Cheilosia ( Cheilosia ) aurantia, Bot & Mengual & Meutter & Skevington, 2025

Bot, Sander, Mengual, Ximo, Meutter, Frank Van de & Skevington, Jeffrey H., 2025, Review of the genus Cheilosia Meigen, 1822 (Diptera: Syrphidae) from the Caucasus, with the description of 14 new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 1023, pp. 1-181 : 16-24

Cheilosia ( Cheilosia) aurantia sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:

Figs 8–9

Chilosia omissa Becker, 1894: 466 . Syn. with Cheilosia lenis by Claussen & Speight (2007).

Chilosia omissa – Stackelberg & Richter 1968: 247. — Peck 1988: 112. — Barkalov 1993: 718. — Barkalov & Mutin 2018: 483.

Chilosia lenis Becker – Mengual et al. 2020: 18 .

Differential diagnosis

Cheilosia aurantia sp. nov. is very similar to C. lenis Becker, 1894 , sharing slightly elongated face, very long mainly black pile on eye, (partly) yellow legs, setae on posterior margin of scutellum absent or of reduced width, dorsal and ventral pile patches on katepisternum joined and sterna shiny. The male of C. aurantia is similar to that of C. lenis but: with a swollen frons (not swollen in C. lenis ), scutum, scutellum and pleura with more extensive black pile (almost exclusively with yellow pile in C. lenis ), protibia with a black marking on the posterior side only (with a continuously black mark, covering anterior and posterior part, in C. lenis ), abdomen completely covered with long erect pile, also medially ( C. lenis have shorter pile medially on the terga and more adpressed), and a much more extensive field of microtrichia on surstylus in C. aurantia ( Fig. 9D) compared with the male genitalia of C. lenis . Females of C. aurantia are like those of C. lenis but easily distinguished by the entirely orange femora and tibiae ( Fig. 8C) (in C. lenis females the femora are black except orange apex and the tibiae have a broad black ring medially) and the face is slightly more protruding downwards ( Fig. 9B).

Etymology

The species name is derived from the Latin ‘ aurantium ’ meaning ‘orange’ ( Brown 1956: 112), and it refers to the almost entirely orange legs of the female. Species epithet is to be treated as an adjective.

Material examined

Holotype

GEORGIA • ♂; Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, near Ushguli, up to the ruins ; 42.910° N, 43.007° E; 2295 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-TIS-8008829 = ZFMK-DIP-00066574 .

Paratypes

ARMENIA – Lori • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; 30 Apr. 2011; T. Zeegers leg.; GPA .

GEORGIA – Adjara • 1 ♀; Kintrishi Nature Reserve ; 41.7433° N, 42.0840° E; 1235 m a.s.l.; 1–15 Jun. 2018; GGBC-members leg.; Malaise trap, stored in alcohol; ZFMK, ZFMK-TIS-8010514 • 1 ♀; Kintrishi Nature Reserve ; 41.75517° N, 42.11249° E; 2268 m a.s.l.; 2–16 Jun. 2018; GGBC-members leg.; Malaise trap, stored in alcohol; ZFMK, ZFMK-TIS-8010567 . – Kakheti • 1 ♀; Lagodekhi N.P. ; 41.8524° N, 46.2877° E; 665 m a.s.l.; 12–23 Apr. 2014; G. Japoshvili leg.; Malaise trap; CNC, CNC1449289 • 4 ♂♂; Lagodekhi N.P. ; 41.8767° N, 46.2429° E; 615 m a.s.l.; 2 May 2023; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003024 to SB.003027 • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Lagodekhi N.P. ; 41.8777° N, 46.2436° E; 625 m a.s.l.; 2 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 2 ♂♂; Lagodekhi N.P. ; 41.8747° N, 46.2415° E; 600 m a.s.l.; 2 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, E013 , E021 . – Mtskheta-Mtianeti • 3 ♀♀; Tbilisi N.P. ; 41.880° N, 45.023° E; 1289 m a.s.l.; 4 May 2023; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003028 to SB.003030 • 5 ♂♂, 3 ♀♀; Tbilisi N.P. ; 41.877° N, 45.0138° E; 1250 m a.s.l.; 4 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 3 ♀♀; Tbilisi N.P. ; 41.8802° N, 45.0220° E; 1279 m a.s.l.; 4 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, A020 , A034 , A036 • 5 ♂♂; Lutkhubi ; 42.3797° N, 44.7969° E; 1463 m a.s.l.; 6 May 2023; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003031 to SB.003035 • 6 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.003036 to SB.003041 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; Lutkhubi ; 42.3867° N, 44.79° E; 1580 m a.s.l.; 6 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 3 ♀♀; Lutkhubi ; 42.3930° N, 44.7929° E; 1700 m a.s.l.; 6 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, A001 , A015 , A017 • 1 ♀; Lutkhubi ; 42.3936° N, 44.7923° E; 1760 m a.s.l.; 8 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; Tsinamkhari ; 42.3914° N, 44.7562° E; 1200 m a.s.l.; 8 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, B001 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; WOR, B010 • 1 ♂; Kithoki ; 42.4147° N, 44.7548° E; 1240 m a.s.l.; 8 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, A012 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; WOR, A003 , A014 • 2 ♂♂; Lutkhubi ; 42.3930° N, 44.7929° E; 1734 m a.s.l.; 8 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, C007 , C033 . – Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti • 1 ♂; Tsana ; 42.909° N, 43.142° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 29 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002992 • 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.002993 to SB.002995 • 2 ♂♂; Zeskho ; 42.888° N, 43.233° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 30 Jun. 2018, S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002996 , SB.002997 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.002998 • 2 ♀♀; Zeskho ; 42.888° N, 43.233° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 1 Jul. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002999 , SB.003000 • 1 ♀; Zeskho ; 42.888° N, 43.233° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 2 Jul. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003001 • 3 ♀♀; Tsana ; 42.913° N, 43.142° E; 1951 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 2 ♂♂; Tsana ; 42.90° N, 43.14° E; 1830 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-00.897 = ZFMK-TIS-8009604 , 2019-01.016 • 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; JSB, 2019- 01.017–2019-01.020 • 1 ♂; near Tsana ; 42.9011° N, 43.1422° E; 1835 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066571 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ZHMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066546 • 1 ♂; Tsana ; 42.888° N, 43.143° E; 1760 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMKDIP-00066565 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066536 • 2 ♂♂; Tsana ; 42.915° N, 43.143° E; 1969 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2019; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Tsana ; 42.9089° N, 43.1425° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; Tsana ; 42.916° N, 43.142° E; 1975 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066564 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066534 , ZFMK-DIP-00066535 . – Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti • 2 ♂♂; Mestia ; 43.080° N, 42.762° E; 1800 m a.s.l.; 22 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003004 , SB.003005 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.002985 , SB.002986 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; XLS, SB.002987 • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 42.914° N, 43.010° E; 2100 m a.s.l.; 23 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002988 • 1 ♂; 42.955° N, 42.968° E; 2130 m a.s.l.; 26 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002990 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.002989 • 1 ♀; 42.912° N, 42.937° E; 2430 m a.s.l.; 27 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002991 • 2 ♂♂; Mestia ; 43.02° N, 42.89° E; 2600 m a.s.l.; 13 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-00.896 , 2019-01.003 • 1 ♂; near Mestia ; 43.0254° N, 42.8906° E; 2550 m a.s.l.; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066576 = ZFMK-TIS-8008830 • 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066530 , ZFMK-DIP-00066549 • 2 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; Mestia ; 2550 m a.s.l.; 43.0256° N, 42.8908° E; 13 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; E of Mestia ; 43.02° N, 42.87° E; 2350 m a.s.l.; 13 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.004 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; JSB, 2019-01.005 • 1 ♀; 43.0259° N, 42.9103° E; 2863 m a.s.l.; 13 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386373 • 2 ♂♂; E of Mestia ; 43.0283° N, 42.8787° E; 2345 m a.s.l.; 13 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066569 , ZFMK-DIP-00066570 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066544 • 1 ♂; Mestia ; 7.5 km N of Mestia, 43.1178° N, 42.7253° E; 1875 m a.s.l.; 14 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 2 ♀♀; Mestia , 43,1166° N, 42,7276° E; 1850 m a.s.l.; 14 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066542 , ZFMK-DIP-00066543 = ZFMK-TIS-8008826 • 1 ♂; 43.1118° N, 42.7437° E; 1697 m a.s.l.; 14 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386473 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Ushguli ; 42.948° N, 43.070° E; 2258 m a.s.l.; 15 Jun. 2019; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 2 ♀♀; Ushguli ; 42.56° N, 43.04° E; 2260 m a.s.l.; 15 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.006 , 2019-01.007 • 2 ♂♂; Ushguli ; 42.9500° N, 43.0719° E; 2270 m a.s.l.; 15 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 2 ♀♀; Ushguli ; 42.91° N, 43.01° E; 2100 m a.s.l.; 15 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.008 , 2019-01.009 • 1 ♀; Ushguli ; 42.909° N, 43.007° E; 2294 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2019; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003017 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; 42.900° N, 42.934° E; 2700 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2019; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 1 ♀; Ushguli ; 42.9149° N, 43.0029° E; 2081 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386643 • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 42.9370° N, 42.9061° E; 2615 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 42.91° N, 43.00° E; 2070 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.010 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; JSB, 2019-01.011 • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 42.906° N, 42.937° E; 2615 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066575 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066547 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Ushguli ; 42.910° N, 43.000° E; 2120 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2019; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 2 km SW of Ushguli; 42.8986° N, 43.0052° E; 2550 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 42.90° N, 42.93° E; 2600 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.012 • 2 ♂♂; Ushguli ; 42.91° N, 42.93° E; 2290 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.013 , 2019-01.014 • 4 ♂♂; Ushguli ; 42.910° N, 43.007° E; 2295 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066568 , ZFMK-DIP-00066572 , ZFMK-DIP-00066573 , ZFMK-DIP-00066574 = ZFMK-TIS-8008829 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066545 • 3 ♂♂; Ushguli ; 42.898° N, 43.008° E; 2601 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003018 to SB.003020 • 2 ♂♂, 1 ♀; Ushguli ; 42.9370° N, 42.9061° E; 2550 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 2 ♂♂; Ushguli ; 42.8964° N, 43.0047° E; 2565 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386811 , CNC1386813 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; CNC, CNC1386810 • 1 ♂; Ushguli ; 42.91° N, 43.09° E; 2585 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.015 • 1 ♂; Tsana ; 42.88° N, 43.15° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-01.021 • 1 ♂; 42.820° N, 43.159° E; 1439 m a.s.l.; 20 Jun. 2019; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 1 ♀; near Shovi ; 42.713° N, 43.701° E; 2022 m a.s.l.; 7 Jul. 2021; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003021 • 1 ♂; near Shovi ; 42.665° N, 43.656° E; 2203 m a.s.l.; 10 Jul. 2021; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003022 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.003023 . – Samtskhe-Javakheti • 2 ♂♂; Borjomi N.P.; 41.857° N, 43.208° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002978 , SB.002979 • 6 ♀♀; Borjomi N.P.; 41.867° N, 43.251° E; 2000 m a.s.l.; 18 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002972 to SB.002977 • 1 ♂; Borjomi N.P.; 41.810° N, 43.119° E; 2050 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; XLS, SB.002983 • 3 ♀♀; Borjomi N.P.; 41.846° N, 43.145° E; 1800 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002980 to SB.002982 • 1 ♂; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.777° N, 43.139° E; 1720 m a.s.l.; 20 Jun. 2018; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.002984 • 1 ♂; road from Sakire to Tsikhisjvari ; 41.728° N, 43.364° E; 2327 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 2019; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003008 • 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.003002 , SB.003003 , SB.003006 = CNC databasing S. Bot 924, SB.003007 • 2 ♂♂, 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 3 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 5 ♂♂; road from Sakire to Tsikhisjvari ; 41.7299° N, 43.3684° E; 2245 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1385954 , CNC1385976 , CNC1385997 , CNC1386001 , CNC1386039 • 5 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CNC, CNC1385938 , CNC1385984 , CNC1386009 , CNC1386025 , CNC1386037 • 6 ♂♂; road from Sakire to Tsikhisjvari ; 41.72° N, 43.36° E; 2250 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-00.890 to 2019-00.892 , 2019-00.980 to 2019-00.982 • 5 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; JSB, 2019-00.983 to 2019-00.987 • 6 ♂♂; road from Sakire to Tsikhisjvari ; 41.7251° N, 43.3605° E; 2519 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066553 , ZFMK-DIP-00066554 , ZFMK-DIP-00066555 = ZFMK-TIS-8008828 , ZFMKDIP-00066556 to ZFMK-DIP-00066558 • 6 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMKDIP-00066525 to ZFMK-DIP-00066529 , ZFMK-DIP-00066548 • 1 ♀; road from Sakire to Tsikhisjvari ; 41.7304° N, 43.3342° E; 1900 m a.s.l.; 9 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066524 • 6 ♂♂; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.824° N, 42.848° E; 2165 m a.s.l.; 10 Jun. 2019; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003009 to SB.003014 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; SBA, SB.003015 • 5 ♂♂, 2 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; L. Hofstee leg.; LHH • 2 ♂♂; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.83° N, 42.81° E; 2260 m a.s.l.; 10 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-00.988 , 2019-00.989 • 6 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; JSB, 2019- 00.990 to 2019-00.995 • 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMKDIP- 00066520 to ZFMK-DIP-00066523 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Abastumani ; 41.8242° N, 42.8472° E; 2150 m a.s.l.; 10 Jun. 2019; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.86° N, 42.77° E; 1830 m a.s.l.; 10 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019-00.996 • 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; JSB, 2019- 00.997 to 2019-00.999 , 2019-01.000 • 4 ♂♂; same data as for preceding; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066562 , ZFMK-DIP-00066563 , ZFMK-DIP-00066566 , ZFMK-DIP-00066567 • 4 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066537 to ZFMK-DIP-00066539 , ZFMKDIP-00066552 = ZFMK-TIS-8006833 • 1 ♀; Borjomi N.P.; 41.823° N, 42.841° E; 2049 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 2019; S. Bot leg.; SBA, SB.003016 • 3 ♂♂; Borjomi N.P.; 41.8181° N, 42.8316° E, 2004 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386282 , CNC1386296 , CNC1386300 • 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CNC, CNC1386250 , CNC1386284 , CNC1386290 • 2 ♀♀; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.8697° N, 42.7923° E; 1683 m a.s.l., 11 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386348 , CNC1386350 • 2 ♀♀; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.82° N, 42.84° E; 2100 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 2019; J. van Steenis leg.; JSB, 2019- 01.001 , 2019-01.002 • 5 ♂♂; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.8245° N, 42.8482° E; 2165 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 2019; J.H. Skevington leg.; CNC, CNC1386088 , CNC1386093 , CNC1386094 , CNC1386107 , CNC1386143 • 16 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; CNC, CNC1386087 , CNC1386099 , CNC1386100 , CNC1386103 , CNC1386108 , CNC1386109 , CNC1386122 to CNC1386125 , CNC1386132 , CNC1386136 , CNC1386138 to CNC1386140 , CNC1386145 • 3 ♂♂; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.8234° N, 42.84° E, 2025 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066559 to ZFMK-DIP-00066561 • 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066531 = ZFMK-TIS-8008825 , ZFMK-DIP-00066532 , ZFMK-DIP-00066533 • 3 ♀♀; Borjomi N.P. ; 41.863° N, 42.789° E; 1800 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 2019; X. Mengual leg.; ZFMK, ZFMK-DIP-00066540 , ZFMK-DIP-00066541 , ZFMK-DIP-00066550 = ZFMK-TIS-8008827 • 2 ♂♂; Sakire , 41.7301° N, 43.3306° E; 1820 m a.s.l.; 10 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♂; Dviri , 41.7543° N, 43.2734° E; 1090 m a.s.l.; 10 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 1 ♀; Kodiani ; 41.7300° N, 43.3485° E; 2080 m a.s.l.; 10 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, A027 • 1 ♂; Dviri ; 41.7543° N, 43.2733° E; 1100 m a.s.l.; 10 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, D011 • 2 ♂♂; Dviri ; 41.7543° N, 43.2734° E; 1090 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2023; F. Van de Meutter leg.; FMT • 3 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; FMT, ZFMK-TIS-8028473 • 1 ♀; Borjomi ; 41.8098° N, 43.3327° E; 850 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, A019 • 2 ♂♂; Dviri ; 41.7543° N, 43.2733° E; 1100 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2023; W. Opdekamp leg.; WOR, B027 , B029 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; WOR, B010 .

TURKEY – Rize • 10 ♂♂; N side of Ovit Geçidi ; 1800 m a.s.l.; 19 Jul. 1992; J.A.W. Lucas leg.; RMNH, ZMA.INS.1451007 to ZMA.INS.1451011 , ZMA.INS.1451053 to ZMA.INS.1451057 • 18 ♀♀; same data as for preceding; NBC, ZMA.INS.1451012 to ZMA.INS.1451016 , ZMA.INS.1451058 to ZMA. INS.1451070 .

Description

Male

LENGTH. Body 9–12.5 mm, wing 8.5–10.5 mm.

HEAD. Face bare, black, slightly protruding downwards, with facial tubercle, facial tubercle distinct, rounded and placed relatively low on the face, thick pruinose below lunule, facial tubercle shiny, area ventral of facial tubercle slightly pruinose or shiny, below lunule narrower than an eye. Mala black, shiny. Parafacia black, pruinose or shiny, white pilose, about 0.8 times as wide as postpedicel. Clypeus shiny or slightly pruinose, about twice as long as wide. Frontal triangle black, shiny, except narrowly pruinose along eye margin, swollen, with long black pile, sometimes with yellow pile intermixed, with medial frontal sulcus. Length of eye contiguity about 1.2 times the length of frons. Angle of approximation of eyes 90–110°. Vertical triangle black, shiny, ocellar triangle shiny, long black pilose. Occiput pruinose, short yellow and long black pilose. Lunule dark orange to blackish, with distinct medial arm, separating acetabula. Scape black, anteriorly with black setae; pedicel black at base, dark orange at apex, anteriorly with black setae; postpedicel bright orange, sometimes apicodorsal corner darkened, rounded, pruinose, about as heigh as wide or slightly wider as high; arista black, sometimes very base dark orange, with very short pile, pile much shorter than diameter of arista at base. Eye with long, black and dense pile.

THORAX. Scutum black, shiny, finely punctured, anteriorly with long erect pile, posteriorly with long erect and short erect pile, pile whitish or golden yellow except in anterolateral corners and posterior half with variable amount of black pile. Scutellum shiny, with long erect and denser short erect pile, pile black except long pile along posterior margin yellow, without black setae along posterior margin. Pleura black, slightly pruinose, pile yellowish except on anepisternum where predominantly black and on anepimeron where sometimes partly or predominantly black; metasternum with long whitish pile; dorsal and ventral pile patches on katepisternum connected by shorter pile. Haltere pedicellum orange, capitulum dark brown to blackish.

WING. Wing including alula entirely microtrichose, hyaline except in some specimens where anterior and basal parts slightly yellow-brown infuscate, wing veins brown in the basal part and black in the apical part of the wing.

LEGS. Coxae and trochanters black. Femora black except apices narrowly yellow; profemur anteriorly with short semi-adpressed golden pile, posteriorly with long black pile; mesofemur anteriorly with pile of decreasing length towards apex, predominantly golden at base, black at apex, posteriorly with long predominantly black pile; metafemur anteriorly and anteroventrally with row of, predominantly golden, long pile, ventrally with short semi-adpressed black pile, golden at base, posteriorly with short erect predominantly golden pile. Protibia orange except central fifth to half of posterior side with blackish marking, anteriorly with dense adpressed golden pile, posteriorly with semi-adpressed black pile; mesotibia orange with variable vaguely delimited blackish ring below the middle occupying a fifth to three-quarters of tibia length, with short black pile; metatibia orange at basal third and at very apex, in between with black ring or dark orange to blackish markings, sometimes black markings reduced to black smudge, ventrally with adpressed dense golden pile, most extensive at apex, anteriorly with semi-erect black pile, posteriorly with adpressed pile, basally for third to two thirds black, remainder golden; protarsus with basal four tarsomeres orange, dark orange or blackish dorsally, orange ventrally, tarsomere 5 black, with golden pile, except dorsally with black pile; mesotarsus with basal four tarsomeres dark orange or blackish dorsally, orange or dark orange ventrally, tarsomere 5 black, with black pile, ventrally with black setae; metatarsus black or blackish dorsally, ventrally basal four tarsomeres dark orange or blackish, tarsomere 5 black, with black pile, except basal three tarsomeres dorsally and posteriorly with dense adpressed golden pile, basitarsomere not swollen.

ABDOMEN. Terga I–IV with erect long golden pile, except posterior margin of terga II–IV where slightly adpressed, sometimes with narrow area of black pile along front margin of terga III and IV and with scattered black pile medially on posterior half of tergum III and in posterior corners of tergum IV; tergum I pruinose, tergum II and III slightly pruinose except shiny lateral margins, tergum IV anteriorly and medially with slight pruinosity, otherwise shiny. Sternum I pruinose, sometimes with median shiny stripe, with long erect yellow pile, becoming laterally shorter and more adpressed, sternum II shiny with long erect yellow pile, sternum III shiny, medially with short adpressed pile, laterally with long erect pile, sternum IV with very slight pruinosity, medially with short adpressed pile, laterally with long erect pile. Genitalia with surstylus ca 1.7 times as long as wide, with large keel, keel and area above keel with large field of microtrichia ( Fig. 9D); dorsal lobe of postgonite short and wide with inwards facing tip ( Fig. 9C).

Female

LENGTH. Body 7.5–10 mm, wing 8–9.5 mm.

Similar to the male, except for normal sexual dimorphism and the following characters. Frons shiny except anterolateral corners with small triangular area of grey pruinosity, with erect golden pile, along lateral margins sometimes with few black pile, with wide paravertica. Pile on ocellar triangle variable, golden, black or intermixed golden and black. Dorsal third of occiput shiny along eye. Scape blackish to orange, anteriorly with black or yellow setae. Pedicel blackish to orange. Colour of pile on eye yellow or dorsal part brown or black, ventral part yellow. Scutum with erect dense golden or whitish pile, of two lengths on posterior part, short pile on posterior part sometimes with field of black pile. Scutellum shiny, with long golden pile and short golden pile or mixed golden and black pile. Pleura with yellow pile, sometimes with a few individual black pile on posterior anepisternum. Capitulum of haltere orange to brownish. Femora orange. Profemur posteriorly with long black or yellow or mixed pile. Mesofemur posteriorly with long predominantly yellow pile. Metafemur with yellow pile, sometimes with few black setae ventrally near apex. Tibia orange, with whitish pile, sometimes with few individual black pile. Protarsus with basal four tarsomeres orange, tarsomere 5 black, with yellow pile. Mesotarsus with basal four tarsomeres orange, tarsomere 5 black, with yellow pile. Metatarsus with tarsomere 1 dorsally black, ventrally orange, tarsomere 2 and 3 orange, with or without black base dorsally, tarsomere 4 dorsally black, ventrally orange, tarsomere 5 black. Terga I–IV completely covered with yellow pile, long and erect along lateral margins, adpressed and shorter medially. Terga II–IV shiny. Sternum IV shiny except posterior margin pruinose.

Morphological variation

There is a female (ZFMK-DIP-00066552 = ZFMK-TIS-8006833) with long pile on the face and another female has the femora predominantly black. Moreover, there is a male with the tibiae completely yellow.

Genetics

All DNA barcodes of C. aurantia sp. nov. are resolved into a cluster with high support (BS = 100%).

Remarks

This species has been named in the published literature as C. lenis . In fact, some paratypes collected in 2018 were identified as C. lenis by Mengual et al. (2020).

In 2023, the first author found a series of C. aurantia sp. nov. in the collection of the RMNH. The specimens were collected by J.A.W. Lucas in Turkey in 1992. The series was labelled in the box as “ Cheilosia pontica sp. nov. Claussen & Lucas”, but the species and the name were never published. We assembled the series of paratypes of C. aurantia . We would have been happy to adopt the working name of C. pontica of Claussen and Lucas, however, this name refers to the region in Turkey where these specimens were found, while we now know that the species has a much wider distribution, throughout the Caucasus.

Biology

Common, collected in mountains at altitudes between 612–2615 m a.s.l. Early in the season found on Taraxacum sp. , Salix sp. catkins and flowering Acer velutinum Boiss. , later on a variety of low flowers including Ranunculus sp. and Caltha palustris . Females have been observed to crawl downwards along the leafstem of Caucasalia macrophylla (M.Bieb.) B.Nord. which may indicate that this is the larval food plant.

Distribution

In Turkey only known from the high mountain pass Ovit Dağı Geçidi. Outside Turkey widespread in the Greater and Lesser Caucasus, known from Armenia, Georgia and Russia.