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

Empis (Enoplempis) mariposa sp. nov.

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( Figs 135–137 View FIGURES 135–139 , 142 View FIGURES 140–142 , 152 View FIGURES 152–153 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, labelled: “[USA] El Portal [37°40′N 119°47′W]/ Mariposa Co. Cal. / IV.16.61.2200ft”; “ J.W. Tilden / Collector”; “ALMelander/ Collection/ 1961”; “ HOLOTYPE / Empis (Enoplempis) / mariposa Sinclair ,/ Brooks & Cumming [red label]” ( USNM) GoogleMaps . PARATYPES: USA. California: Same data as holotype (1♂, USNM) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from E. (En.) clava sp. nov. by the absence of long, thickened, wavy posterior preapical setae on the male hind femur ( Figs 135–137 View FIGURES 135–139 ), apparent absence of brown vittae on the scutum and the closely approximated male eyes.

Description. Wing length 4.1 mm. Male. Similar to E. (En.) clava sp. nov., except as follows: head with eyes closely approximated, nearly holoptic.

Thorax without distinct vittae, mostly dark with dense grey pruinescence.

Legs short, fore and midlegs slender, hindleg stocky, reddish brown, with apical tarsomeres darker; coxae with faint grey pruinescence. Hind femur strongly expanded apically, with long, pale, slender ventral setae, slightly shorter than width of femur; preapex expanded with wedge-shaped anteroventral expansion, bearing short, strong apical setae and nipple-like projection on inner edge; preapical posterior face with distinct swelling, bearing horizontal row of 5 thickened, wavy setae, shorter than width of femur; short, spine-like seta dorsal to row of posterior setae; nipple-like lobe on inner margin of posterior swelling ( Figs 135–137 View FIGURES 135–139 ). Hind tibia with base narrowed and geniculate; base laterally expanded and flattened opposite concave area on femur [apex of lobes obscured by femur]; 3–4 erect anterodorsal and posterodorsal setae, slightly longer than width of tibia, with erect pale setae on all faces of tibia ( Figs 135, 137 View FIGURES 135–139 ). Hind tarsus with tarsomere 1 slightly swollen; tarsomeres 1–3 with biserial row of strong ventral setae; tarsomeres 1–4 with apicolateral pair of strong setae, longer than width of segment.

Abdomen darker than thorax, shiny; setae pale. Terminalia ( Fig. 142 View FIGURES 140–142 ): cercus linear, tapered to narrow apex, shorter than epandrium; dorsal margin sculptured; setae slender, shorter than width of cercus. Subepandrial process broad, with narrow, tapered apex; extending to either side of phallus. Epandrial lamella linear, posterior margin broadly truncate, not expanded dorsally; not fused with cercus anteriorly; evenly clothed in slender setae, shorter than width of epandrium. Hypandrium short, apical margin truncate, with several short setae. Phallus sharply bent at base; basal portion broad, gradually tapered; gently curved at subapical section; apical opening with several lateral spicules; apex emerging beyond cerci; ejaculatory apodeme one-half length of epandrium, T-shaped, with lateral apodemes near lower margin.

Female. Unknown.

Geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence ( Fig. 152 View FIGURES 152–153 ). This species is known only from April at the type locality in Mariposa County , California .

Etymology. The species name is in reference to the type locality, Mariposa County , California and is a noun in apposition.

Nuptial gift presentation. Form unknown.