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

Empis (Enoplempis) scutica sp. nov.

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( Figs 224–226 View FIGURES 221–226 , 233, 234 View FIGURES 233–236 , 237 View FIGURES 237–238 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, labelled: “ WASHINGTON: Asotin Co. / Fields’ Spr SP [46°4′N 117°10′W]/ 4 mi S. Anatone, 3500-/ 4000 ft., VI-(12-23)-74”; “dry ice/ Malaise Trap ”; “ W.J. Turner / Collector”; “ HOLOTYPE / Empis (Enoplempis) / scutica Sinclair ,/ Brooks & Cumming [red label]” ( WSU) GoogleMaps . PARATYPES: USA. Idaho: Latah County: Troy [46°44′N 116°46′W], 31.v (1♂, USNM) GoogleMaps . Nez Perce County: Coyote Grade [46.4477°N 116.8479°W], 18.iv.1979, D.J. Schotzko (2♂, WFBM) GoogleMaps . Oregon: Wallowa County: 7 km E Minam [45°36′N 117°36′W], 9.vi.1971, D.N. Ferro (1♂, WSU) GoogleMaps . Washington: Asotin County: Fields Spring SP [46°4′N 117°10′W], 14.vi.1972, dry ice MT, WJT (1♂, WSU) GoogleMaps ; same data as holotype except, 26.v.1974 (1♂, WSU) GoogleMaps ; same data except, 7.vi.1973 (1♂, WSU) GoogleMaps . Whitman County: Almocli Ck, nr Almota [46°42′N 117°28′W], 15.v.1975, D.M. Jackson (1♂, WSU) GoogleMaps ; 8 mi. SW Pullman [46°43′N 117°11ʹW], Lyle Grove Biol. Area , 2100 ft, 26.v.1979, sweep, WJT (8♂, 3♀, WFBM) ; same data except, MT (1♂, WSU) ; same data except, S. Woods (1♂, WSU) ; same data except, 27.v.1979 (3♂, WSU) ; same data except, 28.v.1979 (4♂, 3♀, CNC) ; same data except, 30.v.1979 (1♂, 1♀, WSU) ; same data except, 1.vi.1979 (3♂, 2♀, WSU) ; same data except, 4.vi.1979 (1♂, 1♀, WSU) ; same data except, 4–6.vi.1979 (2♀, WSU) ; same data except, 6–8.vi.1979 (1♂, 1♀, WSU) ; same data except, 8–13.vi.1979 (1♂, WSU) ; same data except, 25–27.vi.1979 (1♂, WSU) ; same data except, 28.vi.1979 (2♂, WSU) .

Additional material examined. USA. Idaho: Moscow, J.M. Aldrich (1♂, USNM; paralectotype of E. teres ) .

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other species of the E. (En.) teres species group by four brown scutal vittae (outer vittae sometimes faint), male hind femur with ventral process with tuft of whip-like setae and epandrium with short, straight setae.

Description. Wing length 4.8–5.8 mm. Male. Similar to E. (En.) teres , except as follows: head with postpedicel long and tapered, 3× longer than basal width.

Thorax dark brown in ground-colour, densely grey pruinescent. Scutum with median pair of narrow brown vittae between setal rows, with outer, broader pair of brown vittae, sometimes faint; 1–2 posterior npl.

Hind femur with white ventral pile on basal three-quarters; apical fourth straight slightly swollen, ventral process digitiform, projecting posteriorly with apical whip-like tuft of black setae, subequal to length of process and pointed lobe projecting anteriorly near mid-length; preapical ventral swelling with short, clustered setae on either end, with posteroventral cluster of longer, strong setae; apex without preapical row of posterior setae; without strong preapical anterior seta ( Figs 225, 226 View FIGURES 221–226 ). Hind tibia narrowed and slightly twisted at base; anteroventral digitiform process with bifid apex, with appressed setae on distal tip; posteroventral process subequal in length to anteroventral process, bifid with tufts of apical, appressed setae; ventral setae distal to processes dense, erect; long anterodorsal and posterodorsal setae on apical half, nearly twice as long as width of tibia ( Figs 224–226 View FIGURES 221–226 ). Hind tarsus similar to fore tarsus with long dorsal setae and slightly swollen tarsomere 1.

Terminalia ( Figs 233, 234 View FIGURES 233–236 ): brown with phallus paler. Cercus short, triangular, tapered posteriorly; dorsal margin sculptured, uneven; dense setae basally; setae shorter than width of cercus; base weakly fused to epandrial lamella. Subepandrial process extending on either side of phallus, with apex narrowed and outturned. Epandrial lamella narrow, linear, longer than height; posterior margin strongly upturned; bearing long setae ventrally, subequal to width of lamella. Hypandrium very short, truncate, not prolonged laterally; without setae. Phallus ( Fig. 234 View FIGURES 233–236 ) with extreme base expanded, otherwise narrow, gently arched anteriorly; apex emerging beyond cercus; apex slender and downcurved in lateral view; roughened, spiculate on apical fifth, near dorsal margin of epandrium; ejaculatory apodeme oval, half-length of epandrium, Y-shaped, with ventrally positioned lateral apodemes.

Female. Similar to female of E. (En.) teres .

Geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence ( Fig. 237 View FIGURES 237–238 ). Empis (En.) scutica sp. nov. is known from eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and Idaho. Adults have been collected from April to June.

Etymology. The species name is Latin for whip, in reference to the elongate whip-like setal tuft on the preapical ventral lobe of the male hind femur of this species.

Nuptial gift presentation. Form unknown.