On the identity and distribution of the rare Rymosia tolleti Burghele-Balacesco, 1965 (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) encountered in European caves

The identity and distribution of a neglected fungus gnat species, Rymosia tolleti Burghele-Balacesco, 1965, in Europe is reviewed based on examination of newly collected specimens as well as available museum materials. Rymosia tolleti is widespread but rather rare in Central Europe, with confirmed records from Romania, Slovakia, Germany, and France. All the specimens with known collection details originate from cave environments. Detailed photographs of the male terminalia are provided for the first time, along with two unique DNA barcodes for the species

Two new Ptychoptera Meigen, 1803 (Diptera, Ptychopteridae) from the Western Palaearctic

Ptychoptera xanthopleura Dvořák, Oboňa & Manko, sp. nov. from Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Ptychoptera staryi Dvořák, Oboňa & Manko, sp. nov. from Bulgaria are described. P. xanthopleura sp. nov. differs from the other member of the lacustris group mainly by having almost completely yellow pleurae, and by the shape of the epandrium and gonocoxites. The diagnostics of P. staryi sp. nov. and P. incognita Török, Kolcsár & Keresztes, 2015 based on male genitalia are provided

First record of the rare aquatic dance fly Chelifera aperticauda Collin, 1927 (Diptera: Empididae: Hemerodromiinae) from Slovakia

The scarce European dance fly Chelifera aperticauda Collin, 1927 (Diptera: Empididae: Hemer­odromiinae) is recorded for the first time from Slovakia. One male was found in the Pieniny Mts. The distribution and habitats of this species are reviewed and briefly discussed

New and little known species of moth flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) from Nicaragua

The male of a new species Arisemus venustus sp. n. from Nicaragua, the Cerro Musun Natural Reserve, is described. A. atrasetus (Rapp, 1945) and Platyplastinx tango Quate et Brown, 2004 (Diptera: Psychodidae: Psychodinae) from Nicaragua are redescribed and illustrated on the basis of male morphological characters

Some winter active flies from snow and caves of Vârghiș, Romania

This paper attempts to fill the gaps in knowledge about the biodiversity of some winter-active fly families from snowfields and caves in Vârghiș, Romania. A total of 15 fly species were recorded from caves and 9 species from snowfields. Exechiopsis (Exechiopsis) pseudindecisa Lastovka et Matile, 1974 and Rymosia placida Winnertz, 1863 from caves and Mycetophila mitis (Johannsen, 1912) (all Mycetophilidae) from snow represent the first records for Romania. Habitus photographs of these three species are provided

Hemimormia nyangerensis Ježek & Oboňa 2019, sp. nov.

Hemimormia nyangerensis Ježek & Oboňa sp. nov. (Figs. 18–33, 56) Description. Male. Head almost rounded from frontal view (1.2 times broader in horizontal axis), with raised concave tubercle dorsally and swollen kidney or C-shaped compound eyes laterally (Fig. 18). Posteriolateral margins of eyes without enlarged alveoli of supraocular bristles on both sides. Eyes contiguous (Fig. 18) and formed by three facet rows (Fig. 19). Dorsal 1/3 of the eye section 1.4 times as narrow as ventral 2/3. Ratio of distances of apices of eyes (tangential points) to facet diameter 9:1. Scar patch above the upper apices of eyes is not divided, in contrast to two quite separated kidney-shaped alveoli patches near the basis of antennae. Antennae incomplete (Fig. 20). Scape cylindrical, 1.5 times as long as pedicel which is almost globular. Basal flagellomeres pitcher-shaped, bulbose part conspicuously asymmetrical in horizontal axis, necks (internodes) represent 1/3 of the length of article. Ascoids paired, filamentary, with 6 filaments arising from one papilla (Fig. 21). Mouthparts extending slightly beyond basal palp segment (Fig. 18). At the labellum, as shown in Fig. 27, miniature spines between both lobes are not developed. Labellum bulbose, with digital fused protuberances in between (Fig. 27). Length ratio of maxillary palps 1.0:1.3:1.3:1.9, segment 4 annulate (Fig. 26). Ratio of maximum length of cibarium to length of epipharynx 1.3:1 (Fig. 28), labrum pointed. Thorax. Anepisternum setae patch is almost semi-circular, anepimeron with approximately longly elliptic setose patch (Fig. 22). Spiracles set low on mesothorax. No thoracic allurement organs. Wings (Fig. 56) narrowly lanceolate, 1.5 mm long—holotype, paratypes 1.4–1.7 mm, pointed distally, not expanded at the posterior margin. The ending of R 5 a little beyond the tip of wing. Wing membrane slightly infuscated. Following veins or their parts strengthened: Sc only in the origin; R 1 distally (proximally very weakened); R 2, R 3 (proximally a little weakened), R 2+3+4, whole R 5; M 2, M 3 and CuA 1 distally. Radial and medial forks complete, positioned as seen on Fig. 56. Wing indices AB:AC:AD = 4.1:4.5:4.8; BC:CD:BD=1.1:1.0:1.9. Wing index 3.5, medial wing angle 162° (BCD). Halteres (Fig. 29) almost ovoid with a prolonged stem. Ratio of maximum length of halteres to their maximum width approximately 3.0:1. Ratios of lengths of femora, tibiae and first tarsal segments P 1 2.3:2.3:1.0, P 2 not observed, P 3 2.7:3.2:1.3. Paired tarsal claws of P 1 bent distad, with two ventral thickening (Fig. 30). Male genitalia. Aedeagus racquet-shaped, clearly symmetrical, ejaculatory apodeme rod- or bar-shaped, bilobed proximally and gradually widened distally, 2.4 times as long as aedeagal complex (Figs. 24, 25, 33). Parameres fused dorsally (Fig. 25), encircling aedeagus, with conical moveable appendages dorsally, as long as posterior part of aedeagus. Posterior appendages of parameres directed posteriodorsally (Figs. 24, 33) or anteriodorsally (Fig. 25). Gonocoxites as long as cone-shaped gonostyli (Fig. 32), bent, without bristles terminally (Figs. 24, 32). Epandrium square-shaped, bare (Figs. 23, 31), central aperture paired, a rest of ventral plate with five arms (Fig. 31). Hypandrium inconspicuous, stripe-shaped (Fig. 24). Hypoproct and epiproct tongue-shaped, prominent, approximately of the same size, both parts haired (Figs. 23, 31). Epandrial clasping lobes almost cylindrical, haired and a little bent (Figs. 23, 31), as long as epandrium (measured with hypoproct), with five compact conspicuous tenacula, not frayed apically (Figs. 23, 31). Female. Unknown. Differential diagnosis. Hemimormia nyangerensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to H. acrostylis (Duckhouse, 1978), however, head is rounded (Fig. 18), kidney-shaped alveoli patches near the basis of antennae are separated (Fig. 18), distance of radial wing fork and ending of R 1 is equal to distance of ends of R 4 and R 5 (1:1)—see Fig. 56, medial wing angle is 162°, wing index is 3.5, parameres are approximately as long as posterior part of aedeagus (Figs. 24, 33) and ventral plate of epandrium is reduced and membraneous, with five arms (Fig. 31). On the other hand, H. acrostylis has head conical, alveoli patches connected, distances of above-mentioned points conspicuous (4:1), medial wing angle 155°, wing index 3.0, parameres reaching well beyond posterior part of aedeagus and ventral plate sclerotized, harpoon-shaped, with several little hooks proximally and two parallel trapezoidal plates distally. Type material. Holotype ♂: Equatorial Africa: Kenya, Nyangera, Victoria Lake environment, 1 141 m a.s.l. (Fig. 59), 0°3ꞌ 56.296ꞌ ꞌ S, 34°4ꞌ 53.251ꞌ ꞌ E, 6.xii.2003 – 3.iii.2004, Malaise trap, I. Přikryl et al. leg. Slide with a dissected specimen, Cat. No. 34748, Inv. No. 24209 (NMPC). Paratypes 6 ♂ (slides): The same locality, method, collector and date, Cat. No. 34749–34754, Inv. No. 24210– 24215 (NMPC). Supplemented paratype 1 ♂ (slide): same, 14.ix.–10.x.2003, Cat. No. 34755, Inv. No. 24216 (NMPC). Additional paratypes 3 ♂ (slides): same, 10.x.–6.xii.2003, Cat. No. 34756–34758, Inv. No. 24217–24219 (NMPC). Slides are often with dissected specimens. Type locality. Equatorial Africa: Kenya, Nyangera, Victoria Lake environment. Etymology. The species is named after the type locality in Kenya. Bionomics. Unknown. Adults were collected in wetland rushes of margins of the water body with rapidly growing Cyperus papyrus L. Distribution. This species is currently known from a single locality in Kenya.Published as part of Ježek, Jan & Oboňa, Jozef, 2019, Three new species of moth flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from the Afrotropical Region, pp. 73-90 in Zootaxa 4577 (1) on pages 78-81, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4577.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/262861

Thaumastoptera Starý & Oboňa 2018

Key to Palaearctic Thaumastoptera (s. str.) 1. Upper branch of medial fork (M1+2) very long, about 8 times as long as its petiole, or longer (Fig. 2); femora and tibiae without any dark rings; aedeagus very long, about by one third its length longer than gonocoxite (Figs. 7, 8). For other details of wing and other structures of male terminalia, see Figs. 2, 7, 8.... Thaumastoptera (Thaumastoptera) intermixta Savchenko, 1974 - Upper branch of medial fork (M1+2) at most 5 times as long as its petiole, or shorter; femora and tibiae with dark apical rings; aedeagus much shorter, at most two thirds the length of gonocoxite............................................. 2 2. Wing pattern little-distinct, restricted to darkened, (sub)vertical vein elements (Fig. 1). For other details of wing and male terminalia, see Figs. 1, 5, 6..................................... Thaumastoptera (Thaumastoptera) calceata Mik, 1866 - Wing pattern distinct, almost black, forming numerous spots and seams........................................... 3 3. Wing pattern with two black marks on costa: between tips of R1 and R3 and on R5; upper branch of medial fork (M1+2) about three times as long as its petiole (Fig. 4). For other details of wing and male terminalia, see Figs. 4, 11, 12............................................................................ Thaumastoptera (Thaumastoptera) spathifera sp. n. - Wing pattern without two marks above; upper branch of medial fork (M1+2) only slightly longer than its petiole (Fig. 3). For other details of wing and male terminalia, see Figs. 3, 9, 10....................................................................................................... Thaumastoptera (Thaumastoptera) insignis Lackschewitz, 1940Published as part of Starý, Jaroslav & Oboňa, Jozef, 2018, Palaearctic species of Thaumastoptera (s. str.) Mik (Diptera: Limoniidae), pp. 227-234 in Zootaxa 4394 (2) on page 234, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4394.2.5, http://zenodo.org/record/119767

Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa 2019, sp. nov.

Neoarisemus leponti Ježek & Oboňa sp. nov. (Figs. 1–17) Description. Male. Head hardly rounded from frontal view (1.1 times broader laterally). Vertex largely elevated, cut terminally, without a cleft (Fig. 1). Posteriolateral margins of eyes without alveoli of supraocular bristles on both sides. Eyes separated, eye bridge divided by 5.7 facet diameter (Figs. 1, 2) and formed by 4 facet rows (Fig. 2). Ratio of distance of apices of eyes (tangential points) to minimum width of frons approximately 2.9:1. Dorsal and ventral apices of eyes are approximately of the same size. Frons without a frontal suture (Figs. 1, 2). Scar patch above the upper apices of eyes and between them in a form of a vertical stripe of small alveoli from vertex to basis of antennae, where expanded laterally; both sides of upper part of head with alveoli twice larger (Fig. 1). Antennae (Figs. 3, 7, 11) of 16 articles. Scape barrel-shaped, a little shorter and narrower than ovoid pedicel (Fig. 11). First flagellomere spindle-shaped (Fig. 11), approximately 1.5 times contracted in comparison with the foregoing flagellomere. Flagellomeres 2–12 pitcher-shaped, symmetrical, internodes (necks) are diminuted to the end of anntenna. Last two articles are globular (Fig. 7), flagellomere 13 of the same size as bulbose part of the foregoing article. Terminal flagellomere almost twice minuted, with bilobed apiculus (protuberances of different length). Ascoids fine, digitate, as rows arising from shallow groves at apex of basal bulb (Fig. 3). Mouthparts extending slightly beyond basal palp segment (Fig. 1). At the labellum, as shown in Fig. 13, parallel lines of three miniature spines between both lobes are visible. Labellum bulbose, without digital protuberances in between (Fig. 13). Length ratio of maxillary palps 1.0:1.8:2.2:2.6, segment 4 not annulate (Fig. 12). Ratio of maximum length of cibarium to length of epipharynx 2.1:1 (Figs. 1, 14), labrum pointed. Thorax. Anepisternum setae patch almost semicircular, with circular thoracic spiracle anteriorly, anepimeron approximately with triangular setose patch (Fig. 4). Spiracles set low on mesothorax. No thoracic allurement organs. Wings (Fig. 9) lanceolate, 1.9 mm long—holotype, paratypes 1.4–2.0 mm, pointed distally in the ending of R 5, inconspicuously expanded at the posterior margin. Wing membrane slightly infuscated except a large dark spot between C and R 1, and a second one almost from the whole length of CuA 1 to the rest of the distal part of the posterior wing margin. There is additionally a short linear spot between R 1 and R 2+3+4. Following veins or their parts strengthened: Sc only in the origin; R 1 nearly entire; R 2+3+4 only in two points; whole R 5; M 1+2 basally, weakened shortly on a level of the end of Sc; CuA 1 and CuA 2 for entire length, both with a sticker start basally (CuA 2 more). Radial and medial forks complete, their position see on Fig. 9. Wing indices AB:AC:AD = 4.7:3.8:3.2; BC:CD:BD = 1.0:1.3:2.3. Wing index 2.7, medial wing angle 199° (BCD). Halteres (Fig. 8) almost ovoid with a prolonged stem and narrow lancet-shaped scales. Ratio of maximum length of halteres to their maximum width approximately 2.6:1. Ratios of lengths of femora, tibiae and first tarsal segments P 1 2.2:2.1:1.1, P 2 2.5:3.1:1.0, P 3 2.4:3.7:1.5. Paired tarsal claws of P 1 twice pointed and bent distad (Fig. 5). Male genitalia. Ejaculatory apodeme bilobed, with a medial cleft proximally, lateral wings only inconspicuously developed (Fig. 6). Gonocoxal apodemes broadened anteriorly (Fig. 6) with two slerotized arms. Aedeagus with a lateral element, protruding in the middle, reaching far beyond tip of coxites. Main aedeagal shaft until just beyond level of tip of lateral element, straight from dorsal view (Fig. 6), bent from lateral one (Fig. 17); posterior part of aedeagus tapered with a sclerotised bar inside and outside a minute protuberance resembling thumb opposed to palm (Fig. 17). Gonocoxites 1.1 times as long as cone-shaped gonostyli, bent, with two bristles terminally (Figs. 6, 16). Epandrium oblong-shaped, bare (Fig. 10), central aperture not developed, ventral plate not observed. Hypandrium stripe-shaped (Fig. 6), narrowed in the middle. Hypoproct tongue-shaped and epiproct foldshaped, both parts haired (Fig. 10). Epandrial clasping lobes (surstyli) almost globular proximally in enlarged bases with lancet-shaped scales, slender cylindrical blade only inconspicuously bent (Figs. 10, 15), 1.6 times as long as epandrium, with three brush-like tenacula (Figs. 10, 15). Female. Unknown. Differential diagnosis. Neoarisemus leponti sp. nov. is morphologically similar to N. satchelli Duckhouse, 1978, however, head is without frontal interocular suture (Fig. 1) and corniculi not developed (Fig. 1). Flegellomeres 12–14 are gradually diminutive (Fig. 7), radial fork, medial fork and ending of CuA 2 are not in same line (Fig. 9), epandrial aperture is not developed (Fig. 10), posterior part of aedeagus has a sclerotised bar inside and outside a minute protuberance resembling thumb opposed to palm (Fig. 17). On the other hand, N. satchelli has frontal interocular suture and corniculi conspicuously developed, flagellomeres 12–14 bead-like, almost of the same size, radial fork, medial fork and ending of CuA 2 are in same line, epandrial aperture developed and posterior part of aedeagus rounded terminally, with several curved structures indistinctly seen. Type material. Holotype ♂: Madagascar: Toamasina prov., Analamazaotra 1.4 km SSW Andasibe vill. (Périnet), cca 940 m a.s.l., 18°56ꞌ 09ꞌ ꞌ S, 48°24ꞌ 48ꞌ ꞌ E, 20.i.2000, P. Chvojka leg. (by sweep netting). Slide with a dissected specimen, Cat. No. 34715, Inv. No. 24176 (NMPC). Paratypes 27 ♂ (slides): The same locality and collector, date 19.–22.i.2000, Cat. No. 34716–34742, Inv. No. 24177–24203 (NMPC). All material mentioned above P. Chvojka leg. by black light (ultraviolet lights, 8W) and sweep netting. Additional paratypes 5 ♂ (slides): Toamasina prov., brooklet 3.5 km E Amboditafonana, cca 830 m a.s.l., 17°27ꞌ 32ꞌ ꞌ S, 48°46ꞌ 12ꞌ ꞌ E, 30.i.2000, Cat. No. 34743–34747, Inv. No. 24204–24208 (NMPC). P. Chvojka leg. (by sweep netting). Slides are often with dissected specimens. Type locality. Madagascar: Toamasina prov., Analamazaotra 1.4 km SSW Andasibe vill. (Périnet). Etymology. This species is named in honour of François LePont from France, one of the famous and known specialists in the family Psychodidae. Bionomics. Unknown. Adults were collected in secondary forest habitat, specifically a swampy area with a nearby rill or brooklet. Distribution. Currently recorded only from Madagascar.Published as part of Ježek, Jan & Oboňa, Jozef, 2019, Three new species of moth flies (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from the Afrotropical Region, pp. 73-90 in Zootaxa 4577 (1) on pages 74-78, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4577.1.4, http://zenodo.org/record/262861