Microphorella compacta sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: C2F35FD9-533C-43C6-BCEA-E50F4F6D0E10

(Figs 72–75, 81, 82, 103)

Type material. HOLOTYPE, ♂ (Fig. 72) labelled: “ USA: CA: Del Norte Co., French| Hill Rd, 1km NW French Hill | (41.8255°N 123.9914°W)| 546m, swp meadow with pines| 03.vi.2009, J. Mlynarek ”; “ Microphorella | Det. J.M. Cumming ”; “HOLOTYPE| Microphorella | compacta | Brooks & Cumming” [red label] (CNC) . PARATYPE: USA: California: Del Norte County: Gasquet [41°50'43"N 123°58'10"W], 20.vi.1974, P.H. Arnaud, Jr, CNC1155837 (1♂, CAS) .

Other material examined. USA: California: Del Norte County: Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP, Walker Rd., creek, 41°48'44"N 124°6'36"W, 25-31.v.2009, YPT, J.M. Cumming & S.E. Brooks (1♀, CNC).

Diagnosis. In addition to the characters listed above for the M. acuminata lineage, males of this species can be distinguished from other members of the M. acroptera species group by a combination of hypopygial features (Fig. 81), including the delicately sclerotized phallus with narrow preapical process, the long, narrow apical projection of the left postgonite, the digitiform tip of the ventral epandrial process, the reduced hypandrium (narrow in ventral view), the broad, curved left dorsal surstylar lobe and the non-protruding lower margin of the right postgonite which is even with the posterior epandrial margin below the surstylus.

Description. Male (Figs 72–75, 81, 82): Wing length 1.4–1.5 mm. Similar to M. acuminata sp. nov. except as follows: Head (Fig. 72): Antenna with arista-like stylus shorter, about 1.6× length of postpedicel. Thorax (Fig. 72): Dark brown, with metallic blue tinge faint; 6 dorsocentrals, anterior setae rather short; scutellum without small outer seta. Halter dark brown. Legs: Dark brown with dark brown setae. Wing: As in description of M. acroptera (except holotype which has M 2 incomplete on both wings) (Fig. 72). Abdomen (Figs 74, 75): Dark brown. Sternite 5 with broad posteromedial emargination (based on examination of unmacerated holotype only). Sternite 6 with small, bilobate ventral projection. Hypopygium (Figs 74, 75, 81, 82): relatively small, less than half as long as abdomen. Left epandrial lamella as long as hypandrium and almost completely overlapping its left side; ventral epandrial process uniformly wide in basal 2/3, broadening apically with narrow, digitiform dorsoapical process. Dorsal lobe of left surstylus with gentle posterior curve and broader apex. Ventral lobe of right surstylus bifurcate, with short outer lobe and longer medial lobe, both bearing a few setae (similar to Fig. 80). Hypandrium smaller, narrow in ventral view and tapering anteriorly. Left postgonite lobe with long, narrow apical projection. Right postgonite not protruding posteriorly below ventral lobe of surstylus, even with posterior epandrial margin, apical portion with unevenly bifurcate apex. Phallus thin and delicately sclerotized, with short, narrow pointed process arising preapically and extending nearly to phallic tip. Ejaculatory apodeme small. Hypoproct and cercus as in Fig. 82.

Female. Similar to male except as follows: Head: Antenna with arista-like stylus apparently shorter, about 1.4× length of postpedicel. Thorax: Scutellum with small outer seta present. Legs: Hindleg: Trochanter without tubercle bearing apical spine-like seta; femur without distinct anteroventral row of setae. Abdomen: Apical segments retractable into segment 5.Tergite 5 with cluster of stout medial setae. Terminalia:Tergite 6 not observable. Syntergite 9+10 medially divided into hemitergites, with 3–4 acanthophorous spines on each side; cercus sclerotized, pointed apically (abdomen of unique female not dissected).

Distribution and seasonal occurrence. This new species is known from Del Norte County (Fig. 2) in northern California (Fig. 103). The only three specimens known were collected in late May and June.

Etymology. This species is named in reference to the compact shape of the hypandrium.