27. major species-group

(6 species)

Diagnosis. Members of the major species-group can be distinguished from other Sagola speciesgroups by the following combination of characters: body small, length 1.5–2.8 mm; male head triangular, widest across temples (Fig. 66n), female head bluntly triangular, widest across eyes; temple of male head depressed and projecting ventrally (Fig. 66n); male neck with ventral patch of dense setae anteriorly (Fig. 66o–t); male hind wings fully developed; abdominal tergites IV–VI with discal carinae; genitalia robust and convex (Fig. 66g –l).

KEY TO SPECIES OF THE MAJOR SPECIES- GROUP

The key is based on male specimens because most female specimens are indistinguishable based on external morphology.

1. Frontal sulcus exceeding eyes; posterior frontal fovea elongate................................ ............... S. triregia Théry and Leschen

1′. Frontal sulcus reaching midpoint of eye; posterior frontal fovea oval.....................2

2(1′). Fore trochanter with acute triangular process (Fig. 66m: arrow); abdominal ventrite VIII with pair of small processes ............. ......................................... S. major Sharp

2′. Fore trochanter round; abdominal ventrite VIII simple..............................................3

3(2′). Temporal lobe of ventral surface of head with acute process; only known from Three Kings Islands (Fig. 67: black square)......... ............................... S. marrisi new species

3′. Temporal lobe of ventral surface of head concave; known from North Island or South Island.............................................4

4(3′). Smaller size, length 1.5–1.7 mm (Fig. 66e); antennomere 4 subquadrate; paramere narrower than median lobe of genitalia (Fig. 66k)........ S. prowellae new species

4′. Larger size, length> 1.8 mm; antennomere 4 longer than wide; paramere broader than median lobe of genitalia..........................5

5(4′). Median lobe of genitalia with rectangular process dorsally (Fig. 66j); paramere widest at middle, with setae from apex to midpoint (Fig. 66j); only known from Auckland of North Island (Fig. 67: star).......................... ................................. S. boothi new species

5′. Median lobe of genitalia without process but divided vertically (Fig. 66l); paramere widest at base, with setae apically (Fig. 66l); known from South Island............................. ..................... S. mackenziensis new species