Phthinia neptunei
Phthinia neptunei is most similar to P. hyrcanica Zaitzev (described from Azerbaijan), but is easily distinguished by the trifurcate versus bifurcate gonostylus, respectively. In the Nearctic region P. neptunei is most similar to P. ramificans, but can be distinguished by the structure of the male terminalia. Both species have the gonostylus trilobate. However, in P. neptunei the gonostylus is more compact, with three straight, apically acute, saber-like lobes projecting in roughly the same plane, which gives the impression of a trident or the thumb and two fingers of a hand with the palm facing up. In contrast, the three lobes in P. ramificans are quite different from each other; an elongate slightly outwardly-curving saber-like lobe apically, a shorter spatulate lobe basally, and a smaller, rather insignificant lobe, between the two (see also Zaitzev 1993: 36, Figs. 1–2). Additionally, P. neptunei has the apex of the gonocoxites adorned with numerous, inwardly-directed, strong, spine-like, setae whereas P. ramificans lacks such setae, and has the gonocoxites apically tapered and elongated into a spine-like lobe. In California and Oregon, where only P. neptunei and P. cascadica have been recorded, females of these two species can be distinguished by the different distribution of macrotrichia on the wing, the relative divergence of A1 from the petiole of the cubital fork, and the presence/absence of posterior setae on the hind tibia.
Male. Body length: 5.4–6.6, 6.1 [6.6] mm (n=10).
Head. First flagellomere longer, about 1.5 times the length of flagellomere 2.
Thorax. Laterotergite bare. Scutellum with 4 stronger bristles (although sometimes only 2–3 apparent and sometimes all setae are shorn off).
Legs. First tarsomere of foreleg about 2.3x length of foretibia, first tarsomere of midleg about 1.2x as long as midtibia, and first tarsomere of hind leg about 0.7x as long as hind tibia. Hind tibia with 7–10 minute anterior setae and 13–20 minute dorsal setae, and posterior setae absent (n=4); midtibia also with a small number of minute anterior and dorsal setae.
Wings. Length:3.7–4.5, 4.2 [4.3] mm (n=10). Membrane densely covered with macrotrichia and microtrichia. C extending about 2/5 of the distance between R5 and M1; Rs about 1/5 length r-m; petiole of medial fork 2/5–2/3 length of r-m; medial fork complete though basal 2/3 of M1 may be faint; A1 running quite divergent from stem of CuA.
Abdomen. Terminalia brown, not contrasting color of abdomen. Tergite 9 well developed, basally narrowly fused with gonocoxites laterally. Cerci slender elongate, apically acute and each with a very strong seta apically. Hypoproct small, posterior margin medially emarginate, forming a pair of small rounded, setose lobes ventral to cerci. Gonocoxite developed beyond point of articulation of gonostylus into an apical (posteriorly directed) lobe bearing very strong, spine-like setae on inner (mesal) surface. Gonostylus apically trifurcate; all lobes blade-like, apically acute, with longest blade anteriorly and shortest posteriorly; blade-like lobes dark-brown to black contrasting with lighter brown base of gonostylus. Paramere strongly sclerotized with four short, digitate, apically-rounded lobes. Aedegal complex small, apically tapered.
Female. Body length: 6.0 mm (n=1). Similar to male.
(after Fitzgerald & Kerr, 2014)
Phthinia neptunei n. sp. is known from western California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska at elevations from 6m–1706m. It has been collected from redwood forests in coastal California, from both coniferous and mixed woods in Oregon, and from Populus–Picea woods in Alaska. Specimens have been taken on dunes, swept from undercut creek banks, taken in Malaise traps, and found resting on the inside of windows in an old barn. The seasonal distribution is March–November with the greatest number of records June–July.
(after Fitzgerald & Kerr, 2014)