Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz ISSN: 1678-8060 EISSN: 1678-8060 Vol. 102, Num. 6, 2007, pp. 659-669

Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Vol. 102, No. 6, 2007, pp. 659-669

Description of Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae sp. n., Forcipomyia musae immatures, and occurrence of F. genualis, breeding in banana stems in Brazilian Amazonia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Gustavo R Spinelli/+, María M Ronderos, Pablo I Marino, Daiane Silveira Carrasco*, Ruth L Menezes Ferreira*

División Entomología, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina *Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brasil
+ Corresponding author: spinelli@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar

Received 30 October 2006 Accepted 2 April 2007

Code Number: oc07106

The following three species of Ceratopogonidae were collected breeding in the rhizomatous herb Phenakospermum guyannense Endl., 1833 in the vicinity of Manaus, Brazil, a new species, Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae Spinelli, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) genualis (Loew), and F. (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Dellécole. C. (M.) felippebauerae is described and illustrated as adult, pupa, and fourth instar larva, the adult compared with the adult of C. barthi Taveres and Souza and larva and pupa with those of C. dicrourus Wirth & Blanton and C. macieli Tavares & Ruiz, the only species with known immatures in the subgenus. The pupa and fourth instar larva of F. (P.)musae are described and illustrated and compared with immatures of F. (P.)edwardsi Saunders.

Key words: Culicoides - Forcipomyia - biting midges - new species - immatures - "bananeiro" - Manaus

The Amazonian tropical rain forest houses a variety of small-sized vegetal substrates containing water. These microhabitats include treeholes, broken or damaged bamboo, axils of bromeliads, epiphytes, rotten banana stems, inflorescences, fruit husks, etc., in which breed, among other taxa, insects belonging to different families of Diptera (Fish 1976, 1983, Winder 1977). Among them, immatures of Ceratopogonidae are one the most conspicuous inhabitants of these environments (Fish & Soria 1978, Wirth & Soria 1981, Vitale et al. 1981, Fish 1983, Mercer et al. 2003).

Phenakospermum guyannense Endl., 1833 (Strelitziaceae) is a rhizomatous herb that can grow to 2 m or more tall. It is widely but patchily distributed in tropical South America; the leaves are large, alternate, and distichously arranged, differentiated into sheat, petiole, and blade. Large populations of this plant function as breeding habitats for insects, and are very common bordering roads in Amazonia, where they are commonly referred as "floresta de sororoca" (Ribeiro et al. 1999).

The purpose of this paper is to record three species of Ceratopogonidae recently collected in the axils of the "bananeiro" P. guyannense in the vicinity of Manaus, Brazil, to describe and illustrate a new species of Culicoides Latreille, as well as the larva of Forcipomyia (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Dellecole and redescribe the pupa of this latter species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immatures were collected near Manaus, Brazil, on BR-174 road, at km 31 (02º08'58.7''S, 60º00'05.9''W), km 45 (02º35'10.5''S, 60º01'57.1''W), km 95 (02º08'58.7''S, 60º00'05.9''W), and km 123 (01º54'20.6''S, 60º03'41.1''W).

The sheats of P. guyannense located in the pseudostem 30 cm above the ground were cut and plants were opened on a tray. Afterwards, the water with the immatures was collected inside plastic containers and carried to the laboratory. Larvae were observed daily to record amd monitor pupal development. Pupae were individually placed in small plastic cups, and were checked daily for emergence of adults.

Larvae were slide-mounted in Canada balsam, with their ventral side upward to facilitate examination of the epipharynx within the head capsule with a phase contrast microscope and oil immersion. Pupae and adults were also slide-mounted in Canada balsam, examined, measured, and drawn using a binocular microscope with camera lucida. Wing and scutum photomicrographs were taken with a Pentax Optio S 40, digital camera through a Leitz Wetzlar SM-LUX, binocular microscope.

Terminology of immatures follows Díaz et al. (2005) for Culicoides and Spinelli et al. (2005) for Forcipomyia. Terms for adult structures are those in the Manual of Nearctic Diptera (McAlpine et al. 1981), with the modifications for wing veins and cells proposed by Szadziewski (1996).

The holotype of the new species is deposited in the collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (Inpa). Paratypes and other studied specimens are deposited in the collection of the Museo de La Plata, Argentina (MLPA).

RESULTS

Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae Spinelli, n. sp.
(Figs 1-4, Figs 5-10, Figs 11-19, Figs 20-25, Figs 26-30)

Diagnosis - Only species in the subgenus Mataemyia with one spermatheca. Male with stout, sinuate parameres with filiform tip; posteromedial projection of aedeagus tapered to slender, narrow, blunt tip, with a pair of well developed subapical points. Pupal respiratory horn with 8 apical spiracles.

Description

Male - Similar to female with the usual sexual differences. Wing (Fig. 1) length 0.87 (0.83-0.90, n = 3) mm; width 0.31 (0.30-0.32, n = 3) mm; CR 0.60 (n = 3). Wing pattern similar to female, with distal pale spot in cell r₃ broadly abbuting anterior wing margin; distal pale spot in cell m₁ abbuting wing margin. Genitalia (Fig. 9). Tergite 9 long, with stout, triangular apicolateral processes, posteromedial margin slightly notched; sternite 9 with shallow posteromedial excavation. Gonocoxite elongate, with ventral root foot-shaped, the posterior heel not developed, dorsal root slender; gonostylus nearly straight, tapering gradually distally, apex abruptly curved 90º, sharply pointed. Parameres (Fig. 10) separate, each with slightly knobbed base; midportion stout, sinuate; distal portion bent laterally, narrowing to slender, simple, filiform tip that are ventrally directed. Aedeagus with high, rounded basal arch extending 0.50 of total length; basal arm slender, moderately recurved; posteromedial projection tapered abruptly to slender, narrow, blunt tip, with pair of lateral, well developed subapical points.

Female

Head - Dark brown. Eyes (Fig. 5) bare, separated by distance equal to diameter of one ommatidium. Flagellum (Fig. 6) brown, flagellomeres 2-12 vasiform, 9-12 more elongate than 2-8, 13 elongate with bluntly pointed tip; AR 0.94 (0.88-0.97, n = 9); sensilla coeloconica on flagellomeres 1, 5-8. Palpus (Fig. 7) brown, third segment moderately swollen, with broad, shallow, subapical pit bearing capitate sensilla; PR 2.09 (2.00-2.23, n = 4); P/H ratio 0.63 (0.54-0.73, n = 5). Mandible with 15-17 teeth.

Thorax - Scutum and scutellum with markings as in photo (Fig. 2), major central area with broad, long, H-shaped mark. Legs dark brown; fore and midfemora with subapical, tibiae with subbasal pale rings, hind tibia pale distally; hind tibial comb with four spines, the second from the spur longest. Wing (Figs 3-4) length 1.07 (0.96-1.20, n = 7) mm; width 0.49 (0.43-0.56, n = 7) mm; CR 0.66 (0.64-0.67, n = 12); second radial cell and distal third of first radial cell in dark spot; pale spot over crossvein r-m large, broadly abutting costal wing margin; second radial cell elongate, with broad lumen; poststigmatic pale spot in cell r₃ L-shaped, nearly isolating a small dark spot behind second radial cell; distal pale spot in cell r₃ oval, nearly filling apical portion of cell, usually not abbuting anterior wing margin (Fig. 3), but broadly abutting wing margin in some specimens (Fig. 4); cell m₁ with two extensive, elongate pale spots, proximal one merges into transverse band of wing, distal one separated from wing margin by a short distance (Fig. 3), or abbuting wing margin in some specimens (Fig. 4); cell m₂ with pale spot behind medial fork and with two distal pale spots, distal most one broadly abutting wing margin; cell cua₁ with rounded pale spot broadly abutting wing margin; anal cell with two large distal pale spots. Macrotrichia scattered on distal third of wing, also a few present in cell cua₁ and anal cell. Halter pale brown.

Abdomen - Brown, pleura of segments 1-7 darkish. One ovoid spermatheca (Fig. 8) with sclerotized neck, measuring 51 (44-62, n = 4) by 40 (34-44, n = 2) µ, neck 9 (8-10, n = 4) µ; a sclerotized ring present.

Pupa - Female - Exuviae pale yellowish. Cephalothorax length 0.70 (0.67-0.99, n = 3) mm, width 0.59 (0.42-0.78, n = 3) mm; cephalothoracic tubercles as follows: anterodorsal tubercle (ad) (Fig. 11) short, with two setae, one very short, 2nd much longer, slender; dorsolateral tubercle (dl) (Fig. 12) rounded, with two thin setae, one long, the 2nd of medium length, base rounded; dorsal tubercles (d) (Fig. 14) small: (i) with thin, medium length seta, (ii) with long, thin seta, (iii) with long, very thin seta, (iv) pore, (v) with minute seta; two short, thin ventromedian setae (vm) (Fig. 13); two ventrolateral thin setae (vl) (Fig. 13), one medium length, the 2nd long. Respiratory horn (Fig. 12) length 0.14 (0.12-0.16 n = 5) mm; dark brown, with scale-like pointed spicules along entire length but more abundant on basal half; with 2-3 lateral, 7-8 apical spiracles; pedicel very reduced, length 0.042 (0.03-0.05, n = 5) mm; P/H 0.27 (0.25-0.31, n = 5). Operculum (Fig. 15) slightly shorter than greatest breadth, apex blunt; surface with scattered rounded tubercles, proximal most ones pointed, anteriorly directed; anteromarginal tubercles (am) well developed, with single long, stout seta; basal sensillum short, thin; OL 0.116 (0.11-0.12, n = 5) mm; OW 0.136 (0.13-0.16, n = 5) mm; OW/OL 1.22 (1.08-1.33, n = 5). Abdominal segments with sparse anterior spinules. Fourth abdominal segment (Fig. 16) with two dorsal anterosubmarginal tubercles (dasm): (i) with short, thin seta, (ii) with very long, thin seta; five dorsal posteromarginal tubercles (dpm): (i) with very short peg, (ii-iii) without seta, (iv) with minute seta, (v) with medium length, thin seta; three lateral posteromarginal tubercles (lpm) very well developed, all with base quadrangular base: (i) small-sized, with short, stout seta, (ii) stout, (iii) smaller than ii, (ii) with spur, (iii) with medium-sized, thin seta; one anterosubmarginal tubercle (lasm) very small, with minute seta; three ventral posteromarginal tubercles (vpm): (i) with short peg, (ii) with long, thin seta, (iii) with medium length, thin seta. Female caudal segment (Fig. 17) length 0.178 (0.17-0.19, n = 5) mm, width 0.148 (0.14-0.16, n = 5) mm, approximately as long as greatest breadth; ventral surface with anterior band of posteriorly directed spicules; dorsal surface with posteriorly directed spicules except laterally and on a mesal small closed area; posterolateral processes moderately developed, with inner spicules, tips pointed. Male caudal segment (Fig. 18) length 0.18 mm, width 0.12 mm; genital processes covered with ventral spicules on distal third.

Larva - Head capsule (Fig. 19-Fig. 20-23) yellowish brown; elongated, slightly tapering to blunt apex; chaetotaxy as in Fig. 20-22; HL 0.145 (0.144-0.146; n = 2) mm; HW 0.976 (0.965-0.987; n = 2) mm; HR 0.148 (0.147-0.149; n = 2); SGW 0.765 (0.754-0.777; n = 2) mm; SGR 1.27 (n = 2). Labrum (Fig. 21-22, Fig. 25-26) membranous; palatum (Fig. 21-23, Fig. 25-Fig. 26) with two groups of three sensillae styloconica each, two pairs of sensillae chaetica, one immediately under the other, immediately underneath one pair of sensillae trichoidea; messors (Fig. 25-Fig. 26, Fig. 28) small, thin, well sclerotized; six well developed scopae (Fig. 28). Maxilla (Fig. 25-26-27) sclerotized, with one long, thick, stout seta on galeolacinia; maxillary palpus (Fig. 27) cylindrical, with 3 papillae of different length (one long, two of medium length). Mandible (Fig. 19,Fig. 25, 26, 27) large, broad at base, strongly sclerotized; length 0.040 mm; one well defined, subapical, inner tooth; base wide with prominent, rounded point of articulation; one sensory pit, one seta on the aboral surface, both evident under SEM. Hypostoma (Fig. 22-23, 25, Fig. 28) with rounded, mesal elevation; 3-4 prominent lateral teeth. Epipharynx (Fig. 19, Fig. 23) poorly massive, with two combs: dorsal comb sclerites with with 6 lanceolate, subequal teeth/sclerite; DCW 0.030 mm; comb 4 massive, small, with 20 very small pointed teeth; each lateral arm membranous, without curtain or fringe; LAW 0.070 mm. Hypopharynx (Fig. 19, Fig. 23) short, lightly sclerotized; posterior end of each arm blunt, hypopharingeal fringe with 24-26 long, fine teeth.

Thoracic pigmentation yellowish, diffuse. Caudal segment (Fig. 29-30) wide; CSL 0.327 mm; CSW 0.178 mm. One seta "o" 0.303 mm long, the other 0.357 mm, one seta "i" 0.191 mm long, the other 0.216 mm; distance between bases of setae "o" subequal to the distance between bases of setae "i".

Distribution - Brazil (Amazonas).

Taxonomic discussion - C. felippebauerae is a member of the subgenus Mataemyia Vargas, and represents the first species in the subgenus with a single spermatheca. The only available key for Mataemyia was provided by Wirth and Soria (1981) (as discrepans group) for only 8 of the hitherto 15 recognized species in the subgenus (Borkent & Spinelli 2000).

The adult of C. felippebauerae is very similar to C. barthi Tavares & Souza from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from which it can be distinguished by the single spermatheca, longer second radial cell and tip of parameres without fringe. The wing patterns of C. azureus Wirth & Blanton and C. mojingaensis W. & B., both from Panama, are very similar to that of C. felippebauerae except for the shape of the distal pale spot in cell r₃ (irregular in C. azureus, oval in C. mojingaensis).

The larva and pupa of only two species of the subgenus Mataemyia are presently known: C. dicrourus Wirth & Blanton and C. macieli Tavarez & Ruiz, which were described by Wirth and Soria (1981). The pupa of both species bear 25-30 spiracles on the respiratory organ, and the basal sensillum in the am tubercle lack setae. Additionaly, the pupa of C. dicrourus differs from that of C. felippebauerae in that the dl tubercle bears 3 setae. The descriptions of the larvae of C. dicrourus and C. macieli are very incomplete, so no comparison with the larva of C. felippebauerae is presently possible. However, the setae of the caudal segment of both species are shorter than those of C. felippebauerae.

Murphree and Mullen (1991) and Ronderos and Spinelli (2000) mentioned the same character states exhibited by larvae of tree-hole breeding species: diffuse yellowish brown thoracic pigmentation, large setae on the caudal segment, and extensive epipharyngeal lateral curtains. In the particular case of C. felippebauerae, which breeds in the axilla of P. guyannense, the larva exhibits the first two mentioned characters, whereas the epipharynx is devoid of curtains. The larva of C. felippebauerae exhibits characters typical of carnivorous species, such as an elongate head with the mouthparts directed anteriorly, a highly sclerotized labium, a lightly built pharynx, and broad, pointed, hooked mandible (Mullen & Hribar 1988).

Types - Holotype male, allotype female (with pupal exuviae), Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, km 123 BR 174, 29-VII-2005, D Carrasco. Paratypes, 3 males, 12 females, 1 larva, as follows; same data as holotype, 2 females (one with pupal exuviae); same data except 21-VI-2006, 1 larva; same data except km 45, 1 male, 1 female (with pupal exuviae); same data except km 45, 4-IX-2005, 4 females (3 with pupal exuviae); same data except km 95, 21-VI-2006, 2 males, 5 females.

Material examined by SEM - Brazil, Amazonas, Ma-naus, km 123 BR 174, 21-VI-2006, D Carrasco, 2 larvae.

Derivation of specific epithet - This species is named after our friend and colleague María Luiza Felippe-Bauer (Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro) in recognition of her important contribution to the ceratopogonid taxonomy in the Neotropics.

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) genualis (Loew).

Ceratopogon genualis Loew, 1866: 128 (male; Cuba).

Ceratopogon propinqua Williston, 1896: 279 (male; St. Vincent).

Forcipomyia raleighi Macfie, 1938: 160 (male, female; Trinidad); Saunders, 1957: 660 (redescription; all stages; Trinidad).

Forcipomyia genualis: Johannsen, 1943: 777 (combination); Wirth, 1965: 125 (synonym: F. raleighi); Wirth, 1969: 575 (Galápagos islands record; distribution); Wirth & Soria, 1975: 22 (redescription; distribution); Borkent, 1991: 104 (redescription, notes; Galápagos islands).

Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) genualis: Wirth, 1974: 5 (in catalog; synonym: F. propinqua; distribution); Spinelli & Marino, 1998: 39 (Argentina record).

Specimens examined - Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, km 45 BR 174, 29-VII-2005, D Carrasco, 1 male; same data except km 95, 1 male.

Distribution - Widely distributed, from US (Louisiana to Florida) to Northern Argentina.

Forcipomyia (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Delécolle
(Figs 31-37, 38-43, 44-49, 50-57)

Forcipomyia (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Delé-colle, 1994: 51 (male, female, pupa; French Guiana).

Redescription of pupa - Female: length 4.07 (3.66-4.52, n = 3) mm; exuviae pale yellowish. Cephalothorax length 1.37 (1.28-1.46, n = 7) mm; width 0.93 (0.82-1.02, n = 6) mm; cephalothoracic tubercles (31-33, 44) as follows: anterodorsal tubercle (ad) short, blunt, without setae; dorsolateral tubercle (dl) strong, with one long, stout seta; dorsal tubercles (d) small: (i) with short, stout seta, (ii) with minute, stout seta, (iii) pore; one ventromedian (vm) medium length setae, thin, one pore. Respiratory horn (Fig. 31, 45) length 0.20 (0.19-0.22, n = 7) mm; amber brown, with scale-like spicules on basal half, with 13-14 apical spiracles; pedicel short, hyaline, length 0.025 (0.022-0.028, n = 7) mm; P/H 0.12 (0.11-0.14, n = 7). Operculum (Fig. 34) 0.5 as long as greatest breadth, apex broadly rounded; surface covered by rounded tubercles; anteromarginal tubercles (am) well developed, with single very short, stout seta; OL 0.17 (0.15-0.18, n = 5) mm; OW 0.30 (0.28-0.31, n = 5) mm; OW/OL 1.81 (1.70-2.12, n = 5). Cephalothorax (Fig. 46) with four dorsal cuticular processes, two well developed (m3, m4), two rudimentary (m5, m6). Abdominal segments with scarse anterior spinules. Fourth abdominal segment (Fig. 35) with tubercles as follows: dorsal anterosubmarginal tubercle (dasm) with long, posteriorly directed seta, tuberculate broad base; dorsal posterosubmarginal tubercle (dpm) without seta, base elongate, triangular; lateral pos-teromarginal tubercle (lpm) with two setae, one long, one short, base broad tuberculate; four ventral pos-teromarginal tubercles (vpm): (i-ii) with medium length, strong seta, base triangular, (iii) with strong seta, base tuberculate, iv with thin seta, base poorly developed. Female caudal segment (Fig. 36) length 0.62 (0.56-0.67, n = 4) mm, width 0.25 (0.21-0.28, n = 4) mm, approximately two times longer than width; ventrolateral surface with band of posteriorly directed spicules; dorsal surface with posteriorly directed spicules except laterally and on a small, closed, mesal area; posterolateral processes long, tip pointed, base with outer long setae. Male caudal segment (Fig. 37, 47) length 0.58 (0.54-0.60, n = 3) mm, width 0.24 (0.21-0.26, n = 3) mm. Genital processes ventral, stout, with distal wrinkles.

Description of larva - Exuviae pale brown. Head capsule brown, well developed, prognathous, HL 0.364 (0.288-0.392, n = 7) mm; HW 0.254 (0.192-0.312, n = 8) mm; HR 1.394 (1.256-1.50, n = 7); SGW 0.204 (0.16-0.24, n = 8) mm; SGR 1.24 (1.20-1.31, n = 8). Antennae rounded, reduced. Head chaetotaxy (Fig. 48-49-Fig. 50-51) as follows: nine sensory setae, three pits; "j" pore simple; setae "p" short, thin; seta "q" long; seta "s" very long; seta "t" as long than "q"; seta "v" long; "r" pore simple; setae "o" thin, one long, one short; seta "u" long; setae "x" minute, thin; seta "y" very long, stout; "z" pore simple. Labrum (Fig. 48, Fig. 50-51) short, not extending beyond hypostoma; palatum (Fig. 51-53) with a group of three sensillae styloconica on the outer edge, one posteromedial sensilla coeloconica; immediately underneath on medial surface two groups of three sensillae trichodea, one long, two short, one posterolateral sensilla coeloconica, behind of these with tuft sensillae trichodea of different length. Messors (Fig. 38) stout, comma-shaped. Mandible (Fig. 52-53) stout, not articulated with head capsule, with seven teeth, one apical, blunt, one subapical, truncate, posterior five elongated, slender, ML 0.089 (0.074-0.104, n = 8) mm; MW 0.032 (0.026-0.044, n = 7) mm; hypostoma (Fig. 54) membranous, serrate. Epipharynx (Fig. 39) massive, strongly sclerotized, with median sclerite bearing numerous pointed, strong teeth; comb 3 with fringe; comb 2 with 20 small teeth; dorsal comb with approximately 40 fine teeth; lateral arms stout, with short apical teeth. LAW 0.154 (0.142-0.168, n = 6) mm; DCW 0.067 (0.064-0.074, n = 7) mm. Hypopharynx (Fig. 40) sclerotized, broad, lateral arms hyaline, thin. Maxilla bilobated (Fig. 52-53, Fig. 55) with conspicuous basal fringe; galeolacinia with stout seta; maxillary palpus rounded, flattened, with four small papillae, lateral sclerite. Prothoracic pseudopod (Fig. 56) bifid, each ramus with two rows of eight golden thorn like hooks, 12-13 pairs of anterior hairs. Chaetotaxy of second abdominal segment (Fig. 41): dorsally, one seta "a" very long, stout, base poorly developed; ventrally, eight setae, three very long, thin, as long as dorsal seta ("e", "f", "g"), the other five ("b", "c" , "d", "h", "i") very short, thin. Eigth abdominal segment (Fig. 42, 57) bearing a very long dorsal setae measuring 0.42 (0.40-0.44, n = 7) mm, arising from crossbar, surpassing the anal segment; cuticle devoid of spicules. Anal segment (Fig. 43) with four apical strong, blade-like setae, lateral margins serrate. Anal pseudopod with two rows of five pairs of laterally directed, sclerotized hooks, the ones of anterior row short, stout, with anteriorly recurved tips; hooks of posterior row elongated, slender, slightly paler. Anal papillae (Fig. 42) hyaline, bilobated, each lobe with two pairs of papillae; CSL 0.333 (0.312-0.360, n = 7) mm, CSW 0.264 (0.224-0.296, n = 5) mm, CSR 1.304 (1.162-1.501, n = 5).

Specimens examined - Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, km 31 BR 174, 2-IX-2005, D Carrasco, 1 female (with larval and pupal exuviae); same data, 1 male, 1 female (with pupal exuviae); same data except 14-VI-2006, 4 larvae; same data except km 123, 29-VII-2005, 2 males (with larval and pupal exuviae); same data, 1 male, 1 female (with pupal exuviae); same data except km 95, 14-VI-2006, 1 pupa, 1 larva.

Other specimens examined (preserved in alcohol 70%) - Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, 54 males (29 with pupal exuviae, 2 with larval exuviae), 55 females (31 with pupal exuviae, 1 with larval exuviae), 11 pupae, 7 larvae from the above mentioned localities and dates.

Material examined by SEM - Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, km 95 BR 174, 14-VI-2006, D Carrasco, 7 pupae, 7 larvae.

Distribution - Brazil (Amazonas), French Guiana.

Taxonomic discussion - This species belongs to the F. bromelicola species group, as defined by de Meillon and Wirth (1979). It keys out to couplet 5 in de Meillon and Wirth (1979), where it may be distinguished from F. (Phytohelea) edwardsi (Saunders) from Brazil, by the slightly unequal sized, pyriform spermathecae with sclerotized necks (subequal sized, subspherical with uns-clerotized necks in F. edwardsi). The male genitalia of F. musae are also very similar to those of F. edwardsi, but can be distinguished from the later species by the gonostylus shorter than gonocoxite (subequal in F. edwardsi), and by the recurved posterior processes of parameres (spoon-like in F. edwardsi). Immatures of F. edwardsi can be distinguished from immatures of F. musae by the respiratory horn of the pupa expanded laterally and bearing 12 apical spiracles (not expanded, with 14 apical spiracles in F. musae), by the larger head ratio (HR) of the larvae, and by the larval lateral setae with basal fin-like expansions (without these expansions in F. musae).

Adults of this species also resemble F. bromelicola (Lutz) by virtue of their similar male genitalia, but differ from this species by the following characters: female palpus with subapical sensory pit (at midlength in F. bromelicola), humeral areas and scutellum pale (brown in F. bromelicola) and pyriform spermathecae with sclerotized neck (elliptical with unsclerotized neck in F. bromelicola). The description of the larva and pupa of F. bromelicola by Saunders (1925) is very incomplete, and therefore it is very difficult to compare the immature stages of both species.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To Dr William Grogan for detailed critical review of the manuscript acting as a journal referee.

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