Two new species of Coniopteryx Curtis from China (Neuroptera, Coniopterygidae)

Abstract Two new species of Coniopterygidae, Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) tenuisetosasp. nov., and Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) serratasp. nov., are described from China. Both species differ from congeners in characters of the male genitalia. Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) alticola Sziráki, 2002, is recorded from China for the first time. A key to species of the genus Coniopteryx from China is presented.

Thorax. Light brown. Meso-and metanotum with dorsal dark spots. Legs yellowish brown.
Wing. Wing membrane light greyish brown, almost hyaline.
Male terminalia (Fig. 6a-f ). Accord with the description by Sziráki (2002). Sziráki, 2002 belongs to the C. lobifrons species group (Sziráki 2004). The members of this group are characterized by the presence of a prominent process on the frons and of a protuberance on the first flagellomere (Fig. 5b, c). Coniopteryx (C.) alticola was originally described from Thailand (Sziráki 2002)  Diagnosis. Male genitalia: median apical incision shallow, U-shaped, less than half of sternite 9 length; terminal process blunt in lateral view; distal part of gonocoxites 10 short and stout, with tiny hairs.
Description. Male: Head (Fig. 7a, b). Brown. Frons without projections. Compound eyes large. Antennae brown, 28-segmented, 1.2-1.5 mm in length. Scape and pedicel broad and blunt. Basal flagellomeres wider than long, distal flagellomeres gradually tapering toward apex, apical flagellomere almost as long as wide. Apices of flagellomeres covered with scattered scale-like hairs and two whorls of setae. Maxillary and labial palps brown.
Wing. Wing membrane light greyish brown, almost hyaline. Male terminalia (Fig. 8a-g). Sternite 9 higher than wide in lateral view; anterior margin straight laterally; ventral apodeme along anterior margin not interrupted; lateral process rounded and blunt; terminal process short and acute in lateral view, rounded and blunt in caudal view; median apical incision shallow and U-shaped, and its depth less than half the length of the sternite 9. Gonocoxites 10 long and slender, bent downwards near apex, distal portion serrated and covered with many tiny setae. Gonapophyses 10 as a pair of long, slender rods.
Distribution. China (Tibet, Yunnan). Etymology. The species name tenuisetosa "thin-haired" is a composed adjective of Latin derivation, referring to the thin setae on the distal portion of gonocoxites 10.
Remarks. The new species is similar to Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) aspoecki Kis, 1967, but the two species differ in configuration of the male genitalia. In particular, Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) tenuisetosa is characterized by a short, not prominent terminal process of sternite 9 in lateral view, while it is prominent and arched in C. aspoecki. Moreover, in the new species, the distal portion of gonocoxites 10 is relatively robust and serrated, while in C. aspoecki it is thin, apically tapered and smooth. Diagnosis. Male genitalia: median apical incision V-shaped. Its depth is more than the half of the length of sternum 9. Terminal process long and acute in lateral view. Distal part of gonocoxites 10 bent upwards perpendicularly.
Description. Male: Head (Fig. 9a, b). Yellowish brown. Frons without projections. Compound eyes large. Antennae brown, 27-28-segmented, 1.2 mm in length. Scape and pedicel long and narrow. Basal flagellomeres two times wider than long, apical flagellomeres tapered. Flagellomeres scattered with scale-like setae at apex and two circles of hair-like sensilla; setae present on most segments except basal ones. Maxillary and labial palps yellowish brown.
Thorax. Brown. Meso-and metanotum with dorsal dark spots. Legs yellowish brown except the brown coxae.
Wing. Wing membrane light greyish brown, almost hyaline.  Male terminalia (Fig. 10a-h). Sternite 9 slightly higher than wide in lateral view; anterior margin arched in lateral view; apodeme along anterior margin wide, but interrupted or very thin ventrally; lateral process rounded and blunt; terminal process slender and acute in lateral view; median apical incision V-shaped with two short appendages in the middle. Gonocoxites 9 long and sinuated, distal section directed forwards perpendicularly and serrated. Gonocoxites 10 long and slender, bent upward distally, ventral process small. Gonapophyses 10 as a pair of long, slender rods.
Distribution. China (Yunnan). Etymology. The species name is a Latin adjective referring to the minute serrations on the distal portion of gonocoxite 9.
Remarks. The genitalia of the new species suggest a close relationship with Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) wuyishana Yang & Liu, 1999. However, the two species differ in the shape of the sternite 9. The new species is characterized by having a V-shaped median apical incision while it is U-shaped in C. (C.) wuyishana. Moreover, in Coniopteryx (Coniopteryx) serrata the anterior margin of sternite 9 stretches forwards laterally and the apodeme along the anterior margin is very thin and interrupted ventrally. In contrast, C. (C.) wuyishana is characterized by a straight anterior margin of sternite 9, and a ventrally complete anterior apodeme of sternite 9.