Dasyhelea garymulleni, Grogan & Hribar, 2025

Dasyhelea garymulleni sp. nov.

( Figs. 41–44 View FIGURES 41–44 )

Diagnosis. A small species that is similar to males of D. wilkeningi sp. nov. As in that species, its aedeagus is also broadest on its basal 1/4, but it is more distally slender than in D. wilkeningi , and gradually tapers on its distal 3/4 with a shallow bifid tip; the gonocoxal apodemes and paramere are fused at mid-length and form a long extension that extends below the apex of the aedeagus; the wing is short (length 0.58 mm), very slender (width 0.21 mm), with a moderately short costa (costal ratio 0.43); and a small antennal ratio (0.69). Females unknown.

Male. Head ( Fig. 42 View FIGURES 41–44 ). Dark brown. Eyes narrowly separated, with very short dense inter-ommatidial pubescence. Frontal sclerite as in D. wilkeningi sp. nov. Antennal flagellum light brown, flagellomeres with surface reticulations; flagellomeres 1–4, 10–13 separate, 5–9 partially or completely fused; flagellomeres 1–12 with sub-basal whorl of sensilla chaetica that comprises the moderately dense plume which extends beyond flagellomere 12; antennal ratio 0.69; total flagellum length 0.41 mm. Palpus pale brown; segment 3 moderately slender, apparently with 2 baso-mesal capitate sensillae; palpal ratio 3.00. Thorax ( Fig. 41 View FIGURES 41–44 ). Scutum dark brown, humeral and lateral margins lighter brown; scutellum yellowish brown, extreme margins darker with 5 large setae, but lacking antero-central setae; post-scutellum medium dark brown; lateral, ventral sclerites golden brown. Femora medium brown; tibiae lighter brown, hind tibiae with row of 4–6 greatly elongate setae; tarsomeres 1–4 light brown, 5 darker brown; claws slightly unequal-sized, outer claws curved on distal 1/2 with pointed apices nearly straight, each talon with inner basal seta and base with small inner tooth, inner claws shorter, only slightly curved on distal 1/3 with blunt tips; hind tibial comb with 7 spines, 5–6 longest. Wing ( Fig. 43 View FIGURES 41–44 ) moderately broad on distal 1/3, membrane hyaline with sparse macrotrichiae on veins and membrane except on subapical half of anal cell; radial cells fused on distal section of costa; anal lobe poorly developed; costa moderately short, costal ratio 0.43; wing length 0.58 mm, width 0.21 mm. Halter stem brown, knob pale on base, distal portion dark brown. Abdomen: Dark brown on dorsal ½, paler on ventral 1/2. Genitalia ( Fig. 44 View FIGURES 41–44 ). Tergite 9 very broad at base, tapering slightly distally to rounded apex with an attached extended proctiger with apicolateral processes that are short, stout, conical, apices slightly divergent with a single subapical short seta; sternite 9 short at base with narrow posterior extension that reaches base or onto proximal portion of aedeagus. Gonocoxite stout, 1.2–1.4X longer than broad, ventral and lateral surfaces with very long setae that are longest on distal half of lateral margin and apex, mesal surface with moderately dense shorter setae; gonostylus about 0.8 length of gonocoxite, proximal 1/4 broadest section, then tapering abruptly for short distance before expanding slightly at mid portion, distal 1/3 tapering slightly distally to rounded simple apex bearing a pair of short subapical setae. Gonocoxal apodemes and paramere symmetrical, slender, heavily sclerotized, fused at mid-length, forming a long extension that extends to or beyond apex of aedeagus; basal apodeme broadest on extreme base, tapering gradually distally, bent 30̊ at distal 1/3, apex curved 90̊, fused with opposite apodeme; disto-median portion elongate, slender, extending to distal 2/3 of median portion of aedeagus. Aedeagus complex, composed of two sections; proximal portion with a heavily sclerotized basal sclerite that is divided at mid-length with a small basolateral tooth like projection, basal sclerite attached to more lightly sclerotized very long lateral arms, proximal section of lateral arm expanded, tapered on distal 1/4, bent 60̊ at mid-length, distal half very slender basally, expanded on apical 3/4, scalpel-shaped with pointed tip with a very slender basal lobe that is partially detached and curved distally; distal-medial portion moderately sclerotized, greatly elongate, vasiform, proximal 2/3 expanded, distal 1/3 tapered, slender with a flared tip.

Female. Unknown.

Type Material. Holotype male, FLORIDA, Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station , 5-IV-(19)91, animal pens, W. W. Wirth, malaise trap ( USNM).

Etymology. We dedicate this new species to our colleague, Gary Mullen, former professor of Entomology at Auburn University, Alabama. Gary was a mentor of nine graduate students at Auburn—Bonnie Buxton, Mary Beth Hayes, Nancy Hinkle, Larry Hribar, Steve Murphree, Shirley Luckhart, Whitney Qualls, Matt Aubuchon, and Nathan Burkett-Cadena.