Brachycentrus (Sphinctogaster) appalachia Flint 1984

Brachycentrus (Sphinctogaster) appalachia

This species is placed in the numerosus subgroup, where it is most similar to B. Spinae in terms of the number of macrochaetae on the tenth tergum, but more like B. numerosus in the shape of the clasper. In B. appalachia there is no dorsal and ventral flap at the tip of the clasper as in B. Spinae, only a single continuous mesal margin from the apical point through a long, but shallow, subapical lobe.

The larvae are very strikingly colored and at first sight appear to be B. lateralis or B. incanus, but differ in possessing totally differently colored legs. The tibiae and tarsi of the mid- and hindlegs are striking annulate, rather than pale with a narrow, dorsal, dark band. From examples of B. numerosus and related species it differs in possessing only one basomesal seta on the tibia of the mid- and hindlegs.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 7–8 mm, 8–10 mm. Color, male: body and appendages fuscous, legs paler apicad, forewing fuscous with pale marks; female, pale, body stramineous, head and thorax dorsomesally infuscate, forewing pale grayish. Seventh sternum of male abdomen with a large posteromesal lobe, broader than long.

Male Genitalia: Ninth segment without a sternal lobe. Cercus elongate, ovoid; cerci totally divided and separated mesally in dorsal aspect. Tenth tergum elongate, narrow in lateral aspect; in dorsal aspect deeply divided apicomesally, each lobe rounded apically with 3–4 macrochaetae. Clasper with a large basal area, apex produced into a short point in lateral aspect; in posteroventral aspect with a subapical, lateral, trianguloid flap, apex produced into a point, mesal margin with a narrow, long lobe subapically.

LARVA.—Length to 12 mm. Sclerites golden- yellow, contrastingly marked with fuscous; frontoclypeus with narrow, pale bands laterally from anterior margin near apex, gena with a narrow, dark band along frontoclypeal suture and in a band from eye posteriad, gula and adjacent narrow band on gena ventrally fuscous; legs mostly golden yellow with tarsi of mid- and hindlegs fuscous, tibiae fuscous for basal half, femora with a fuscous dorsal margin. Femora of mid- and hindlegs with 3 enlarged setae, apico- and basodorsal setae only slightly larger than other dorsal setae; ventral margins with uniform setal fringes; tibiae with a single basomesal seta (many populations from the Carolinas have a second small seta here). Two pairs of submesal setae on venter of first abdominal segment equal in size, distinctly larger than homologous setae on segment two. Lateral fringe present from third through sixth segments. Gills single, arising in dorsal, lateral, and ventral rows.

TYPE MATERIAL.—Holotype (male): WEST VIRGINIA, Randolph Co., Cheat Bridge at Rt. 250, 17 May 1963, Field and Flint. USNM Type 101320.

Paratypes: GEORGIA, Tallulah River, 9 mi. N Clarkesville, 3 Apr 1949, Ricker and Scott, 1 (INHS). MAINE, Washington Co., Narraguagus River, 26 May 1978, T. Mingo, 33 (UMO, USNM, ROM, INHS); same, but 27 May 1978, 3 (USNM). NEW HAMPSHIRE, Jefferson, 20 Jun 1964, black light, 1 (UNH). NORTH CAROLINA, Swain Co., Oconoluftee River, Cherokee, 6 May 1978, Chapin, Herlong and Hudson, 3, 4 (CUC). Soco River, near Cherokee, 21 Apr 1949, W.E. Ricker, 1 (INHS). PENNSYLVANIA, Lycoming Co., Trout Run, Rt. 15, 9 May 1982, P.H. Adler, 1. SOUTH CAROLINA, Oconee Co., Chattooga River at Rt. 28, 4 Apr 1976, J.W. Chapin 4 (CUC); same, but 9 Apr 1978, 41, 18 (CUC, USNM); same, but 10 Apr 1976, 1 (CUC); same, but 14 Apr 1978, 2, 10 (CUC); same, but 16 Apr 1978, 4, 9 (CUC).

OTHER MATERIAL.—USA, MAINE, Aroostook Co., St. John River, Dickey, 22 Sep 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Aroostook Co., St. John River, Allagash, 22 Sep 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Aroostook Co., St. John River, Seven Islands, 23 Sep 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Aroostook Co., Ninemile Brook at Ninemile bridge, 22 Sep 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Aroostook Co., Big Black River at Shields Branch, 22 Sept 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Aroostook Co., Chimenticook Stream below Little East Lake, 26 Sep 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Aroostook Co., Campbell Branch, Little Black River, 23 Sep 1977, St. John River Survey Party, larvae (UMO). Franklin Co., Crossman Stream, Rt. 4, Madrid, 4 Oct 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Oxford Co., Durgin Brook, Rt. 160, Brownfield, 19 Sep 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Penobscot Co., Sunkhaze Stream, 10 mi. E Milford, 11 Sep 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO); same, but 20 Mar 1980, larvae (UMO). Penobscot Co., Baker Brook, 5 mi. E Milford, 11 Sep 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Penobscot Co., Penobscot River, Brown Islands, Winn, 18 Jul 1980, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Bear Brook, Rt. 11 at turnoff to W Seboeis Lake, 14 Sep 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Telos Stream, Telos Road, 19 Oct 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Abol Stream, Park Perimeter Road, Baxter State Park, 29 Oct 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Nesowadnehunk River, Kidney Pond Bridge, Baxter State Park, 29 Aug 1979, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO); same, but 7 Sep 1979, larvae (UMO); same, but 13 Sep 1979, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Nesowadnehunk River, 1 mi. above Kidney Pond Bridge, Baxter State Park, 15 Aug 1979, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Nesowadnehunk River, ¼ mi. below Roaring Brook, Baxter State Park, 29 Aug 1979, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Piscataquis Co., Nesowadnehunk River, Ledge Falls, Baxter State Park, 29 Aug 1979, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Somerset Co., North Branch Penobscot River, Golden Road, Comstock Township, 18 Oct 1978, T.M. Mingo, 2 larvae (UMO). Washington Co., Narraguagus River, 19 Apr 1974, T. Mingo, 4 larvae; same, but Island Site (1 mi. S Rt. 9 bridge), 29 Apr 1978, 100 larvae (UMO); same, but 5 May 1978, 100 larvae, 10 prepupae (UMO); same, but 20 May 1978, 2 larvae, 60 prepupae (UMO); same, but 26 May 1978, 2 larvae, 10 metamorphotypes, 45 empty cases (UMO, USNM).

MARYLAND, Garrett Co., Savage River at Big Run Campground, 17 Apr 1968, Yamamoto and Odum, 1 prepupa (ROM).

NEW HAMPSHIRE, Ammonoosuc River, Zealand Campground, 11 Jun 1957, O.S. Flint, Jr., 2 pupae; same, but 3 Aug 1958, 5 larvae, 1 pupal case; same, but 25 Aug 1957, 50 larvae. Franconia, 20 Aug 1947, B.D. Burks, 3 larvae (INHS). Mill Brook, Cherry Mountain, 18 Aug 1934, W.H. Anderson, 2 larvae (INHS).

NEW JERSEY, Pequest River, Rt. 46, Townsbury, 10 Jun 1956, J.F. Hanson, 1 larva.

NEW YORK, Willewemoc River, 1.5 mi. W DeBruce, Neff and Collette, 1 metamorphotype. Willewemoc River, Roscoe, 7 May 1977, 2:30 P.M., L. Solomon, 2. Little Beaverkill, Roscoe, 13 Feb 1977, L. Solomon, 8 larvae; same, but reared to 8 Mar 1977, emerged, 2 cases with sclerites. Beaverkill, Roscoe, 18 Sep 1976, L. Solomon, 9 larvae; same, but 29 Apr 1977, 1. Beaverkill, Rockland, 6 Dec 1959, Flint and Nowosielski, 1 larva. Beaverkill, East Branch, 6 Dec 1959, Flint and Nowosielski, 30 larvae. Beaverkill, Horton, 5 May 1979, emerging 3:00–5:00 P.M., L. Solomon, 16. Dutchess Co., Wappingers Creek, Stanfordville, 17 Apr 1976, L. Solomon, 3 metamorphotypes, 4 pupae, 10 cases.

NORTH CAROLINA, Macon Co., Cullasaja River, Hwy. 28, 5 Nov 1977, Etnier et al., 2 larvae (UTK). Swain Co., Oconoluftee River, Rt. 19, 1 mi. W Cherokee, 13 Feb 1977, J.W. Chapin, 3 larvae (CUC); same, but 17 Mar 1977, 2 larvae (CUC); same, but 19 Mar 1977, 6 prepupae (CUC); same, but 22 Apr 1977, 1 metamorphotype (CUC); same, but 29 Apr 1978, 2, 2 metamorphotypes (CUC); same, but 16 Oct 1976, 6 larvae (CUC); same, but 13 Nov 1976, 4 larvae (CUC); same, but 2 mi. W Cherokee, 13 Feb 1977, 3 larvae (CUC).

PENNSYLVANIA, Potter Co., Kettle Creek, Cross Fork, 26 Aug 1963, J.H. Graffius, 1 larva. Venango Co., Sugar Creek, 23 Nov 1982, J. Busch, 53 larvae; same, but 2 Jan 1983, 15 larvae. Penna, summer 1976, E. Kupsky, 9 larvae (CUC).

SOUTH CAROLINA, Whitewater River, Jocassee, 9 Mar 1966, R. Prins, 3 larvae (CUC). Oconee Co., Chattooga River at Rt. 28, 9 Apr 1978, J.W. Chapin, 1 metamorphotype, 3 pupae (CUC); same, but 10 Apr 1976, 1 metamorphotype (CUC); same, but 9 Sep 1976, 5 larvae (CUC); same, but 10 Nov 1976, 3 larvae (CUC).

TENNESSEE, Polk Co., Ocoee River, Copper Hill, 11 Mar 1973, W. Pennington, 6 larvae (UTK). Polk Co., Fightingtown Creek, 3 Nov 1974, J. Foster, 1 larvae (UTK).

VIRGINIA, Monterey, 28 Sep 1936, T.H. Frison, 3 larvae (INHS). Alleghany Co., Jackson River, Rt. 220, 2 Jul 1976, R. Graney, 1 larva (VPI). Alleghany Co., Potts Creek, Rt. 18, 5 mi. SW Jordan Mines, 4 Oct 1967, Yamamoto and Odum, 40 larvae (ROM); same, but 11 Aug 1968, Yamamoto and Kohalmi, 15 larvae (ROM). Bath Co., Jackson River, near Rt. 603 bridge, Aug 1973, B. Strickler, 2 larvae; same, but Rt. 603, 2 mi. S Rt. 687, 11 Sep 1979, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 25 larvae. Bath Co., Back Creek, Rt. 43, 8 Oct 1972, R. Strickler, 1 larva (VPI). Bath Co., Blowing Spring Camp, 8 mi. W Warm Springs, 10 Sep 1979, C.M. & O.S. Flint, Jr., and B. Kondratieff, 11 larvae (USNM, VPI); same, but 5 Oct 1967, Yamamoto and Odum, 50 larvae (ROM); same, but 11 Aug 1968, Yamamoto and Kohalmi, 50 larvae (ROM). Highland Co., Cowpasture River, 3 mi. N Williamsville, 27 Jul 1974, M.M. Davis, 6 larvae. Highland Co., Back Creek, 8 mi. N Bacova, 2 Jul 1976, P.K. Powell, 2 larvae (VPI). Highland Co., Jackson River, Rt. 84, 5 mi. SW Monterey, 5 Oct 1967, Yamamoto and Odum, 50 larvae (ROM). Madison Co., Rapidan River, Graves Mill, 800 ft., 18 Apr 1975, C.M. and O.S. Flint, Jr., 4 pupae. Smyth Co., South Fork Holston River, Jct. Rt. 660 and 600, 19 Aug 1979, J.R. Voshell, 10 larvae (VPI).

WEST VIRGINIA, Shavers Fork, Stuart Recreation Area near Elkins, 26 May 1962, T.J. and R.E. Spilman, 2 empty cases with sclerites.

CANADA, New Brunswick, Meductic, 25 Aug 1939, T.H. Frison and Frison Jr., 1 larva (INHS).

NOVA SCOTIA, Chester Basin, 23 Aug 1939, T.H. Frison and Frison Jr., 1 larva (INHS).

ONTARIO, Hastings Co., Thurlow Twp., Moira River, Latta, 6 Jun 1975, Wiggins et al., 50 larvae (ROM); same, but 20 Jun 1972, ROM field party, 20 larvae (ROM); same, but 27 Jun 1971, G.B. Wiggins, 25 larvae (ROM); same, but 3 Jul 1979, Schefter and Richardson, 3 larvae (ROM); same, but 15 Oct 1968, Wiggins and Barr, 50 larvae (ROM).