Dasyhelea danklinei, Grogan & Hribar, 2025

Dasyhelea danklinei sp. nov.

( Figs. 17–24 View FIGURES 9–18 View FIGURES 17–24 )

Dasyhelea mutabilis Coquillett View in CoL ; Grogan et al. 2010: 23 View Cited Treatment (female; Florida, St. Lucie Co.).

Diagnosis. A medium-size, dark brown species resembling D. bermudae , but differing from it and other species in the D. atlantis-bermudae complex by the following combination of characters: size (male wing length 0.67–0.81 mm; female wing length 0.55–0.77 mm). Male aedeagus with tubular, thick-walled distal portion with curved concave apex and elongate slender apicolateral processes; gonocoxal apodemes and paramere fused, symmetrical with a short quadrate distal portion; palpal segment 3 elongate, slender (palpal ratio 3.60–4.44). Female with quadrate genital sclerotization with a broad lumen and slender, elongate basal arms; spermatheca large (length including neck 0.07–0.08 (0.07, n=10) mm), globular, the distal portion abruptly tapered, conical with a very short narrow neck.

Male. Head ( Fig.17 View FIGURES 9–18 ): Dark brown. Eyes contiguous for length of 3 ommatidia, with dense long inter-ommatidial pubescence. Frontal sclerite elongate elliptical, shape typical of other species in the D. mutabilis group. Antennal flagellum with separate flagellomeres with well-developed surface reticulations; flagellomeres 5–8 or 6–8 partially or completely fused in some specimens; flagellomeres 10–13 considerably longer than 2–9; 2–3 somewhat globular, 4–9 vasiform; plume of sensilla chaetica moderately dense, extending beyond flagellomere 12; total flagellum length 0.44–0.49 (0.46, n=20) mm; antennal ratio 0.80–0.91 (x̄=0.87, n=20). Palpus light brown, 5-segmented; segment 3 elongate, slender with 1–3 long, hyaline capitate sensillae; palpal ratio 3.60–4.44 (3.97, n=19). Thorax: Dark brown; scutellum yellowish, lateral margins brownish with 6 large, 1–2 smaller apicocentral setae. Femora medium to dark brown, tibiae light brown, tarsi pale except tarsomeres 5 brown; hind tibial comb with 6 spines, 4–5 longest; hind tarsal ratio 2.00–2.39 (2.15, n=19); claws equal-sized, nearly straight, moderately long with inner basal seta, apices bent with bifid tips. Wing ( Fig. 18 View FIGURES 9–18 ) membrane hyaline, with dense very fine microtrichia, macrotrichia moderately dense in all cells (most numerous in r 3), wing margin and on all veins except proximal portion of M; radial cells obliterated, or a poorly developed narrow 2 nd cell present, or reduced to a suture in some specimens; base of M 2 not connected to M 1; anal lobe poorly developed; wing length 0.67–0.81 (0.71, n=19) mm, width 0.22–0.27 (0.24, n=17) mm; costal ratio 0.42–0.46 (x̄=0.44, n=19). Halter stem brownish, knob pale or whitish (appearing black in most specimens). Abdomen: Dark brown; pleura golden. Genitalia. ( Fig. 19–20 View FIGURES 17–24 ). Tergite 9 broad proximally, tapering gradually distally to broad round apex, apicolateral process elongate, slender with single large apical seta; cercus very short, located at medial base of apicolateral process with 2–3 apical setae; sternite 9 produced posteriorly, extending onto base of aedeagus, covered with dense fine setae, apex truncate. Gonocoxite stout, about 1.5X longer than broad, extending just below or past apex of tergite 9, ventral surface with sparse very long setae, distomesal region with dense shorter setae; gonostylus 0.80–0.85 length of gonocoxite, broad proximally, tapering slightly distally to hooked apex, tip sharply pointed, with subbasomesal patch of 5–7 short setae on tubercles. Gonocoxal apodemes and paramere fused, symmetrical, heavily sclerotized; basal apodeme with proximal portion broad quadrate, distal portion with basal quadrate to rounded anterior projection, nearly straight except curved at apex and fused to opposite apodeme and forms a short truncate, quadrate posterior process. Aedeagus heavily sclerotized, composed of two sections; proximal portion with broad base and lateral arms that extend to about mid-length of distal portion, apical section recurved about 120̊ distal portion stout, tubular, thick walled, narrowest basally, becoming gradually broader distally, apex concave; aedeagus total length 0.06–0.07 (0.07, n=8) mm; width 0.04–0.05 (0.05, n=8) mm; length/width ratio 1.31–1.65 (1.49, n=8); width of apex 0.017 –0.020 (0.018, n=8) mm.

Female. Similar to male with the following notable sexual differences. Head ( Fig. 22 View FIGURES 17–24 ): Antennal flagellum with separate flagellomeres, 9–12 longer than 2–8, 13 longest; flagellomeres with basal whorl of moderately long sensilla chaetica; reticulations moderately developed on flagellomeres 9–13, 2–8 without reticulations; flagellomeres 2–4 slightly globular, 5–12 vasiform; antennal ratio 0.85–0.99 (0.91, n=10); total flagellum length 0.35–0.38 (0.36, n=10) mm. Palpal segment 3 with 3–5 capitate sensilla more broadly distributed on mesal surface; palpal ratio 2.67– 3.80 (3.29, n=21). Thorax: Scutellum more diffused with brown in some specimens. Hind tarsal ratio 2.10–2.38 (2.24, n=10); claws more gradually curved, apices very slender, tips entire. Wing ( Fig. 23 View FIGURES 17–24 ) broader, anal lobe well developed; wing length 0.59–0.70 (0.64, n=10) mm, width 0.27–0.33 (0.28, n=10) mm; costal ratio 0.43–0.47 (0.44, n=10). Abdomen: Subgenital plate ( Fig. 24 View FIGURES 17–24 ) main body quadrate with broad lumen and more lightly sclerotized anterolateral arms that taper abruptly distally; basal arms slender, elongate, curved. Spermatheca ( Fig. 24 View FIGURES 17–24 ) ovoid, extreme distal portion abruptly tapered, conical, with very short narrow neck, length including neck 0.07–0.08 (x̄ =0.07, n=10) mm, width 0.54–0.66 (0.59, n=15) mm.

Type Material. Holotype male, allotype female, paratypes 8 females and 6 males, FLORIDA, Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station   GoogleMaps , Sept. 1990, W. W. Wirth, at UV light ( USCA) ; other paratypes, 24 males, 20 females: same data as holotype except 13–19 April 1989, light trap , 3 females, same data except Lake Annie, S. Side , Sept. 1990, Malaise trap , 3 females, 4 males, same data except Lake Annie 89W6, 13–19 April 1989 , 3 females; same data except Price Tract , 1-IV-1990, Malaise trap , 2 males, same data except IX-1990 , 2 males; same data except Animal pens , 1-IV-1991, malaise trap , 2 females; same data except 15-IX-1990, at Polygonella flowers , 4 females, 5 males; same data except Sept. 1990, at UV light , 1 male; same data except 8-IV-1991, palmetto flowers , 4 males; same data except Buck Island Ranch , Sept. 1990, at UV light , 1 male, same data except IV-1991 , 1 male, same data except 6-IV-1991 , 1 female; same data except 3-IV-1992, emergence trap , 1 male. Alachua Co., Gainesville, Oak Crest , 8-VIII-1986, W. Wirth, UVLT , 1 female, same data except Chantilly Acres , VII-1967, F. S. Blanton, light trap , 1 male, same data except IX-1967 , 1 male. Baker Co., Pitcher plant bog on Rt. 127 3 km S of Rt. 125 , 6-V-2014, W. L. Grogan, Jr., Sweep net , 1 female, same data except Pitcher plant bog on Rt. 127 3 km S of Rt. 125 , 6-V-2014 , 1 female ( FSCA). Collier Co., Immokalee , Suction Trap, 7/ 14-VIII-2014 , 2 males, same data except 27-XI/ 4-XII-2014 , 1 male, same data except 30-X/ 6-XI-2014 , 1 male, 1 female, same data except 4 females, same data except 4/ 11-IX-2014 , 5 females; same data except 25-IX/ 2-X-2014 , 1 female; same data except 6–13- XI-2014 , same data except 4–11-XII-2014, 5 males, same data except 28-VIII/ 4-IX-2014 , 2 males ( FSCA). Hardee Co., Ona, July 1970, E. Irons , 1 male. Highlands Co., Archbold Bio Sta, 13–19 Apr. 1970, W. W. Wirth, light trap , 1 male; same data except 8.IV.90, palmetto flow , 1 male, same data except 15-IX-1990 , 1 male. Indian River Co., Vero Beach , Fla., March 1959 , 1 male, same data except Aug. 1959 , 1 male, same data except I 1960 , 1 male, same data except May 1960. Miami Dade Co. Miami, 28 Sept. 1960, P. E. Briggs , 1 male; same data except Miami-Dade Co., Pinecrest Chapman Field, 9/ 17-XII-2014, H. Escobar, 26’ Tall Suction Trap , 1 male; Florida, Dade Co., Orchid Jungle , May–June 1969, R. M. Baronowski, B. L. Trap , 1 male; same data except Miami-Dade Co., Pinecrest Chapman Field , 9/ 17-XII-2014, H. Escobar, 26’ Tall Suction Trap , 1 male; same data except 3–8-VII-2015, H. Escobar, Suction Trap , 1 female ( FSCA). Kendall , Fla, Dade Co., 6-VII-(19)77, W. W. Wirth, LT , 1 female; Miami, Fla., 17 May 1965, J. C. Buff, light trap , 1 male ( USNM). Monroe Co., Everglades Nat. Park, Flamingo , Mar. 1969, B. L. Trap, F. S. Blanton , 3 males. St. Johns Co., Crescent Beach , July 1961 , 1 male. St. Lucie Co., 10-VIII-1986, R. L. Escher , 1 female. Okeechobee Co., 36 km N of Okeechobee , 27.559215 N, 80.823552 W, 15-1/ 10-11-2018. K. E. Schnepp. Barrier pitfall trap GoogleMaps , 1 female ( FSCA). Polk Co., Winter Haven, DPI, Citrus Arboretum , P. Sieburth, Suction Trap, 11/ 18-IX-2014 , 1 female, same data except 23–30-X-2014 , 1 male, same data except 6–13, XI-2014 , 1 male, same data except 13–20-XI-2014 , 1 female, same data except 20–27-XI-2014 , 1 female, same data except 27-XI/ 4-XII-2014 , 1 male, same data except 4-11-VI-2015 , 1 female, same data except 17–28-IX-2015 , 1 male, same data except 17–28-XII-2015 , 1 female, same data except 4–11-II-2016 , 1 female ( FSCA). Union Co., Dry streambed E of Rt. 121, 1 km S of Sapp , 12 May 2015, W. L. Grogan, Jr., Sweep net, 3 males, 2 females ( FSCA).

Bionomics. This new species is widely distributed throughout peninsular Florida as the type series includes specimens from just south of the Florida-Georgia line in Baker County to the southern-most region of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. We have no records from the Florida panhandle; however, it likely inhabits that region and at least the southern portions of Georgia and Alabama and possibly other nearby southeastern states.

Etymology. We dedicate this new species to our colleague, Dan Kline, who has published numerous articles on Culicoides biting midges and mosquitos, including controlling populations of these pestiferous flies.

Discussion. Grogan et al. (2010) tentatively identified the female paratype from St. Lucie Co, Florida as D. mutabilis (Coquillett) and noted that it was slightly smaller (wing length 0.66 mm) than Waugh & Wirth (1976) provided for that species (0.72–0.83 mm). However, Borkent (1991) recorded wing lengths of 0.58–0.91 mm for nine females of D. mutabilis from the Galápagos Islands. This suggests that females of D. mutabilis vary greatly in size; however, they differ from females of this new species in having much longer antennal flagellomeres, a circular genital sclerotization, and a small spherical spermatheca with a very short, narrow neck ( Waugh & Wirth 1976; Borkent 1991).