Neaspilota floridana Ibrahim 1982

Neaspilota (Neaspilota) floridana Ibrahim

Neaspilota floridana Ibrahim, 1982:297.

DESCRIPTION.—Resembling N. alba but differing as follows: wing length 2.18 to 4.06 mm.

Head (Figure 28): Slightly shorter, occiput being less convex; frontal ratio 0.9–1.0; frontal- head ratio 0.43–0.47; 1st flagellomere ratio 1.7–2.0; aristal-antennal ratio 1.20–1.44; major setae brownish yellow.

Thorax: As in N. alba. Legs: Fifth tarsomere of male foreleg (Figure 29) with anteroapical spine slightly thicker, but not longer, than remaining spines. Wing (Figure 187): Pterostigmal ratio 2.3–2.7; crossvein ratio 1.27–1.60.

Abdomen: Yellow, terga mainly black, with narrow yellow posterior and lateral margins; yellow margins of posterior terga wider; sterna of male as in Figure 30; epandrium and cerci as in Figures 31, 32, with prensisetae relatively larger; setae on cerci relatively longer, lateroventral tuft of setae sparser and less distinct among other setae; distiphallus as in Figure 33. Female: Tergal ratio 0.93–1.15; tergal-oviscapal measure 2.0; oviscapal ratio 1.00–1.25; aculeus as in Figures 34, 35, more pointed; spermatheca (Figure 36) with rougher surface.

TYPE MATERIAL.—Holotype female is from Florida, Orange Co., Orlando, 19 Apr 1931, D.J. Nicholson. The specimen was reared from Vernonia angustifolia. The Smithsonian loaned this specimen to Dr. R. Ibrahim, University of Florida. Unfortunately we have been unable to recover this loan, which is held by the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville, Florida.

OTHER SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—UNITED STATES. ARKANSAS: Clark Co., Arkadelphia, 14 Sep 1908, C.E. Hood (1; USNM); C.V. Riley (1; USNM). FLORIDA: Brevard Co., Cocoa, 24–26 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia gigantea, D.J. Nicholson (4, 7; USNM); Sharpes, 14 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia gigantea, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM). Charlotte Co., 4–17 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia blodgettii, Pope, White (19, 16; USNM); Cleveland, 1–28 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia blodgettii, Pope, White (16, 10; USNM); Peace River, 30 May 1930, ex. Pluchea foetida, Pope, White (2; USNM). Collier Co., Carnestown, 12–19 May 1930, ex. Vernonia blodgettii, D.J. Nicholson (14, 17; USNM). Hillsborough Co., Thonotosassa, 10–17 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia gigantea, Pope, White (3; USNM). Lake Co., Fruitland Park, 26 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia sp., E.T. Evans (3; USNM); 25–28 Jun 1930, E.T. Evans (1; USNM); Leesburg, 14 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, E.T. Evans, D.J. Nicholson (1?; USNM). Marion Co., Ocala, 14 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia gigantea, E.T. Evans, D.J. Nicholson (6; USNM). Orange Co., Conway, 7 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, Pope, White (1; USNM); Orlando, 19 Apr-30 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, D.J. Nicholson (109, 118; TAU, USNM); Pine Castle, 17 Jun 1930, ex. Chrysopsis hyssopifolia, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM); Plymouth, 14 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, E.T. Evans, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM); Tangerine, 14 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, E.T. Evans, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM); Winter Park, 30 Jun 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, D.J. Nicholson (2, 4; USNM). Seminole Co., Altamonte Springs, 8 Jul 1930, ex. Vernonia scaberrima, D.J. Nicholson (1; USNM). Florida, 21 Jun-14 Jul 1930, D.J. Nicholson (2, 3; USNM). GEORGIA: White Co., Nacooche, 26 Aug 1935, ironweed, V.T. Phillips (2, 1; FSCA).

KANSAS: Douglas Co., 5 Aug 1934, E.P. Breakey (1; KU); July (1; KU). Riley and Pottawatomie Cos., Manhatten, 9 Jun 1934, C.W. Sabrosky (1; FSCA). Wilson Co., 866 ft (260 m), 1936, R.H. Beamer (1; KU). LOUISIANA: East Baton Rouge Parish, Baton Rouge, 17 Sep 1909, Vernoma (1; USNM). MISSOURI: Laclede Co., Lebanon, 20 Jul-20 Aug 1953, C.D. Michener (1; KU). Miller Co., Iberia, 16 Aug 1964, A.R. Moldenke (1; AMNH). NORTH CAROLINA: Macon Co., Highlands 3800 ft (1150 m), 4 Jun 1957, J.R. Vockeroth (1; HU). PENNSYLVANIA: Chester Co., ex. Vernonia sp., 24 Jul 1895 (1?; KU). TEXAS: Hidalgo Co., Donna, Aug 1931–Aug 1932, ex. Vernonia sp., J.W. Monk (5, 4; OHSU, ORSU, TAMU, USNM). Milam Co., New Clarkson, 7 Jul-28 Aug 1982, on Vernonia Baldwinii and Circium texanum, G. Tillman (4; TAMU); New Clarkson, 10 mi (16 km) S Rosebud, 7–28 Jul 1982, ex. Vernonia sp., G. Tillman (16, 15; TAMU). VIRGINIA: Arlington Co., Rosslyn, 25 Aug 1912, J.R. Malloch (1; USNM). Independent City, Falls Church, 6 Aug, N. Banks (1; USNM). Page Co., Shenandoah, 21 Jul 1939, W.W. Wirth (1; USNM).

DISTRIBUTION (Figure 37).—Southeastern quarter of the United States; Kansas to Pennsylvania, south to Texas and Florida.

HOST PLANTS.—Vernonia altissima (as V. gigantea), V. angustifolia (as V. scaberrima), V. Blodgettii, V. sp. Also recorded were Pluchea foetida (2 specimens reared) and Chrysopsis hyssopifolia (1 specimen reared), but these records are doubtful.

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