Microphorella triangulata sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: CEBE7C56-0B72-43C8-AF26-1D70F3CF963D

(Figs 58, 59, 101)

Type material. HOLOTYPE, ♂ labelled: “ CALIF: Inyo Co. | 2mi. S 1miW Lone Pine| sand Alabama Hills | III-19 to V-17-1980 ”; “ D. Giuliani collr.| antfreeze pit trap ”; “HOLOTYPE| Microphorella | triangulata | Brooks & Cumming” [red label] (CSCA) . PARATYPES: USA: California: Inyo County: same data as holotype [36°34'N 118°05'W] (10♂, 13♀, CSCA); same data as holotype except, CNC1155801, CNC1155847 (2♂, CSCA) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other members of the M. acroptera species group by the elongate, narrowly triangular postpedicel (Fig. 58), that is longer than the stylus, and yellow halter. Males are further distinguished by the upturned spur-like basiventral seta on the hind basitarsus (Fig. 59); hypopygium very similar to M. acroptera (see Figs 11–15).

Description. Male (Figs 58, 59):Wing length 1.9 mm.Similar to M. acroptera except as follows: Head: Face and clypeus narrower, about 1.3× width of anterior ocellus; postpedicel long and triangular, longer than arista-like stylus (Fig. 58). Thorax: Acrostichals biserial, weak and sparse; 5 dorsocentrals; halter yellow. Legs: Hindleg: Basitarsus (Fig. 59) with tiny, upturned, basiventral spur-like seta. Wing: As in description of M. acroptera . Abdomen: Sternite 5 with broad ventral trilobate projection (similar to Fig. 46). Hypopygium: Left epandrial lamella with hook-like tip of ventral epandrial process slightly shorter and medial surface without dentiform projection. Dorsal lobe of left surstylus with prensiseta developed as a thick tapering seta, not blade-like. Phallus identical to M. acroptera except, with tubular apical portion gently curved to right in posterior view, without basal kink.

Female. Similar to male except as follows: Head: Antenna with arista-like stylus nearly subequal length of postpedicel. Legs: Hindleg: Trochanter without tubercle bearing apical spine-like seta; femur without prominent anteroventral row of setae; basitarsus without basiventral spur-like seta. Abdomen: As in description of M. acroptera .

Distribution and seasonal occurrence. Specimens of this new species are known only from the type locality near Lone Pine, Inyo County, California, collected during March to May (Fig. 101).

Etymology. This species is named for the elongate triangular postpedicel of the antenna, which is subequal in length to the stylus in both males and females (Fig. 58).

Remarks. This species is apparently closely related to M. acroptera and M. subacroptera sp. nov., based on their very similar hypopygial morphology.