – Alfaro, LS 371700N/507800E, #8527, CD 5014, 4 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Cartago prov, Tapantí NP, La represa, Torre ICE entre los ríos Porras y Villegas, 1800 m, VIII-1997, R. Delgado, LS - 560100N/186150E, #47549, CD 5016, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Buenos Aires, ACLA, PILA, Est. Altamira, 1300 m, 26-IX / 30-X-1995, Ronal Villalobos, LS 331700N/ 572100E, Malaise tp., #7470, CD 5022, 3 males, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., ACLA, PILA, send. Pittier, 1750 m, 16-IX-1996, A. Mora, LS 331250N/377150E, Malaise tp., Lote 8525, CD 5023, 2 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., ACLA-P. Zona Protector Tablas Quijada del Diablo, 3.1 NE de Mellizas, 1800 m, 16-X / 10-XI-1996, E. Navarro, LS 316900N/600600E, #44869, CD 5024, 2 males, 1 female (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Coto Brus, Progreso, Fca. Cafrosa, 2 km al NNE de la Escuela de Progreso, 1320 m, 23-XI- 1995, M. Chinchilla, LS 318900N/595630E, Malaise tp., #7473, CD 5025, 4 females (INBC). Costa Rica, Puntarenas prov., Buenos Aires, ACLA. PILA Est. Altamira, 1300 m, 1/ 28-I-1996, R. Villalobos, LS331700N/572100E, Malaise tp., #32623, CD 5026, 5 females (INBC).
description: Published as part of Spinelli, Gustavo R., Marino, Pablo I. & Borkent, Art, 2012, A revision of Biting Midges of the Subgenera Forcipomyia (Metaforcipomyia) and F. (Saliohelea) from Costa Rica (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), pp. 1-52 in Zootaxa 3419 on pages 35-40, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.215031