Scipopus Enderlein 1922
Creators: name: Lindsay, Kate
name: Marshall, Stephen A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Micropezidae
Scipopus

description: Diagnosing the Scipopus group
Scipopus s. lat. is distinguished from other New World Taeniapterinae with a short anal cell by the full combination of the following characters: all setae on the scape and costagium short, arista bare, third costal sector ≤ ½ length of M (Fig. 14A), hind tibia with a well-defined sulcus on at least the basal ⅓ to ½, and ocellar triangle widely separated from posterior margin of frontal vitta (distance ≥ 2.5× ocellar triangle length) (Fig. 66A). Scipopus s. lat. comes out at couplet 20 in the Manual of Central American Diptera key to genera of neotropical Micropezidae Loew, 1861 (Marshall 2010).
Scipopus s. str., the most recognizable subgenus, is further diagnosed by the combination of a mostly orange head, an entirely or partially dull orbital plate, a dark brown or black body, uniformly dark brown or black legs and wings, and an anteriorly white microtrichose anepisternum. The remaining subgenera of the Scipopus group have an entirely white microtrichose anepisternum, with at most a small bare patch anteriorly (Fig. 47A); sometimes this microtrichosity is only visible at certain angles and may give the impression of a bare or only partially microtrichose anepisternum; therefore, careful examination is required. Many species of S. (Phaeopterina) (including Pseudeurybata) are similar in coloration to Scipopus s. str., with a mostly orange head and a dark brown or black body. Most S. (Phaeopterina) also have entirely or mostly dull orbital plates (shiny in S. (Ph.) fraudator sp. nov.), an elongate thorax and postpronotal lobe, and most species have a wide, median silvery or blue vitta on the scutum (Fig. 61B). A quarter of the species in S. (Phaeopterina) lack a postocellar seta and most species previously treated as Pseudeurybata have a tall and deflexed clypeus (as in Fig. 15A) (width ≤ 1.6× height). Scipopus (Parascipopus) differs from the remainder of Scipopus s. lat. in having entirely shiny orbital plates (Fig. 43A), a strongly tapered, pointed posterior frontal vitta (Fig. 43D) (except in S. (Pa.) fenestratus subgen. et sp. nov.) and a single spermathecal duct arising from the common or paired spermathecal duct (Fig. 39E).
Members of Scipopus s. lat. are superficially similar to several closely related genera of Rainieiriini (Grallipezini) that, like Scipopus, have a bare arista and short setae on the scape and costagium. Species of Mesoconius are similar to Scipopus s. lat. in having a very short third costal sector, and females of several species have both spermathecal ducts arising from a common duct (as in Fig. 61C). Mesoconius differs in that the male genital fork is absent, the tibial sulcus is weak and the ocellar triangle is closer to the vertex than in Scipopus s. lat.; furthermore, a major subgroup of Mesoconius is easily recognized by a protuberant katatergite. Some species of Cliobata Enderlein, 1923 and some species in the Rainieriella clade resemble Scipopus s. lat. in the generally dark brown or black body colour, the short third costal sector and the hind tibial sulcus, but differ from Scipopus in having a short distance between the ocellar triangle and the posterior apex of the frontal vitta. Most Cliobata also have a distinctive pattern of microtrichia on the scutum. Cliobata is restricted to the Andean countries, and all species are mostly or entirely black with red eyes. Species of Raineiriella also have a distinctive pattern of microtrichia on the thorax where the anterior half is entirely white microtrichose.
Description of Scipopus s. lat.
HEAD. Colour varying from mostly orange to brown or black. Arista bare, microtrichose near base. Pedicel only with short seta. Gena silvery microtrichose, with 2–5 ventral setae. Palpus approximately parallel-sided, rounded or pointed apically, 3.3–6.0× as long as wide, setulose.
THORAX. Variable in colour, orange or brown to black, often with blue sheen. Proepisternum setulose on ventral margin, with 1–5 rows of ventral setae. Two notopleural setae, one dorsocentral seta, one prealar seta, one postalar seta. Acrostichal setulae forming several scattered rows. Katepisternum with two posterior vertical rows of orange, brown or black setae. Tibiae with sulcus on at least basal ⅓ of posterodorsal surface. Tarsomere 1 on all legs longer than tarsomeres 2–5 combined. Fore and mid coxae with an anteroventral tuft of black setae, hind coxae with scattered black anteroventral setae.
WING. Variable in colour. Anal cell (cua) short (length of A 1 ~half the length of A 1 + CuA 2), triangular, bare, A 1 with basal half with a slight darkened longitudinal fold or false vein (CuP) (Fig. 26D). Third costal sector very short, at most ½ the length of M. Costagium with several short setae.
ABDOMEN. Variable in colour. Male pleural sac large, occupying most or all of P2. T1 with fine, long setae. T2–6 with medium length or short setulae. T1–6 dark brown or black with white microtrichosity: connection between T1–2, posterior corners of T2 and anterior margin of T3 usually densely microtrichose, T4–6 usually with indistinct, sparse microtrichosity. Male genital fork and epandrium dark brown or black with white or pale microtrichosity. Basiphallus usually small, crescent-shaped (wider posterodorsally, narrower anteroventrally) or frame-like (Fig. 71B). Basal distiphallus variable; usually very short (1–2× length of phallic bulb) or short (> half epandrial length) in Scipopus s. str., short or long (= epandrial length) in S. (Parascipopus) and long in S. (Phaeopterina). Distal distiphallus variable; often long and whip-like in Scipopus s. str., and long, short or absent in S. (Parascipopus) and S. (Phaeopterina). Phallic bulb ranging from very short and approximately spherical (as in many species of Scipopus s. str.) (Fig. 20D), to enlarged, irregular and elongate (as in many species of S. (Phaeopterina )) (Fig. 47D). Epandrium usually elongate (length 2.0 × height) in Scipopus s. str. (Fig. 20D), elongate or stout in S. (Parascipopus) and usually stout (length ≈ height) in S. (Phaeopterina) (Fig. 62E). Ejaculatory apodeme highly variable (small or large) within each genus. Bursa copulatrix broad and rugose with a small, claw-like ventral receptacle (Fig. 24E). Spermathecal duct arrangement variable; single duct arises from paired duct in Scipopus s. str. (Fig. 7B), from common or paired duct in S. (Parascipopus) (Fig. 45C), and independently from bursa (Fig. 47E) or from paired or smooth common duct in S. (Phaeopterina) (Fig. 61C). Duct width and length highly variable. Spermathecae (usually 2 +1, occasionally 2+ 2) with shape and size highly variable; spherical, ovoid, elongate, cup-like or sinuate, with or without tubercles.
Key to species of Scipopus Enderlein, 1922
1. Anepisternum mostly white microtrichose on anterior ¼ to ¾, ventral corner sometimes brown microtrichose; at minimum, posterior ¼ mostly brown microtrichose (Figs 7E, 16) ........................ ............................................................................................2 (Scipopus (Scipopus) Enderlein, 1922)
– Anepisternum entirely white microtrichose (at most with small bare spot on anterior margin) (Fig. 47A) ....................................................................................................................................... 17
2. Clypeus entirely white microtrichose (Fig. 13A). Female cervical sclerite strongly convex on anterior half (Fig. 13C). Fore tarsomere 1 white. Epicephalon shiny, clearly delineated (Fig. 13C) .............. .......................... Scipopus (Scipopus) chalybeus Hennig, 1934 (Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador)
– Clypeus bare medially, white microtrichose posterolaterally (Fig. 15A). Female cervical sclerite flat or weakly convex. Fore tarsomere 1 white or dark brown or black. Epicephalon dull or shiny, clearly or poorly delineated .......................................................................................................................... 3
3. Posterolateral portions of paracephalon with strongly convex projections (Fig. 29C) .................... 4
– Posterolateral portions of paracephalon with at most indistinct bumps (Fig. 22H) ......................... 5
4. Fore and hind tarsomere 1 at least partially white. Epicephalon dull, orange, microtrichose (Fig. 29C). Fine setae on T1 entirely white ............ Scipopus (Scipopus) planus sp. nov. (Bolivia, Brazil, Peru)
– Fore and hind tarsomere 1 dark brown or black. Epicephalon dull, microtrichose, brown and/or orange (Fig. 15C). Fine setae on T1 mostly dark brown or black ...................................................... ................................................. Scipopus (Scipopus) convexus sp. nov. (Northwest South America)
5. Fore and hind tarsomere 1 dark brown or black dorsally; ventrally dark brown or with whitish or golden fringe (Fig. 32) ...................................................................................................................... 6
– Fore and hind tarsomere 1 at least partially white or pale yellow dorsally; ventrally white, dark brown or black (Fig. 9A) ................................................................................................................ 10
6. Orbital plate entirely dull, microtrichose, without anterior shiny patch (Fig. 8A). Scutum with anteromedian pale brown vitta flanked by blue sheen (Fig. 10E) ...................................................... ..................................... Scipopus (Scipopus) calocephalus (Bigot, 1886) (Costa Rica to Colombia)
– Orbital plate dull, microtrichose posteriorly, with anterior shiny patch (Fig. 11C). Scutum with indistinct silvery or pale brown, or blue median vittae or entirety of scutum with blue sheen (Figs 11C, 20C, 28B) .......................................................................................................................................... 7
7. Epicephalon dull, orange, microtrichose (Fig. 20C) ......................................................................... 8
– Epicephalon shiny, orange or brown, bare or white microtrichose (Fig. 26F) ................................. 9
8. Scutum black-brown with an indistinct pale brown anteromedian vitta flanked by median blue sheen (Fig. 31C), with pale brown microtrichose anterolateral patches (Fig. 31C) and pale brown spots anterior to and on transverse suture (Fig. 31C). Oviscape 3.0–4.0× length of T6 (Fig. 31 E). Genital fork small (2.3 × length of T6) ............................................................................................................ ......................................... Scipopus (Scipopus) souzalopesi Albuquerque, 1972 (Ecuador to Brazil)
– Scutum black, at most with indistinct silvery anteromedian vittae (Fig. 20C). Oviscape 1.5–3.0 × length of T6. Genital fork large (3.0 × length of T6) (Fig. 20E) ........................................................ ...................... Scipopus (Scipopus) erythrocephalus (Fabricius, 1805) (Ecuador to French Guiana)
9. Scutum uniformly blue-black (Fig. 28B). Postpronotal lobe pale brown anteriorly (Fig. 28C). Notopleuron uniformly dark brown or black or with small pale spot (Fig. 28D). Clypeus dark brown (Fig. 28A) ............................................................. Scipopus (Scipopus) nitidus sp. nov. (Colombia)
– Scutum black with median blue sheen (Fig. 11C). Postpronotal lobe uniformly dark brown or black (Fig. 11F). Notopleuron with pale microtrichia outlining notopleural seta and lining ventral margin (Fig. 11F). Clypeus light brown or orange (Fig. 11A) ........................................................................ ......................... Scipopus (Scipopus) cartaboensis Cresson, 1926 (Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana)
10. Epicephalon dull, orange, microtrichose, not clearly delineated from upper frontal vitta (Fig. 17B) .........................................................................................................................................11
– Epicephalon shiny, bare, orange, brown or black, clearly delineated from upper frontal vitta (Fig. 7C) .......................................................................................................................................... 12
11. Scutum uniformly black (Fig. 17B) .................................................................................................... Scipopus (Scipopus) diversus (Schiner, 1868) (Brazil, Bolivia, French Guiana, Colombia, Argentina)
– Scutum dark brown or black with wide, median, well-defined pale silvery-brown vitta (Fig. 33A) and pale brown anterolateral microtrichose area (Fig. 33A) .............................................................. .................................................................. Scipopus (Scipopus) striatithorax Hennig, 1934 (Brazil)
12. Clypeus orange or light brown, with median dark brown patch (Fig. 8A). Fine, long setae on T1 at least partially black.Anepisternum white microtrichose on anterior ¹/5 or less (Fig. 8F). Katepisternum mostly brown microtrichose, white microtrichose anteriorly (Fig. 9B) ............................................. ........................................................................... Scipopus (Scipopus) brikelos sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Clypeus orange, light brown or dark brown, uniform in colour (Fig. 24A). Fine long setae on T1 entirely white. Anepisternum white microtrichose on anterior ¼ or more (Fig. 14D). Katepisternum variable, entirely white microtrichose (Fig. 14D) to almost entirely brown microtrichose with white patches or spots (Fig. 16A) ............................................................................................................. 13
13. Anepisternum with anterior white microtrichosity forming straight line, ventral corner white microtrichose (Fig. 24H). Ventral part of notopleuron and dorsal part of postpronotal lobe with dense, wide lines of pale microtrichia (Fig. 24H) ... Scipopus (Scipopus) lateralis Hennig, 1934 (Ecuador)
– Anepisternum with anterior white microtrichosity forming a jagged or irregular line, ventral corner dark brown microtrichose (Fig. 27). Ventral part of notopleuron and dorsal part of postpronotal lobe either dark brown or black, or with narrow lines or spots of pale microtrichia. (Fig. 27) .............. 14
14. Outer vertical seta absent. Scutum with wide blue median sheen (Fig. 34E). Notopleuron with pale brown microtrichia forming depressed Z shape (Fig. 34G) ............................................................... ................................................................ Scipopus (Scipopus) wokomung sp. nov. (Brazil, Guyana)
– Outer vertical seta present. Scutum with narrow median pale brown vitta(e), sometimes flanked by blue vittae (Fig. 26F). Notopleuron with narrow sweeping line or spot of pale microtrichia (Fig. 27B) ........................................................................................................................................ 15
15. Scutum with three pale anteromedian vittae sometimes overlayed by blue sheen (Fig. 22D). Ventral corner of katepisternum brown microtrichose (Fig. 22G) .................................................................. .................................................... Scipopus (Scipopus) furcifer Hennig, 1934 (Mexico, Guatemala)
– Scutum with single median pale brown vitta flanked by blue sheen (Fig. 26F) or with uniform blue sheen (Fig. 7C). Ventral corner of katepisternum white microtrichose (Fig. 27) ........................... 16
16. Epicephalon narrow (width less than ⅔ of upper frontal vitta width at inner verticals) (Fig. 26F). Scutum with pale anteromedian brown vitta flanked by blue sheen (Fig. 26F) ................................. ............................. Scipopus (Scipopus) nigripennis (Hendel, 1922) (Honduras, Ecuador to Brazil)
– Epicephalon wide (width ⅔ or more of frontal vitta width at inner vertical seta) (Fig. 7C). Scutum black with blue sheen (Fig. 7C) .......................................................................................................... ....................... Scipopus (Scipopus) belzebul (Schiner, 1868) (Panama south to Bolivia and Brazil)
17. Epicephalon shiny, wide (width ⅔ or more of frontal vitta width at inner vertical seta). Frontal vitta strongly tapered posteriorly, posterior apex forming a sharp or narrowly rounded point (Fig. 39C). Orbital plate shiny, bare, clearly delineated from frontal vitta (Fig. 43A) ..................................... 18
– Epicephalon dull or shiny, wide or narrow. Posterior frontal vitta tapered or subequal in width to anterior frontal vitta, apex U-shaped (Fig. 47B). Orbital plate entirely dull or with slight lateral shine (Fig. 50B) ........................................................................................................................................ 26
18. Scutum dark brown or black with well-defined median silvery-blue vitta (Fig. 53C). Wing dark brown infuscate with distomedian hyaline spot (Fig. 53F). Female single spermathecal duct arising from bursa copulatrix (Fig. 53E) .................. Scipopus (Phaeopterina) fraudator sp. nov. (Mexico)
– Scutum brown, black or orange, may have a blue uniform blue sheen (Fig. 38) but never forming a well-defined median vitta. Wing either uniformly infuscate (Fig. 38D), dark with 3 subapical hyaline spots (Fig. 37A) or mostly clear with distal (Fig. 45D) and/or discal infuscation (Fig. 35E). Female single spermathecal duct arising from paired or common duct (Fig. 36A) ........................................ .............................................................................19 (Scipopus (Parascipopus) subgen. nov. in part)
19. Thorax orange or pale reddish brown in colour, with indistinct pale microtrichosity (Fig. 37B) ...... ............................................. Scipopus (Parascipopus) nigriscapus subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Thorax dark brown or black in ground colour, with conspicuous pale microtrichosity (Fig. 39F) 20
20. Wing predominantly clear, with distal and/or discal infuscation (Fig. 35E). Legs dark brown, gradually fading to pale brown basally (Fig. 35E) ......................................................................... 21
– Wing either entirely light to dark infuscate (Fig. 38D), or predominantly infuscate with subapical hyaline spots (Fig. 37A). Legs uniformly dark brown or black (Fig. 40), or dark brown or black with highly-contrasting yellow basal portion (Fig. 43F) ........................................................................ 22
21. Wing apex dark infuscate anterior to M, relatively small dark infuscate discal patch divided into anterior and posterior parts by a clear band (Fig. 35E). Outer vertical seta and apical scutellar seta (Fig. 35E) ................................... Scipopus (Parascipopus) alturas subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Wing slightly darker at apex, clear discally (Fig. 45D). Outer vertical seta and apical scutellar seta absent ............................................... Scipopus (Parascipopus) tico subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
22. Mid and hind femur black distally, bright yellow on basal ½–¾, highly contrasting (Fig. 43F) ....... ......................................................... Scipopus (Parascipopus) otisi subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Mid and hind femur uniformly black or dark brown (Fig. 44F) ..................................................... 23
23. Wing brown infuscate with three well-defined subapical hyaline spots (Fig. 39F). Hind tarsomere 1 white or yellow on inner basolateral ½................................................................................................ .................. Scipopus (Parascipopus) manifestus (Wulp, 1897) subgen. et comb. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Wing uniformly brown infuscate or with three poorly defined, subapical hyaline spots (Fig. 44F). Hind tarsomere dark brown or black, sometimes with conspicuous ventral golden fringe (Fig. 41F) ... 24
24. Epicephalon and clypeus light brown or orange (Fig. 38A–B) .......................................................... ...................................................... Scipopus (Parascipopus) kubus subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Epicephalon and clypeus dark brown or black (Fig. 44A) ............................................................. 25
25. Anterior frontal vitta orange (Fig. 41A). Long, fine setae on T1 white .............................................. ............................................. Scipopus (Parascipopus) monteverde subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Anterior frontal vitta black (Fig. 44A). Long, fine setae on T1 black ................................................ .................................................... Scipopus (Parascipopus) savegre subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
26. Thorax orange and wing with three subapical hyaline spots (Fig. 37A). Apical scutellar seta absent .............................................. Scipopus (Parascipopus) fenestratus subgen. et sp. nov. (Costa Rica)
– Thorax orange and wing evenly infuscate or clear with discal infuscation (Fig. 46), or thorax dark brown or black and wing either evenly infuscate (Fig. 47F), infuscate with discal hyaline band (Fig. 58F), or infuscate with three subapical hyaline spots (Fig. 61D). Apical scutellar seta present ..................................................................................................27 (Scipopus (Phaeopterina) in part)
27. Epicephalon dull, orange, microtrichose, not clearly delineated from frontal vitta (Fig. 59C) ......... ............................................................................................28 (Caribbean Scipopus (Phaeopterina))
– Epicephalon shiny, orange, brown or black, bare or microtrichose, clearly delineated from frontal vitta (Fig. 50A) ......................... 29 (Central and South American Scipopus (Phaeopterina) in part)
28. Mid and hind femora almost entirely yellow (Fig. 58F). Wing mostly hyaline, infuscate apically and discally, forming subapical hyaline stripe (Fig. 58F) ......................................................................... ................................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) lineatus sp. nov. (Saint Lucia)
– Mid and hind femora entirely dark brown or black (Fig. 59G). Wing brown infuscate (Fig. 59G) ... .................................. Scipopus (Phaeopterina) melaneuris Cresson, 1926 (Dominica, Martinique)
29. Thorax orange, with indistinct or conspicuous pale microtrichia (Fig. 68) .................................... 30
– Thorax dark brown (Fig. 48C), black (Fig. 57C) or dark reddish-brown (Fig. 50D), with conspicuous pale microtrichia ............................................................................................................................. 32
30. Wing clear except for dark apex (Fig. 68). Dorsal surface of scutum with a prominent dip (Fig. 68) .................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) stigmatica (Hennig, 1935) (Costa Rica)
– Wing uniformly infuscate (Fig. 46). Dorsal surface of scutum relatively flat (Fig. 46) ................. 31
31. Hind femur mostly black with basal and preapical orange bands (Fig. 46). Male genital fork large, with very long inner basal processes and arms (Fig. 46) .................................................................... .......................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) alces (Marshall, 2016) (Costa Rica)
– Hind femur uniformly dark brown or black on distal ⅔, yellow on basal ⅓ (Fig. 49). Male genital fork small, inner basal processes small and indistinct ........................................................................ ....................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) browni (Marshall, 2016) (Costa Rica)
32. First fore tarsomere at least partially white dorsally (Fig. 50B) ..................................................... 33
– First fore tarsomere dark brown or black dorsally (Fig. 63A) ........................................................ 40
33. Wing brown infuscate with three subapical hyaline spots (Figs 61D, 67D) .................................. 34
– Wing uniformly brown infuscate (Fig. 55) ..................................................................................... 36
34. Clypeus and antenna dark brown (Fig. 50B). Facial groove dark brown with white microtrichosity, only appearing brown at some angles, otherwise appearing silvery-white (Fig. 50B) ....................... ................................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) brunneus sp. nov. (Colombia)
– Clypeus and antenna light brown or orange (67A). Facial groove orange with white microtrichosity, only appearing orange at some angles, otherwise appearing silvery-white (Fig. 67A) .................. 35
35. Fine, long, setae on T1 white. First fore and hind tarsomere at least partially white ......................... .................................................. Scipopus (Phaeopterina) sexguttatus Enderlein, 1922 (Venezuela)
– Fine, long, setae on T1 black. First fore tarsomere white, first hind tarsomere dark brown or black ............................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) musculosus sp. nov. (Venezuela)
36. Mid and hind femora brown or black and basally yellow or with preapical orange band (Figs 65D, 71F) ................................................................................................................................................. 37
– Mid and hind femora uniformly brown or black (Fig. 60E) ........................................................... 39
37. Mid and hind femora yellow on at least basal ½ (Fig. 71F) ............................................................... ...................................................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) vee sp. nov. (Peru)
– Mid and hind femora with preapical orange band (Fig. 65D) ........................................................ 38
38. Clypeus entirely white microtrichose. Female cervical sclerite strongly convex (Fig. 13C). Paired spermathecal stems very short; paired spermathecae teardrop-shaped with bumps and striae (Fig. 65C) ....................................................................... Phaeopterina quetzal sp. nov. (Guatemala)
– Clypeus bare. Female cervical sclerite relatively flat. Paired spermathecal stems long, with spikelike projections; paired spermathecae ovoid ....................................................................................... .............................................. Phaeopterina guatemalensis (Marshall, 2016) (Mexico to Honduras)
39. Clypeus entirely white microtrichose. Genital fork with inner basal process (Fig. 60B). Anterior part of hypandrium with very broad fan-like extensions (length 1.5 × height) (Fig. 60D) ........................ ...................................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) metallicus sp. nov. (Mexico)
– Clypeus bare. Genital fork without inner basal process (Marshall 2016: fig. 31). Anterior part of hypandrium with narrow extensions (length 5.0× height) (Marshall 2016: fig. 28) .......................... ...................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) dasypogon (Marshall, 2016) (Mexico)
40. Epicephalon wide (width ⅔ or more of frontal vitta width at inner vertical seta) and black (Fig. 57E) ........................................................................................................................................ 41
– Epicephalon wide or narrow, brown or orange (Fig. 47B) ............................................................. 42
41. Hind femur black, yellow on basal ½ (Fig. 57C) ............................................................................... ............................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) heteropus (Frey, 1927) (Bolivia)
– Hind femur entirely dark brown or black (Fig. 62G) ......................................................................... ......................................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) narupa sp. nov. (Ecuador)
42. Mid and hind femur with preapical orange band (Fig. 51). Thoracic pleuron dark reddish-brown (Fig. 50) ........................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) compeditu s Hennig, 1934 (Mexico)
– Mid and hind femur uniformly black or brown on apical third (Fig. 72). Thoracic pleuron blackishbrown, often with median blue sheen (Fig. 69D) ........................................................................... 43
43. Postocellar seta absent .................................................................................................................... 44
– Postocellar seta present (Fig. 66A) ................................................................................................. 46
44. Clypeus tall (width ≤1.4 × height) (Fig.15A). Hind tarsomere 1 at least partially white dorsally ..... ................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) zeta (Marshall, 2016) (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador)
– Clypeus short (width>1.9× height) (Fig. 64A). Hind tarsomere 1 entirely dark brown or black, with or without ventral golden fringe (70C) ........................................................................................... 45
45. Scutum dark brown or black with median blue sheen and pale silvery-blue microtrichose spot anterior to transverse suture (Fig. 47B). Hind femur dark brown, pale brown or yellow on basal ¼, gradually fading into brown distally (Fig. 47F) ...... Phaeopterina argentum sp. nov. (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador)
– Scutum dark brown or black with, at most, median blue sheen (Fig. 64A). Hind femur dark brown, at most slightly pale brown basally (Fig. 64D) ...................................................................................... ................................................................. Scipopus (Phaeopterina) noturgidus sp. nov. (Colombia)
46. Postpronotal lobe bare or with sparse setulae on outer margin. T2 flat (Fig. 70D) ........................ 47
– Postpronotal lobe densely setulose anteriorly. T2 swollen (Fig. 69D) ............................................... ..................................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) turgidus sp. nov. (Colombia)
47. Epicephalon dark brown (Fig. 48B) ................................................................................................... ....................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) brevifurca Enderlein, 1922 (Ecuador)
– Epicephalon light brown or orange (Fig. 70B) ............................................................................... 48
48. Clypeus orange with median brown stripe (Fig. 70A). Epicephalon wide (width ⅔ or more of frontal vitta width at inner vertical seta) (Fig. 70B) ....................................................................................... ..................................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) uniformis sp. nov. (Mexico, Honduras)
– Clypeus uniformly brown or orange (Fig. 66B). Epicephalon narrow (width less than ⅔ of frontal vitta width at inner vertical seta (Fig. 66A) .................................................................................... 49
49. Upper fronto-orbital seta absent. Notopleuron black-brown, with pale brown microtrichia lining ventral margin (Fig. 54B). Female cervical sclerite strongly convex on anterior half (Fig. 13C) ...... ...................................... Scipopus (Phaeopterina) gorgonae Hennig, 1935 (Costa Rica, Colombia)
– Upper fronto-orbital seta present. Notopleuron evenly black-brown (Fig. 66F). Female cervical sclerite relatively flat ........................ Scipopus (Phaeopterina) rufilabris Enderlein, 1922 (Mexico)
description: Published as part of Lindsay, Kate & Marshall, Stephen A., 2023, A revision of Scipopus Enderlein including the subgenera Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina Frey and Parascipopus subgen. nov. (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae), pp. 1-189 in European Journal of Taxonomy 904 on pages 16-23, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.904.2323, http://zenodo.org/record/10123238