Research Article |
Corresponding author: Charlotte H. E. Alberts ( ceherbert@ucdavis.edu ) Academic editor: Martin Hauser
© 2022 Charlotte H. E. Alberts, Eric M. Fisher.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Alberts CHE, Fisher EM (2022) A new species of Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Diptera, Asilidae) from Arizona, with a review of the Nearctic species north of Mexico. ZooKeys 1130: 1-63. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1130.81874
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The Nearctic species of Saropogon Loew, 1847 north of Mexico are reviewed, with 19 species recognized and one described as new: Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. from Arizona. This previously recognized new species has awaited description since its first collection in 1964. Only after a community scientist posted photographs taken in nature to an online database did its description become a priority. All species of Saropogon occurring in the Nearctic Region north of the Mexican border have been reexamined. Photographs and diagnoses of all species are provided with a distribution map of the included specimens studied. An updated key to the Nearctic species north of Mexico is provided. Finally, the need for a review of the diverse Mexican fauna is expressed.
Assassin flies, community science, identification key, Nearctic, robber flies, taxonomy
New and undescribed species of insects are increasingly photographed and posted to online databases by the public (e.g.,
Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. male in nature at ~0.7 km ENE of Amado in southern Arizona on Sep. 5, 2017 (flicker: [https://www.flickr.com/photos/7432824@N07/45297662671/in/album-72157687317436870/]). Photograph by Jeff Gruber.
Saropogon (Fig.
Distribution of Nearctic Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae) examined. Red box indicates focused distribution for Fig.
Saropogon abbreviatus Johnson, 1903
Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904
Saropogon birdi Curran, 1931
Saropogon bryanti Wilcox, 1966
Saropogon combustus Loew, 1874
Saropogon coquillettii Back, 1909
Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 1902
Saropogon fletcheri Bromley, 1934
Saropogon hyalinus Coquillett, 1904
Saropogon hypomelas Loew, 1866
Saropogon laparoides Bromley, 1951
Saropogon luteus Coquillett, 1904
Saropogon mohawki Wilcox, 1966
Saropogon nitidus Wilcox, 1966
Saropogon pritchardi Bromley, 1934
Saropogon purus Curran, 1930
Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov.
Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904
Saropogon senex Osten Sacken, 1887
Saropogon solus Bromley, 1951
This study is based on examined specimens from the following institutions and online resources:
BMEC The Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California Davis, Davis, California U.S.A.;
BugGuide www.bugguide.net, (VanDyke 2021);
BYU Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, U.S.A.;
Flickr www.flickr.com;
iNaturalist www.inaturalist.org;
NMSU New Mexico State University Arthropod Collection, Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A.;
TAM personal collection of Dr. Tristan McKnight, Tucson, Arizona U.S.A.;
SEMC Snow Entomological Museum Collection, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A.;
UCR University of California Riverside Entomology Research Museum, California, U.S.A.; and
Repository abbreviations are from the 2022 GBIF Registry of Scientific Collections with some additions of preferred names from the collection’s website, or personal communications.
Morphological terminology follows
Species descriptions are based on all specimens examined (Suppl. material
Not all holotypes were examined in person. During the research portion of this manuscript, many collections were closed for visits and loans due to the Covid-19 pandemic and specimens were unavailable to the authors. All holotypes were at least examined through photographs. When available, links to all holotype photographs have been provided in the comments section for each species.
In all instances, specimens were dry-mounted on pins. Morphological features were examined using a Wild stereomicroscope. Wing length is measured from the tegula to the distal tip of the wing. Wing length is used in the species descriptions instead of body length because Saropogon abdomens are sometimes curved and difficult to measure. We have found more consistent measurements with wing lengths. The left wing was removed or, if previously broken, taken from the unit tray from a representative specimen from each species examined. After being photographed, the wing was then placed in a plastic pill capsule and pinned underneath the relevant specimen. The male terminalia were removed, placed in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 55 °C, neutralized in acetic acid (CH3COOH) and rinsed in distilled water (H2O). They were temporarily stored in 75% ethanol (C2H5OH) for further examination and illustration, eventually sealed in polyethylene vials containing 100% glycerin (C3H8O3), and pinned underneath the corresponding specimen.
Most whole habitus photographs of pinned specimens and wings were taken at the BMEC by the first author, using a GIGAmacro Magnify2 system, a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro-lens, Canon EOS Rebel T5i. The specimens were illuminated with a Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX through a simple paper light diffuser tube. The images were then processed through Lightroom and stacked using Zerene stacker. Finally, spot cleaning, color fixing, and inserting scale bars were done in Adobe Photoshop. At USNM, photographs appearing as Fig.
SimpleMappr was used to generate the distribution maps of all specimens with defined localities (
Saropogon
Loew, 1847: 439 (as subgenus of Dasypogon). Type species: Dasypogon luctuosus Wiedemann, 1820;
= Sarapogon Williston, 1889: 74; incorrect spelling.
= Araiopogon Carrera, 1949: 122; junior synonym. Type species: Dasypogon gayi Macquart, 1838: 37).
= Lycomax Hull, 1962: 278; as a subgenus of Saropogon Loew, 1847. Type species: Saropogon flavofacialis Hull, 1956: 133.
= Oberon Carrera & Papavero, 1962: 57; junior synonym. Type species: Oberon velutinus Carrera & Papavero, 1962: 58.
Dasypogoninae (
Saropogonini (
Saropogon has a stout and often twisted spur at the antero-ventral apex of the fore tibiae (Fig.
Sexual Dimorphism and wing variation in Saropogon.
Representative Saropogon wings of A S. abbreviatus female B S. abbreviatus male C S. bryanti female D S. bryanti male E S. combustus female F S. combustus male G S. dispar female H S. dispar male I S. hypomelas female J S. hypomelas male K S. luteus female L S. luteus male M S. purus female N S. purus male, and O S. senex female P S. senex male. Scale bars: 2 mm.
Dasypogoninae and Saropogon apparently tend to prefer Hymenoptera prey (
Adult Saropogon predation records in North America. Records gathered from
Predator | Prey order | Prey family | Original source or collection | Country (state) |
---|---|---|---|---|
S. abbreviatus | Hymenoptera | Apidae | BYU | USA (TX) |
S. albifrons | Hymenoptera | Crabronidae | UCR | USA (CA) |
S. bryanti | Hymenoptera | Apidae | USNM | USA (AZ) |
S. bryanti | Hymenoptera | Vespidae | UAIC | USA (AZ) |
S. bryanti | Hymenoptera | (?) | ASUHIC | USA (AZ) |
S. combustus | Coleoptera | Carabidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Coleoptera | Chrysomelidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Coleoptera | Tenebrionidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Diptera | Asilidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Diptera | Bombyliidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Diptera | Culicidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hemiptera | Cicadidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hemiptera | Membracidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hemiptera | Rhopalidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Andrenidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Apidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Apoidea |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Braconidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Crabronidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Formicidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Formicidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Halictidae | NMSU | USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Ichneumonidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Mutillidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Pompilidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Sphecidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Thynnidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Tiphiidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Hymenoptera | Vespidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. combustus | Araneae | (?) |
|
USA (NM) |
S. coquillettii | Hymenoptera | Apidae | TAMUIC | USA (TX) |
S. coquillettii | Hymenoptera | Apidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. coquillettii | Hymenoptera | Megachilidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. coquillettii | Hymenoptera | Vespidae | NMSU | USA (NM) |
S. dispar | Coleoptera | Cerambycidae | USNM | USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Coleoptera | Elateridae |
|
USA (?) |
S. dispar | Coleoptera | Scarabaeidae |
|
USA (?) |
S. dispar | Diptera | Bombyliidae | TAMUIC | USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Diptera | Bombyliidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Diptera | Calliphoridae | USNM | USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Diptera | Muscidae | TAMUIC | USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Diptera | Syrphidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hemiptera | Coreidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Andrenidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Apidae |
BMEC and |
USA (OK) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Apidae | USNM, BYU | USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Crabronidae | BMEC | USA (OK) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Halictidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Halictidae |
|
USA (OK) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Pompilidae | TAMUIC | USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Scoliidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Sphecidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Sphecidae |
BMEC and |
USA (OK) |
S. dispar | Hymenoptera | Vespidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. dispar | Orthoptera | Acrididae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. fletcheri | Coleoptera | Buprestidae | BYU | USA (TX) |
S. fletcheri | Hymenoptera | Scoliidae | BYU | USA (TX) |
S. fletcheri | Hymenoptera | Vespidae | BYU | USA (TX) |
S. fletcheri | Hymenoptera | (?) | BYU | USA (TX) |
S. hypomelas | Hymenoptera | Ichneumonidae | TAMUIC | USA (TX) |
S. hypomelas | Hymenoptera | Vespidae | TAMUIC, USNM | USA (TX) |
S. mohawki | Coleoptera | Buprestidae |
|
USA (CA) |
S. mohawki | Hymenoptera | Halictidae | USNM | MEX (B.C.N.) |
S. mohawki | Hymenoptera | (?) | ASUHIC | USA (AZ) |
S. pritchardi | Coleoptera | Carabidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. pritchardi | Coleoptera | Tenebrionidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. pritchardi | Hymenoptera | Formicidae |
|
USA (NM) |
S. pritchardi | Hymenoptera | Formicidae |
|
USA (TX) |
S. purus | Diptera | (?) | ASUHIC | USA (AZ) |
S. purus | Hymenoptera | (?) | ASUHIC | USA (AZ) |
S. pyrodes | Hymenoptera | Apidae | Photograph – Jeff Gruber | USA (AZ) |
S. senex | Coleoptera | Elateridae | USNM | MEX (Nay) |
S. senex | Hymenoptera | Formicidae | USNM | MEX (Nay) |
Saropogon females oviposit in soil with the aid of the acanthophorite spines (Fig.
1 | Apical scutellar macrosetae absent or short, shorter than ½ length of scutellum | 2 |
– | Apical scutellar macrosetae present, as long or longer than length of scutellum | 4 |
2 | Apical scutellar macrosetae absent; both sexes with reddish abdomen; wing length 8 mm (USA: Texas; Mexico: Tamaulipas) Fig. |
S. solus Bromley |
– | Apical scutellar macrosetae present; male abdomen black, female abdomen reddish | 3 |
3 | Discal scutellar setae developed as short macrosetae; anepisternum (except dorsally), katepisternum, proepimeron, and anepimeron non-pubescent with large, uniformly arranged circular depressions; male legs black, female legs red (USA: California, Texas; Mexico: Baja California, Tamaulipas) Fig. |
S. abbreviatus Johnson |
– | Discal scutellar setae absent; anepisternum, katepisternum, proepimeron, and anepimeron with grayish pubescence, without uniformly arranged circular depressions; legs predominantly black, both sexes with metathoracic femora red (USA: Arizona; Mexico: Sinaloa, Sonora, Nayarit) Fig. |
S. senex Osten Sacken |
4 | Wings hyaline, without microtrichia or sparse microtrichia apically with no or sometimes slight color staining | 5 |
– | Wings infuscate, males with brown or black wings, females paler but with staining and/or microtrichia concentrated apically and around veins; generally larger flies (except S. purus and S. luteus) | 12 |
5 | Predominantly black abdomen; fore coxae with long, fine, white setae (USA: Texas) Fig. |
S. laparoides Bromley |
– | Predominantly reddish or yellowish abdomen; fore coxae with macrosetae or bare | 6 |
6 | Anepisternum and katepisternum with non-pubescent spot on the anterior half (e.g., Fig. |
7 |
– | Anepisternum and katepisternum pubescent throughout | 8 |
7 | Red non-pubescent spot on anepisternum and katepisternum; femora reddish; antennae dark red to yellow; wings with slight microtrichia apically (USA: Arizona) Figs |
S. pyrodes sp. nov. |
– | Black non-pubescent spot on anepisternum and katepisternum; femora yellowish; antennae black to brown; wings entirely bare of microtrichia (USA: New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila) Fig. |
S. nitidus Wilcox |
8 | White macrosetae on scutum and scutellum; scutellum with gray pubescence | 9 |
– | Yellowish macrosetae on scutum and scutellum; scutellum with gold pubescence | 10 |
9 | Face and anepisternum with pale gold pubescence; male legs black with distally red femora, female with reddish legs; wings completely hyaline (USA: California, Arizona; Mexico) Fig. |
S. semiustus Coquillett |
– | Face and anepisternum with gray pubescence; both sexes with reddish legs; wings mostly hyaline but with slight brown tinge anteroproximally (USA: Arizona, California; Mexico: Baja California) Fig. |
S. albifrons Back |
10 | Wings mostly hyaline but always with slight microtrichia apically; male femora proximally black over half the length, females with entirely reddish legs (USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Sonora) Fig. |
S. coquillettii Back |
– | Wings completely hyaline; both sexes with reddish legs, sometimes femora proximally darker but never more than half the length | 11 |
11 | Abdomen T4 and 5 anterolaterally black in both sexes; four apical scutellar macrosetae; male femora sometimes proximally black and reddish distally, female legs entirely reddish (USA: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah; Mexico: Baja California, Sonora) Fig. |
S. mohawki Wilcox |
– | Abdomen yellow; two apical scutellar macrosetae; both sexes have entirely reddish legs (USA: New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila) Fig. |
S. hyalinus Coquillett |
12 | Small flies (body length < 15 mm; wing length < 11 mm) | 13 |
– | Large flies (body length > 15 mm; wing length > 11 mm) | 14 |
13 | Wings pale orange stained especially around veins, microtrichia apically, thin (width < 1/3 of length); both sexes with thorax and abdomen orange (USA: California; Mexico: Baja California) Fig. |
S. luteus Coquillett |
– | Wings entirely dark brown from microtrichia and wide (width > 1/3 of length); male with black thorax and abdomen, female with dark brown thorax and orange abdomen (USA: Arizona; Mexico: Sinaloa, Sonora) Fig. |
S. purus Curran |
14 | Femora entirely red (e.g., Fig. |
15 |
– | Femora entirely black or at least with a dorsal black stripe (e.g., Fig. |
17 |
15 | T2–4 non-pubescent to sparse white pubescence on posterolateral margin, narrowly black on the anterior margins forming a thin band (USA: Texas) Fig. |
S. fletcheri Bromley |
– | T2–4 white pubescence on posterolateral margin, if black on the anterior margin, never forming a thin band | 16 |
16 | Wings entirely dark brown from microtrichia; antennae brown (USA: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Fig. |
S. pritchardi Bromley |
– | Wings pale orange stained especially around veins, microtrichia apically; antennae orange (USA: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Fig. |
S. combustus Loew - in part (females) |
17 | Coxae and katatergite with black setae (USA: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Figs |
S. combustus Loew - in part (males) |
– | Coxae and katatergite with white or yellow setae | 18 |
18 | Abdomen predominantly black; T3 red is restricted to the posterior half if any | 19 |
– | Abdomen predominantly red; T3 black is restricted to the antero-lateral surface | 20 |
19 | Female with black basal segments of the palpi, segment 2 reddish; abdomen mostly black; two apical scutellar macrosetae (USA: Oklahoma) Fig. |
S. birdi Curran –(females) |
– | Female with orange basal segments of the palpi, male with black; female abdomen with some black; male abdomen mostly black; four apical scutellar macrosetae (USA: Oklahoma, Texas) Fig. |
S. dispar Coquillett |
20 | Male face and frons with white pubescence, female golden with ocellar tubercle and area around it white; male femur, sometimes tibia, black; female femur proximally black or with proximal black dorsal stripe, legs reddish; scutum with yellowish gray pubescence median stripe with brown pubescence without sub-lateral spots (USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Coahuila, Nuevo Leon) Fig. |
S. hypomelas (Loew) |
– | Both sexes face and frons with golden pubescence; femur in both sexes reddish with black dorsal stripe; scutum yellowish with broad central stripe and elongated sub-lateral spots with gray pubescence (USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Sonora) Fig. |
S. bryanti Wilcox |
Saropogon abbreviatus Johnson, 1903: 113.
Saropogon bicolor Johnson, 1903: 113, junior synonym [homonym of Saropogon bicolor Jaennicke, 1867 (currently recognized as Diogmites bicolor Jaennicke, 1867)].
Saropogon abbreviatus Johnson, 1903 Female (USNMENT01830071): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01830070): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
Has a rather short and stout abdomen with uniformly arranged circular depressions. The male is black with black or brown wings and the female is reddish with brown wings, darker apically. Body length 9–12 mm; wing length 7–9 mm. Flight time April – August.
Most similar to Saropogon senex and S. purus. Differs from S. purus because S. abbreviatus has short apical scutellar macrosetae, whereas the apical scutellar macrosetae of S. purus are longer than the length of the scutellum. Differs from S. senex because S. abbreviatus has short discal scutellar macrosetae, and S. senex has none.
USA: California, Texas; Mexico: Baja California, Tamaulipas.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Texas; MCZ; Type 7582.
Suppl. material
The holotypes of Saropogon abbreviatus and S. bicolor (jr. syn.) are currently in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. The collection provides photos of the types on their website MCZBase: MCZ:Ent:7582 https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Ent:7582 and MCZ:Ent:32756 https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Ent:32756.
Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904: 29.
Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904: 186, junior synonym. In part.
Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904 Female (USNMENT01819164): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01830072): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
Legs reddish orange in both sexes; face, scutum, and anepisternum entirely with white pubescence with white macrosetae; antennae yellowish; ~ 30 macrosetae forming mystax; wings hyaline with a slightly darker tinge proximally; veins brownish at the base of the wing, darker apically; T2–5 postero-laterally with white pubescence in both sexes; scutellum with only two marginal bristles. Body length 9–14 mm; wing length 7–9 mm. Flight time April – June.
Easily confused with Saropogon semiustus, especially females; white face pubescence is the best distinguishing character in S. albifrons.
USA: Arizona, California; Mexico: Baja California.
United States of America • 1 ♀, lectotype; Arizona, Mohave County, Bill Williams Fork; August; F. H. Snow; SEMC; SEMC1603972 • 1 ♀, paralectotype; same collection information as lectotype; SEMC; SEMC1603973.
United States of America • 6 ♀; La Paz County, Parker, Osborn Well Road, 1.6 km E. of Route 95, white sand dunes; 34°07'N, 114°15'W; 150 m; 02 May 2008; T. Dikow, E. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT00870564, USNMENT00870565, USNMENT00870566, USNMENT00870567, USNMENT00870568, USNMENT00870569 • 1 ?; Maricopa County, Bush Highway; 33°32'N, 111°35'W; 415 m; 09 May 1968; R. N. Foster; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139490 • 1 ♀; Maricopa County, Gila Bend; 32°56'N, 112°43'W; 224 m; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT0119937 • 3♂, 1♀; Maricopa County; Gila River, 10 km S. Arlington; 33°13'N, 112°45'W; 200 m; 03 June 2010; F. D. Parker, M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 1 ♀; Maricopa County; Queen Creek; 33°15'N, 111°38'17"W; 425 m; 06 June 1964; G. D. Butler Jr.; UAIC • 1 ?; Yuma County; 8 mi. SE of Parker; 34°01'N, 114°01'W; 176 m; 07 May 1966; S. A. Gorodenski, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139489 • 1 ?; Yuma County, Mohawk Pass; 32°43'N, 113°44'W; 24 April, 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139488.
Suppl. material
Saropogon albifrons was not mentioned by
Saropogon birdi Curran, 1931: 2.
Antennae mostly reddish except the style; base of palpi are black; femora black dorsally; coxal macrosetae yellowish; wings amber-colored with a tinge of brown apically; two apical scutellar macrosetae; abdomen mostly black. Body length 27 mm; wing length 15–21 mm. Flight time June.
Commonly confused with Saropogon pritchardi but S. birdi has black on the femora dorsum. Distinguished from S. dispar by having two apical scutellar macrosetae, and black basal segments of the palpi. S. dispar has four apical scutellar macrosetae and the female has orange basal segments of the palpi.
USA: Oklahoma.
United States of America • 1 ♀, holotype; Oklahoma, Johnson County; 34°17'N, 96°37'W; 241 m; 20 June 1929; R. D. Bird; AMNH.
We were only able to examine the holotype from images sent from the American Museum of Natural History where it is housed. We have been unable to find any other specimens of this species to examine.
Saropogon bryanti Wilcox, 1966: 132.
Femur in both sexes reddish with black dorsal stripe; male and female face and frons with golden pubescence; scutum yellowish with the broad central stripe and elongated sub-lateral spots with gray pubescence. Male wing covered in microtrichia, female wing with microtrichia especially around veins Body length 16–19 mm; wing length 16–18 mm. Flight time June – August.
Saropogon bryanti Wilcox, 1966 Female (USNMENT01830074): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01830073): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
Distinguishable from Saropogon hypomelas by the face and frons being with golden pubescence and the extent of the black on the femora.
USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Sonora.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Arizona, Pima County, Baboquivari Canyon W. side Baboquivari Mts; 31°47'N, 111°37'W; 1124 m; 25–27 July 1952; H. B. Leech, J. W. Green; CASENT; Type no. 9278. • 1 ♀, allotype; same data as for holotype; CASENT; CASENT8427216 • 1 ♀, paratype; Arizona, Pima County, 8 mi. N. Tucson; 32°19'N, 110°58'W; 756 m; 11 June 1964; J. M. Davidson; USNM; USNMENT01830074.
United States of America • 1 ♂; Cochise County, 7 mi. N. Mescal; 32°04'N, 110°26'W; 1097 m; 24 July 1966; F. G. Werner family; UAIC • 1 ♂; Cochise County, Portal; 31°54'N, 109°8'W; 1433 m; 02 June 1964; J. M. Davidson; USNM; USNMENT01830117 • 1 ♀; Cochise County, San Pedro River, 2 mi. E. Benson; 31°57'N, 110°16'W; 1073 m; 30 June 1963; J. C. Bequaert, P. H. Johnson; UAIC • 1 ?; Maricopa County, 3.2 mi. SE. of St. Johns, E. of Sierra Estrellas; 33°17'N, 112°10'W; 320 m; 07 July 1973; M. Kolner, J. Alcock; ASUHIC; ASUHIC139498, ASUHIC139499, ASUHIC139400, ASUHIC139401, ASUHIC139402, ASUHIC139403 • 33 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 10 July 1973; O. Francke, M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC139404, ASUHIC139405, ASUHIC139406, ASUHIC139407, ASUHIC139408, ASUHIC139409, ASUHIC139410, ASUHIC139411, ASUHIC139412, ASUHIC139413, ASUHIC139414, ASUHIC139415, ASUHIC139416, ASUHIC139417, ASUHIC139418, ASUHIC139419, ASUHIC139420, ASUHIC139421, ASUHIC139422, ASUHIC139423, ASUHIC139424, ASUHIC139425, ASUHIC139426, ASUHIC139427, ASUHIC139428, ASUHIC139429, ASUHIC139430, ASUHIC139431, ASUHIC139432, ASUHIC139433, ASUHIC139434, ASUHIC139435, ASUHIC139436 •1 ♀; Maricopa County, 6 mi. N. of Scottsdale; 33°32'N, 111°55'W; 397 m; 07 September 1969; S. McCleve; UAIC • 3 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 22 July 1973; M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC139437, ASUHIC139438, ASUHIC139439 • 2 ♂, 2 ♀; Maricopa County, 3.2 mi. SE. St. Johns, E. of Sierra Estrellas; 33°16'N, 112°13'W; 320 m; 10 July 1973; O. Francke, M. Kolner; CASENT; CASENT8427206, CASENT8427213, CASENT8427214, CASENT8427215 • 1 ?; Maricopa County, Granite Reef Dam; 33°30'N, 111°41'W; 401 m; 29 August 1964; J. M. Davidson; USNM; USNMENT01830106 • 1 ♂; Maricopa County; Sierra Mts.; 33°34'N, 111°42'W; 914–1219 m; 19 August 1924; A. A. Nichol; USNM; USNMENT01199077 • 2 ♂; Pima County, 4mi. E. Sahuarita; 31°57'N, 110°53'W; 861 m; 10 July, 1968; F. Werner, J. Burger, J. LaFage; UAIC • 1♀; Pima County 4 mi. SE. Sahuarita; 31°54'N, 110°54'W; 882 m; 17 July 1968; F. Werner, M. Noller; UAIC • 1 ♂; Pima County, 12 mi. N. Sasabe; 31°40'N, 111°58'W; 1134 m; 27 July 1973; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830118 • 1 ♀; Pima County, Santa Rita Experimenal Range Reserve; 31°49'N, 110°51'W; 1130 m; 21 July 1970; UAIC • 1 ♂; Pima County; 18 mi. W. Robles Jct.; 32°4'N, 111°37'W; 861 m; 30 August 1970; P. H. Sullivan; USNM; USNMENT01830108 • 2 ♂, 1 ♀; Pima County, 12 mi. n. Sasabe; 31°39'N, 111°32'W; 1122 m; 27 July 1973; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830105, USMENT01830073; CASENT; CASENT8427411 • 1 ?; Pima County, Madera Canyon; 31°44'N, 110°53'W; 1354 m; 23 July 1966; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139493 • 1 ♂; Pima County, Range Res. 7 mi. N. Sahuarite; 32°05'N, 110°58'W; 785 m; 19 July 1979; F. Werner, Olson, Nygard; UAIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Pima County, Saguaro National Monument Cast.; 32°17'N, 111°09'W; 829 m; 23 July 1978; B. lipa; UAIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Pima County, Santa Catalina Mountains; 32°26'N, 110°47'W; 2776 m; 13 August 1940; E. C. Van Dyke; CASENT; CASENT8427209, CASENT8427210 • 1 ?; Pima County; Santa Rita Range Reserve; 31°43'N, 110°52'W; 1797 m; 15 July 1970; M. Cazier, J. Bigelow, L. Welch; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139494 • 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; M. Kolner, S. Szerlip; ASUHIC; ASUCIC0139495 • 2 ♂, 3 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 31°49'N, 110°51'W; 1130 m; 06 July 1979; F. Werner, Olson, Nygard; UAIC; • 1 ♂; Pima County, Tucson; 32°13'N, 110°58'W; 724 m; 14 July 1947; USNM; USNMENT01199052 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 18 July 1962; Wargo; UAIC • 1 ?; Pinal County, 12 mi. N. of Redington; 32°36'N, 110°29'W; 950 m; 20 July 1966; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139492 • 1 ♂; Pinal County, Apache Junction; 33°25'N, 111°34'W; 512 m; 30 July 1929; UAIC • 5 ♂, 2 ♀; Santa Cruz County, Santa Rita Mtns., Madera Canyon; 31°47'N, 110°55'W; 1049 m; 14–22 July 1971; D. G. Marqua, P. Sullivan; USNM; USNMENT0183007, USNMENT01830110, USNMENT01830111, USNMENT01830112, USNMENT01830113, USNMENT01830114, USNMENT01830115 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 1503 m; 01 August 1960; S. L. Wood, J. B. Karren, H. Shurtleff; BYU; BYUC215968 • 3 ♂, 5 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 12 July 1973; D. G. Marqua; CASENT; CASENT8427208; USNM; USNMENT01830116, USNMENT01830121, USNMENT01830122, USNMENT01830123, USNMENT01830124, USNMENT01830125, USNMENT01830126 • 1 ♀; Yavapai County, Congress; 34°9'N, 112°51'W; 931 m; 20 July 1930; T. F. Winburn, R. H. Painter; CASENT; CASENT8427207.
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One specimen we examined was from Iowa (CASENT8427218, Suppl. material
Saropogon combustus Loew, 1874: 373.
Saropogon adustus Loew, 1874: 375, junior synonym.
Osten-Sacken 1874:185 (catalog);
Saropogon combustus Loew, 1874 Female (USNMENT01819131): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01819138): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
This species is sexually dimorphic: males mostly black, wings brown, four scutellar bristles; females reddish, wings yellowish, anterior corners of T2–5 black. Body length 13–19 mm; wing length 14–17 mm. Flight time May – October.
The male is easily distinguished from Saropogon fletcheri and S. pritchardi because it is significantly darker and more robust than the other males. The female is a bit more challenging but can be separated from S. fletcheri because it does not have the black anterior bands on its abdomen. The female S. pritchardi also has significantly darker wings than S. combustus which is pale brown and darker apically.
USA: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16981.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Loew; photographed pinned specimen; MCZ; Type 12819 • 1 ♀; Loew; MCZ; Type 12818.
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The holotypes of both Saropogon combustus and S. adustus (junior synonym) are in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. The collection provides photos of the types on their website MCZBase: https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/MediaSearch.cfm?action=search&media_id=99135,99136,99137,99138,99139 and https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/MediaSearch.cfm?action=search&media_id=99130,99131,99132,99133,99134.
Saropogon coquillettii Back, 1909: 348.
Saropogon coquilletti auctt: common misspelling.
Saropogon coquillettii
Saropogon coquillettii is similar to S. semiustus, S. hyalinus, and S. luteus, but can be separated from them because it has four scutellar bristles instead of two. It has nearly hyaline wings with only a tinge of color apically and is more slender than Saropogon combustus and S. dispar. Body and wing length 14–16 mm. Flight time May – October.
USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16982.
United States of America • 1♂, holotype; New Mexico, Doña Ana County, Las Cruces; 32°28'N, 106°52'W; 1247 m; Aug 1923; Townsend; USNM; USNMENT01199124 • 1♂, 1♀, topotype; same locality data as holotype; 28 Jul; Townsend; USNM; USNMENT01199038, USNMENT01199017.
United States of America • 2♂, 4♀; Comal County, Cañon Lake; 33°32'N, 111°27'W; 631 m; 02 September 1935; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01199096, USNMENT01199088, USNMENT01199036, USNMENT01199092, USNMENT01199119, USNMENT01199045 • 1♀; Gila County, Globe; 32°22'N, 110°51'W; 1237 m; August; D. K. Duncan; USNM; USNMENT01518366 • 1♀; same collection data as for proceeding; 24 August 1957; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 2♂, 1♀, 1?; Gila County, San Carlos Lake; 33°11'N, 110°28'W; 749 m; August; D. K. Duncan; CASENT; CASENT8427290, CASENT8427291; USNM; USNMENT01199029, USNMENT01199043 • 1♂; Maricopa County, Higley; 33°18'N, 111°42'W; 398 m; 24 July 1917; E. G. Holt; USNM; USNMENT01819460 • 1♂; Maricopa County, Phoenix; 33°26'N, 112°04'W; 334 m; 01 August 1960; R. E. Rice; USNM; USNMENT01830392 • 1♀; Pima County, 30 mi. SE Ajo; 32°07'N, 112°26'W; 612 m; 30 July 1966; R. L. Brumley; BME; BMEP0280586 • 10♂; Pima County, Picacho Pass; 32°39'N, 111°23'W; 555 m; 13 September 1954; J. C. Hall; BME; BMEP0280451, BMEP0280590, BMEP0280593, BMEP0280599, BMEP0280616, BMEP0280594, BMEP0280619, BMEP0280534, BMEP0280533, BMEP0280618 • 1♂, 2♀, 1?; Pinal County, 15 mi. S. of Florence; 32°50'N, 111°21'W; 631 m; 20 August 1949; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01199016, USNMENT01199056, USNMENT01199073 • 1♀; Pinal County; 32°48'N, 111°17'W; 619 m; 18 August 1940; E. R. Leach; CASENT; CASENT8427292 • 3♀; Pinal County, Mt. Superstition near Higley; 33°28'N, 111°11'W; 1424 m; 24 July 1917; E. G. Holt; USNM; USNMENT01819540, USNMENT01819520, USNMENT01819530.
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This species is often misspelled (e.g.,
Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 1902: 139.
This species is sexually dimorphic: males with brown wings, black mesonotum and legs, brownish tibiae and tarsi; females with yellowish wings, brown mesonotum, reddish legs, distally blackish prothoracic and mesothoracic femora. Body length 20–23 mm; wing length 18–21 mm. Flight time May – August.
Saropogon dispar may be confused with S. hypomelas or S. bryanti but it is a significantly darker species than either.
USA: Oklahoma, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16983.
United States of America • 1♂, holotype; Texas, DeWitt County, Cuero; 29°05'N, 97°17'W; 57 m; 06 Jun.; USNM; USNMENT01199066
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Saropogon fletcheri Bromley, 1934: 91.
This species is sometimes similar to Saropogon dispar but both sexes are reddish and the femora lack black. Scutellum has four reddish bristles; and wings are pale reddish brown. Body length 24–17 mm; wing length 11–14 mm. Flight time April – October.
USA: Arizona, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16984.
United States of America • 1♂, holotype; Texas, Comfort; 29°58'N, 98°54'W; 19 July 1921; R. K. Fletcher; TAMUIC.
United States of America • 1♀; Maricopa County, Morales; 34°02'N, 111°05'W; 1496 m; 27 August 1913; W. D. Pierce; USNM; USNMENT01819450.
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Saropogon hyalinus Coquillett, 1904: 185.
Saropogon hyalinus Coquillett, 1904 Female (USNMENT01830078): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0280500): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
This species is similar to Saropogon luteus except the wings are pure hyaline, and the scutum is densely with yellowish pubescence, with gray pubescent median stripe and elongated sub-lateral spots, crossing the transverse suture. Body length 13–17 mm; wing length 9–11 mm. Flight time May – September.
USA: California, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16985.
United States of America • 1 ♀, holotype; California, Los Angeles County; 34°03'N, 118°14'W; 97 m; Coquillett; USNM; USNMENT01199005.
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You can access photographs of the holotype here: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/308595f92-7180-42d6-a5ed-8be56e3423d4.
Diogmites hypomelas Loew, 1866: 24 [= Saropogon hypomelas (Loew)].
Loew 1866: 24 (as Diogmites);
Saropogon hypomelas Loew, 1866 Female (USNMENT01830080): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0280599): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
A large, sexually dimorphic species. Male with legs reddish, femur, sometimes tibia, black; face and frons with white pubescence; female femur proximally black or with proximal black dorsal stripe; face and frons with golden pubescence; both sexes with scutum with yellowish-gray pubescence, median stripe with brown pubescence. Body length 17–27 mm; wing length 17–18 mm. Flight time April – September.
USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16986.
United Staes of America • 1 ♀, syntype, New Mexico; 34°17'N, 106°17'W; Loew; MCZ; MCZ-ENT00012822.
United States of America • 1 ♀; Maricopa County, 3 mi. N. Gila Bend; 32°58'N, 112°42'W; 205 m; 27 July 1969; H. A. Smith; CASENT; CASENT8427317 • 1 ♀; Pima County, Madera Canyon; 31°43'N, 110°52'W; 1503 m; 14 July 1980; T. L. McKenzie; USNM; USNMENT01830394 • 1 ?; Pima County, Santa Rita Mtns. Madera Canyon; 31°43'N, 110°52'W; 1503 m; 13 September 1964; R. H. Crandall; LACM; LACMENT579085
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The syntype can be viewed at MCZBase: https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Ent:12822. The syntypes were listed under the name Deromyia hypomelas but have since been changed to the current valid name.
iNaturalist lists a record of Saropogon hypomelas from Oklahoma (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90489061) This photographed specimen evidently is correctly identified and would extend the known range for this species.
Saropogon laparoides Bromley, 1951: 14.
Saropogon laparoides Bromley, 1951 Female (USNMENT01819592): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01819567): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
A small, dark species with hyaline wings and white coxal bristles. Females with mostly reddish legs with the tips of the tibiae and tarsi blackish and scutum with gray pubescence; Male femora mostly reddish, prothoracic and mesothoracic femora black dorsally, tibiae and tarsi blackish and mesonotum with yellowish gray pubescence. Male terminalia with many black setae. Body length 12–16 mm; wing length 8–9 mm. Flight time July – August.
USA: Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16987.
United States of America • 1 ♀, holotype; Texas, Presidio County, Presidio; 29°33'N, 104°22'W; 787 m; 04 Aug. 1929; AMNH • 1 ♀, paratype; Texas, Presidio County, Chinati Mtns; 29°54'N, 104°27'W; 1924 m; 04 Aug. 1924; E. R. Tinkham; USNM; USNMENT01819182
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According to
Saropogon luteus Coquillett, 1904: 185.
Saropogon rufus
This species is the most likely one to be confused with Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. because of its reddish color. They are easily distinguished by the entire anepisternum of Saropogon luteus being with gold pubescence instead of white as in S. pyrodes sp. nov. Saropogon luteus also has small, with gray pubescent spots on the posterior corners of the tergites. This species is almost exclusively found in California. Body length 11–17 mm; wing length 8–10 mm. Flight time May – September.
USA: California; Mexico: Baja California SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16988.
United States of America • 1♀, holotype; California, Los Angeles County; 34°03'N, 118°14'W; 97 m; Coquillett; USNM; USNMENT01199100.
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Photographs of the holotype are available here: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/338f15b33-0872-416f-8a58-277c87bb8142. The holotype of Saropogon rufus (junior synonym to S. luteus) is in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. Photographs of this specimen are available here: https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Ent:7583.
Saropogon mohawki Wilcox, 1966: 134.
Wings completely hyaline, the posterior corners of T2–4 with gray pubescence, the anterior corners of T4 and 5 (sometimes T4–6) with black spots; legs pale-colored in both sexes but sometimes femora blackish basally in male. This species is mostly easily confused with Saropogon coquillettii; the main differences are the extent of abdominal markings and the lack of wing microtrichia. Body length 10–13 mm; wing length 11–15 mm. Flight time May – October.
USA: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah; Mexico: Baja California, Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16989.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Arizona, Yuma County, Mohawk; 32°43'N, 113°45'W; 166 m; 16 Jul 1962; J. Wilcox; CASENT; Type No. 9279 • 1 ♀, paratype; Arizona, Yuma County, 25 mi. SE. Parker; 33°51'N, 114°3'W; 361 m; 05 Sep 1964; J. M. Davidson; USNM; USNMENT01830250 • 1 ♂, paratype; California, San Bernardino, Baker; 35°16'N, 116°4'W; 286 m; 24 Jun 1930; F. H. Wymore; BMEC; UCBMEP0003174.
United States of America • 1 ♀; La Paz County, Ehrenberg; 33°36'N, 114°31'W; 91 m; 27 Aug. 1938; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ?; Maricopa County, 1.6 mi. SE. of Barnes Butte, near Papago Park; 33°27'N, 111°56'W; 378 m; 23 June 1973; M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139654 • 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 20 July 1973; M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139653 • 2 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 26 July 1973; M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139655, ASUHIC0139656 • 1 ♀; Maricopa County, Cave Creek; 33°50'N, 111°57'W; 689 m; 08 June 1947; F. H. Parker, USNM; USNMENT01819560 • 3 ♂, 4 ♀; Maricopa County, Gila River 10 km S. Arlington; 33°13'N, 112°45'W; 200 m; 4–14 August 2010; M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 2 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 14–21 August 2010; M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 4 ♂, 3 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 15–31 July 2010; M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 1 ♂, 6 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 1–7 June 2010; M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 3–7 June 2010; M. E. Irwin; UAIC • 1 ?; Maricopa, S. Mtn. Park, 1.4 mi. W. of Elliot Rd. and Freeway; 33°20'N, 112°04'W; 539 m; 16 July 1972; M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139657 • 1 ♂; Mariposa County, 6 mi. W. Gila Bend; 32°56'N, 112°49'W; 220 m; 09 September 1961; G. I. Stage; CASENT; CASENT8427321 • 2 ♀; Pima County, Organ Pipe Cac. N. M. Quitobaquito; 32°01'N, 112°49'W; 524 m; 07 April 1968; J. Gruwell; USNM; USNMENT01830276, USNMENT01830277 • 1 ♀; Pima County, Organ Pipe Cactus NM Quitobaquito Springs; 31°56'N, 113°01'W; 326 m; 27 August 1983; Kinglsey, Bailowatz; UAIC • 1 ♀; Yuma County, 1 mi. NW Aztec; 32°50'N, 113°27'W; 140 m; 31 August 1979; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830254 • 1 ♀; Yuma County, 13 mi. W. Hope; 33°42'N, 113°55'W; 380 m; 30 August 1979; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830253 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Yuma County, 25 mi. SE Parker; 33°51'N, 114°3'W; 361 m; 05 September 1964; J. M. Davidson; USNM; USNMENT01830250 • 1 ?; Yuma County, 37 mi. S. of Quartzsite; 33°07'N, 114°13'W; 409 m; 26 July 1966; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139641 • 2 ?; Yuma County, 37 mi. S. of Quartzsite; 33°07'N, 114°13'W; 409 m; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139647, ASUHIC0139648 • 1 ?; Yuma County, 6 mi. SE. of Parker; 34°05'N, 114°12'W; 208 m; 09 July 1966; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC0139642 • 1 ?; Yuma County; 8 mi. SE. of Parker; 34°04'N, 114°11'W; 262 m; 29 May 1966; S. A. Gorodenski; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139640 • 1 ♀; Yuma County, Mohawk; 32°43'N, 113°45'W; 166 m; 26 August; J. Wilcox; CASENT; CASENT8427320.
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Photographs of the holotype can be viewed at: https://monarch.calacademy.org/taxa/index.php?tid=679456.
Saropogon nitidus Wilcox, 1966: 135.
This species can be easily distinguished from others in the region by a shining black non-pubescent spot on the anterior half of the anepisternum and katepisternum. The male has yellowish red femora with black tibiae and tarsi; the posterior corners of T2–5 (males) and T2–4 (females) are with white pubescence; legs in female are yellowish. Body length 12–14 mm; wing length 8–10 mm. Flight time May – October.
Saropogon nitidus Wilcox, 1966 Female (USNMENT01830081): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0280497): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
USA: New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16990.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Texas, Brewster County, Lajitas; 29°15'N, 103°46'W; 714 m; 04 Sep 1961; J. E. Gillaspy; CASENT; Type No. 9280.
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Photographs of holotype can be found at: https://monarch.calacademy.org/taxa/index.php?tid=679457.
Saropogon pritchardi Bromley, 1934: 90.
This is a large species but slightly smaller and more slender than Saropogon dispar. The wings are proportionately longer and broader than those of S. dispar and the legs are uniformly reddish without any dark markings. Wings and abdomen are black, the thorax with yellowish pubescence, and scutellum has two pale-colored bristles. Body length 20–23 mm; wing length 16–18 mm. Flight time July.
USA: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16991.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Texas, Mills County; 20 July 1931; R. H. Painter; SEMC; SEMC1603974 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀, metatype; Oklahoma, Cimarron County, Boise City; 36°43'N, 102°30'W; 1271 m; 10 Jul 1933; A. E. Pritchard; USNM; USNMENT01819137, USNMENT01819532.
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The holotype is housed at SEMC and information about it can be found here: https://biodiversity.ku.edu/node/1095/.
Saropogon purus Curran, 1930: 3.
The broad, brown wings easily distinguish this species from others (Fig.
Saropogon purus Curran, 1930 Female (UCBMEP0280564): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01830082): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
USA: Arizona; Mexico: Sinaloa, Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16992.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Arizona, Pima County, Kits Peak Rincon, Baboquivari Mts.; 31°57'N, 111°33'W; 1234 m; 1–4 August 1916; F. E. Lutz; AMNH • 1♀, allotype; same collection data as holotype; AMNH.
United States of America • 1 ♂; Cochise County, Willcox; 32°15'N, 109°49'W; 1274 m; 13 July 1944; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 2 ♀; Gila County, Globe; 33°23'N, 110°47'W; 1074 m; 26 Jul 1987; Parker; USNM; USNMENT01819537, USNMENT01819572 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 13 July 1956; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 15 July 1943; F. H. Parker, UAIC • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 15 July 1948; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 19 July 1947; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 20 July 1956; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 2♀; same collection data as for preceding; 27 August 1955; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 28 July 1952; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ♂; Gila County, San Carlos; 33°20'N, 110°27'W; 809 m; 11 July 1936; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ?; Maricopa County, 1.5 mi. NE of Desert Vista Point, Payson Highway; 33°40'N, 111°30'W; 753 m; 02 August 1969; R. Wielgus; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139662 • 1 ?; Pima County, 2.1 mi. S. of Gibbon Mountain, Santa Catalina Mountains; 32°18'N, 110°44'W; 1006 m; 20 Aug. 1972; O. Francke, M. Kolner; ASUHIC0139664 • 1 ♂; Pima County, Baboquivari Mts.; 31°48'N, 111°36'W; 1234 m; 19 July 1950; J. G. Rosen; USNM; USNMENT01830301 • 1 ♂; Pima County, Baboquivari Mts.; 31°47'N, 111°34'W; 1776 m; USNM; USNMENT01819457 • 1♀; Pima County, Box Canyon Santa Rita Mountains; 33°08'N, 111°12'W; 592 m; 05 August 1978; D. S. Verity; USNM; USNMENT01830083 • 1♀; Pima County, Brown Canyon; 31°28'N, 110°17'W; 1219 m; 27 July 1973; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830285 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 28 July 1983; Werner, Olson; UAIC • 1♀; Pima County, Espero Canyon 10 mi. NW of Tucson; 32°18'N, 110°49'W; 844 m; 10 August 1975; B. Page; UAIC • 1♀; Pima County, Snata Rita Exp. Range; 32°50'N, 110°51'W; 1120 m; 26 July, 1971; E. Yensen; UAIC • 1 ♂; Santa Cruz County, 3 mi. W. Pina Blanca; 31°24'N, 111°08'W; 1476 m; 07 July 1984; A. J.. Gilbert, R. A. Clark, J. C. Ball; USNM; USNMENT01830302 • 1 ♂; Santa Cruz County, Pena Blanca Area, Vic. Atascosa Trail; 31°24'N, 111°08'W; 1433 m; 05 July 1972; D. G. Marqua; USNM; USNMENT01830082 • 1 ?; Yavapai County, Cordes; 34°18'N, 112°10'W; 1150 m; 09 August 1971; M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139663.
Suppl. material
Most specimens have two scutellar bristles, but
The species is distinguished from congeners by its deep red color, hyaline wings, gracile body, white pubescence on the posterior margin of T1–7, and T3 is typically darker than the other tergites (Fig.
Male. Holotype (Figs
Head. (Fig.
Proboscis and maxillary palpus. (Fig.
Antenna. (Fig.
Thorax. (Fig.
Leg.
(Fig.
Wing. (Fig.
Abdomen. (Figs
Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. terminalia. Male (USNMENT01819155): A dorsal view 75× B lateral view 75× C ventral view 75×; female (UAIC1128818): D dorsal view 80×, arrow indicating acanthophorites (spines) E lateral view 95× F ventral view of T6–9 40×, arrow indicating spiral spermathecal reservoir G ventral view of T8–9 80×, arrow indicating “X” shaped furca. Scale bars: 1 mm.
Male abdomen. (Fig.
Female abdomen. (Fig.
Length. Body length 10 mm; wing length: 6 mm.
The holotype is in good condition and is not missing any parts.
United States of America • 1♂, holotype; Arizona, Pima County, 7 mi. N. Tucson; 33°47'N, 111°34'W; 740 m; 04 Sep. 1968; D. R. Miller, J. E. Lauck; USNM; USNMENT01199000 • 1♀, 7♂, paratypes; same data as for holotype; USNM; USNMENT01819173, USNMENT01199055, USNMENT01819150, USNMENT01819585, USNMENT01819580, USNMENT01819176, USNMENT01819472 • 3♂, paratypes; same data as for holotype; CASENT; USNMENT01819175, USNMENT01819179, USNMENT01819155 • 1♂, paratype; same data as for holotype; BMEC; USNMENT01819167 • 1♂, paratype; Arizona, Pima County, 4 mi. N. Continental; 31°54'N, 110°57'W; 844 m; 11 Aug. 1964; M. E. Irwin; USNM; USNMENT01819500 • 1♀, 1♂, paratypes; Arizona, Santa Cruz County, Juan Bautista De Anza Trail Amado; 31°44'N, 111°02'W; 916 m; 31 Aug. 2018; C. W. Melton; UAIC; UAIC1128818, UAIC1128819; BugGuide: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1588371, 1588372, 1588341, 1588340, 1588338 • 1♂, paratype; same data as for proceeding; TAM; USNMENT01819495.
United States of America • 1♀; Arizona, Pima County, Green Valley; 31°50'N, 110°59'W; 943 m; 03 Sep 2016; K. Roragen; iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/51920444 • 1♀; Arizona, Santa Cruz County, 0.7 km ExNE of Amado; 31°42'N, 111°03'W; 934 m; 05 Sep 2017; J. Gruber; BugGuide: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1439519; Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7432824@N07/albums/72157701454226641.
The holotype (1♂) and several paratypes (1♀ 7♂) of the new species have recently been deposited in USNM (as a donation from Eric Fisher); the rest of the paratypes will be split between BMEC (1♂), CASENT (3♂), UAIC (1♀ 1♂), TAM (1♂). Information and pictures of the holotype are available on the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Search the Department of Entomology Collections website: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/36f568a66-098a-4932-8900-92113e4b58b9.
USA: Arizona (Fig.
Focused map of the Arizona distribution of Nearctic Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae). Map created with SimpleMappr on January 25, 2022, and available at: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/17143.
Jeff Gruber photographed specimens of Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. and its habitat (Fig.
Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. in natural habitat at ~ 0.7 km ENE of Amado in southern Arizona on September 5, 2017 A habitat overview B habitat detail with S. pyrodes included (arrow) C close-up of male perching D close-up of male consuming a bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Photographs by Jeff Gruber.
Jeff Gruber described some behavior (Figs
Named for the fly’s bright, fiery red color: pyrodes is Greek for fire-like.
In 1964, Mike Irwin collected the first record of this species, a male from four miles north of Continental, Arizona. He gave the specimen to Joseph Wilcox to identify. Then in 1968, Miller collected twelve specimens (11 ♂ and 1 ♀) from just north of Tucson, Arizona. He also donated this collection to J. Wilcox. The second author borrowed the specimens from Wilcox in approximately 1979 when he started a Ph.D. program at the University of California, Riverside. He considered describing this unique fly but never did. Finally, in 2017, beautiful photographs by Jeff Gruber (Fig.
Saropogon bryanti and S. senex have been collected within 10 km of the type locality of S. pyrodes. Saropogon purus and S. coquillettii can also be found in the area; the material examined showed specimens within 60 km of S. pyrodes collection sites. Saropogon hypomelas, S. fletcheri, S. albifrons, and S. mohawki are all found within 200 km (Fig.
Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904: 186.
Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904 Female (USNMENT01830085): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01830084): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.
This species most closely resembles Saropogon hyalinus and S. albifrons but can be easily separated by its smaller size and dense grayish pubescence on the face, thorax, scutellum, and coxae. Abdomen mostly polished with sides of T1 and a spot on the posterior corner of T2–5, with gray pubescence (sometimes absent in males). Legs in male black, except red at tips of femora; legs in female are reddish. Antennae are yellowish brown. Wings hyaline. Body length 8–10 mm; wing length 7–8 mm. Flight time April – June.
USA: Arizona, California; Mexico: Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16994.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; California, San Diego County; 32°42'N, 117°09'W; 38 m; Coquillett; USNM; USNMENT01199020.
United States of America • 1 ♂; La Paz County, Parker, Osborn Well Road, 1.6 km E. of Route 95, white sand dunes; 34°07'N, 114°15'W; 150 m; 02 May 2008; T. Dikow, E. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT00870563 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; La Paz County, Cactus Plain Wilderness Study Area, off Swansea Road near aqueduct; 34°00'N, 113°57'W; 365 m; 27 April 2015; T. Dikow; USNM; USNMENT01115214, USNMENT01115055 • 4 ♂, 6 ♀; La Paz County, Parker, Osborn Well Road, 1.6 km E. Route 95; 34°07'N, 114°15'W; 150 m; 02 May 2008; T. Dikow, E. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830325, USNMENT01830326, USNMENT01830327, USNMENT01830328, USNMENT01830329, USNMENT01830330, USNMENT0183031, USNMENT01830332, USNMENT01830333, USNMENT01830334 • 1 ?; Yuma County, 1 mi. W. of Tacna; 32°42'N, 113°58'W; 102 m; 24 April 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139671 • 1 ?; Yuma County, 19 mi. NE of Yuma; 32°55'N, 114°23'W; 128 m; 09 April 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139669 • 1 ♂; Yuma County, 5 mi. E. Tacna; 32°42'N, 113°51'W; 104 m; 17 June 1965; F. D. Parker; BME; BMEP0280492 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; R. M. Bohart; BME; BMEP0280493 • 3 ?; Yuma County, 6 mi. SE. of Parker; 34°05'N, 114°12'W; 208 m; 23 April 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139665, ASUHIC0139666, ASUHIC0139667 • 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 14 May 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139668 • 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 07 May 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139672 • 1 ?; Yuma County, Ligurta; 32°40'N, 114°17'W; 604 m; 08 April 1966; J. H. Davidson, J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139670 • 1 ♀; Yuma County, Welton; 32°40'N, 114°40'W; 76 m; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01819552.
Suppl. material
Photographs of the holotype can be found here: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3648f2ac9-3f50-4efb-9719-6f3128085846.
Saropogon senex Osten Sacken, 1887: 179.
Saropogon aridus Curran, 1930: 3, junior synonym.
This species is mainly black with the hind femora of the female and sometimes of the male, reddish. Discal scutellar setae absent; four short apical scutellar macrosetae; scutum, anepisternum, and scutellum with grayish pubescence. Body length 10–12 mm; wing length 7–9 mm. Flight time June – August.
USA: Arizona; Mexico: Sinaloa, Sonora, Nayarit, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16995.
Mexico • 1 ♂, holotype; Presidio; 29°33'N, 104°22'W; Forrer; NHMUK; NHMUK013933278; Record 1427186.
United States of America • 1 ?; Cochise County, 1 mi. E. of Douglas; 31°20'N, 109°31'W; 1241 m; 26 Jul. 1962; M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139680 • 1 ♀; Cochise County, 8920 Hereford S Bryerly Ct.; 31°24'N, 110°13'W; 1500 m; 24 June 2016; N. E. Woodley; USNM; USNMENT01819474 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 25 June 2016; N. E. Woodley; USNM; USNMENT01819469 • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 27 June 2017; N. E. Woodley; USNM; USNMENT01819464, USNMENT01819484 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 10 July 2017; N. E. Woodley; USNM; USNMENT01819454 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 14 July 2017; N. E. Woodley; USNM; USNMENT01819459 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 09 July 2019; N. E. Woodley; USNM; USNMENT01819479 • 1 ♀; Cochise County, San Bernardino Ranch; 31°20'N, 109°16'W; 1143 m; August; F. H. Snow; USNM; USNMENT01819159 • 1 ♂; Cochise County, Texas Pass Dragon Mts; 31°59'N, 105°02'W; 1107 m; 21 July 1984; J. C. Burne; UAIC .• 2 ♀; Gila County, Globe; 33°23'N, 110°47'W; 1074 m; 03 August 1949; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01819174, USNMENT01819527 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 27 July 1956; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 1076 m; 07 August 1970; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 2 ♀; Gila County, Hayes Mt.; 33°12'N, 110°36'W; 1517 m; 25 August, 1957; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ♀; Gila County, San Carlos; 33°20'N, 110°27'W; 806 m; 29 July, 1967; F. H. Parker; UAIC • 1 ♂; Pima County, 10 mi. E. Continental; 31°51'N, 110°48'W; 1264 m; 18 July 1961; Werner, Nutting; UAIC • 1 ♂; Pima County, 10 mi. SE. Sahuarita; 31°50'N, 110°51'W; 914 m; 21 July 1977; Olson, Hetz; UAIC • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; Pima County, 3 mi. E. Sahuarita; 31°57'N, 110°55'W; 843 m; 31 July 1963; V. L. Vesterby; BME; BMEP0280477, BMEP0280478 • 1 ?; Pima County, 4 mi. N. of Madera Canyon; 31°44'N, 110°56'W; 1086 m; 25 July 1966; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC139683 • 1 ?; Pima County 8 mi. N. of Santa Rita Exp. Sta.; 31°56'N, 110°51'W; 905 m; 17 July 1970; M. Kolner, S. Szerlip; ASUHIC; ASUHIC139684 • 2 ?; Pima County, 8 mi. NW of Santa Rita Exp. Sta.; 31°47'N, 110°57'W; 949 m; 17 July 1970; M. Kolner, S.. Szerlip; ASUHIC; ASUHIC139686, ASUHIC139687 • 1 ♂; Pima County, Brown Canyon, Baboquivari Mts; 31°28'N, 110°17'W; 1527 m; 28 July 1983; Werner, Olson; UAIC • 1 ♀; Pima County, Santa Rita Mts.; 31°49'N, 110°46'W; 1813 m; 01 August 1941; R. H. Beamer; BME; BMEP0280476 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; R. H. Beamer, C. H. Martin; BME; BMEP0280472 • 1 ♀, 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 09 August 1930; T. F. Winburn, R. H. Painter; CASENT; CASENT8427344, CASENT8427345 • 1 ?; Pima County, Santa Rita Range Reserve; 31°43'N, 110°52'W; 1775 m; 15 July 1970; M. Cazier, J. Bigelow, L. Welch; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139685 • 1 ♂; Pima County, Santa Rita Mts.; 31°49'N, 110°46'W; 1814 m; 31 June 1941; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01199040 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 31 July 1944; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01199009 • 1 ♂; Pima County, Tucson, vic. Ina/Oracle; 32°19'N, 110°58'W; 770 m; 23 July 1988; W. L. Nutting; UAIC • 1 ♀; Pima or Santa Cruz County, Santa Rita RR; 31°35'N, 110°43'W; 1308 m; 15 August 1953; F. H. Parker; USNM; USNMENT01819139 • 1 ♂; Santa Cruz County, Santa Rita Mts. Madera Canyon; 31°44'N, 110°56'W; 1086 m; 15 July 1972; D. G. Marqua; USNM:USNMENT01830378 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 24 July 1976; D. G. Marqua; USNM; USNMENT01830379 • 4 ♂, 3 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 07–09 August 1962; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830365, USNMENT01830366, USNMENT01830367, USNMENT01830368, USNMENT01830369, USNMENT01830370, USNMENT01830371 • 1 ♂; same collection data as for preceding; 12–14 July 1961; E. M. Fisher; USNM; USNMENT01830372 • 2 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 25 July 1966; J. M. Davidson, M. A. Cazier; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139681, ASUHIC0139682 • 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 26 August 1964; R. H. Crandall; LACM; LACMENT579126 • 2 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 01–06 August 1965; R. H. Crandall; LACM; LACMENT579128, LACMENT579129 • 1 ?; same collection data as for preceding; 06 August 1965; R. H. Crandall; LACM; LACMENT579127 • 2 ♂, 2♀; same collection data as for preceding; 13 July, 1958; R. M. Bohart, USNM, USNMENT01830374, USNMENT01830375, USNMENT01830376 • 2 ♂, 7♀; same collection data as for preceding; 31 July 1958; R. M. Bohart; BME; BMEP0280479, BMEP0280480, BMEP0280481, BMEP0280482, BMEP0280483, BMEP0280484, BMEP0280485, BMEP0280486; USNM; USNMENT01830373 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 28 July 1979; S. Mannweiler; USNM; USNMENT01830377 • 1 ♀; same collection data as for preceding; 01 August 1960; S.. L. Wood, J. B. Karren, H. Shurtleff; BYU; BYUC215820 • 1 ?; Yavapai County, Badger Spring exit, 3.5 mi. NNE of Bumble Bee; 34°15'N, 112°06'W; 975 m; 04 August 1973; O. Francke, M. Kolner; ASUHIC; ASUHIC0139688.
Suppl. material
Information about the holotype can be found here: https://data.nhm.ac.uk/record/bb909597-dedf-427d-8c04-4c02b3a24db3/1427186/1656374400000. At time of publication, there were no publicly available photographs of the specimen; however, pictures are scheduled to be posted to this link in the near future.
Saropogon solus Bromley, 1951: 15.
Saropogon solus Bromley, 1951 Female (USNMENT01819178): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01819132): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars 2 mm.
This species is distinguishable from all other North American species by its lack of apical scutellar bristles. Wings are yellow tinged with gray tips; legs are reddish yellow. Body length 12 mm; wing length 8 mm. Flight time June – Aug.
Distribution of Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae) specimens studied for S. abbreviatus, S. birdi, S. nitidus, S. semiustus, and S. solus. Map created with SimpleMappr on July 25, 2022, and available at: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/18363.
USA: Texas; Mexico: Tamaulipas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16996.
United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Texas, Hildago County; 26°27'N, 98°13'W; 39 m; 16 Jun 1933; S. W. Bromley; USNM; USNMENT01199013.
Suppl. material
Photographs of the holotype are available at; http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/320c061d2-3a39-4baf-9836-909bdf168a64.
Distribution of Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae) specimens studied for S. albifrons, S. coquillettii, S. dispar, S. hyalinus, and S. laparoides. Map created with SimpleMappr on July 25, 2022, and available at: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/18317.
The description of the unique species Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov., with the summary of our knowledge of the Nearctic Saropogon north of Mexico in the present study is an initial contribution to understanding the diversity of this genus. A future, more detailed revision of all Nearctic species including those occurring in Mexico, would be a natural extension of this project. Multiple new species from Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango, and Jalisco have been accumulating in the collection of the second author (recently donated to the USNM). Combined with specimens housed in Mexican natural history collections, these will provide the foundation for a comprehensive revision of the entire Nearctic fauna. With the description of Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. there are now 20 species known from the USA, and Saropogon is now the third most speciose genus of Dasypogoninae after Cophura Osten Sacken (~ 34 spp.) and Diogmites Loew with (~ 25 spp.) in the Nearctic north of Mexico (see
Distribution of Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae) specimens studied for S. bryanti, S. hypomelas, S. luteus, S. pritchardi, and S. purus. Map created with SimpleMappr on July 25, 2022, and available at: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/18318.
There are a few morphological characters not previously mentioned that may prove useful for future species diagnosis and delimitation. The most apparent are the pubescence patterns on the dorso-median occiput (part or all of the median occipital sclerite). Of the species examined, Saropogon albifrons, S. bryanti, S. coquillettii, and S. dispar have minimal to no patterning with solid pubescence. Saropogon hyalinus, S. luteus, S. mohawki, S. nitidus, S. purus, S. semiustus, S. senex, and S. pyrodes sp. nov. have two non-pubescent spots directly adjacent to slightly posterior to, the ocellar tubercle. Particularly distinct patterns occur in Saropogon mohawki where the cuticle showing through the two non-pubescent spots is pale brown instead of black as in the other species examined; S. purus has one large non-pubescent spot behind the ocellar tubercle, and S. pyrodes sp. nov. has two non-pubescent spots, but they appear much rounder and larger than in the other material examined. These are far from concrete descriptions, but it shows further observation may be warranted. Another character we would like to reexamine in future studies is the dependence on the number of apical scutellar setae in the identification of Saropogon. This character has been heavily relied upon in past identification keys despite it being known for being inconsistent within species. Our key attempts to replace this character with other more dependable characters and only rely on apical scutellar setae where necessary (e.g., S. mohawki and S. hyalinus).
Distribution of Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae) specimens studied for S. combustus, S. fletcheri, S. mohawki, S. pyrodes sp. nov., and S. senex. Map created with SimpleMappr on July 25, 2022, and available at: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/18362.
Platforms like iNaturalist and BugGuide have greatly facilitated communication between community and professional entomologists. Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. is an excellent example of how community involvement can assist in the discovery and, ultimately, the description of new species. These community-based websites are a relatively new resource that scientists are learning to utilize in their research, and we hope to encourage future participation on both sides of the professional plane.
First, we would like to thank the community scientists who helped inspire us to make this publication a priority, especially Jeff Gruber and Charles W. Melton for posting photographs of the new species to BugGuide, Flickr, and iNaturalist. We would like to thank Chris Grinter for allowing the first author to visit the CASENT collection, Helen Vessels for access to the NMSU Arthropod Collection, and Karen Wright for help visiting TAMUIC and photographs of S. fletcheri. We would like to thank Torsten Dikow with his help editing the manuscript, imaging resources, and access to USNM specimens, and Lynn Kimsey for access to BMEC, workspace, and imaging resources. We would like to thank Shawn Clark and Riley Nelson for loaning specimens from the BYU collection, and Gene Hall, Tristan McKnight, and Wendy Moore for allowing access to the collection and loaning specimens from UAIC. We would like to thank Melissa Aja for giving us access to photographs of Saropogon combustus, S. rufus (luteus), S. abbreviatus, S. adustus (combustus) and S. bicolor (abbreviatus) holotypes at the MCZ, Zachary Falin for photographs of S. albifrons and S. pritchardi holotypes from the SEMC collection, David Grimaldi, Christine Johnson, Agnieszka Pierwola, and Courtney Richenbacher for sending photographs of S. birdi, S. laparoides, and S. purus holotypes at the AMNH, Erica McAlister and Nigel Wyatt for photographs of the S. senex holotype from the NHMUK collection, and Nicole Gunter for taking and sending pictures of a very confusing Ohio Saropogon, which turned out to be Diogmites. We would like to thank Ellen Dean for help with habitat and plant identification, Emma Cluff for help with databasing and organizing specimens, Brennen Dyer for help taking pictures using the complicated GIGAmacro imaging system and tracking down elusive specimens, and Jessica Gillung for helping organize the manuscript. A special thanks to Keely Davies for making an incredible illustration of this S. pyrodes sp. nov., and Martin Hauser and the reviewers for giving us great advice on how to improve this manuscript. Finally, we would like to thank George Alberts and family for their love and support while the first author chased flies around the world. The authors have no funding to report and have declared that no competing interest exist.
Locality information of all specimens examined
Data type: excel file
Explanation note: Locality information of all specimens examined.