Lasiopogon nelsoni Mcknight & Cannings 2020, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Mcknight, Tristan A.
name: Cannings, Robert A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Asilidae
Lasiopogon
Lasiopogon nelsoni

description: Lasiopogon nelsoni McKnight sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: DA2158DF-4B1F-4C87-B50E-4E9347CE4902
Diagnosis. (Fig. 32) A medium to small pale species from southern California; setae of head mostly black, mystax black, usually with a few ventrolateral white setae, scape and frontal setae mostly white; macrosetae and setae of scutum black; scutal tomentum silvery grey or brown, dorsocentral stripes usually brown, acrostichal stripes usually indistinct; tergites with basal brown tomentum in lateral spots; grey tomentum over apical 50–60% of each tergite and extending anteriorly along midline and lateral margins. Epandrial halves tapered, moderately concave medially; phallus dorsal carina flat, broad, and pointed with a wide, deep gap between apex and aedeagal tube. Ovipositor dark brown, acanthophorite spines black.
Description. Body length ♂ 8.4–9.3mm; ♀ 8.7–10.8mm. Head. HW ♂ 1.90–2.15mm; ♀ 1.99–2.52mm. FW ♂ 0.39–0.43mm; ♀ 0.40–0.53mm. VW ♂ 0.76–0.90mm; ♀ 0.75–1.11mm. VW/HW = ♂ 0.39–0.43; ♀ 0.38–0.44. FW/VW = ♂ 0.48–0.51; ♀ 0.46–0.53. VD/VW = ♂ 0.16–0.20; ♀ 0.14–0.24. GH/GL = ♂ 0.35–0.57; ♀ 0.32–0.50. Face and frons silvery-grey. Ventral setae (on beard, labium, palps) white; orbital, ocellar, and occipital setae black; frontal setae usually white, rarely black; mystax usually mostly black with a few ventral white setae, rarely all black. Frontal and orbital setae short, with longest only reaching base of postpedicel, or at most bottom quarter. Occipital setae gradually curved, longest (to 0.6mm) behind frons. Antennae. Dark brown, with thin grey tomentum. Setae on scape white, at most 1 black seta; setae on pedicel mixed white and black; no setae on postpedicel. Postpedicel spindle-shaped, widest just past midpoint; stylus long. WPP/LPP = ♂ 0.28–0.33; ♀ 0.30–0.35. LAS/LPP ♂ 0.55–0.69; ♀ 0.58–0.67. Thorax. Prothorax grey, with white setae; postpronotal lobes grey, the lateral angle chestnut, setae all white or mixed with black. Scutum tomentum grey or brown; dorsocentral stripes faintly brown, sometimes indistinct; acrostichal stripes indistinct. Macrosetae and fine setae of scutum black, a few short setae white along anterior margin. Dorsocentral macrosetae moderately robust, anteriors 3–7 (to 0.8mm); posteriors 4–5; postalars 1–4, with several fine setae; supra-alars 2–3; presuturals 3; posthumerals 1–2. Scutellar tomentum grey; rim inflated, leaving a semi-circular line impressed inside the dorsal edge; apical macrosetae black, 5–8 on each half, mixed with other setae; short vertical setae on uppermost edge of rim white, 60% the length of main macrosetae. Pleural tomentum grey or brownish grey. Katatergite setae black, long, 6–8, with a few fine short white setae; katepisternal setae white, fine; anepisternal setae 5–6, black (0.7mm), a few short white setae along dorsal margin and a few longer white setae in posteroventral corner; anepimeron with 2–5 fine white setae. Legs. Cuticle dark brown/ black, covered in thin yellow/grey tomentum except at femur joints. No coxal peg; coxae with white setae. Fine setae of femur, tibia, and first tarsomere white, on tarsi 2–5 black; macrosetae black except basally on profemur. Ventral setae on femur as long as femur width; dorsolateral macrosetae on profemur 6–8; mesofemur 6–7; metafemur 10–15. Protibia with ventral macrosetae 2 times longer than tibial width; apicomedial dense patch of short setae on protibia yellow, on metatibia dark brown/black. Claws chestnut over basal 60%, black apically. Wings. Veins dark brown; membrane hyaline but pale brown when viewed obliquely. DCI = 0.33–0.49. Halter knob cream, without spot, stem brown.
Abdomen. Cuticle dark brown/black. Thin brown tomentum on tergite bases, greyish brown along midline, dividing the brown tomentum into two lateral spots, pattern sometimes indistinct; grey tomentum covers apical 50–60% of each tergite and lateral margins; tergite 1 covered in grey tomentum except some brown basomedially. Tergite 1 with 3–6 black and 1–2 white lateral macrosetae; lateral setae on tergites white, as long as F1 on tergites 1–3, on male as long as scape + pedicel on tergites 4–7, on female only as long as scape; dorsal setulae short, black or white. Sternite tomentum grey, setae white, black on sternite 7 on female. Male genitalia. Epandrium and hypandrium/gonocoxite complex cuticle dark brown/black; covered in grey tomentum except medially on hypandrium; setae long, erect, black; setal brush dark brown. Epandrium elongate, in lateral view the width about 50% the length, widest in basal third, dorsal margin slightly and ventral margin moderately sinuate, apex rounded with strong ventral tooth. In dorsal view, epandrium appears tapered, wider at base than apex, medial margins of epandrium moderately curved, curvature starts about 42% from base, basal sclerite moderately strong. Phallus paramere sheath dorsally 46% the length of phallus; paramere sheath with very short ventral flange at base; dorsal carina a flat pointed fin, rejoining aedeagal tube well before gonopore, leaving a wide, deep gap between apices. Ejaculatory apodeme in lateral view gently bent dorsally, with broad dorsal carina. Subepandrial sclerite with triangular central unsclerotized area in basal 26% narrowing to a slender gap for another 44%; spines parallel-sided, blunt, moderately and evenly distributed.
Female genitalia. Undissected: Cuticle of tergite 8 polished dark brown/ black; sternite 8 dark brown or reddish brown, reddish near base of hypogynial valves, which are short and wide. Short fine erect setae abundant, white; cerci with white setae, lateral lobes with black macrosetae; acanthophorite spines black.
Type Material. HOLOTYPE ♂ labelled: “[rectangular white label] CALIF: S. Brdo. Co:/ Mojave Riv. Forks/ S. Brdo. Mts 1 mi. S./ 8-V-82 E. Fisher ”; “[rectangular white label] Lasiopogon / drabicola/ Cole/ det. E.M. Fisher ”; “[rectangular white label] FISH ”. Our type label “[red and black bordered label] HOLOTYPE / Lasiopogon nelsoni / des. T.A. McKnight 2017” has been added. Deposited at the USNM.
PARATYPES (192 specimens designated): U.S.A.: CALIFORNIA: Los Angeles Co., Agoura [34.163 - 118.762], 7.iv.1954, W. McDonald (1♂ EMEC); Artesia [33.865 -118.103], 27.iii.1934, M.W. Stone (2♂ CAS, 1♂ 1♀ EMEC, 1♂ FISH); Beverly Glen canyon [34.098 -118.442], 22.iii.1952, B. Tinglof (1♀ EMEC); Big Tujunga River, 4 km NE Sunland, 34.2916 -118.28783, 7.iii.2014, T.A. McKnight (1♀ [1 EtOH] UMMZ); Burbank [34.171 -118.309], 23.iii.1933, C.H. Hicks (1♀ WSUC); Claremont [34.129 -117.693] (1♀ OSUC, OSUC 194424); El Monte [34.066 -118.004], 18.iii.1933, Sloop & M.W. Stone (2♂ CAS), 2.iii.1934, M.W. Stone (1♂ UCRC, UCRC ENT 449927); Elizabeth Lake canyon [34.667 -118.417] (1♂ 1♀ EMEC); Los Angeles river [34.082 -118.228], 5.iii.1931 (1♂ EMEC); Los Angeles, Griffith Park [34.131 -118.275], 26.v.1933, M.W. Stone (4♂ 1♀ CAS); Los Cerritos [33.83 -118.205], 21.iii.1915, (2♂ OSUC, OSUC 194418 – OSUC 194419), M.C. Van Duzee (1? CAS, 2♀ EMEC), 9.iv.1915, M.C. Van Duzee (1♂ EMEC); Malibu Creek [34.098 -118.734], 13.iv.1973 (1♀ LACM, LACM ENT 334089); Pallet Creek [34.454 -117.894], 20.iv.1950, C.D. Mac Neill (1♂ 1? FISH); Pico Rivera, Rio Hondo River [33.995 -118.107], 24.v, C.H. Martin (1♂ FSCA); Rio Hondo [34.031 -118.045], 1.iii, D. Martin (1♂ FSCA), 23.iii.1930, C.H. Martin (2♂ FSCA), 31.iii.1930, C.H. Martin (1♂ 1♀ CAS, 1♀ FSCA); Rock Creek Wash jct Valyermo Rd, 4 mi SE of Pearblossom, 34.46369 -117.86425, 8.iii.2014, T.A. McKnight (1♀ RBCM, 1♂ TAM, 1♂ [1 EtOH] UMMZ); San Gabriel Canyon, 9.v.1965 (1♂ FISH), 26.iii.1980, F.G. Andrews (1♂ FISH); San Gabriel River @ RV park, 3.5 mi E of E Fork bridge, 34.23268 -117.79132, 16.iii.2014, T.A. McKnight (1♂ [1 EtOH] UMMZ); San Gabriel River, E Fork [34.239 -117.822], 21.v.1962, E. Fisher (1♂ FISH), 27.iv.1962, E. Fisher (1♂ 1♀ EMEC, 1♂ 1♀ FISH, 1♀ LACM, LACM ENT 334036, 1♀ RBCM, 1♂ TAM), 18.iv.1963, E. Fisher (1♀ ESUW, 1♂ 3♀ FISH, 2♂ 1♀ LACM, LACM ENT 334033 – LACM ENT 334034, LACM ENT 334038); Santa Monica Mountains, Tapia Park [34.082 -118.706], 20.iv.1968, E. Fisher (1♂ ESUW, 3♂ 1♀ FISH); Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga Canyon [34.0758 -118.5903], 20.iv.1961, E. Fisher (2♀ FISH), 25.iv.1961, E. Fisher (1♂ 1♀ FISH), 3.v.1962, E. Fisher (1♂ EMEC, 1♂ FISH), 21.v.1965, E. Fisher (1♂ FISH), 26.v.1965 (4♂ 1♀ LACM, LACM ENT 334086 – LACM ENT 334087, LACM ENT 334122, LACM ENT 334128 – LACM ENT 334129), 25.iv.1973 (1♂ LACM, LACM ENT 334088); Soledad Canyon [34.439 -118.312], 23.iv.1950, W.A. McDonald (1♀ EMEC); Valyermo [34.454 -117.855], 13.v.1944, A.L. Melander (1♀ USNM, USNMENT1100211); Whittier [34.004 -118.069], 25.iii.1930 (2♂ 1♀ CAS, 2♀ FISH); Monterey Co., Andrew Molera State Park, path to campsites 0.5 mi W parking lot, 36.287412 -121.849069, 10.v.2012, T.A. McKnight (1♀ [1 EtOH] TAM, 1♂ [1 EtOH] UMMZ); Jolon, 14 mi W [35.997 -121.381], 2.iv.1959, C.W. O’Brien (5♂ 2♀ FISH); Paloma Creek, 4 mi NE Arroyo Seco, Guard Station 850’ [36.272 -121.451], 4.v.1975, S. Szerlip (1♀ EMEC); Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park [36.253 -121.789], 16.vi.1949, P.H. Arnaud, Jr. (1♀ CAS), 20.vi.1949, P.H. Arnaud, Jr. (1♀ CAS); Riverside Co., Dripping Springs [33.455 -116.973], 17.iv.1962, J. Wilcox (4♂ 2♀ CAS, 1♂ 1♀ RBCM), 3.v.1962, J. Wilcox (1♂ CAS); Temecula Canyon, 3 mi NW Rainbow [33.454 -117.173], 24.v.1968, M.E. Irwin (1♂ FISH); Temecula Canyon, Santa Margarita River, 800’ [33.454 -117.173], E.I. Schlinger (2♂ 1♀ UCRC, UCRC ENT 449919 – UCRC ENT 449921); San Bernardino Co., Mojave River Forks, 1 mi S [34.341 -117.261], 8.v.1982, E. Fisher (3♂ 1♀ FISH, 1♂ RBCM, 1♂ TAM); Mojave River near Deep Creek [34.346 -117.239], 27.iv.1941, J. Wilcox (1♂ 3♀ CAS); Victorville, 3 mi NW [34.572 -117.319], 12.iv.1964, D.D. Linsdale (1♀ FISH); San Diego Co., Agua Caliente Creek [33.292 -116.648], 23.iv.1954, J. Powell (1♂ 2♀ FISH); Conservation Camp Rd, 19.v.1998 (1♀ UCRC, UCRC ENT 449891); Descanso, Sweetwater River, 32.8350 -116.6233, 31.v–6.vi.2002, M.E. Irwin, F.D. Parker (4♂, 3♀ INHS); Lost Valley Truck Trail, 33.30806 -116.64278, 19.v.1998 (1♀ UCRC, UCRC ENT 449890); Palomar Mtn, 14.vi.1948, A.L. Melander (1♀ FISH); San Luis Obispo Co., San Simeon Creek, rapids above bridge ~ 4 mi E of San Simeon, 35.60795 -121.09053, 10.v.2012, T.A. McKnight (2♂ RBCM, 1♂ 1♀ [1 pr in cop] TAM, 4♂ 1♀ [4 EtOH] UMMZ); Santa Barbara Co., Los Prietos [34.545 -119.805], 23.vi.1965, G.A. Gorelick (1♂ LACM, LACM ENT 334076), J. Powell (1♂ FISH); Ventura Co., Casitas Springs [34.372 -119.309], 20.iv.1979, R.P. Meyer (3♂ BEZA); Foster Park [34.356 -119.311], 17.v.1942, G.F. Toland (1♂ 1♀ CAS), J. Wilcox (1♂ 1♀ CAS), 10.iv.1961, E.M. Fisher (1♀ FISH); Lockwood Creek, 4700’, 34.7201 -119.022, 4.vii.1998, E. Iverson (2♀ LACM, LACM ENT 334081 – LACM ENT 334082); Lockwood Creek, near Stauffer PO [34.736 -119.054], 7.v.1959, J. Powell (1♂ 2♀ FISH), J.R. Powers (1♂ 1♀ FISH); Ojai Valley [34.439 -119.237], 28.iv.1940, J. Wilcox (9♂ CAS, 1♂ RBCM); Piru Creek, Blue Point campground [34.530 -118.757], 7.v.1966, S. & S. Frommer (1♂ UCRC, UCRC ENT 449945); Piru Creek, NE base Alamo Mtn [34.703 -118.937], 3.v.1959, C.W. O’Brien (1♂ FISH), J. Powell (1♂ 1♀ FISH, 1♂ RBCM), J.R. Powers (1♂ 3♀ [1 pr in cop] FISH); Santa Ana Valley, 6.iv.1941, J. Wilcox (2♂ 1♀ CAS, 1♀ FISH, 1♀ RBCM); Santa Paula [34.348 -119.053], 15.vi.1957, W.E. Simonds (2♂ 1♀ FISH); Sespe River [34.492 -118.945], 23.iv.1950 (1♀ EMEC), 6.v.1942, M.W. Stone (3♂ 1♀ CAS, 1♂ FISH).
Taxonomic Notes. Specimens from this new species have usually been identified as L. drabicolum.
Etymology. Named in honor of our colleague Dr. C. Riley Nelson of Brigham Young University, who like this species also loves desert rivers and sports salt and pepper-colored facial hair. The heart-shaped epandrium brings to mind our gratitude and friendship for him.
Distribution (Fig. 38) Nearctic; USA, California. Type locality: U.S.A., California, San Bernardino Co., San Bernardino Mountains, 1 mi S of Mojave River Forks.
Phylogenetic Relationships. Member of the bivittatus section, drabicolum group.
Natural History. Habitat: mountain stream banks. Perches on boulders, stones, and sandy patches near running water (Figs. 26–27). Dates collected: 1 March to 4 July, most in April and May. Occasionally found at sites simultaneously with L. drabicolum, but perching microhabitat may help distinguish these taxa, as we have observed that L. drabicolum tends to perch on sand and L. nelsoni on rocks.
description: Published as part of Mcknight, Tristan A. & Cannings, Robert A., 2020, Molecular phylogeny of the genus Lasiopogon (Diptera: Asilidae) and a taxonomic revision of the bivittatus section, pp. 1-115 in Zootaxa 4835 (1) on pages 66-69, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4835.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4403133