Sphaeromias Curtis

Sphaeromias Curtis (Figs. 2F, 12E, 17C, 22A, 28B, 31C, 33I, 40D–E, 46E, 53B, 69A, 77C) DIAGNOSIS: Only pupa of Ceratopogonidae with the abdominal tubercles all apically pointed (Fig. 68C), abdominal segment 4 with D-8-IV and D-8-IV on only basally fused tubercles (Fig. 68C) and abdominal segment 8 with the two ventral sensilla (V-5-VIII, V-6-VIII) on a single tubercle and V-5-VIII tiny and V-6-VIII elongate; not diagnosable as different from Leehelea, a genus known only from the Oriental and Australasian Regions. DESCRIPTION: Habitus as in Fig. 12E. Total length = 6.63–8.53 mm. Without larval exuviae retained on abdomen. Exuviae with flagellum appressed against lateral margin of midleg, wing (Figs. 17C, 33I). Ecdysial tear around base of antenna, along lateral margin of face to palpus (as in Figs. 17C, 79H). Head: Dorsal apotome (Fig. 22A), with ventral line of weakness, without dorsomedial tubercle, without central dome; dorsolateral cephalic sclerite (as in Fig. 13H) fused to scutum, each side separated medially by dorsal apotome in whole pupa; mouthparts (Fig. 28B) with mandible well-developed, lacinia absent; palpus extending just posterior to well posterior to posterolateral margin of labium; labium entire (not divided medially); apex of antenna (Figs. 40D–E) anterior to posterior extent of midlength portion of midleg (portion lateral to mesosternum), narrowed posteriorly; sensilla: dorsal apotomals (Fig. 22A)—1 elongate seta, 1 campaniform sensillum; dorsolateral cephalic sclerite sensilla—1 seta, 1 campaniform sensillum; clypeal-labrals (Fig. 28B)—2 slender setae; oculars (Fig. 28B)—2 setae, 1 campaniform sensillum. Thorax: Prothoracic extension (Fig. 28B) wide, well-developed but narrow dorsolaterally, not extending to antenna; mesonotum without tubercles, not extending posteromedially, not dividing metathorax medially (Fig. 53B); respiratory organ (Fig. 46E) length/width = 3.20–4.06, elongate, moderately slender, somewhat flattened apically, with pores closely abutting at apex of respiratory organ, arranged in single row, outer surface with a few wrinkles, with moderately elongate pedicel, base with moderate elongate posteromedial apodeme, membranous base of respiratory organ short to moderately elongate and annulated, tracheal tube straight to slightly curved along length, with spirals restricted to base, wrinkles for most of length; wing (Figs. 40D–E) without apical tubercle or angle, separated medially by fore-, midlegs; halter apex and hind leg (Fig. 33I) broadly abutting; halter apex extending posteriorly to 1/6 length of tergite 2; legs (Figs. 40D–E) with lateral margin of foreleg near midlength of wing evenly curved; hind leg visible at lateral margin of wing (Fig. 33I); male with apex of foreleg moderately anterior to apex of midleg, female with apex of foreleg ventral to apex of midleg; apex of hind leg abutting apex of midleg laterally; sensilla: anteromedials—2 elongate setae (as in Figs. 31L–M); anterolaterals—1 moderately long seta; dorsal setae (Fig. 31C)—D-1-T, D-2-T, D-4-T, D-5-T setae, D-3- T campaniform sensillum, D-3-T lateral to D-4-T; supraalar 2—campaniform sensillum; metathoracics (Fig. 53B)—1 campaniform sensillum; M-3-T distant from margin of metathorax (at least 1/3 length of metathorax). Abdomen: with tergite 1 with 3 medial spots, tergites 2–7 with medial area with stripe, 2 anterolateral spots, sternites 3–7 with medial stripe, anterolateral spot, 2 spots on sternite 8; sternite 8 with dark posteromedial apodeme, segment 2 as wide or slightly wider than segment 3, segments with undivided, thin to thick setae, with pointed, short to moderately elongate tubercles, tergites or sternites entire, each without membranous disc; segment 9 (Fig. 77C) not strongly modified, terminal processes closely approximated basally, each projecting posterodorsolaterally, tapering to pointed apex; sensilla: tergite 1 (Fig. 53B) with 8 setae, 2 campaniform sensilla, including 3 lateral sensilla, D-2-I, D-3-I closely approximated, D-7-I situated anteriorly near D-3-I; segment 4 (Fig. 69A)—D-2-IV, D-3-IV short to moderately elongate setae on short tubercles; D-5-IV, D-8-IV, D-9-IV short to moderately elongate setae, D-7-IV present or absent; D-5-IV on single tubercle, D-8-IV, D-9-IV on basally fused, closely approximated tubercles, posterior dorsal sensilla in transverse row, arranged medially to laterally: D-5-IV, D-4-IV, D-8-IV, D-9-IV; D-7-IV, if present, near D-3-IV; L-1-IV elongate seta on short tubercle, just anterior of base of tubercle with L-2-IV, L-3-IV; L-2-IV, L-3-IV, L-4-IV moderately elongate setae, L-2-IV, L-3-IV on single pointed tubercle, L-4-IV on elongate tubercle, V-5-IV, V-6-IV, V-7-IV short setae on short tubercles, all closely approximated, V-5-IV, V-6-IV with tubercles fused basally; segment 8 without D-3-VIII, without L-1-VIII; with V- 5-VIII, V-6-VIII on single tubercle, V-5-VIII tiny, V-6-VIII elongate; segment 9 (Fig. 77C)—with D-5-IX, D-6-IX campaniform sensilla. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: The genus Sphaeromias is known from 30 species from every Region worldwide other than the Neotropical Region (Borkent 2014; minus one species, see below). Immatures are known from water hyacinth, Pistia stratiotes, from peat soil in Rhizophora mangroves, shady swamps, a grassy wetland, rivers, and lakes (sometimes in blanket algae). Larvae of Holarctic species are reported from the benthos of lakes. Knausenberger (1987) provides further details of various microhabitats within the genus. TAXONOMIC DISCUSSION: The pupae of five species of Sphaeromias are known (Tables 2–3). Sphaeromias theileri de Meillon & Wirth (1981) is now considered a species of Nilobezzia (see taxonomic discussion under that genus). Male and female pupae of Sphaeromias and Homohelea are sexually dimorphic in the arrangement of their forelegs. In males, the foreleg is relatively short (Figs. 40A, D) while in females the foreleg overlaps the midleg entirely (Figs. 40B, E) (see character 44). The feature is likely present in two related genera, Xenohelea and Leehelea. Some pupae of Sphaeromias are the largest of all Ceratopogonidae pupae (Fig. 2F). MATERIAL EXAMINED: S. bifidus: 1 pupal exuviae, Black Lake, North Burgess Township, Ontario, Canada, 21-VI-1971 (CNCI). S. fasciatus: 2 pupae, Tegeler See, Germany, 20-V-1931 (ZSMC); 7 pupal exuviae, Strelna, Leningrad Province, Russia, 30-V-1998 (ZIN). S. longipennis: 1 pupal exuviae, Black Lake, Stanleyville, Ontario, Canada, 24-VI-1975 (USNM); 2 pupal exuviae, as previous locality, 25-VI-1975 (USNM); 5 pupal exuviae, Rideau River, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 29-V-1960 (USNM); 1 pupal exuviae (in glycerin), Black Lake, Quebec, Canada, 21-VI-1971 (CNCI); 1 pupal exuviae, Bemus Point, Chautauqua Lake, New York, USA, 31-V- 1963 (USNM); 1 pupal exuviae, Wanakena, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA, 25-VI-1963 (USNM); 1 pupal exuviae, Cranberry Lake, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA, 25-VI-1963 (USNM). S. pictus: 4 pupal exuviae, Raigorodok, Donetsk Province, Ukraine, 30-V-1970 (ZIN). S. sp.: 2 pupal exuviae, White Lake, Ontario, Canada, 29-V-1967 (CNCI); 1 pupal exuviae, Rutka Tartak nr Suwałki, Poland, 2-VII-1993 (IZUG).

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