Zootaxa 1357: 1–19 (2006) ISSN 1175-5326 (Print Edition) ZOOTAXA 1357 Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (Online Edition)
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Zootaxa 1357: 1–19 (2006) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ ZOOTAXA 1357 Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Spongillaflies (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) of North America with a key to the larvae and adults DAVID E. BOWLES National Park Service, Heartland Network Inventory and Monitoring Program, c/o Department of Biology, Missouri State University, 901 South National Avenue, Springfield MO 65897, U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The distributions of the two genera (Climacia and Sisyra) and six species of spongillaflies known to occur in Canada, Mexico and the United States are reviewed and summarized. Several new and significant distribution records are presented for states or provinces in these countries. Species diagnoses and a revised, illustrated key to the third instar larvae and adults of all species are presented. Key words: Spongillaflies, Neuroptera, Sisyridae, Climacia, Sisyra, taxonomy, distribution Introduction Two genera and six species of Sisyridae, or spongillaflies, are known to occur in North America (Penny et al. 1997). Parfin and Gurney (1956) published a treatment of the spongillaflies of the western hemisphere that addressed these species and their known distributions at that time. Subsequently, several state or regional studies of spongillaflies in the United States have been published (Isom 1968, Poirrier 1969, Throne 1971, Poirrier & Arceneaux 1972, Brown 1974, Grigarick 1975, White 1976, Huggins 1980, Poirrier & Holzenthal 1980, Lago 1981, Stoaks et al. 1983, Lawson & McCafferty 1984, Clark 1985). Additionally, Penny et al. (1997) addressed the general distribution of sisyrids occurring in North America exclusive of Mexico, but their treatment did not include all of the previously published distribution records for the respective species. Oswald et al. (2002) listed the states of Mexico in which spongillaflies had been collected, but they did not provide specific locality data. Because of these various studies, spongillafly distributions are generally well documented from eastern North America north of Mexico. By comparison, the distributions of sisyrids in the western United States, Canada, and Accepted by S. Winterton: 11 Oct. 2006; published: 13 Nov. 2006 1 ZOOTAXA Mexico are not well known (Parfin & Gurney 1956, Brown 1974, Penny et al. 1997, 1357 Oswald et al. 2002). Larvae of sisyrid species are poorly known (Pupedis 1980). Additionally, larvae are seldom represented in collections, and, if present, they are often poorly preserved, making identification difficult. The relative rarity of the larvae is further confounded by there being few strong characters to distinguish among the species. However, Parfin and Gurney (1956) were able to provide taxonomic keys to the third instar larvae and adults of most of the species found in North America. Later studies, including those of Poirrier and Arcenaux (1972), Pupedis (1980) and Lago (1981), have provided additional characters for separating some of these species. The accumulated data of these works makes it possible to develop a comprehensive key to both the larvae and adults of all sisyrid species found in North America. The purpose of this paper is to present a revised key to the larvae and adults and summarize new and existing distribution records for the six known species of North American sisyrid species. Methods In addition to my own collection (DEB), and previously published records, I have examined and recorded data from more than 1,200 spongillaflies in the following museum collections: Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP); American Museum of Natural History (AMNH); Brigham Young University Collection (BYUC); Essig Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley (EMEC); Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA); Illinois Natural History Collection (INHS); Michigan State University Entomology Collection (MSUC); Mississippi Entomological Museum (MEM); Oklahoma Natural History Survey (ONHS); Snow Entomological Museum, University of Kansas (SEMC); Texas A&M University Insect Collection (TAMU); National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC (USNM); University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum (UAAM); University of Missouri, Columbia (UMC); University of North Texas (UNT); Utah State University Entomological Museum (EMUS); and Bill Shepard Collection (BSC). Terminalia of adult specimens were removed using forceps under a dissecting stereomicroscope. Terminalia were then soaked in 10% potassium hydroxide for approximately 24 hours and then rinsed in 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove any remaining residue. Cleared terminalia were then examined in glycerin using a dissecting stereomicroscope and stored in glycerin-filled genitalia vials attached to the specimen pins or placed in the vial of alcohol as appropriate. Right forewings were removed and photographed with a digital camera fitted to a dissecting stereomicrocope. Whole larvae were also cleared for examination using the same procedure as above. Below I summarize the previously published distributions for spongillaflies for states and provinces in North America, and these records are supplemented with county and 2 © 2006 Magnolia Press BOWLES parish data. Only first published records are presented. New state and province records are ZOOTAXA given with complete specimen label data. County and parish information inferred from 1357 incomplete published records and label data (i.e., where state and other identifying collection information was provided) is placed within brackets. A complete listing of label data for all specimens examined for this study is available from the author upon request. Certain illustrations were redrawn and modified as necessary from their original published sources and these are noted where appropriate. The terminology used herein follows Flint (1998). Keys to third instar larvae and adult Sisyridae of North America The following keys are adapted and modified from information in Parfin and Gurney (1956), Poirrier and Arceneaux (1972), Lago (1981), Pupedis (1980) and Weissmar and Waringer (1994). Third instar larvae of S. nigra and S. vicaria usually cannot be reliably separated. However, Pupedis (1980) presented some meristic characters related to the spacing of the paired dorsal thoracic tubercles that may be useful in separating high quality, recently captured specimens. Larvae 1 Eighth abdominal tergite with a pair of setae; 6th abdominal tergite with middle tuber- cle longest and bearing a terminal seta that is longer and thinner than that of other tubercles (Fig. 1); small acute projections present on the tubercle adjacent to the bases of thoracic setae............................................................................................ Climacia, 2 - Eighth abdominal tergite without setae; 6th abdominal tergite with lateral-most tubercle longest and bearing a terminal seta that is much longer and thinner than that of other tubercles (Fig. 2); thoracic tubercles without small acute projections adjacent to the bases of their setae ............................................................................................ Sisyra, 4 2 Meso- and metathoracic sclerites with five setae, four set on prominent tubercles, one minute and sessile (Fig. 3) ............................................................................................ 3 - Meso- and metathoracic sclerites with four setae, three set on prominent tubercles, one minute and sessile (Fig. 4) ............................................. Climacia californica Chandler 3 Sixth abdominal tergite with median tubercle of dorsal plates having seta extending beyond the apex of 10th abdominal segment, and at least 3 times the length of the seta of the lateral tubercle; lateral tubercle with prominent blade-like projections at apex (Fig. 5).................................................................................Climacia areolaris (Hagen) - Sixth abdominal tergite with median tubercle of dorsal plates having seta not extend- ing to 10th abdominal segment, and less than 3 times the length of the seta of the lateral tubercle; lateral tubercle with small, never blade-like projections at apex (Fig. 6) ........ ...............................................................................Climacia chapini Parfin and Gurney 4 First abdominal gills with distinct basal hook-like projections (Fig. 7). Fifth lateral SPONGILLAFLIES © 2006 Magnolia Press 3 ZOOTAXA abdominal tubercle with three setae arranged on two projections (Fig. 9) ..................... 1357 .............................................................. Sisyra nigra (Retzius), Sisyra vicaria (Walker) - First abdominal gills without basal hook-like projection (Fig. 8). Fifth lateral abdomi- nal tubercle with two sessile setae and one seta on a projection (Fig. 10)...................... ...................................................................................................... Sisyra apicalis Banks Adults 1. Forewings with a series of outer gradate cross-veins (Fig. 11); radial sector (Rs) with one branch; distinctly maculate with dark brown, reddish and yellow markings or hya- line with only radiomedial pigment streaks. Antennae brown to blackish, occasionally slightly pale apically. Terminal segment of labial palp less than twice as broad as long and scimitar-shaped (Fig. 13)....................................................................... Climacia, 2 - Forewings without a series of outer gradate cross-veins (Fig. 12); Rs with two branches;