Empis (Enoplempis) contrasta, Sinclair & Brooks & Cumming, 2025

Empis (Enoplempis) contrasta sp. nov.

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( Figs 97–99 View FIGURES 94–99 , 102 View FIGURES 102–103 , 129 View FIGURES 129–130 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂ ( Fig. 97 View FIGURES 94–99 ), labelled: “CAL: Tulare Co. / Potwisha [36°31ʹN 118°48ʹW], 3 mi. / NE Ash. Mt. V-4-1979 M. Buegler ”; “ HOLOTYPE / Empis (Enoplempis) / contrasta Sinclair ,/ Brooks & Cumming [red label]”( EMEC) . PARATYPES: USA. California: El Dorado County: Blodgett Forest , 13mi. E Georgetown [38°54′N 120°39′W], 4000–4500 ft, 2.vi.1973, E. Schlinger (1♀, EMEC) GoogleMaps ; Emerald Bay, Eagle Falls [38°57′N 120°06′W], 27.vi.1971, ca 1880 m, PHA & M.M. Arnaud (1♂, USNM) GoogleMaps ; 10 mi. N Ice House Rd [38.875°N 120.373°W], 5500 ft, 31.v.1975, R.M. Brook (1♀, UCDC) GoogleMaps . Marin County: Lily Lk. nr Alpine Lk. [37°57′N 122°38′W], 680–720 ft, 22.iv.1973, S. Swezey (1♀, EMEC) GoogleMaps . Mariposa County : Yosemite Val. [37°43′N 119°38′W], 16.vi.1921, E.C. Van Dyke (4♂, 4♀, CAS) GoogleMaps . Mono County: 4 mi. E Monitor Pass [38°39′N 119°35′W], 24.vi.1962, JAP (1♀, EMEC) GoogleMaps . Nevada County : Sagehen Ck [39°24′N 120°11′W], 22.v.1972, M.L. Kok (1♀, UCDC) GoogleMaps . San Bernardino County: Crestline [34°14′N 117°17′W], 19.vi.1944, ALM (1♂, USNM) GoogleMaps . Sierra County: Yuba Pass [39.617°N 120.490°W] GoogleMaps ,

29.v.1966, C. R. Kovacic (1♀, UCDC). Shasta County: 15 mi. S McCloud, McCloud R Preserve [41.094°N 122.114°W] GoogleMaps , vi.1975, A.E. Hajek (1♀, EMEC). Tehama County: Deer Creek [39°55′N 122°04′W] GoogleMaps , 6.vi.1949, R. M. Bohart (1♂, UCDC); same data except GoogleMaps , 23.v.1955 (2♀, UCDC). Tulare County: same data as holotype (1♀, EMEC); Johnsondale [35°58′29″N 118°32′27″W] GoogleMaps , 10–20.vi.1985, J.F. Macdonald (3♂, CNC) .

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other species of the E. (En.) canaster species group by the distinctly yellow or orange-brown legs and abdomen, contrasting with the grey thorax ( Fig. 97 View FIGURES 94–99 ), and male hind tibia with deeply forked anteroventral lobe ( Figs 98, 99 View FIGURES 94–99 ).

Description. Wing length 7.0– 7.8 mm. Male. Similar to E. (En.) fitzgeraldi sp. nov. except as follows: head with frons slightly wider than anterior ocellus. Ocellar triangle with very short, divergent ocellar setae, as long as ocellar triangle. Postocular setae short, finer than occipital setae.

Thorax with scutum with short, fine biserial acr.

Legs long, slender, with coxae and femora yellow to yellowish brown and apical tarsomeres darker; coxae sometimes with thin greyish pruinescence ( Fig. 97 View FIGURES 94–99 ). Fore tarsomere 1 somewhat inflated, slightly thinner than apical width of tibia. Hind femur with stout anteroventral paint brush-like process, apical setae longer on outer margin; pair of setose posteroventral processes similar to paint brush-like anteroventral process; apex of femur with distally arched posterior lobe, without setae; without preapical row of posterior setae; preapical anterior seta strong, shorter than width of femur ( Figs 98, 99 View FIGURES 94–99 ). Hind tibia with deeply forked anteroventral lobe, bearing crown of short, black apical setae; posteroventral process broad, with shallow inner groove, dividing apex into two setose lobes; anterodorsal and posterodorsal setae long and denser apically, slightly longer than width of tibia ( Figs 98, 99 View FIGURES 94–99 ). Hind tarsomere 1 somewhat inflated, with distinct dorsal setae.

Abdomen orange brown, contrasting with grey thorax. Terminalia ( Fig. 102 View FIGURES 102–103 ): orange, with apical dorsal margin of cercus dark. Cercus short, rectangular; dorsal margin concave near mid-length; apex rounded and somewhat expanded; setae shorter than width of cercus; weakly fused anteriorly to epandrium. Subepandrium without process; with row of medium-length setae. Epandrial lamella subtriangular, higher than long; posterior margin without projection, broadly rounded; posterior margin with short setae. Hypandrium long, apical margin rounded with medial cleft, not projected laterally; base with pair of closely approximated, strong setae nearly as long as hypandrium. Phallus very narrow and tubular basally; strongly expanded on basal half, greatly narrowed, curved apically; apex emerging beyond cercus; apex narrow, tapered; ejaculatory apodeme shorter than length of epandrium, Y-shaped, with ventrally positioned lateral apodemes.

Female. Similar to male, except as follows: frons broader, nearly as wide as ocellar triangle; hindleg without modified setae and processes; abdominal pleural membrane not visible; sternite 4 with long pale setae, as long as length of sclerite; tergites 7 and 8 shiny.

Geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence ( Fig. 129 View FIGURES 129–130 ). Empis (En.) contrasta sp. nov. is known from California. Adults have been collected from April to June.

Etymology. This species is named for the contrasting colouration of the thorax with the legs and abdomen.

Nuptial gift presentation. Form unknown.