Modifications to the Genus Ochthera (Diptera: Ephydridae) and Additions to the

Neotropical Species
Author(s): Philip J. Clausen
Source: Transactions of the American Entomological Society (1890-) , Jun., 1980, Vol.
106, No. 2 (Jun., 1980), pp. 205-222
Published by: American Entomological Society

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 MODIFICATIONS TO THE GENUS OCHTHERA
(D?PTERA: EPHYDRIDAE) AND ADDITIONS TO
THE NEOTROPICAL SPECIES1

Philip J. Clausen
Department of Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108

Introduction
When I revised the nearctic, neotropical, and palearctic species
of the genus Ochthera (Clausen 1977), I was able to examine only a
few specimens of what is now a single species of Stenochthera. Un
fortunately, that species was Stenochthera regalis (Williston). It is
the most common species but also exhibits the extremes of
character variation within species and is the most atypical species
with respect to several important characters, especially head shape,
body color, and genitalic structure.
As I attempted to revise Stenochthera, the examination of more
specimens of regalis and of specimens of the other species made
Stenochthera rather indistinct from Ochthera. Consequently, I
now feel that it is best to synonymize Stenochthera and slightly
modify my previous concept of Ochthera to include those species
formerly placed in Stenochthera.
This paper is a supplement to my revision of Ochthera and
modifies descriptions and keys to include the following species.

Acknowledgements
For providing me with the essential types and many specimens, I am sincerely in
debted to the following persons and institutions: Dr. Paul H. Arnaud, Jr., Califor
nia Academy of Sciences; Dr. H. Derrick Blocker, Kansas State University; Dr.
Brian H. Cogan, British Museum (Natural History); Dr. E.J. Fittkau and Dr. F.
Reiss, Zoologische Staatssammlung, M?nchen, West Germany; Dr. Wilford J.
Hanson, Utah State University; Dr. B. Herting, Staatliches Museum f?r
Naturkunde Stuttgart, Lundwigsburg, West Germany; Dr. Robert E. Lewis, Iowa

'Paper No. 10,960, Scientific Journal Series, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment

Station, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108
(205)
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206 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

State University; Dr. B. Lindeberg, Zoological Museum Helsinki, Finland; Dr.

Wayne N. Mathis and Dr. Willis W. Wirth, U.S. National Museum of Natural
History, Smithsonian Institution; Dr. Thomas E. Moore, The University of
Michigan; Dr. Alfred F. Newton, Jr., Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard
University; Dr. Nelson Papavero, Museu de Zoolog?a da Universidade de Sao
Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Dr. Selwyn S. Roback, The Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia; Mrs. Jane A. Schafrik, Cornell University; Dr. H. Schumann,
Zoologisches Museum, Humbolt-Universitat zu Berlin, Berlin, Deutsche
Demokratische Republik; Dr. Charles A. Triplehorn, The Ohio State University;
Dr. William J. Turner and Mr. Richard Zack, Washington State University; Dr.
J.R. Vockeroth and Dr. Bruce E. Cooper, Canadian National Collections, Ottawa,
Canada; Dr. George Wallace, Carnegie Museum; Dr. Howard V. Weems, Jr.,
Florida State Collection of Arthropods; and Dr. P. Wygodzinski, The American
Museum of Natural History.

Taxonomy
Genus OCHTHERA Latreille
The synonymies for the genus Ochthera are the same as those
listed in Clausen (1977) with the following additions.
Ochthera Latreille, Clausen 1977: 457-460.
Stenochthera Hendel, 1930: 131-132. Type species Stenochthera angustifacies
Hendel (orig. des.). Cresson 1931: 170; Cresson 1938: 37; Clausen 1977: 458.
Diagnosis. Head when viewed in profile, with or without a
distinct facial protuberance (carina) in middle, extending slightly
beyond anterior oral margin; face when viewed anteriorly, with or
without distinct markings. Legs of prothorax raptorial; femur
greatly enlarged and bearing flexor spines; tibia with large, strong,
apical spur; basitarsus of male sometimes with sensory structure on
outer flexor apex and sometimes also with a sensory structure on
base of second tarsal segment.
Description. As in Clausen (1977) except as follows. Head
when viewed in profile, with or without distinct facial protuberance
(carina) in middle, extending slightly beyond anterior oral margin.
Face sometimes with distinct facial markings and sometimes with
cobalt blue or golden reflections. Thorax sometimes with bright
silvery or iridescent cobalt blue or purplish reflections in stripes
along or between acrostichal and dorsocentral setal rows.
Scutellum sometimes with silvery or iridescent cobalt blue or
purplish reflections.

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 207
Key to the Neotropical Species of the Genus Ochthera

1. Face, when viewed anteriorly, with one or more distinct, shining black (some
times blue, or with purplish luster or with golden reflections), spots, bars,
stripes, or some combination thereof (Figs. 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, & 21 of Clausen
1977 and Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6).2
Face without distinct shining black spots, bars, stripes or some combination
thereof (Figs. 3 & 18 of Clausen 1977).8
2. Facial pattern with broad central spot, becoming much narrower and often
not reaching oral margin, with or without lateral series of black bands,
bars, or spots (Figs. 7, 8, 9, 12, & 13 of Clausen 1977).3
Facial pattern with narrow black median line which branches laterally near oral
margin (Fig. 1); or with very broad black central area (sometimes with
golden reflections or cobalt blue) which becomes broader and extends
laterally near oral margin (Figs. 2, 3, 4, & 5).10
3. Face when viewed anteriorly, with only one large elongate black central spot,
sometimes with purplish luster (Fig. 7 of Clausen 1977).
.cuprilineata Wheeler
Face when viewed anteriorly, with black lateral bars, stripes, spots, or some
combination thereof in addition to large central spot (Figs. 8, 9, 12, 13, &
21 of Clausen 1977).4
4. Large species, total length 4.69 to 5.75 mm; face, when viewed anteriorly, with
numerous black lateral spots (Fig. 21 of Clausen 1977); males with pro
thoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment bearing sensory structure
as in Fig. 32 (Clausen 1977).pilosa Cresson
Smaller species, total length 2.99 to 4.32 mm; face, when viewed anteriorly,
with black lateral bars, stripes, or spots (Figs. 8, 9, 12, & 13 of Clausen
1977); males with or without sensory structure on prothoracic basitarsus
and second tarsal segment, if present, then as in Figs. 26 & 28 of Clausen
1977.5
5. Face wide, distance between eyes 0.41 to 0.48 mm; with 7 or 8 black, later
bars (Fig. 12 of Clausen 1977); prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal
segment of males with sensory structure as in Fig. 28 of Clausen 1977
.lauta Wheeler
Face narrow, distance between eyes 0.24 to 0.34 mm; with black lateral spots
or 4 or 5 lateral bars (Figs. 8, 9, & 13 of Clausen 1977); prothoracic
basitarsus and second tarsal segment of males with or without sensory
structure, if present, then as in Fig. 26 (Clausen 1977).6
6. Face when viewed anteriorly, with carinal area of central spot dome-like and
shining brown; male prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment with
sensory structure as in Fig. 26 (Clausen 1977).dasylenos Clausen
Face when viewed anteriorly, with carinal area of central spot raised but not
dome-like, black; male prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment
without sensory structures.7

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208 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

7. Face when viewed anteriorly, with black lateral bars (Fig. 13 of Clausen 1977);
prementum short, 0.29 to 0.34 mm.loreta Cresson
Face when viewed anteriorly, with black lateral spots or rarely, bars (Fig. 9,
of Clausen 1977); prementum long, 0.34 to 0.44 mm .
.exsculpta Loew
8. Distance between eyes several times clypeal width and from 1/5 to 1/2 total
head width (Figs. 3 and 18 of Clausen 1977).9
Distance between eyes about equal to or only slightly more than clypeal width
and from 1/10 to 1/6 total head width (Fig. 1), rare specimens without
medial facial line.angustifacies Hendel
9. Small species, total length 2.96 to 3.64 mm; clypeus very small, apex tr
(Fig. 3 of Clausen 1977); prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal seg
of males with sensory structure as in Fig. 24 (Clausen 1977).
.baia Cresson
Large species, total length 4.83 to 6.09 mm; clypeus large, apex roun
somewhat pointed (Fig. 18 of Clausen 1977); prothoracic basitarsu
second tarsal segment of males without sensory structures.
. occidentalis Clausen
10. Face when viewed anteriorly, as in Figs. 4, 5, & 6, centrally black, cobal
usually with bright golden reflections, very finely, transversely wr
above oral margin; small males (Fig. 5) and females (Fig. 6) with b
lateral band of silvery to golden or coppery pruinosity; prothoraci
tarsus and second tarsal segment with sensory structure in large males
14), in medium males (Fig. 15), and absent in small males (Fig. 16).
.regalis Williston
Face when viewed anteriorly, as in Figs. 1, 2, & 3, with very narrow or
broad, shining black, central area, with narrow or broad, unbroken, lat
band of silvery to golden or coppery pruinosity; prothoracic basitars
second tarsal segment of males with (Figs. 11 & 13) or without (Fi
sensory structure.11
11. Face when viewed anteriorly with very narrow, shining black, median
branching laterally near oral margin, parafacial area with bright, s
pruinosity (Fig. 1); palps yellowish; larger species, total length 3.54 t
mm; prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment of males
sensory structure as in Fig. 11.angustifacies (Hend

Figures 1-6. Heads. 1, Ochthera angustifacies (Hendel). 2, Ochthera ni

(Cresson). 3, Ochthera triornata Cresson. 4, Ochthera regalis Williston,
male. 5, Ochthera regalis Williston, small male. 6, Ochthera regalis Wil
female. Figures 7-10. Ventral receptacles. 7, Ochthera angustifacies (He
8, Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson). 9, Ochthera regalis Williston. 10, Ochther
nata Cresson.

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 209

1.0 mm

8 9 10
0.25 mm

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210 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

Figures 11-16. Prothoracic legs of males. 11, Ochthera angustifacies (Hendel).

12, Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson). 13, Ochthera triornata Cresson. 14, Ochthera
regalis Williston, large male. 15, Ochthera regalis Williston, medium male.
16, Ochthera regalis Williston, small male.

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 211
Face when viewed anteriorly, with broad, shining black, central area, gradually
broadening toward oral margin, with lateral parafacial band of silvery to
golden or coppery pruninosity (Figs. 2 & 3); rarely, with narrow central
area; palps, dark brown to black; smaller species, total length 2.96 to
3.60 mm; prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment of males with
(Fig. 13) or without (Fig. 12) sensory structure.11
12. Front coxae black, prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment of males
without sensory structure (Fig. 12).nigricoxa (Cresson)
Front coxae yellow, prothoracic basitarsus and second tarsal segment of males
with sensory structure as in Fig. 13.triormata Cresson

Descriptions
Ochthera angustifacies (Hendel)
Stenochthera angustifacies Hendel, 1930: 132-133; Cresson 1931: 170; Cresson
1938: 37.
Types. Hendel (1930) described this species from a series of 6 specimens of
mixed sexes and no type was designated. I have examined the entire series and I am
herein designating one male as the lectotype. The lectotype o*, Bolivia, El Cairo,
VIII-26, Lindner, D. Chaco-Exped., labeled "Type" but clearly added later, not by
Hendel; and 1 o* and 1 9 paralectotype from Bolivia, Guarrayo, 2-IX-26, Lindner,
D. Chaco-Exped., all three in the collection of the Staatliches Museum f?r
Naturkunde Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, West Germany. One o* paralectotype from
El Cairo (same data as the lectotype) and 1 9 paralectotype from Guarrayo (same
data as the above Guarrayo types), both in the collection of the Naturhistorisches
Museum Wien, Austria. Finally, 1 cr paralectotype from Guarrayo (same data as
the above Guarrayo types) and deposited in the collection of the Zoologische
Staatssammlung, M?nchen, West Germany.
Diagnosis. Large species, total length 3.54 to 5.41 mm, face when viewed
anteriorly with very narrow, shining black, median line, branching laterally near
oral margin, medial facial line rarely absent, paraf acial area with bright silvery
pruinosity, palps yellowish. Male with sensory structure on prothoracic basitarsus
and second tarsal segment.
Description. MALE: Total body length 3.54 to 4.05 mm. Head shining black
with coppery pruinosity except as listed; length 0.58 to 0.68 mm; 2 large, proclinate,
frontal setae; 9 to 11 orbital setae, including 2 to 4 large and 1 or 2 small, proclinate
posteriors and 4 to 7 small, lateroclinate anteriors; vertex dark above and below with
coppery pruinosity; inner vertical setae rather large, proclinate. Face (Fig. 1) black
with long, dense, silvery pruinosity, except with very narow, shining black, medial
line, branching laterally near oral margin, medial facial line rarely absent; paraf acial
area with bright silvery pruinosity; paraf acial setae in 2 rows, 2 to 6 inners and 7 to
11 outers; gena with greyish to silvery pruinosity. Clypeus (Fig. 1) small, rounded,
black with long, dense, silvery pruinosity. Palps yellowish.
Thorax shining black with dense coppery pruinosity, dense silvery pruinosity be
tween acrostichal and dorsocentral setal rows, sometimes with purplish stripes

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212 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

laterally along dorsocentral setal rows and sometimes dark coppery to purplish cen
trally between acrostichal setal rows, faint silvery lateral prescutal spot and dense
silvery humeral area; scutum length 1.02 to 1.22 mm; anterior notopleural seta small
or absent, posterior large; 2 large pairs of posterior intraalar setae; pleura black with
silvery pruinosity; 1 or 2 large black and 1 or 2 small, reddish, mesopleural setae.
Scutellum shining black with silvery pruinosity basally, becoming coppery apically,
length 0.37 to 0.51 mm. Legs yellowish to reddish except coxae, prothoracic femur,
basal half of mesothoracic and metathoracic femur, prothoracic and metathoracic
basitarsus, and apical segment of mesothoracic and metathoracic tarsi black, all
with silvery to golden pruinosity; prothoracic femur with 0 inner and 2 to 4 outer,
flexor setae; tibia with spur length 0.34 to 0.41 mm; basitarsus with sensory struc
ture on outer apex (Fig. 11), consisting of a long, curved seta arising from a pro
tuberance within the deeply notched, basitarsal apex, small internal canal opening
on outer surface of seta-bearing protuberance, apex of long, curved seta contacts
microtrichia on base of second tarsal segment, basitarsal length 0.41 to 0.48 mm,
long yellow setae beneath; mesothoracic femur with weak flexor rows; tibia with 1
large, black spur and 3 to 5 large, yellowish to black, anterior, apical setae and often
1 or 2 large, yellowish to black, posterior, apical setae; basitarsus with long yellow
setae beneath; metathoracic femur with weak flexor rows; tibia with 1 or 2, brown to
black, anterior setae and yellow posterior comb at apex; basitarsus and second tarsal
segment with long yellow setae beneath, weak flexor rows. Wing veins brown,
halt?res yellow.
Abdomen as in Fig. 17; shining black with silvery to coppery reflections and cop
pery pruinosity. Genitalia (Fig. 25). Note surstyli with lobed apices, aedeagus with
paired halves only slightly narrowed in middle, gonites somewhat spatulate and
rounded at apices.
FEMALE: Total body length 3.60 to 5.41 mm, remainder as in males except as
noted. Head length 0.58 to 0.71 mm; 9 to 12 orbital setae, including 2 to 5 large and
1 small, proclinate posteriors and 6 to 8 small, lateroclinate anteriors. Face with
paraf acial setae in 2 rows, 1 to 6 inners and 8 to 14 outers. Thorax with scutum
length 1.12 to 1.63 mm; scutellum sometimes entirely covered with coppery
pruinosity, length 0.41 to 0.54 mm. Legs with prothoracic tibial spur length 0.41 to
0.54 mm; basitarsus without sensory structure, length 0.44 to 0.65 mm. Abdomen
(Fig. 21). Ventral receptacle (Fig. 7).
Distribution. Southern Mexico, Central America, and northern 3/4 of South
America (Fig. 29).
Specimens examined. 122 specimens (41o,o* and 81 9 9) from Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Canal Zone, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hon
duras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. Collected all months of the year.

Figures 17-20. Male abdomens. 17, Ochthera angustifacies (Hendel). 18,

Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson). 19, Ochthera regalis Williston. 20, Ochthera trior
nata Cresson. Figures 21-24. Female abdomens. 21, Ochthera angustifacies
(Hendel). 22, Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson). 23, Ochthera regalis Williston. 24,
Ochthera triornata Cresson.

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 213
TERGITE 1
SPIRACLE 1
STERNITE 2

STERNITE 5
SURSTYLUS
SPIRACLE 6
TERGITE 9
CERCUS

19
TERGITE 1
SPIRACLE 1
STERNITE 2

STERNITE 8
SPIRACLE 6
TERGITE 8
CERCUS

23

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214 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson)

Stenochthera nigricoxa Cresson, 1938: 37-38.

Types. Cresson (1938) described this species from 1 male holotype and 9
paratypes (1 o* and 8 9 9 ), all with the same data from Brazil. I have examined 1 o*
and 1 9 paratype from Brazil, Jussaral, Angra, 4-936 (1936?), Benido et S. Lopes,
both in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Penn
sylvania. I have tried to borrow the holotype and remaining 7 paratypes from the In
stituto de Biologia Vegetal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where Cresson (1938) said they
were deposited, but my letters have all gone unanswered.
Cresson (1938) listed the collection date for the types as IV-1934, but the two
paratypes I have seen were both apparently collected in 1936. Also, I have bor
rowed 3cr cr and 29 9 from the Museu de Zoolog?a da Universidade de Sao Paulo,
Brazil and all of these bear identical data as the types listed by Cresson (1938), in
cluding the date 4-934 (1934?). However, these specimens bear no type labels but
they may be other members of the type series which Cresson never saw. They prob
ably are not the missing types because the numbers of each sex do not agree with
Cresson's listing.
In spite of the above discrepancies and the types which I could not borrow, I feel
certain that this taxon is correctly identified because this species is quite distinct and
Cresson (1938) included the essential characters in the description.
Diagnosis. Face when viewed anteriorly with broad, shining black, central area,
gradually broadening toward oral margin, with lateral parafacial band of silvery to
golden or coppery pruinosity; rarely, with narrow central area; palps dark brown to
black, smaller species, total length 2.96 to 3.60 mm; front coxae black; prothoracic
basitarsus and second tarsal segment of males with sensory structure.
Description. MALE: Total body length 2.99 to 3.30 mm. Head shining black
with coppery pruinosity except as follows; length 0.51 to 0.54 mm; 2 large pro
clinate, frontal setae; 6 to 9 orbital setae, including 3 large proclinate and 3 to 6
small lateroclinate setae; vertex dark above and below with coppery pruinosity; in
ner vertical setae small, proclinate. Face (Fig. 2) usually with broad, shining black,
central area, gradually broadening toward oral margin, with lateral parafacial band
of silvery to golden or coppery pruinosity; rarely, with narrow central area; 7 to 10
parafacial setae in 2 close rows; gena with golden pruinosity. Clypeus (Fig. 2) small,
rounded, black with golden pruinosity. Palps dark brown to black.
Thorax shining black with coppery pruinosity, silvery to greyish on humeral
areas, silvery to greyish or golden on posterior, dorsal, notopleural areas, sometimes
with purplish stripes between acrostichal and dorsocentral setal rows and laterally
along dorsocentral setal rows; scutum length 0.82 to 0.95 mm; anterior notopleural
seta located far posterior or with 2 posterior notopleurals and anterior absent, both
subequal in length; 2 large pairs of posterior intraalar setae; pleura black with
greyish to silvery pruinosity; 1 large black and usually 1 smaller, reddish,
mesopleural seta. Scutellum shining black with coppery pruinosity, length 0.31
mm. Legs black except trochanters, apex and base of femurs and tibiae, and apical 4
tarsal segments lighter, yellowish to reddish, all with greyish to golden pruinosity;

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 215

0.25 mm

25

26

Figures 25-26. Male genitalia. 25, Ochthera angustifacies (Hendel). 26,

Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson).

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216 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

prothoracic femur with 0 inner and 3 or 4 outer, flexor setae; tibia with spur length
0.27 to 0.31 mm; basitarsus and second tarsal segment without sensory structures
(Fig. 12), length 0.31 to 0.37 mm, long yellow setae beneath; mesothoracic femur
with weak flexor rows; tibia with 1 large, black spur, 3 black anterior, apical setae,
and without posterior, apical setae; basitarsus with long yellow setae beneath;
metathoracic femur with weak flexor rows; tibia with 1 black anterior seta and
yellow posterior comb at apex; basitarsus and second tarsal segment with long
yellow setae beneath, weak flexor rows. Wing veins brown, halt?res yellow.
Abdomen as in Fig. 18; shining black with coppery pruinosity. Genitalia (Fig.
26). Note surstyli with lobed apices, aedeagus with paired halves narrowed in mid
dle, gonites rounded but somewhat rolled at apices.
FEMALE: Total body length 3.26 to 3.37 mm, remainder as in males except as
follows: Head length 0.31 mm; 7 to 8 orbital setae, including 3 or 4 large proclinate
and 3 to 5 small lateroclinate setae. Face with 7 to 9 parafacial setae in 2 close rows.
Thorax with scutum length 0.92 to 0.97 mm; scutellum length 0.31 to 0.34 mm. Legs
with prothoracic femur with 0 inner and 2 or 3 outer flexor setae; tibial spur length
0.31 mm; basitarsus length 0.37 to 0.41 mm; mesothoracic tibia with 1 large, black
spur, 3 to 5 black anterior, apical setae, and without posterior, apical setae;
metathoracic tibia with 2 black, anterior, apical setae and yellow posterior comb.
Abdomen (Fig. 22). Ventral receptacle (Fig. 8).
Distribution. Southern Mexico and northern 3/4 of South America (Fig. 30).
Specimens examined. 24 specimens (13 o* c and 119 9) from Brazil, Ecuador,
and Mexico. Collected in January, February, April, June and September.

Ochthera regalis Williston

Ochthera regalis Williston, 1897:6.
Stenochthera caeruleovittata Hendel, 1930:133-134; Cresson 1938:39-40.
Ochthera wrighti Cresson, 1931:169.
Ochthera painteri Cresson, 1931:169-170.
Stenochthera regalis (Williston), Cresson 1931:170; Cresson 1938:38-39.
Stenochthera wrighti (Cresson), Cresson 1938:37.
Williston (1897) described regalis in the genus Ochthera. In 1930, Hendel
described the genus Stenochthera and placed caeruleovittata therein. Hendel (1930)
also mentioned that regalis belonged in Stenochthera but did not complete the place
ment. Later, Cresson (1931) pointed this out and made the new combination. In the
same paper, Cresson (1931) described wrighti and painteri, both in the genus
Ochthera. Finally in 1938, Cresson revised Stenochthera, considered wrighti (pres
ent only in his key to the species) as a valid species of Stenochthera, placed painteri
as a synonym of regalis (Williston), and considered his regalis (Cresson 1931) as
synonymous with caeruleovittata Hendel. I have examined many specimens of each
of the above taxa and the types of all, and I am certain they are conspecific with
regalis Williston.
Types. Williston (1897) described regalis from 2 specimens (1 cr and 19), both
from Rio de Janeiro, but Williston designated no types as such. Later, Cresson

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 217

28

Figures 27-28. Male genitalia. 27, Ochthera regalis Williston. 28, Ochthera
triornata Cresson.

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218 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

(1931) borrowed the female from the American Museum of Natural History, where
both specimens were deposited, but the male was missing. Without the male,
Cresson identified specimens as regalis which later, after discovering the missing
male, he then (Cresson 1938) considered as being synonymous with caeruleovittata
Hendel. He considered regalis (Williston) as a valid species and then apparently
labeled the male as the "holotype." I have borrowed and examined this male from
the American Museum of Natural History, but they assure me that the female is now
lost. The "holotype" male is from Rio de Janeiro and also bears a label of the
"S.W. Williston Collection".
Hendel (1930) described caeruleovittata from a single male specimen from S. Jos?
de Chiquitos, Bolivia, IX-26, Lindner, D. Chaco-Exped., and deposited in the col
lection of the Staatliches Museum f?r Naturkunde Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, West
Germany. I have examined this specimen (actually a female) and, since Hendel never
designated types as such, I have labeled this female as the holotype.
In 1931} Cresson described wrighti from the holotype cr and 9 paratypes (2 o* o*
and 7 9 9 ), all from Cuba, Ch. Wright. He apparently labeled 1 9 as the allotype
but made no mention of it in the literature. I have examined the entire type series.
The holotype o*, allotype 9 , and 4 9 paratypes bear "MCA type 1637" labels and
the holotype and 1 9 paratype bear "Osten Sacken" labels while the remainder bear
"Loew Coll." labels. The 6 specimens are deposited in the collection of the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Of the remaining 4 paratypes (2 crcr and 2 9 9) the males bear "Loew Coll."
labels, the females bear "Osten Sacken" labels, and 1 o* and 1 9 are now missing
from the points on which they were mounted. All 4 paratypes are housed in the col
lection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Also in 1931, Cresson described painteri from a series of 5 specimens from Puerto
Castilla, Honduras, R.H. Painter. Cresson listed the holotype cr as being collected
on April 18, 1924 and bearing A.N.S.P., No. 6486. He said the 4 paratypes were
collected on "April 4, 20, 23, 1924". I have seen specimens labeled as the holotype,
allotype (Cresson made no mention of an allotype), and 1 o* paratype. The
holotype or was collected on April 18, 1926; the allotype 9 on April 20, 1926; and
the o* paratype on April 4, 1926. These three specimens are all housed in the collec
tion of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. I do not know the
whereabouts of the remaining two paratypes (1 o* and 1 9).
From my examination of all of the above types and many other specimens, I must
conclude that all are conspecific, and regalis is superficially a rather variable species.
Diagnosis. Face centrally black, cobalt blue, usually with golden reflections,
very finely, transversely wrinkled above oral margin; small males and all females
with broken lateral band of silvery to golden or coppery pruinosity; prothoracic
basitarsus and second tarsal segment of most males (large and medium) with sensory
structure present, absent in small males.
Description. MALE: Total body length 2.79 to 3.60 mm. Head shining black
with bluish reflections and coppery to some silvery pruinosity except as noted;
length 0.51 to 0.61 mm; 2 large, proclinate, frontal setae; 6 to 10 subequal, orbital
setae, including 1 to 3 proclinate and 4 to 9 recl?nate setae; vertex dark above with

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 219
bluish reflections and coppery pruinosity; inner vertical setae small, proclinate. Face
variable; centrally, shining black, cobalt blue, usually with golden reflections, very
finely, transversely wrinkled above oral margin (Fig. 4); face of small males,
centrally, shining black, usually with golden reflections, with broken lateral band of
silvery to golden or coppery pruinosity (Fig. 5); parafacial area with bright silvery,
golden to coppery pruinosity; parafacial setae in 1 indefinite row, 11 to 14 large to
medium setae; gena with greyish to silvery pruinosity. Clypeus (Figs. 4 and 5)
small, rounded, shining black with silvery to golden pruinosity. Palps light brown
to reddish, or black.
Thorax shining black, appears velvety in texture, with stripes of silvery pruinosity
along dorsocentral setal rows, cobalt blue and purplish pruinosity centrally and
laterally, sometimes with coppery pruinosity laterally, acrostichal setae in shallow
longitudinal grooves; scutum length 0.75 to 1.16 mm; anterior notopleural small,
posterior large, notopleural area with silvery pruinosity; 2 large pairs of posterior in
traalar setae; pleura shining black with greyish to silvery pruinosity; 1 or 2 large
black and 2 small, reddish, mesopleural setae; scutellum shining black with cobalt
blue and purplish pruinosity centrally, silvery pruinosity laterally, forming
longitudinal stripes, length 0.27 to 0.41 mm. Legs reddish to yellowish except coxae
and all but apex of femurs black, all with golden to greyish or silvery pruinosity;
prothoracic coxa, when viewed anteriorly, with dense silvery pruinosity except for
bright golden longitudinal median stripe of pruinosity; femur with 1 inner and 3 or 4
outer, flexor setae; tibia with spur length 0.27 to 0.34 mm; basitarsus and second
tarsal segment of large males with sensory structure as in Fig. 14, medium males as
in Fig. 15, and absent in small males (rare) as in Fig. 16, basitarsal length 0.31 to
0.51 mm, dense yellow setae beneath; mesothoracic femur with weak flexor rows;
tibia with 1 large, black spur, 4 black anterior, apical setae, and 2 or 3 black
posterior, apical setae; basitarsus with sparse midventral patch of long yellow setae;
metathoracic femur with weak flexor rows; tibia slightly darker in middle, 2 black
anterior setae and yellow posterior comb; basitarsus expanded, black anterior flexor
setal row and yellow setae beneath. Wing veins yellowish to brown, halt?res reddish
to yellowish.
Abdomen as in Fig. 19; shining black with golden to coppery pruinosity. Genitalia
Fig. 27). Note surstyli with deep anterior median cleft, basal portion before cleft
black to brown, apical portion after cleft yellowish, apex somewhat scoop-shaped;
aedeagus with paired halves dentate near apex; gonites spatulate apically. Small
males (rare) with genitalia of identical form but disproportionately smaller.
FEMALE: Total body length 2.92 to 4.45 mm, remainder as in males except as
noted. Head length 0.54 to 0.68 mm. Face (Fig. 6) centrally, shining black with
bluish to bright golden reflections; parafacial area with bright silvery, golden to cop
pery pruinosity; parafacial setae in 1 indefinite row, 11 to 19 large to medium setae.
Thorax with scutum length 0.88 to 1.22 mm; scutellum length 0.37 to 0.48 mm. Legs
with prothoracic coxa with dense greyish to silvery pruinosity anteriorly, no
longitudinal median stripe; basitarsus and second tarsal segment without sensory
structures, basitarsus length 0.37 to 0.51 mm; mesothoracic tibia with 1 large, black
spur, 3 to 5 black anterior, apical setae, and 2 or 3 black posterior, apical setae. Ab
domen (Fig. 23). Ventral receptacle (Fig. 9).

TRANS. AMER. ENT. SOC, VOL. 106

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 220 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

O. ANGUSTIFACIES O. NIGRICOXA

O. TRIORNATA

Figures 29-32. Distribution maps. 29, Ochthera angustifacies (Hendel). 20,

Ochthera nigricoxa (Cresson). 31, Ochthera regalis Williston. 32, Ochthera trior
nata Cresson.

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 PHILIP J. CLAUSEN 221
Distribution. Southern Mexico, West Indies, and northern 3/4 of South
America (Fig. 31).
Specimens examined. 526 specimens (217 ore and 309 9 9) from Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, British Guiana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Dutch Guiana, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua,
Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Venezuela. Collected all months of the
year.

Ochthera triornata Cresson

Ochthera triornata Cresson, 1926:255; Hendel 1930:132.
Stenochthera triornata (Cresson), Cresson 1931:170; Cresson 1938:38.
This species was originally described by Cresson (1926) and placed in the genus
Ochthera. Hendel (1930) mentioned that triornata belonged in Stenochthera but
did not complete the combination. Cresson (1931) made mention of this and then
made the new combination.
Types. Cresson (1926) described this species from 2 specimens, the holotype o*
and 1 paratype 9 I have examined both specimens, and the holotype o* is from
Paraguay, San Luis, no date, collected by Reimoser, while the paratype 9 is from
Paraguay, S. Bernardino, also no date, collected by Babarczy. Cresson (1926)
listed the paratype as being deposited in the "Hungary Nat. Mus." but, perhaps for
tunately, it was apparently never sent there. Both specimens are now in the collec
tion of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Diagnosis. Face with broad, shining black, central area, gradually broadening
toward oral margin, with lateral, parafacial band of greyish to silvery pruinosity;
palps dark brown to black; front coxae yellow; prothoracic basitarsus and second
tarsal segment of males with sensory structure; smaller species, total length 2.96 to
3.60 mm.
Description. MALE: Total body length 2.96 to 3.23 mm. Head shining black
with coppery pruinosity except as follows: length 0.51 to 0.54 mm; 2 large, pro
clinate, frontal setae; 5 to 11 orbital setae, including 2 large proclinate and 3 to 9
small lateroclinate setae; vertex dark above and below, with coppery to golden
pruinosity; inner vertical setae small, proclinate. Face (Fig. 3) with broad, shining
black, central area, gradually broadening toward oral margin, with lateral
parafacial band of greyish to silvery pruinosity; 9 to 11 parafacial setae in 2 close
rows; gena with greyish pruinosity. Clypeus (Fig. 3) small, rounded, black with
greyish to silvery pruinosity. Palps dark brown to black.
Thorax shining black with coppery pruinosity, silvery to greyish or golden on
humeral and dorsal notopleural areas, faint iridescent purplish stripes between
acrostichal and dorsocentral setal rows, sometimes somewhat metallic golden stripe
between acrostichal setal rows; scutum length 0.85 to 0.92 mm; anterior notopleural
small, if present, posterior large; 2 large pairs of posterior intraalar setae; pleura
shining black with silvery pruinosity; 2 large, black mesopleural setae. Scutellum
shining black with coppery pruinosity, length 0.31 to 0.34 mm. Legs black to
brown except front coxae, trochanters, apex of femurs, base and apex of tibiae, and

TRANS. AMER. ENT. SOC, VOL. 106

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222 THE GENUS OCHTHERA

4 apical tarsal segments yellowish, all with greyish to golden pruinosity; prothoracic
coxa yellowish with bright silvery pruinosity; femur with 0 inner and 3 outer flexor
setae; tibia with spur length 0.24 to 0.31 mm; basitarsus enlarged apically, basitarsus
and second tarsal segment with sensory structure (Fig. 13), basitarsal length 0.34 to
0.37 mm, long yellow setae beneath; mesothoracic femur with weak flexor rows;
tibia with 1 large, black spur, 4 black anterior, apical setae, and without posterior
apical setae; basitarsus with long yellow setae beneath; metathoracic femur with
weak flexor rows; tibia with 1 large, black, anterior seta and yellow posterior comb
at apex; basitarsus enlarged basally, basitarsus and second tarsal segment with long
yellow setae beneath, weak flexor rows. Wing veins brown, halt?res yellow.
Abdomen as in Fig. 20; shining black with coppery pruinosity. Genitalia (Fig.
28). Note surstyli with lobed apices, aedeagus with paired halves rather slender and
only slightly narrowed in middle, gonites broad, rounded and somewhat scoop
shaped apically.
FEMALE: Total body length 3.23 to 3.60 mm, remainder as in male except as
follows: Head length 0.54 to 0.65 mm. Face with 9 to 12 parafacial setae in 2 close
rows. Thorax with scutum length 0.88 to 0.95 mm; pleura with 1 or 2 large, black,
mesopleural setae. Legs with prothoracic tibial spur length 0.31 mm; basitarsus and
second tarsal segment without sensory structure; mesothoracic tibia with 1 large,
black spur, 3 or 4 black anterior, apjpal setae, and without posterior, apical setae;
metathoracic tibia with 1 or 2 black anterior apical setae and yellow posterior comb.
Abdomen (Fig. 24). Ventral receptacle (Fig. 10).
Distribution. Central South American (Fig. 32).
Specimens examined. 6 specimens (2 er cr and 4 9 9) from Brazil and
Paraguay. Collected in September and November.

Literature Cited
Clausen, P.J. 1977. A revision of the nearctic, neotropical, and palearctic
species of the genus Ochthera, including one ethiopian species, and one new
species from India. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 103:451-529.
Cresson, E.T., Jr. 1926. Descriptions of new genera and species of D?ptera
(Ephydridae and Micropezidae). Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 52:249-274.
_1931. Descriptions of new genera and species of the dipterous
family Ephydridae. Paper X. Ent. News 42 (6): 168-170.
_. 1938. Notes on, and descriptions of, some neotropical Ephy
dridae (Dipt.). Rev. de Ent. 8 (l-2):24-40.
Hendel, F. 1930. Die Ausbeute der deutschen Chaco ? Expedition 1925/26.
Diptera. XIX. Ephydridae. Konowia 9:127-155.
Williston, S.W. 1897. Diptera Brasiliana. Part IV. Kans. Univ. Quart, ser.
A. 6(1):1-12.

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