Beraea jennyae Rasmussen & Harris, 2025

Beraea jennyae Rasmussen & Harris sp. nov.

Figs 6 View Figure 6 , 7 View Figure 7

Beraea sp. nov.; original collection records, Rasmussen (2004).

Beraea sp. nov.; distributional record, Pescador et al. (2004).

Type material.

Holotype male ( CMNH) • Florida, Okaloosa County, Turkey Hen Creek, East branch steephead, Eglin Air Force Base, 0.3 km W of Okaloosa Lookout Tower, off SR- 85 , 30°38'48"N, 86°33'23"W, 8 April 1999, A. Rasmussen and M. Pescador, UV pan trap GoogleMaps . Paratypes • Same data as holotype, 1 male ( CMNH) GoogleMaps • Same data as holotype except 9 April 1999, beating sheet, 1 female ( CMNH) GoogleMaps • Same data as holotype except 10 April 2001, 1 male ( FAMU) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis.

Of the North America species, male and female genitalia of Beraea jennyae sp. nov. are more similar to B. fontana Wiggins (Figs 8 A – D View Figure 8 , 9 A – D View Figure 9 ) and B. nigritta Banks (Figs 8 E – H View Figure 8 , 9 E – H View Figure 9 ) than to B. gorteba Ross (Figs 8 I – L View Figure 8 , 9 I – L View Figure 9 ). Males of the new species are easily distinguished from the three other North American species by the lyre-shaped intermediate appendages, which are short, not reaching the apex of the X th tergum; the intermediate appendages of B. fontana and B. nigritta in dorsal view are straighter and extend slightly beyond the X th tergum, while in B. gorteba the intermediate appendages are long and sinuous in dorsal view extending well past the X th tergum. Females of Beraea jennyae sp. nov. are differentiated from those of other North American species by the presence of a triangular, inward projecting process located along the midlength of each lateral lobe of the IX th sternite.

Description.

Fig. 6 View Figure 6 . Total length male 4.4–4.6 mm (mean = 4.5 mm, n = 3), female 4.0 mm ( n = 1). In alcohol, body dark brown, legs somewhat lighter brown; wings light brown with dark brown hairs. General structure typical of the family and genus, as described by Ross (1944), Wiggins (1954), and Schmid (1998).

Male genitalia. Fig. 7 A – D View Figure 7 . Segment VII annular, ventral mesal process elongate directed posteriorly. Segment VIII annular, posterior band of long setae dorsally and ventrally. Segment IX rectangular in lateral view; in ventral view posterior margin deeply concave. Preanal appendages clavate, about half length of intermediate appendages, stout setae posteriorly. Intermediate appendages in dorsal view lyre-shaped, curved outward basally, distally narrowed, terminating well short of Segment X apex. Segment X deeply incised dorsally forming two semi-membranous lobes, apex triangular with mesal margin angled outward; in lateral view rectangular, apex slightly rounded dorsally. Inferior appendages in lateral view base rectangular with membranous dorsal lobe directed posteroventrally, bearing many setae; in ventral view base narrow strap-like with curved mesal filament; stout circular hook posteriorly, with thumb-like basal process bearing setae. Phallus in ventral view thick, vasiform basally, single membranous lobe ventrally, paired lateral membranous lobes dorsally with pair of sclerotized styles running through middle terminating slightly beyond apex of lobes.

Female genitalia. Fig. 7 E – H View Figure 7 . Segment VII, VIII in lateral view with tergite and sternite separated by wide membranous pleuron, sternum VII with prominent mesal process directed posteriorly. Segment VIII tergum with posterior band of long setae; pleuron with small setal-bearing sclerite; sternum forming ventral flap covering vaginal apparatus in ventral view. Segments IX + X fused dorsally, apically with pair of posterolateral processes each side of anal opening, processes triangular in dorsal and ventral views, dorsal process broader than ventral process, ventral process in lateral view with posteroventral sharp point. Vaginal apparatus in ventral view with pair of sclerotized lobes (Segment IX sternites) lateral to genital chamber, apex of each lobe bifurcated with mesal process pointed, lateral process broadly rounded; triangular inward projecting process midlength along mesal margin of each sternal lobe; genital chamber with sclerotized ventral pouch 8 - shaped, pointed posterior end.

Larva and pupa. Unknown.

Distribution.

The new species is known from only a single locality, a spring-fed ravine stream on Eglin Air Force Base in the western panhandle of Florida. Three other species are known in North America: Beraea nigritta and B. fontana each from a few localities, primarily in the northeast, and B. gorteba known from one stream in central Georgia.

Etymology.

This species is named for Xiaojing (Jenny) Wang, in appreciation of her love and support of the senior author throughout their marriage.

Remarks.

Specimens of adult males and females of the Beraea fontana , B. gorteba , and B. nigritta species were obtained for study from the U. S. National Museum, University of Minnesota Insect Collection, and the Clemson University Collection of Arthropods. Male and female genitalia for each species were illustrated (Figs 8 View Figure 8 , 9 View Figure 9 ) and compared with B. jennyae sp. nov. These results may be used in a future review of the genus in North America.