Brachycentrus (Sphinctogaster) solomoni Flint 1984

Brachycentrus (Sphinctogaster) solomoni

Brachycentrus nigrisoma [sic] (Banks).—Lloyd, 1915:81–86.—Murphy, 1919:154–159.—Lloyd, 1921:82–87.—Sibley. 1926:105 [misidentifications].

Brachycentrus nigrosoma (Banks): Betten, 1934:386 [misidentification].

This species is very closely related to B. numerosus (Say), which it seems to replace, in general, in the more mountainous sections of the Appalachian Mountains. The males may be distinguished from the closely related B. numerosus (Say) and B. etowahensis Wallace by the possession of a distinct, although small, lobe subapically from the inner margin of the clasper when seen in ventral aspect, and in addition the apex of the clasper is not enlarged and the apex of the tenth tergum is only shallowly divided on the midline and the halves are appressed against each other.

The larvae are similar in all three species, but those of B. solomoni, new species, differ from the other two in the coloration of the legs, being much darker with the tibiae mostly infuscate but reddish-brown on the apicomesal fourth. The head is also darkest of all three with the anteromesal spots restricted in size and the posterior pair often strongly infuscate and much obscured. They actually appear to be very similar in appearance to many larvae of B. spinae Ross, from which they can generally be distinguished by the more restricted pale markings on the head. The larvae and their habits were first described by Lloyd (1915, 1921) and Murphy (1919) from New York under the name of B. nigrisoma [sic]. A series (INHS) of male and female metamorphotypes collected by Lloyd from McLean, New York are proof of the current identity of these larval descriptions.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 9–10 mm, 11–13 mm. Color fuscous, tibiae and tarsi paler; forewing fuscous with paler spots in an indistinct, subapical band. Male abdomen with seventh sternum bearing a broad, posteromesal, nail-like lobe.

Male Genitalia: Ninth segment without a sternal lobe. Cercus elongate, almost truncate in lateral aspect; in dorsal aspect cerci divided and separated mesally, nearly oval in outline. Tenth tergum elongate, barely enlarged apicad in lateral aspect; in dorsal aspect with tip slightly divided mesally, halves not divergent, wider than long, with 1 macrochaeta each (commonly with a second small macrochaeta on one side). Clasper with a large basal area, tip evenly curved, not enlarged apicad, apex with a small point; in ventral aspect apex developed into a mesally directed point, mesal margin with a small (generally), subapical lobe.

LARVA.—Length to 13 mm. Sclerites dark brown to fuscous, marked with reddish-brown; frontoclypeus anteriad to midlength constriction with a lateral, elongate, paler mark; gena mostly dark, with genal and postocular dark bands confluent posteriad, enclosing an indistinctly paler mark posteriad, slightly paler laterad, dark ventrally; mid- and hindlegs infuscate, tibia reddish-brown on apicoventral fourth and in a broad band down middle of femur. Femora of mid- and hindlegs with 3 enlarged setae; apicodorsal seta slightly enlarged over other dorsal setae; ventral fringe uniform. Tibiae of mid- and hindlegs with a basomesal row of 3–4 setae. Two pairs of submesal setae on venter of first abdominal segment of equal size, larger than homologous setae of second segment. Lateral fringe present from third through sixth segments. Gills single, in dorsal, lateral, and ventral rows.

TYPE MATERIAL.—Holotype, male, USNM: USA, NEW YORK, Beaverkill, Roscoe, 7 May 1976, L. Solomon. USNM Type 101321. Paratypes: Same data, 1, 6; same, but 2 May 1976, 1; same, but 30 Apr 1976, 4:30 p.m. large ovipositing swarms, 1, 1. Dutchess Co., Wappingers Creek, Stanfordville, 12:30 p.m., 17 Apr 1976, L. Solomon, 1, 1. Pennsylvania, Penn's Creek, Weikert, D.C. Proper, 1, 3; same, but 7 mi. W Weickert, 23 Apr 1977, 2. Venango Co., Sugar Creek, 28 Apr 1981, J. Busch, 2, 4. VIRGINIA, Alleghany Co., Potts Creek, 3 mi. SW Jordan Mines, 18 Apr 1968, Yamamoto and Odum, , (ROM). Bath Co., Jackson River, Hidden Valley Bridge, 19 Apr 1980, S. Hiner, 16, 1 (VPI, USNM). Bath Co., Blowing Springs Campground, 17 Apr 1968, Yamamoto and Odum, 3, 8 (ROM). Craig Co., Potts Creek, Steel Bridge Campground, Rt. 18, 22 Apr 1979, C. Parker, 3, 4 (VPI). WEST VIRGINIA, Pendleton Co., Smokehole Campground, near Franklin, 9 Apr 1977, M. and D. Davis, 3, 2. Near Dry Creek, Red Creek, 30 Apr 1944, Frison and Ross, 5 (INHS). CANADA, QUEBEC, Cascades Point, 3 Jun 1930, L.J. Milne, 1 1 (MCZ).

OTHER MATERIAL.—USA, NEW YORK, McLean, 15 May 1925, J.T. Lloyd, , metamorphotypes (INHS). Beaverkill, near Rockland, 4 Apr 1959, Flint and Neff, 30 larvae; same, but 6 Dec 1959, Flint and Nowosielski, 15 larvae. Little Beaverkill, Roscoe, 13 Feb 1977, L. Solomon, 3 larvae. Beaverkill, Roscoe, 29 Apr 1977, 2 prepupae, 1 pupa. Dutchess Co., Wappingers Creek, Stanfordville, 17 Apr 1976, L. Solomon, 1 metamorphotype.

PENNSYLVANIA, summer 1976, E. Kupsky, 4 larvae (CUC).

VERMONT, Lyndonville, 26 Dec 1936, D. Denning, 1 larva (UMSP).

CANADA, QUEBEC, Ruiter Brook, Dunkin, 27 Sep 1956, G.B. Wiggins, 1 larva (ROM).