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

Empis (Enoplempis) sierraensis sp. nov.

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( Figs 346, 347 View FIGURES 342–349 , 351 View FIGURES 350–352 , 353 View FIGURES 353–354 )

Type material. HOLOTYPE ♂, labelled: “[ USA] CALIF./ Sierra Co. / 1 mi. E Sierra / City [39°34′N 120°38′W] 8-VII-1967 / P. Opler, Coll.”; “ HOLOTYPE / Empis (Enoplempis) / sierraensis Sinclair ,/ Brooks & Cumming [red label]” [dissected] ( EMEC). GoogleMaps

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished from E. (En.) richardvockerothi sp. nov. by the males with sparse dorsal setae of the hind tibia, length less than twice width of tibia, sub-basal setal in tuft shorter than width of hind tibia ( Figs 346, 347 View FIGURES 342–349 ), and phallus gradually tapered beyond mid-length ( Fig. 351 View FIGURES 350–352 ).

Description. Wing length 5.4 mm. Male. Similar to E. (En.) richardvockerothi sp. nov., except as follows: head with palpus dark brown.

Thorax with dorsal chaetotaxy of scutum obscured by pin; 3–4 posterior npl, with 1–2 slender anterior npl; 1 presut spal, with several setulae; 1–2 psut spal; 1 pal. Scutellum with pair of long apical sctl, with 2 pairs of outer, shorter marginal setae. Laterotergite with linear patch of more than 8 long setae.

Fore coxa with bluish pruinescence near base. Fore tibia with 1–2 outstanding anterodorsal and posterodorsal setae; anterior face with short appressed setae; apex with circlet of preapical setae. Fore tarsomere 1 slender, without strong ventral setae; tarsomeres 1–3 with dense, pale ventral pruinescence; tarsomeres 2–4 with biserial row of spine-like ventral setae; tarsomeres 1–4 with apicolateral pair of spine-like setae, longer than width of segment. Mid femur with long, erect ventral setulae, length longer than width of femur, longer at base. Mid tibia with 2–3 erect posterodorsal setae and several preapical setae; ventral face with dense setulae, with several strong posteroventral setae. Hind femur with erect pale setulae; preapical region with slight posteroventral swelling with anteroventral and posteroventral tuft of short, black setae, shorter than width of femur; without distinct processes ( Figs 346, 347 View FIGURES 342–349 ); without row of strong posterior preapical setae. Hind tibia with sparse, erect dorsal setae, length less than twice width of tibia, without shorter erect anteroventral setae; sub-basal region, opposite modified setae of femur, with pair of setal tufts on small ridges ( Figs 346, 347 View FIGURES 342–349 ). Hind tarsus with tarsomere 1 slightly inflated, with 2 long dorsal setae; remaining tarsomeres similar to mid tarsus.

Wing without basal costal seta.

Terminalia ( Fig. 351 View FIGURES 350–352 ): cercus linear, projecting obliquely, with distinct notch on apex; shorter than epandrium; base rather broad, with short, dense setulae; setae shorter than width of cercus. Subepandrial process narrow, tapered to narrow, downcurved apex; extending to either side of phallus. Epandrial lamella linear, slightly tapered to broadly rounded apex; weakly fused with cercus anteriorly; apical setae nearly as long as length of cercus. Hypandrium short, apical margin gently arches; numerous long setae medially. Phallus broadly expanded on lower two-thirds; apical third strongly tapered to narrow opening; apex emerging slightly beyond epandrium; ejaculatory apodeme slightly more than half length of epandrium, T-shaped, with lateral apodemes near lower margin.

Female. Unknown.

Geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence ( Fig. 353 View FIGURES 353–354 ). Empis (En.) sierraensis sp. nov. is known only from the holotype collected in Sierra County, California in July .

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

Nuptial gift presentation. Form unknown.

Remarks. This species is closely related to E. (En.) richardvockerothi sp. nov.