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

Empis (Enoplempis) oharai sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:76C02F4A-B6CD-4ABC-9B26-A8C5988A4538

( Figs 179, 180 View FIGURES 176–180 , 186 View FIGURES 186–187 , 192 View FIGURES 192–193 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, labelled: “ USA:OR: Benton Co. / Alsea Falls Rec./ Area [44°19′N 123°29′W] 16km. SW/ Alpine 29.IV 1981 / J.E. O’Hara ”; “Collected with/ balloon that/ dissolved in Etoh”; “ CNC/ 1078369 View Materials ”; “ HOLOTYPE / Empis (Enoplempis) / oharai Sinclair ,/ Brooks & Cumming [red label]” ( CNC) GoogleMaps . PARATYPES:

USA. California: Mendocino County: Coastal Range , 5 mi. N Branscomb [39°42′N 123°39′W], 26.v.1976, JAP (1♂, EMEC) GoogleMaps ; same data except, 24–25.v.1976, R. Wharton (1♂, EMEC) GoogleMaps . Oregon: Benton County: Same data as holotype (2♂, CNC) GoogleMaps ; Alsea Falls Cpgd [44.3205611°N 123.4878222°W], 21.vi.1977, DDW (4♂ with collapsed balloons, 4♂, 2♀, CAS) GoogleMaps ; Corvallis , 25.vi.1925, ALM (1♀, USNM) ; Corvallis, Lewisburg Saddle, below Old Growth Tr. , 44°38′32.28″N 123°17′20.76″W, MT over ck, 23.iv–6.v.2013, SJF (2♂, 2♀, CNC) GoogleMaps ; same data except, 6–31.v.2013 (1♀, CNC) GoogleMaps ; MacDonald Forest [44.638°N 123.338°W], Oak Ck, 30.vi.1971, G. Steyskal (1♀, USNM) GoogleMaps ; Marys Peak, rest area at Marys Peak Rd jct. Hwy 34, 13.v.2014, 44.467699°N 123.505158°W, SJF (2♂, CNC) GoogleMaps ; along Hwy 34, 4 mi. W Philomath [44°32′N 123°21′W], 21.vi.1977, DDW (3♀, CAS) GoogleMaps . Chelan County: Scotty Ck , 2520 ft, 47°24′5″N 120°39′20″W, 13.vi.2018, S.H. Cumming (2♀, CNC) GoogleMaps . Coos County: ca 3 mi. SE Remote, Rock Ck , 42°59′27″N 123°57′27″W, 28.v.2009, SEB (1♂, CNC) GoogleMaps . Lewis County: trib Catt Ck , 2847 ft, 46°41′53″N 121°57′46″W, 16.vi.2018, SEB (1♂, 1♀, CNC) GoogleMaps . Linn County: N Santiam R at Hwy 22 & Parrish Lk. Rd , 44°31′26.7″N 121°59′49.3″W, 948 m, 10.vii.2014, SEB (1♂, 1♀, CNC) GoogleMaps ; Hackleman Ck , 0.6 mi. E Tombstone Pass, 44°23′51″N 122°7′53″W, 29.vi–1.viii.2016, SJF (1♂, CNC) GoogleMaps . Marion County: Detroit, French Ck , 805 m, 44°46′25.7″N 122°12′41.8″W, 11.vii.2014, J.M. Cumming (1♂, CNC) GoogleMaps ; same data except, SEB (1♂, CNC) GoogleMaps . Tillamook County: Boyer [45°04′N 123°43′W], 23.vii.1937 (1♂, AMNH) GoogleMaps . Washington: Clallam County: Forks [47°57′N 124°23′W], 1.vii.1920, E.P. Van Duzee (1♂, CAS) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from other species of the E. (En.) geneatis species group by the short, dark facial setae, in addition to similar black setae on the palpus and scape ( Fig. 179 View FIGURES 176–180 ), and the male cercus is narrower than the epandrium, projecting horizontally.

Description. Wing length 4.3–5 mm. Male. Similar to E. (En.) geneatis , except as follows: head with face with black setae, about as long as scape and pedicel combined ( Fig. 179 View FIGURES 176–180 ). Occiput bearing long, black setae on lateral and ventral surfaces, ventral setae wavy; occipital setae less dense, with postocular setae differentiated, in distinct row. Scape short, slightly more than 2× longer than pedicel, long setae not wavy, subequal to length of segment; pedicel with short, straight setae. Palpus black, with elongate, slightly curved black setae, basal setae similar in length to palpus; apical setae shorter.

Scutum less densely clothed in long silky setulae; 2–3 npl.

Legs similar to E. geneatis , but setae somewhat less dense and slightly shorter overall ( Figs 179, 180 View FIGURES 176–180 ).

Halter with base of stalk brown; knob yellowish brown to white.

Abdomen dark brown, similar to scutum, subshiny. Terminalia ( Fig. 186 View FIGURES 186–187 ): cercus narrower than epandrium, projecting horizontally, not fused anterolaterally with epandrium; margin invaginated dorsally and posteriorly, inner face clothed in dense, short setae; outer distal half with setae, shorter than epandrial setae. Subepandrial process extended to phallus. Epandrial lamella subquadrate, posterior margin projecting beyond cercus, bearing apical setae, longer than cercal setae. Hypandrium slender, prolonged posteriorly with rounded margin, less than half as long as epandrium; without setae. Phallus with base not expanded, with deep invagination subapically; apex bent anteriorly, just emerging beyond cercus when contracted; ejaculatory apodeme half-length of epandrium, comprising flat median keel, with short horizontal wings.

Female. Similar to male, except as follows: palpus pale; scutum with 3 brown vittae; halter pale; abdomen shiny; legs with posterior face of coxae and base of femora yellowish brown; scutum with broad brown vittae along acr and dc rows.

Geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence ( Fig. 192 View FIGURES 192–193 ). Empis (En.) oharai sp. nov. is known from April to August in northern California, Oregon and Washington.

Etymology. This species is named in honour of the collector of the holotype, James (Jim) O’Hara, our CNC colleague and dedicated Tachinidae specialist.

Nuptial gift presentation. The holotype and several paratype specimens were collected with balloons (see “Type material” above). These males were collected by J.E. O’Hara directly into ethanol and the balloons dissolved ( Cumming 1994). In addition, four males collected by D.D. Wilder ( DDW) were each pinned with a tiny collapsed prey-less balloon glued to a point. No further details of the shape or density of the balloons are known .

Remarks. This species is most closely related to E. geneatis .