Chamaemyiidae
Creators: name: Gaimari, Stephen D.
name: Havill, Nathan P.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2021
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Chamaemyiidae

description: Key to Chamaemyiidae feeding on Pinaceae-infesting Sternorrhyncha
Members of Chamaemyiini are not keyed past the second couplet, since all of those with known biology are predators on Sternorrhyncha in grasses, although occasionally species of some genera will go to Sternorrhyncha on Pinaceae for honeydew as an adult sugar source, e.g., Chamaemyia fumicosta Malloch was collected by the first author on several occasions sweeping Cinara -infested ponderosa pine. A list of the species included is provided after the key, annotated with their known biology, distribution, and other relevant information. The taxa in brackets [] have not been specifically reared from Pinaceae-attacking Sternorrhyncha, but are considered likely to be predators in this system; further information is provided in the post-key list, and habitus photographs are provide (Figs 7–14) for all of the relevant genera, with those for Leucotaraxis species in Figs 2–5. The taxa in parentheses () are not thought to be associated with Pinaceae, but are included in the key to account for incidental visitors occasionally taken in sweep samples. The key presented below is based upon study of most included species, with some aspects based on modifications of published keys of McAlpine (1971), Papp (2010), and Tanasijtshuk (1986), and notes and draft keys of McAlpine and the first author.
1. Head largely yellow, except for grey pruinose ocellar triangle; eye much longer than high; gena higher than eye height. Prescutellum and presutural supra-alar seta absent. Male with articulated bilobate surstylus and flexible phallus with spinelike subapical armature. CREMIFANIINAE. Holarctic......................................... Cremifania Czerny ...52
- Head color light grey to black, but never yellow; eye dimensions variable, but eye height greater than genal height. Prescutellum present or absent, but presutural supra-alar seta always present. Male usually with fixed non-bilobate surstylus (articulated in Vitaleucopis), phallus rigid and without spinelike armature................................. CHAMAEMYIINAE ...2
2 (1). Body elongate, tapering posteriorly. Head with lunule low, bare; 1 or 2 strong fronto-orbital setae present; postocellar setae present; ocellar setae strong, proclinate (absent or minute in some species of Plunomia Malloch and Pseudodinia Melander). Scutum usually with a presutural dorsocentral seta.............................................. (Chamaemyiini)
- Body compact, stout posteriorly. Head with lunule high and often with setulae; fronto-orbital setae present or absent, sometimes with 1 or 2 enlarged setulae on upper part of fronto-orbital area; postocellar setae absent; ocellar setae absent or small. Scutum lacking a presutural dorsocentral seta............................................................ Leucopini ...3
3 (2). Prescutellum present................................................................................... 9
- Prescutellum absent................................................................................... 4
4 (3). Costal wing vein reaching vein M 1 ........................................................................ 6
- Costal wing vein ending at vein R 4+5. Palearctic.......................................... Lipoleucopis Meijere. ..5
5 (4). Scutum densely setulose; with three pairs of dorsocentral setae; prescutellar acrostichal seta present. Surstylus beak-shaped, arcuate....................................................................... Lipoleucopis praecox Meijere
- Scutum with very sparse setulae; with one pair of dorsocentral setae; prescutellar acrostichal seta absent. Surstylus hammershaped, with broad basiphallus tapering to sharpened tip................................[Lipoleucopis pulchra Raspi]
6 (4). Small, 2 mm or less in length. Ocellar seta present, reclinate. Upper part of fronto-orbital area with 1 or 2 enlarged, lateroclinate setulae. Palearctic (in part)..................................................... Neoleucopis Malloch, in part...8
- Larger than 2 mm. Lacking ocellar setae. Lacking enlarged setulae on fronto-orbital area. Holarctic............................................................................................... Anchioleucopis Tanasijtshuk. ..7
7 (6). Frons pale grey with dark elongate triangle of ocellar plate reaching lunule. Legs black with femora yellow at apex. In male genitalia, apex of surstylar lobe pointed.................................... Anchioleucopis geniculata (Zetterstedt)
- Frons pale grey with greyish ocellar plate visible only in dorsal view. Legs black except tibiae with yellow bases and apices, and basotarsomere yellow. In male genitalia, apex of surstylar lobe rounded........ Anchioleucopis macalpinei Tanasijtshuk
8 (6). Ocellar seta small, 1/3 length of inner vertical seta. Fore tarsus yellow. In male, phallus strongly recurved in lateral view, with large ventral lobe with toothed distal edge. In female, sternite 7 divided medially by membranous strip.......................................................................................... [Neoleucopis orbiseta (McAlpine)]
- Ocellar seta large, subequal in length to inner vertical seta. Fore tarsus brown. In male, phallus simple, comma-shaped in lateral view. In female, sternite 7 entire.................................................. Neoleucopis freyi (McAlpine)
9 (3). Body and head shiny black. Frons with 1 strong fronto-orbital seta present. Crossvein bm-cu stub-like, incomplete, not fully separating cells dm and bm. Neotropical (predators of Ortheziidae).......................... (Melaleucopis Sabrosky)
- Body and head predominantly pruinose, at most with abdomen shiny black. Fronto-orbital setae absent, or with more than 1. Crossvein bm-cu complete, separating cells dm and bm...................................................... 10
10 (9). Anepisternum with 1 to several setae, setulae, or both, along posterior edge. Afrotropical, Neotropical (predators of Coccoidea).................................................................(Leucopis (Leucopella) Malloch)
- Anepisternum lacking setae or setulae.................................................................... 11
11 (10). Frons lacking strong fronto-orbital setae, although slightly enlarged setulae may be present in upper part. Ocellar setae absent, or present and reclinate................................................................................ 13
- Frons with 2 or more strong fronto-orbital setae. Ocellar setae small, proclinate and diverging....................... 12
12 (11). Frons with 2 fronto-orbital setae present, with anterior seta equidistant between posterior seta and lunule. Prescutellar acrostichal seta present. Abdominal tergites shiny black. Neotropical (predators of Ceroplastes Gray scales)..................................................................................................... (Chamaeleucopis Gaimari)
- Frons with series of 5 or 6 evenly spaced, strong fronto-orbital setae. Prescutellar acrostichal seta absent. Abdominal tergites silvery-grey pruinose with darkened pruinose spots on tergite 3. Nearctic............... [Chamaethrix necopina Gaimari]
13 (11). Prescutellar acrostichal seta absent..................................................................... 26
- Prescutellar acrostichal seta present...................................................................... 14
14 (13). Body and head silvery-grey pruinose; scutum with dorsocentral vittae; abdomen with paired dark spots on tergite 3. Ocellar seta absent. Holarctic (predators of eggs within coccoid ovisacs)............................ (Leucopomyia Malloch)
- Body and head dull, dark grey to brown pruinose; scutum lacking dorsocentral vittae; abdomen lacking paired spots on tergite 3. Ocellar seta present. Holarctic, Neotropical................................... Neoleucopis Malloch, in part ... 15
15 (14). Ocellar seta weak, shorter than distance from anterior ocellus to vertex, frequently pale and very fine................. 18
- Ocellar seta strong, as long or longer than distance from anterior ocellus to vertex, black............................ 16
16 (15). Antennal pedicel light brown, distinctly paler than first flagellomere. In lateral view of male genitalia, epandrium large, with 10 or more setae on dorsal surface; phallus sickle-shaped...................... Neoleucopis hadzibeiliae (Tanasijtshuk)
- Antennal pedicel concolorous with first flagellomere, silvery grey at some angles. In lateral view of male genitalia, epandrium large or narrow, with fewer than 8 setae on dorsal surface; phallus not sickle-shaped............................... 17
17 (16). Setulae on the frontal plate and along the eye margin weak and pale. Ocellar triangle sparsely and weakly setulose. In lateral view of male genitalia, epandrium large with convex dorsum, with surstylar lobe narrow; phallus widest at middle. In female, sternite 7 entire.............................................................. Neoleucopis pinicola (Malloch)
- Setulae on the frontal plate and along the eye margin coarse and black. Ocellar triangle densely and strongly setulose. In lateral view of male genitalia, epandrium narrow, smoothly tapering through surstylar lobes; phallus widest basally. In female, sternite 7 divided medially............................................................ Neoleucopis obscura (Haliday)
18 (15). Lunule and face grey to greyish brown. Ocellar hairs yellowish or blackish...................................... 20
- Lunule and face jet black. Ocellar hairs pale to silky yellow................................................... 19
19 (18). Ocellar hairs distinctly longer and stronger than adjacent hairs. Posterior ocelli farther apart than distance to anterior ocellus. Prescutellar acrostichal seta easily distinguished from surrounding setulae................ Neoleucopis militia (McAlpine)
- Ocellar hairs scarcely distinguishable from adjacent hairs. Distance from anterior ocellus to a posterior ocellus greater than distance between posterior ocelli. Prescutellar acrostichal seta usually indistinguishable from surrounding setulae................................................................................ Neoleucopis nigraluna (McAlpine)
20 (18). Setulae on frons and lunule yellowish.................................................................... 24
- Setulae on frons and lunule black....................................................................... 21
21 (20). In male, sternites 4 and 5 each with paired dense patches of thick, medially-oriented setulae; epandrium in lateral view large, extending through thick surstylar lobes; phallus with extremely enlarged basal lobe, constricted relative to long thin distiphallus. In female, medial third of tergite 6 lacking pruinosity and only lightly sclerotized; tergite 7 with distinct jet-black longitudinal striations; tergite 8 deeply cleft anteriorly; sternite 7 medially separated into two halves.......................................................................................... Neoleucopis kartliana (Tanasijtshuk)
- In male, sternites 4 and 5 with normal setulae, neither dense, thick, in patches, nor medially oriented; epandrium with surstylar lobe distinctly tapering; phallus variable, but basal lobe neither massive nor constricted relative to distiphallus; distiphallus not long and thin. In female, tergite 6 pruinose and sclerotized throughout; tergite 7 grey to brown pruinose, lacking longitudinal striations; tergite 8 not cleft anteriorly; sternite 7 entire...................................................... 22
22 (21). Ocellar setae subequal to or slightly longer than adjacent setulae. Fronto-orbital area with 1 or more slightly enlarged setulae in upper part. Distiphallus abruptly tapered. Spermathecae small and spherical.......... Neoleucopis atratula (Ratzeburg)
- Ocellar setae at least 2 X longer than adjacent setulae. Fronto-orbital area lacking enlarged setulae. Distiphallus variable, gradually or abruptly tapered. Spermathecae variable........................................................ 23
23 (22). Basal two segments of fore tarsus and basal three segments of mid and hind tarsi yellow. Epandrium conical in lateral view. Basiphallus moderately swollen, with distiphallus gradually tapered. Spermathecae small and spherical...................................................................................... Neoleucopis ancilla (McAlpine), in part
- Basal segment of fore tarsus and basal two segments of mid and hind tarsi yellow. Epandrium parallel-sided. Basiphallus strongly swollen, with distiphallus abruptly tapered. Spermathecae large and ovoid........ Neoleucopis tapiae (Blanchard)
24 (20). Ocellar setae black, larger than adjacent setulae. Epandrium in lateral view half as high as long............................................................................................ Neoleucopis ancilla (McAlpine), in part
- Ocellar setae weak and pale, scarcely distinguishable from adjacent setulae. Epandrium in lateral view up to 1/3 as high as long.............................................................................................. 25
25 (24). Setulae of frons along eye margin long and erect (length subequal to distance between posterior ocelli). Central part of scutum brownish. Epandrium in lateral view with dorsal edge relatively straight................ Neoleucopis manii (Tanasijtshuk)
- Setulae of frons along eye margin short and depressed forward (length less than half distance between posterior ocelli). Scutum uniformly silvery grey. Epandrium in lateral view with dorsal edge rounded............. Neoleucopis aciliosa (McAlpine)
26 (13). Ocellar setae absent in both sexes, and ocellar triangle neither densely pilose nor fuzzy in males, but if moderately fuzzy (i.e., not completely and uniformly covering the area), then posterior ocelli equidistant in comparison with distance from one posterior ocellus to anterior ocellus...................................................................... 31
- Ocellar setae small and reclinate, or ocellar triangle (in males) densely and uniformly pilose and fuzzy with posterior ocelli widely separated..................................................................................... 27
27 (26). Fronto-orbital area lacking enlarged setulae. Ocellar plate greatly expanded, with posterior ocelli widely spread, much farther apart than distance between anterior and one posterior ocellus. Ocellar seta present in females, but usually absent in males that instead have ocellar plate densely pilose and fuzzy. Nearctic, Neotropical......................... (Leucopina Malloch)
- Fronto-orbital area with 1 or 2 (rarely 0 or 3) enlarged setulae dorsally. Ocellar plate not expanded, pilose nor densely fuzzy, but posterior ocelli sometimes slightly farther apart than distance to anterior ocellus. Ocellar seta present or absent....... 28
28 (27). Head high, height to length ratio nearly 2:1. Eye height to length ratio 2:1. Lunule subequal in height to length to frons, with conspicuous proclinate black setulae. Ocellar seta absent. Anterior ocellus surrounded by ring of short black setulae. Neotropical (predators of eggs within coccoid ovisac)....................... (Echinoleucopis Gaimari & Tanasijtshuk)
- Neither head, eye nor lunule so high. Lunule with small setulae inconspicuous. Ocellar seta present. Anterior ocellus lacking ring of setulae....................................................................................... 29
29 (28). Lunule with numerous erect black setulae. Scutum and scutellum dark brown pruinose. Legs entirely jet black.................................................................................... [Neoleucopis setigera (McAlpine)]
- Lunule with small setulae inconspicuous. Scutum grey pruinose, with goldish dorsocentral vittae. Legs with tips of femora, bases of tibiae and at least basal two tarsomeres yellow. Nearctic, Neotropical (feed on Coccoidea); Palearctic................................................................................. Leucopis (Xenoleucopis) Malloch. ..30
30 (29). Dorsocentral vitta with diffuse edges, blending into goldish shade over posterior part of scutum and scutellum. Eye 4 X higher than gena. Distal section of vein CuA 1 2 X longer than length of crossvein dm-cu................................................................................................ [Leucopis (Xenoleucopis) setifrons Tanasijtshuk]
- Dorsocentral vitta sharply outlined, continuing through grey scutum. Scutellum grey. Eye at least 5 X higher than gena. Distal section of vein CuA 1 up to 1.5 X longer than length of crossvein dm-cu........ Leucopis (Xenoleucopis) raoi Tanasijtshuk
31 (26). Abdomen silvery-grey to grey pruinose, often with spots on tergite 3. Frons not protruding over lunule, lacking stiff lateroclinate setulae, and lacking enlarged laterally directed setulae in anterolateral corners. Maxillary palpus normal, much smaller than antennal first flagellomere............................................................................. 37
- Abdomen shiny black with only sparse pruinosity. Frons with 1 or 2 rows of stiff black lateroclinate setulae along eye margin. In male, frons protruding roof-like over lunule, and with enlarged laterally directed setulae in anterolateral corners (sometimes clumped into horn-like pencils). In female, maxillary palpus greatly enlarged (subequal to antennal first flagellomere) and flattened. Nearctic................................................................. Vitaleucopis Gaimari. ..32
32 (31). Male (unknown for undescribed species)................................................................. 35
- Female (unknown for Vitaleucopis scopula Gaimari)........................................................ 33
33 (32). Upper face (between antennal sockets) silvery pruinose; antenna light brown, except basal part orange; palpus orange, with distal part light brown; scutum and scutellum bronzy pruinose, distinctly differentiated from silvery-grey pruinose pleuron..................................................................................... [undescribed species]
- Upper face (between antennal sockets) shiny black, lacking pruinosity; antenna and palpus black; scutum, scutellum and pleuron concolorous silvery-grey pruinose................................................................ 34
34 (33). At least basotarsomere of each leg yellow...................................... [Vitaleucopis astonea (McAlpine)]
- Tarsi entirely dark brown (hind basotarsomere sometimes dark orange basally)............. Vitaleucopis nidolkah Gaimari
35 (32). Anterolateral part of frons with cluster of 2–4 lateroclinate setae, whisker-like (not clustered to appear as 1 very thick seta), with length less than length of inner vertical seta..................................... Vitaleucopis nidolkah Gaimari
- Anterolateral corner of frons with distinct tight cluster of 4 or 5 lateroclinate setae (appearing like 1 very thick seta), with length 1.5 X that of inner vertical seta......................................................................... 36
36 (35). Frons with width and length subequal; distance from vertex to anterior tip of frons 1.7 X width of frons at level of anterior ocellus...................................................................... [Vitaleucopis scopula Gaimari]
- Frons 1.4 X wider than long; distance from vertex to anterior tip of frons 1.3 X width of frons at level of anterior ocellus........................................................................... [Vitaleucopis astonea (McAlpine)]
37 (31). Scutum with dorsocentral vittae (rarely absent) and pair of anterior median vittae. Frons gently curved and sloping through lunule. Plane of face and parafacial at obtuse angle with frons. Cosmopolitan............... Leucopis Meigen, in part...44
- Scutum unicolorous grey, lacking vittae. Frons flat, sometimes slightly concave medially, ending at 90° angle with upper edge of lunule. Plane of face and parafacial are at an acute angle with the frons. Holarctic.......... Leucotaraxis gen. nov. ... 38
38 (37). Lunule and face dark brown to black.................................................................... 40
- Lunule and face silvery grey........................................................................... 39
39 (38). Postpronotum with 1 to several long setulae (longer than setulae on scutum) medially from postpronotal seta. In male, phallus from lateral view with broad wedge-shaped anterobasal process at 90° angle from thin elongate pointed process. In female, tergite 7 present and strap-like, and sternite 7 present and arcuate................ Leucotaraxis argenticollis (Zetterstedt)
- Postpronotum lacking setulae, or with only tiny setulae (much smaller than setulae on scutum) medially from postpronotal seta. In male, phallus from lateral view elongate and thin, curving gently to pointed tip. In female, tergite and sternite 7 absent............................................................................ Leucotaraxis piniperda (Malloch)
40 (38). Male.............................................................................................. 42
- Female (unknown for Leucotaraxis sepiola sp. nov.)........................................................ 41
41 (40). Tergite 7 absent........................................................... Leucotaraxis piniperda (Malloch)
- Tergite 7 present and strap-like................................................. Leucotaraxis atrifacies (Aldrich)
42 (40). Epandrial complex large and polished black, with epandrium extending into central process bearing cerci at upward angle. Surstylar lobe long and thin..................................................... [Leucotaraxis sepiola sp. nov.]
- Epandrial complex simple, small, yellowish- to silvery-grey pruinose, with no central epandrial process. Surstylar lobe short, stout.............................................................................................. 43
43 (42). Phallus in lateral view very long and thin, more than 10 X longer than height at middle, gently curved throughout to pointed tip....................................................................... Leucotaraxis piniperda (Malloch)
- Phallus in lateral view long and thick, less than 8 X longer than height at middle, straight-sided until abrupt curve to pointed tip....................................................................... Leucotaraxis atrifacies (Aldrich)
44 (37). Frons with surface covered with long, thin, reclinate silvery setulae. In male, phallus with two prominent, curved, tusk-like rods laterally. Palearctic........................................ (Leucopis (Metaleucopis) plumifrons Tanasijtshuk)
- Frons lacking thin, reclinate silvery setulae. In male, phallus simple, lacking lateral rods. Cosmopolitan......................................................................................... Leucopis (Leucopis) Meigen ...... 45
45 (44). Scutum reddish brown to brown, lacking dorsocentral vittae or very faintly visible. Gena less than 1/5 eye height. Tibiae and tarsi yellow. In male, abdominal tergite 3 brownish grey without spots; phallus awl-shaped, smoothly curved............................................................................. Leucopis (Leucopis) adelgivora Tanasijtshuk
- Scutum silvery grey to greyish brown, with distinct dorsocentral vittae, which may be faint. Gena more than 1/5 eye height. Tibiae and tarsi predominantly dark brown. In male, tergite 3 either brownish or silvery grey with paired spots; phallus variable, not shaped like a smoothly curved awl................................................................... 46
46 (45). Body greyish brown, with dark goldish-brown dorsocentral vittae that diffuse together in posterior part of scutum. Gena high, about 1/2 eye height. Scutellum goldish brown. Abdomen uniformly brown..... Leucopis (Leucopis) hennigrata McAlpine
- Body light grey to silvery grey. Gena 1/4–1/3 eye height. Dorsocentral vittae variable, but never diffusing together in posterior part of scutum. Scutellum silvery grey. Abdomen with tergites 3–5 silvery grey, with paired dark spots on tergite 3 (except for peculiar specimens lacking spots)....................................................................... 47
47 (46). Ocellar plate with patch of short stiff setae lateral to anterior ocellus.Abdominal tergites covered with long strong setae (mostly half length of tergite). In male, phallus narrow in lateral view.............. [Leucopis (Leucopis) spinifrons Tanasijtshuk]
- Ocellar plate lacking short stiff setae lateral of anterior ocellus, instead bare to slightly fuzzy. Abdominal tergites with normal setae (much shorter than half length of tergite). Phallus variable (only males key from here)......................... 48
48 (47). Surstylar lobe broad, extended from narrow epandrium, parallel-sided all the way to large blunt tip from lateral view........................................................................ Leucopis (Leucopis) aphidiperda Rondani
- Surstylar lobe extended from convex epandrium, tapering to narrow or sharpened tip............................... 49
49 (48). Surstylar lobe beak-like, with a wide base and tapering to tip. Phallus either with very strong, angular, subbasal ventral expansion, or with ventrobasal part not expanded........................................................... 51
- Surstylar lobe narrow from base to tip. Phallus with subbasal ventral expansion small, smoothly rounded.............. 50
50 (49). Dorsocentral vittae varying from olive brown to pale goldish brown, with dark grey median vittae. Distiphallus from lateral view slightly curved to blunt (sometimes slightly dilated) tip.................... Leucopis (Leucopis) ninae Tanasijtshuk
- Dorsocentral vittae grey, concolorous with median vittae. Distiphallus from lateral view straight and narrow to sharpened tip............................................................. [Leucopis (Leucopis) griseostriata Tanasijtshuk]
51 (49). Phallus with strongly produced, angular subbasal ventral expansion........ Leucopis (Leucopis) cinarophaga Tanasijtshuk
- Phallus narrow throughout in lateral view............................. Leucopis (Leucopis) glyphinivora Tanasijtshuk
52 (1). Scutum with 4 or more pairs of postsutural dorsocentral setae, shortening anteriorly. Wing hyaline. Anepisternum with several fine hair-like setulae in anterodorsal corner. Anepimeron bare. Calypter entirely white.... [Cremifania nearctica McAlpine]
- Scutum with 1 or 2 pairs of dorsocentral setae. Wing with dark markings at least in subcostal cell and/or costal cell, or wing more extensively patterned. Anepisternum bare in anterodorsal corner. Anepimeron with or without a setula medioventrally. Calypter color variable................................................................................ 53
53 (52). Antennal arista lanceolate, with 3rd segment flattened, broadened and pointed apically. Costal cell with a central diffuse dark spot; subcostal cell with large black spot apically and a small subbasal spot confluent with dark spot in costal cell. Scutum with 1 pair of dorsocentral setae. Anepimeron lacking medioventral setula. Calypter and fringe entirely whitish yellow...................................................................................... [Cremifania lanceolata Papp]
- Antennal arista normal, or only basal part thickened. Costal cell hyaline; subcostal cell entirely darkened. Scutum with 2 pairs of dorsocentral setae.................................................................................. 54
54 (53). Ocellar triangle small, with grey pruinosity only surrounding ocelli. Lacking interfrontal setae. Wing membrane not patterned outside of subcostal cell. Anepimeron with 1 or more setulae medioventrally. Calypter with margin and fringe dusky................................................................................ Cremifania nigrocellulata Czerny
- Ocellar triangle elongated, with grey pruinosity extending anteriorly nearly to lunule. Anterior tip of ocellar triangle with a pair of strong, proclinate interfrontal setae. Wing membrane darkened at least around distal part of vein R 2+3 and surrounding crossvein dm-cu. Anepimeron bare. Calypter with margin and fringe pale................. [Cremifania bulgarica Papp]
description: Published as part of Gaimari, Stephen D. & Havill, Nathan P., 2021, A new genus of Chamaemyiidae (Diptera: Lauxanioidea) predaceous on Adelgidae (Hemiptera), with a key to chamaemyiid species associated with Pinaceae-feeding Sternorrhyncha, pp. 1-39 in Zootaxa 5067 (1) on pages 25-29, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5067.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5656435