Neaspilota achilleae Johnson 1900

Neaspilota (Neorellia) achilleae Johnson

Neaspilota achilleae Johnson, 1900a:328; 1909:113 [list]; 1910:802 [list]; 1913:84 [list]; 1925:263 [list]; 1927:218 [list]; 1930:151 [list].—Aldrich, 1905:610 [catalog].—Sturtevant, 1918:36 [list].—Phillips, 1923:139, 140 [review]; 1946:51 [description of larva], 116 [host list].—Curran, 1932a:3 [key].—Benjamin, 1934:36, 37 [review].—Malloch, 1942:19 [key].—Procter, 1946:395 [list].—Quisenberry, 1949:84 [key].—Foote, 1965:672 [catalog].—Stegmaier, 1968:47 [discussion].—Wasbauer, 1972:118 [host list].

Trypeta achilleae.—Johnson, 1900b:687 [list].—Baker, 1904:30 [list].

DESCRIPTION.—Resembling N. punctistigma but differing as follows: wing length 1.95 to 3.53 mm.

Figures 48–55.—Neaspilata achilleae: 48, head, lateral aspect: 49, male right foretarsus, dorsal aspect; 50, epandrium, posterior aspect; 51, epandrium and cerci, lateral aspect; 52, distiphallus; 53, aculeus, dorsal aspect; 54, same, enlarged apex; 55, spermatheca.

Head (Figure 48): Slightly higher than long; frontal ratio 0.86–1.08; frontal-head ratio 0.48–0.54; parafacial narrower; 1st flagellomere ratio 1.44–1.71; aristal-antennal ratio 1.20–1.40; major setae brownish yellow, genal seta paler.

Thorax: Dorsocentral setae transversely aligned with or slightly behind anterior supra-alar setae. Legs: Hindtibia lacking semierect setae preapically and posteroventrally; forefemur of male with unusually long and thin setae along its length posteroventrally; midfemur with a row of long, thin setae ventrally at basal to ; 5th tarsomere of male foreleg (Figure 49) with longer comb, with 2 rows of about 8 spines each; hindfemur with a few irregular rows of long, thin setae ventrally at basal to ; forefemur of female normal for genus; mid- and hindfemur without long thin setae; comb on hindtibia very well developed. Wing (Figure 189): Pterostigmal ratio 2.66–3.13; crossvein ratio 1.42–1.64; wing distinctly spotted; a square brown spot filling basal half of pterostigma; cell R1 with brown spot posterior of pterostigma; a pale brown spot extending from node of vein R4+3 to dm-cu crossvein, covering this vein; a distinct spot present on r-m crossvein; a transverse band present on line of dm-cu crossvein from costa to vein CuA1, sometimes fused with a triangular spot at apex of cell R1; apex of cell R2+3 with a triangular spot; cell R4+5 preapically with an area of brown microtrichia, often fused with the spots at apex of cell R1 and R3, forming narrow brown stripes on apex of veins R4+5, and M; brown spots may be reduced or include few small hyaline spots; veins yellow, brown at the spots.

Abdomen: Yellow, with fine brown setulae and setae; epandrium and cerci as in Figures 50, 51; distiphallus (Figure 52) with a rather long tube, fringed at apex. Female: Tergal ratio 0.76–0.92; tergal-oviscapal measure 2.5–3.2; oviscapal ratio 0.96–1.13, yellow with brownish base and apex; aculeus as in Figures 53, 54; spermatheca as in Figure 55.

TYPE MATERIAL.—The male lectotype, herein designated, is labeled “Avalon, 6. 30. 95 [30 Jun 1895] N[ew]. J[ersey] [date handwritten]/ CWJohnson Collector/CoType No. 5333 U.S.N.M. [red; number handwritten]/ LECTOTYPE Neaspilota achilleae Johnson by Freidberg and Mathis [red; handwritten].” Three paralectotypes bear the same label data as the lectotype (3; BMNH, NMW). The lectotype is directly pinned, is in good condition (both wings are slightly torn), and is deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, USNM 5333.

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—CANADA. NEWFOUNDLAND: Bay of Islands, 21–24 Jul (1; AMNH). UNITED STATES. ALABAMA: Mobile Co., Saraland, 26 Oct 1916 (1; USNM); Kushla, 8 Sep 1921-Oct 1924, A.H. Sturtevant (3 USNM). ARIZONA: Cochise Co., 2 mi (3.2 km) W Chiricahua, Chiricahua Mtns. Nat. Monument, 3 Jul 1950, R. Smith (1; AMNH). CALIFORNIA: Inyo Co., Batchelder Spr., 16 Jun 1940, H.K. Court (1; ZFM); Lone Pine, 28 Jul 1940, R.H. Beamer (1; KU); Olancha, 21 Sep 1980, A. Freidberg (1; TAU); Westgard Pass, 19 Jul 1961, G.I. Stage (1;, 1; UCB, CSDA). Los Angeles Co., Palmdale, 23 Jul 1940, R.H. Beamer (1; KU). Monterey Co., Gavilan Hill, 6 Oct 1952, A.L. Melander (1; USNM). San Diego Co., San Diego, 30 Mar 1916, H.G. Dyar (1; USNM); La Mesa, 27 Sep 1958, P. Rude (1; CSDA).

FLORIDA: Alachua Co., Gainesville, 20 Apr 1967, W.W. Wirth (1; USNM). Brevard Co., Indian River City, 24 Apr-21 Jun 1930, ex. Hieracium argyraeum, D.J. Nicholson (10, 5; USNM); Merritt Island, 26 Apr-23 Nov 1930, on Hieracium argyraeum, D.J. Nicholson (3, 3; USNM). Citrus Co., Crystal River, 30 Sep 1930, ex. Hieracium scabrum, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM). Escambia Co., Pensacola, 27 May-3 Jun 1930, ex. Chrysopsis oligantha and Erigeron ramosus, D.J. Nicholson (3, 4; USNM). Hamilton Co., Jasper, 6 mi (9.6 km) from, Nov 1930, ex. Hieracium sp., D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM). Highlands Co., Archbold Biological Station, 4 Apr 1963, J.G. and B.L. Rozen (1; AMNH). Hillsborough Co., Tampa, 27 Apr-1 Jun 1930, ex. Hieracium argyraeum, Pope, White, D.J. Nicholson (2, 3; USNM). Liberty Co., Torreya State Park, 22 Apr 1967, W.W. Wirth (1; USNM). Okaloosa Co., Crestview, 27 May-29 Sep 1930, ex. Chrysopsis oligantha and Erigeron vernus, D.J. Nicholson (1, 3; USNM).

Orange Co., 9 Jul 1930, ex. Sericocarpus acutisquamosus, S.F. Blanton (1; USNM); Bithlo, 29 Apr-17 Jun 1930, ex. Sericocarpus acutisquamosus, D.J. Nicholson (4, 3; USNM); Conway, 17–28 Jun 1930, on Vernonia scaberrima and ex. Hieracium argyraeum, Pope, White, D.J. Nicholson (2, 1; USNM); Orlando, 7 Jun 1893-10 Oct 1930, ex. Aster concolor, Erigeron ramosus, E. vernus, Hieracium argyraeum, H. gronovii, H. scabrum, and Trilisa paniculata, D.J. Nicholson, F.S. Blanton (84, 90; USNM); Orlando, 3 mi (4.8 km) E, 18–19 Feb 1931, ex. Hieracium scabrum, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM); Orlando, 3.5 mi (5.6 km) E of, 15 Mar 1931, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM); Orlo Vista, Sep 1930-25 Feb 1931, ex. Chrysopsis ?microcephala and Hieracium scabrum, D.J. Nicholson (59, 56; USNM); Pine Castle, 4 Jul-30 Nov 1930, ex. Aster concolor and Hieracium argyraeum, D.J. Nicholson (3; USNM); Plymouth, 25 Jul—1 Aug 1930, ex. Hieracium argyraeum, Pope, Dodd, White (4, 2; USNM); Taft, 2 Jan 1930, ex. Chrysopsis latifolia, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM). Osceola Co., Narcoossee, 1–3 May 1930, ex. Hieracium argyraeum, D.J. Nicholson (4; USNM). Polk Co., Griffin, 24 Jan–24Jun 1930, ex. Hieracium argyraeum, Pope, White (4, 6; USNM). Santa Rosa Co., Escambia River, 27 May-2Jun 1930, ex. Erigeron ramosus, D.J. Nicholson (1, 2; USNM); Milton, 26 Oct 1932, F.S. Blanton (1, TAMU). Seminole Co., Oviedo, 21 Dec 1929-9 Jan 1930, ex. Aster adnatus, D.J. Nicholson (2, 1; USNM). Walton Co., De Funiak Springs, 10 Mar-29 May 1930, ex. Erigeron ramosus, D.J. Nicholson (2, 1; USNM). Washington Co., Caryville, 7 Jun 1930, ex. Sericocarpus acutisquamosus, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM). Benson Springs, 24 Jun 1930, ex. Erigeron ramosus, Pope, White (2; USNM); Northwest Florida, 30–31 May 1930, D.J. Nicholson (2; USNM); caught in rearing cage, May-24 Jun 1930, D.J. Nicholson (1&;, 1; USNM).

MASSACHUSETTS: Barnstable Co., Woods Hole, 7 Jul-17 Sep 1899–1923, on Achillea millefolium, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, and Sericocarpus, A.L. Melander, A.H. Sturtevant (11, 8; BMNH, AMNH, USNM, WSU). Nantucket Co., Nantucket, 24 Jun, C.W. Johnson (1; USNM). NEW JERSEY: Cape May Co., Anglesea, Sep (1, MCZ); Avalon, 30Jun-22Jul 1894, C.W. Johnson (1, 5; USNM, NMW, UK); Jun 1930 (2; KU). NEW YORK: Nassau Co., Farmingdale, Long Island, 1 Jul 1931–1933, ex. Hieracium venosum and Sericocarpus asteroides, F.S. Blanton (8, 4; CAS, OHSU, USNM). Suffolk Co., Babylon, Long Island, 26 Jun-5 Aug 1931–1933, ex. Erigeron pusillus, Hieracium venosum, and Prenanthes trifoliata, F.S. Blanton (125, 140; CSDA, ISU, OHSU, ORSU, TAMU, USNM); Cold Spring Harbor, Jul-5 Aug 1927, A.L. Melander (1, 1; USNM); Farmingdale, 1 Jul 1931–1933, ex. Hieracium venosum, F.S. Blanton (6, 6; ORSU, TAMU); Huntington, Long Island, 28 Jul-16 Aug 1962, P.H. Arnaud (1, 1; AMNH); Islip, Long Island, 10 Jun 1931-24Jun 1933, ex. Hieracium venosum, F.S. Blanton (86, 63; CAS, HU, ISU, TAMU, TAU, USNM, USU). NORTH CAROLINA: Dare Co., Nags Head, 5 Jun 1967, J.R. Powers (1; UCB). Wayne Co., Goldsboro, 21 Oct 1922 (1; USNM). PENNSYLVANIA: Montgomery Co., 4 Jul 1892 (2; KU). VIRGINIA: Arlington Co., Bon Air, 15 Aug 1936 (1; USNM). Independent City, Falls Church, 4 Jun (1; MCZ). Kearney, 25 May 1936, J.C. Bridwell (1, 1; USNM).

DISTRIBUTION (Figure 56).—Eastern and Gulf coasts of North America from Newfoundland to Alabama and southwestern United States, southern California and Arizona.

HOST PLANTS.—Aster adnatus, A. asteroides (as Sericocarpus asteroides), A. carolinianus (Benjamin, 1934:37), A. concolor, Chrysopsis graminifolia (as C. microcephala), C. latifolia, C. oligantha, Erigeron canadensis (as E. pusillus), E. strigosus (as E. ramosus), E. nudicaulis (as E. vernus), Heracleum sp. (Phillips, 1946:52), Hieracium argyreaeum, H. Gronovii, H. scabrum, H. venosum, H. sp., Prenanthes trifoliata, Trilisa paniculata, Sericocarpus acutisquamosus.

Neaspilota achilleae is a species of tephritid or fruit flies in the genus Neaspilota of the family Tephritidae.