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

Empis (Enoplempis) tularensis sp. nov.

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( Figs 138, 139 View FIGURES 135–139 , 148, 149 View FIGURES 148–151 , 152 View FIGURES 152–153 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, labelled: “[USA] Calif: Tulare/ Co. 1 mi NE./ Posey [35°48′N 118°40′W] V-14- 63”; “ S.W. Earnshaw / collector”; “ HOLOTYPE / Empis (Enoplempis) / tularensis Sinclair ,/ Brooks & Cumming [red label]” ( EMEC) GoogleMaps . PARATYPES: USA. California: Tulare County: Hot Spring [35°52′N 118°40′W], 14.v.1963, C.A. Toschi (2♂, EMEC) GoogleMaps ; same data except, S.W. Earnshaw (1♂, EMEC) GoogleMaps ; 6 mi. N Kaweah [36°28′N 118°55′], 28.iv.1979, JAP (1♂, EMEC) ; same data except, 10 mi. SE Three Rivers [36°27′N 118°53′W], 2800 ft, 29.iv.1979 (1♂, EMEC) GoogleMaps ; Sequoia NP, Ash Mt. [36.591°N 119.069°W], 26.vi.1961, E.I. Schlinger (1♂, UCDC) GoogleMaps ; Sequoia NP, ½ mi. SE Ash Mtn. , 3.v.1984, R.D. Haines (1♂, CSCA) .

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from E. (En.) clava sp. nov. by the single blade-like, posteroventral preapical seta on the male hind femur, longer than width of femur and row of strong anteroventral setae on apical third of hind femur, longer than width of femur ( Fig. 138 View FIGURES 135–139 ), absence of brown vittae on the scutum and the closely approximated male eyes.

Description. Wing length 3.7–4.3 mm. Male. Similar to E. (En.) clava sp. nov., except as follows: head with eyes closely approximated on frons. Palpus brown, with dark setulae.

Thorax brown in ground-colour, pruinescent. Scutum with medial pair of dark brown vittae (viewed anteriorly) ( Fig. 139 View FIGURES 135–139 ); apparently without row of acr. Laterotergite with cluster of dark setae. Anterior and posterior spiracles pale brown.

Legs short, fore and midlegs slender, hindleg stocky; femora yellowish brown, tibiae and tarsomeres brownish, darker apically; coxae yellowish brown with or without greyish pruinescence. Femora without white ventral pile. Fore tibia with 3–4 erect dorsal setae, usually longer than width of tibia; posterior and ventral faces with erect dense pile of setae; apex with circlet of preapical setae. Fore tarsomere 1 expanded, slightly broader than apex of tibia; ventrum with dense mat of setae, with some stronger setae; tarsomeres 2–4 with biserial row of strong ventral setae; tarsomeres 1–4 with apicolateral pair of strong setae, longer than width of segment. Mid femur with anteroventral and posteroventral row of dark, strong setae. Mid tibia with 2–3 pairs of erect anterodorsal and posterodorsal setae near base. Mid tarsus slender, with tarsomeres 1–4 with biserial row of strong ventral setae; tarsomeres 1–4 with apicolateral pair of strong setae, longer than width of segment. Hind femur not greatly expanded apically, with long, pale, slender ventral setae, slightly shorter than width of femur; apical third with row of 7–8 dark, strong anteroventral setae, anterior setae shorter and thicker; preapex without lobes or anteroventral processes; preapex with anvil-shaped posteroventral process, narrowly tapered apically with attenuated base; preapical posterior face with 2 thickened setae, proximal seta blade-like, longer than width of femur, distal seta shorter, slightly more than half-length proximal seta; apex with several strong anterior and posterior setae ( Fig. 138 View FIGURES 135–139 ). Hind tibia with base narrowed; anteroventral swelling expanded posteriorly with crown of strong to spine-like black setae; posterior face with swelling opposite anteroventral process, with rim of spine-like setae on outer face; 5–6 erect anterodorsal and posterodorsal setae, slightly longer than width of tibia, with erect setae on all faces of tibia; posteroapical comb with seta ( Fig. 138 View FIGURES 135–139 ). Hind tarsus with tarsomere 1 slightly swollen; tarsomeres 1–4 similar to mid tarsus.

Wing infuscate with dark veins. Halter brown, with base of stalk paler.

Abdomen paler than thorax, subshiny, with thin pruinosity; setae dark. Pregenital segments unmodified, except sclerites of segment 8 weakly separated anterolaterally. Terminalia ( Figs 148, 149 View FIGURES 148–151 ): similar colour to abdomen; phallus brownish, paler apically. Cercus linear, tapered to narrow rounded apex, shorter than epandrium; dorsal margin straight; setae slender, dense, dorsal setae longer than width of cercus. Subepandrial process with narrow, tapered apex; extending to either side of phallus. Epandrial lamella linear, subtriangular, posterior margin broadly rounded, not expanded dorsally; narrowly fused with cercus anteriorly; evenly clothed in slender setae, shorter than width of epandrium. Hypandrium short, apical margin truncate, with numerous short setae. Phallus ( Fig. 149 View FIGURES 148–151 ) expanded on lower half; tapered and sinuous on apical half, sharply bent to expanded apex; without pair of short, lateral lobes proximal to bend; apical opening surrounded by 2–3 rows of spicules; apex emerging beyond cerci; ejaculatory apodeme large, more than 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 to June in Tulare County, California.

Etymology. The species name is in reference to the type locality, Tulare County, California.

Nuptial gift presentation. Form unknown.