A new species of Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Diptera, Asilidae) from Arizona, with a review of the Nearctic species north of Mexico

Charlotte H. E. Alberts; Eric M. Fisher

doi:10.3897/zookeys.1130.81874

Research Article

A new species of Saropogon Loew, 1847 (Diptera, Asilidae) from Arizona, with a review of the Nearctic species north of Mexico

Charlotte H. E. Alberts^‡§, Eric M. Fisher^|

‡ University of California, Davis, United States of America

§ Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, United States of America

| unaffiliated, El Dorado Hills, California, United States of America

Corresponding author: Charlotte H. E. Alberts ( ceherbert@ucdavis.edu )

Academic editor: Martin Hauser

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

ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E6B79A47-F684-4AC1-ACA4-1E162DEDA5D3

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Assassin flies, community science, identification key, Nearctic, robber flies, taxonomy

Introduction

New and undescribed species of insects are increasingly photographed and posted to online databases by the public (e.g., Mesaglio et al. 2021). Online images and identification databases are excellent resources through which community naturalists and scientists can interact with experts of their interest groups, sometimes resulting in the joint discovery of a new species (e.g., Winterton et al. 2012). Herein we describe a case where a known new species had been awaiting description in a personal collection for many years, but it was not until images were posted online that the naming of the species became a priority. This charismatic and ‘fire-like’ species of assassin fly (Diptera: Asilidae; Fig. 1) has inspired the reexamination of the Nearctic species of the globally diverse and taxonomically confounding genus, Saropogon Loew, 1847.

Figure 1.

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. 1) includes at least 128 species and two subspecies (Sakhvon 2020). It is one of few Asilidae genera believed to occur in almost all zoogeographic regions (Londt 1997; Sakhvon 2020; GBIF Secretariat 2021). It is, however, found mainly in temperate and tropical climates. In the Nearctic, Saropogon occurs primarily in the southwestern states within the USA, in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, with some species scattered in the adjacent states. Some species occur as far north as Colorado and Nebraska and as far south as Nayarit, Mexico (Fig. 2). This manuscript focuses on the species found in Arizona but provides locality information of all specimens examined in the Suppl. material 1.

Figure 2.

Distribution of Nearctic Saropogon (Diptera: Asilidae) examined. Red box indicates focused distribution for Fig. 26. Map created with SimpleMappr on 25 January 2022, and available at: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/17061.

Wilcox (1966) most recently provided descriptions and an identification key to the then known Nearctic species. The status of several species has changed over the years, mainly due to the wide distribution and strong sexual dimorphism of many Nearctic species. We summarize the status history as follows:

Loew (1847) described Saropogon as a subgenus of Dasypogon (type species Dasypogon luctuosus Wiedemann, 1820).
Loew (1874) described the first Nearctic Saropogon species from Texas (S. combustus (male) and S. adustus (female)).
Osten-Sacken (1887) described Saropogon senex from Mexico (Sinaloa).
Coquillett (1902) described Saropogon dispar from Texas.
Johnson (1903) described Saropogon abbreviates and S. bicolor from Texas.
Coquillett (1904) described Saropogon semiustus, S. luteus, and S. hyalinus from California.
Back (1904) described Saropogon albifrons from Arizona and S. rufus from California.
Back (1909) synonymized Saropogon albifrons with S. semiustus (in part, see Wilcox 1966: 131), synonymized S. adustus with S. combustus, synonymized S. rufus with S. luteus, and described S. coquillettii from New Mexico. He also gave descriptions and a key to the known Nearctic species.
Curran (1930) described Saropogon aridus and S. purus from Arizona and published a key to the species.
Curran (1931) described Saropogon birdi from Oklahoma and provided a revised key to the species.
Bromley (1934) described Saropogon fletcheri and S. pritchardi from Texas and Oklahoma and gave a key to the Texas species.
Wilcox (1936) described the female of Saropogon aridus.
Bromley (1951) described Saropogon laparoides and S. solus from Texas.
Martin and Wilcox (1965) found that Saropogon aridus from Arizona was a synonym of S. senex described from Sinaloa, Mexico. Included Saropogon hypomelas (Diogmites) in their catalog.
Wilcox (1966) described Saropogon bryanti and S. mohawki from Arizona as well as S. sculleni and S. nitidus from Texas, noted of the synonymy of S. albifrons with S. semiustus, and discussed a personal communication with Bromley in 1936, who, after examining the type of Diogmites hypomelas decided that it belonged to Saropogon and Wilcox included the change in his identification key.
Fisher and Wilcox (1997; unpublished) proposed that Saropogon sculleni was a junior synonym of S. laparoides.

Current North American species

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

Materials and methods

This study is based on examined specimens from the following institutions and online resources:

ASUHIC The Hasbrouck Insect Collection, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, U.S.A.;

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.;

CASENT California Academy of Sciences Entomology Collection, San Francisco, California U.S.A.;

Flickr www.flickr.com;

iNaturalist www.inaturalist.org;

LACMENT Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Entomology Collection, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.;

MCZ Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.;

NHMUK Natural History Museum, London, England, U.K.;

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.;

TAMUIC Texas A&M University Insect Collection, College Station, Texas, U.S.A.;

UAIC The University of Arizona Insect Collection, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.;

UCR University of California Riverside Entomology Research Museum, California, U.S.A.; and

USNM Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

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 Dikow (2009a) and Cumming and Wood (2017). In the descriptions, abdominal tergites are abbreviated with ‘T,’ and sternites are abbreviated with ‘S.’ Prothoracic, mesothoracic, and metathoracic segments are abbreviated to ‘pro,’ ‘mes,’ and ‘met,’ respectively. Pubescence refers to the short, fine microtrichia densely covering certain body parts. Other generalized terms follow Nichols (1989).

Species descriptions are based on all specimens examined (Suppl. material 1) and not exclusively on the holotype. A total of 1522 specimens of Saropogon was examined. The sole specimen of S. birdi Curran, 1931 was examined from photographs provided by the AMNH staff. The female wing of Saropogon pyrodes was not photographed because only two female specimens were available (the method used is destructive), and because there is no apparent sexual dimorphism present in this species.

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. 8A–G of the female and male terminalia were taken on a Zeiss SteREO Discovery V12 stereo microscope with a PlanApo S 1.0× lens at 40–95× magnification and an attached Olympus OM-D E-M1 MicroFourThirds digital camera. The dissected terminalia were placed in 75% ethanol in a glass dish and illuminated by a Schott VisiLED light source using mixed bright-field (dorsal), dark-field (lateral), and transillumination (ventral). The MicroFourThirds camera was tethered to a laptop computer and controlled by Olympus Capture software (version 2.2.1), and the vertical movement for obtaining photographs for later image stacking was done manually using the fine drive. Some whole habitus photographs of pinned specimens in the USNM were taken with a GIGAmacro Magnify² system, a Canon EOS D5 Mark IV full-frame DSLR, a Canon MP-E 65 mm F/2.8 macro-lens and illuminated by a Canon ring-lite flash. Individual RAW-format images taken at USNM were stacked using HeliconFocus Pro (version 7+) and exported in Adobe DNG-format.

SimpleMappr was used to generate the distribution maps of all specimens with defined localities (Shorthouse 2010). All localities and elevation not stated explicitly on the original label were estimated using Google Earth Pro version 7.3.4.8248 (Google Earth Pro 2021) and noted as estimates in Suppl. material 1. Google Earth Pro uses digital elevation model (DEM) to calculate elevation.

Taxonomy

Saropogon Loew, 1847

Saropogon Loew, 1847: 439 (as subgenus of Dasypogon). Type species: Dasypogon luctuosus Wiedemann, 1820; Coquillett (1910: 603); by designation.

= 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.

Subfamily

Dasypogoninae (Hull 1962; Papavero 1973; Artigas and Papavero 1988; Lehr 1988; Geller-Grimm 2004; Dikow 2009a; Cohen et al. 2021).

Tribe

Saropogonini (Hardy 1926; Martin and Papavero 1970; Dikow 2009a, 2009b, 2018).

Diagnosis

Saropogon has a stout and often twisted spur at the antero-ventral apex of the fore tibiae (Fig. 3A), the same as related genera in the subfamily Dasypogoninae. It differs from other Nearctic taxa such as Diogmites Loew and Blepharepium Rondani by having cell m₃ open (Fig. 3B), and an antennal stylus composed of a single element with an apical seta-like element positioned apically in a cavity on the stylus (Fig. 3C). However, some S. pritchardi have cell m₃ almost closed, but never stalked. Saropogon differs from Lestomyia Williston by having a mystax confined to the oral margin (Fig. 3D) and its face is slightly concave (Fig. 3E) when viewed laterally. Some species of Lestomyia have a mystax confined to the oral margin, which can be distinguished from Saropogon by having strong anterior (presutural) dorsocentral bristles (absent in Saropogon (Wilcox 1966)). Cophura can be distinguished from Saropogon by its fore tibial spur on the postero-ventral surface being thin, and sigmoid rather than stout, hooked and on the antero-ventral surface (Dikow 2009a). Cophura also has a midtibia with a large, usually black, apical spine, which is absent in all Saropogon studied. Length 10–27 mm.

Figure 3.

Saropogon nitidus illustrating distinguishing characters of the genus A fore tibia with a distinct spur. B open m₃ cell on wing C antennal style D mystax of S. nitidus restricted to oral margin E face slightly concave. Scale bar: 2 mm.

Sexual Dimorphism and wing variation in Saropogon. Back (1909) and Wilcox (1966) have called attention to many species of Saropogon that represent prime examples of sexual dimorphism. Species like S. abbreviatus (Fig. 4A, B), S. combustus (Fig. 4C, D), S. purus (Fig. 4E, F), and S. senex (Fig. 4G, H) have the male abdomen predominantly black, whereas the female abdomen is largely red. However, there can be color variation within these species. Curran (1931) reported a female S. combustus with a black abdomen. Leg color is also sexually dimorphic in most Nearctic Saropogon, with male legs tending to be black and female legs mainly reddish. Exceptions occur: the male of Saropogon purus has reddish hind femora and middle femora, and the female of S. senex has mainly black legs except for reddish hind femora. Setal patterns can also be dimorphic: males have long, erect, or semierect hairs on the mesonotum, abdomen, and legs in Saropogon bryanti, S. combustus, S. coquillettii, S. dispar, S. laparoides, and S. mohawki. In the females of these species, these hairs are short, appressed, and inconspicuous.

Figure 4.

Sexual color dimorphism A Saropogon abbreviatus female B S. abbreviatus male C S. combustus female D S. combustus male E S. purus female F S. purus male G S. senex female H S. senex male. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Wilcox (1966) emphasized that the wings of many species of Saropogon contain diagnostic features. Wings of Saropogon abbreviatus (Fig. 5A, B), S. bryanti (Fig. 5C, D), S. combustus (Fig. 5E, F), S. dispar (Fig. 5G, H), S. hypomelas (Fig. 5I, J), S. luteus (Fig. 5K, L), S. purus (Fig. 5M, N), and S. senex (Fig. 5O, P) are sexually dimorphic: they are brown in males, yellowish in females. Species with brown wings in both sexes are Saropogon senex, S. abbreviatus, S. purus, and S. pritchardi; S. luteus and S. pyrodes sp. nov., have yellowish wings in both sexes.

Figure 5.

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.

Biology

Dasypogoninae and Saropogon apparently tend to prefer Hymenoptera prey (Lavigne 2016; Pollock 2021; Table 1). S. combustus and S. pritchardi show a particular interest in the workers of Pogonomyrmex harvester ants (Pollock 2021). There is currently only one record of Saropogon as prey to another genus of Asilidae in North America. Bromley (1934) recorded Diogmites symmachus Loew, 1872 feeding on Saropogon dispar in Texas.

Table 1.

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Adult Saropogon predation records in North America. Records gathered from Lavigne 2016 online database (specimens were not examined personally); Arizona State University, Hasbrouck Insect Collection (ASUHIC); Bellamy 2002; Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah (BYU); University of California, Davis, The Bohart Museum of Entomology (BMEC); Bromley 1934; Hurd 1952; Hurd and Linsley 1975; New Mexico State University Arthropod collection (NMSU); Pollock 2021; Sweetman 1958; Texas A&M University insect collection (TAMUIC); Thorp 1973; University of Arizona Insect Collection (UAIC); University of California, Riverside, Entomology Research Collection (UCR), and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (USNM) pinned collection. Duplicate prey records for the same species are not included.

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	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Coleoptera	Chrysomelidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Coleoptera	Tenebrionidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Diptera	Asilidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Diptera	Bombyliidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Diptera	Culicidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hemiptera	Cicadidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hemiptera	Membracidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hemiptera	Rhopalidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Andrenidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Apidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Apoidea	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Braconidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Crabronidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Formicidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Formicidae	Pollock 2021	USA (TX)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Halictidae	NMSU	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Ichneumonidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Mutillidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Pompilidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Sphecidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Thynnidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Tiphiidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Hymenoptera	Vespidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. combustus	Araneae	(?)	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. coquillettii	Hymenoptera	Apidae	TAMUIC	USA (TX)
S. coquillettii	Hymenoptera	Apidae	Hurd and Linsley 1975	USA (NM)
S. coquillettii	Hymenoptera	Megachilidae	Hurd and Linsley 1975	USA (NM)
S. coquillettii	Hymenoptera	Vespidae	NMSU	USA (NM)
S. dispar	Coleoptera	Cerambycidae	USNM	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Coleoptera	Elateridae	Sweetman 1958	USA (?)
S. dispar	Coleoptera	Scarabaeidae	Sweetman 1958	USA (?)
S. dispar	Diptera	Bombyliidae	TAMUIC	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Diptera	Bombyliidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Diptera	Calliphoridae	USNM	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Diptera	Muscidae	TAMUIC	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Diptera	Syrphidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hemiptera	Coreidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Andrenidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Apidae	BMEC and Thorp 1973	USA (OK)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Apidae	USNM, BYU	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Crabronidae	BMEC	USA (OK)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Halictidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Halictidae	Thorp 1973	USA (OK)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Pompilidae	TAMUIC	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Scoliidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Sphecidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Sphecidae	BMEC and Thorp 1973	USA (OK)
S. dispar	Hymenoptera	Vespidae	Bromley 1934	USA (TX)
S. dispar	Orthoptera	Acrididae	Bromley 1934	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	Bellamy 2002, USNM	USA (CA)
S. mohawki	Hymenoptera	Halictidae	USNM	MEX (B.C.N.)
S. mohawki	Hymenoptera	(?)	ASUHIC	USA (AZ)
S. pritchardi	Coleoptera	Carabidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. pritchardi	Coleoptera	Tenebrionidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. pritchardi	Hymenoptera	Formicidae	Pollock 2021	USA (NM)
S. pritchardi	Hymenoptera	Formicidae	Pollock 2021	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. 25D) at the tip of their ovipositor (Londt and Dikow 2017). They use the spines to dig into the ground, to lay the eggs, and to sweep soil over the eggs after oviposition (Dennis and Lavigne 1975).

Key to species of North American Saropogon, modified from Wilcox (1966)

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. 30	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. 6	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. 29	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. 16	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. 19B, F)	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 22, 23–27	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. 19	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. 28	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. 7	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. 11	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. 18	S. mohawki Wilcox
–	Abdomen yellow; two apical scutellar macrosetae; both sexes have entirely reddish legs (USA: New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila) Fig. 14	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. 17	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. 21	S. purus Curran
14	Femora entirely red (e.g., Fig. 13B)	15
–	Femora entirely black or at least with a dorsal black stripe (e.g., Fig. 8B, C)	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. 13	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. 20	S. pritchardi Bromley
–	Wings pale orange stained especially around veins, microtrichia apically; antennae orange (USA: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Fig. 4, 10	S. combustus Loew - in part (females)
17	Coxae and katatergite with black setae (USA: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) Figs 4, 10	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. 8	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. 12	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. 15	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. 9	S. bryanti Wilcox

Saropogon abbreviatus Johnson, 1903

Figs 4A, B, 5A, B, 6, 26, 31

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)].

References

Back 1909: 345 (key and redescription); Curran 1930: 2 (key), 1931: 2 (key); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 128 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 6.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: California, Texas; Mexico: Baja California, Tamaulipas.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Texas; MCZ; Type 7582.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

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

Figs 7, 26, 32

Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904: 29.

Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904: 186, junior synonym. In part.

References

Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 130 (key and redescription); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 7.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, California; Mexico: Baja California.

Type material examined

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.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Saropogon albifrons was not mentioned by Curran (1930, 1931), most likely because the species was not included in the Back (1909) identification key. [The authors are unsure as to why it was not included.] The co-types (syntypes) referenced in Back 1904 were deposited one in the Massachusetts Agricultural College collection and one at the University of Kansas collection (SEMC); however, both can be currently found at SEMC. The authors have designated the specimen in better condition to be the lectotype and the other the paralectotype. Information about them can be found here: https://biodiversity.ku.edu/node/1095/.

Saropogon birdi Curran, 1931

Figs 8, 26, 31

Saropogon birdi Curran, 1931: 2.

References

Curran 1931: 2 (key and original description); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 129 (key to females); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 8.

Saropogon birdi Curran, 1931 Female holotype A anterior view B lateral view C dorsal view. Photograph provided by American Museum of Natural History.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Oklahoma.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1 ♀, holotype; Oklahoma, Johnson County; 34°17'N, 96°37'W; 241 m; 20 June 1929; R. D. Bird; AMNH.

Comments

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

Figs 5C, D, 9, 26, 33

Saropogon bryanti Wilcox, 1966: 132.

References

Wilcox 1966: 132 (key and original description); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Diagnosis

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.

Figure 9.

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Sonora.

Type material examined

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.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

One specimen we examined was from Iowa (CASENT8427218, Suppl. material 1), though the species seems to be identified correctly, this is still an unusual occurrence and may be a mistake, so it is not included in the known distribution for this species. Photographs of the Saropogon bryanti holotype can be found at: https://monarch.calacademy.org/taxa/index.php?tid=679454.

Saropogon combustus Loew, 1874

Figs 4C, D, 5E, F, 10, 26, 34

Saropogon combustus Loew, 1874: 373.

Saropogon adustus Loew, 1874: 375, junior synonym.

References

Osten-Sacken 1874:185 (catalog); Back 1909: 347 (key and redescription); Curran 1930: 2 (key), 1931: 2 (key and notes); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 129 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 10.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16981.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; Loew; photographed pinned specimen; MCZ; Type 12819 • 1 ♀; Loew; MCZ; Type 12818.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

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

Figs 11, 26, 32

Saropogon coquillettii Back, 1909: 348.

Saropogon coquilletti auctt: common misspelling.

References

Back 1909: 348 (original description and key); Curran 1930: 2 (key), 1931: 2 (key); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 11.

Saropogon coquillettii Back 1909 Female (USNMENT01830076): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (USNMENT01830075): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16982.

Type material examined

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.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

This species is often misspelled (e.g., Curran 1930, 1931) as Saropogon coquilletti, but the original description states S. coquillettii. Photographs of the holotype can be viewed at: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/326f621b6-964b-4453-8fb5-715b5480ab6f.

Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 1902

Figs 5G, H, 12, 32

Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 1902: 139.

References

Back 1909: 349 (key and redescription); Curran 1930: 2 (key), 1931: 2 (key and notes); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 129 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 12.

Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 1902 Female (UCBMEP0280509): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0280508): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Oklahoma, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16983.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1♂, holotype; Texas, DeWitt County, Cuero; 29°05'N, 97°17'W; 57 m; 06 Jun.; USNM; USNMENT01199066

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Bromley (1934) states “Saropogon dispar is by far the most noxious species in bee-yards in the San Antonio region.” See Table 1 for prey records. Access photographs of the holotype at http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/33098b0bf-d97f-4b92-9141-eaa52cd9f59a.

Saropogon fletcheri Bromley, 1934

Figs 13, 26, 34

Saropogon fletcheri Bromley, 1934: 91.

References

Bromley 1934: 91 (original description); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 130 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 13.

Saropogon fletcheri Bromley, 1934 Male (UCBMEP0280504): A anterior view B lateral view C dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16984.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1♂, holotype; Texas, Comfort; 29°58'N, 98°54'W; 19 July 1921; R. K. Fletcher; TAMUIC.

Arizona material examined

United States of America • 1♀; Maricopa County, Morales; 34°02'N, 111°05'W; 1496 m; 27 August 1913; W. D. Pierce; USNM; USNMENT01819450.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Saropogon hyalinus Coquillett, 1904

Figs 14, 26, 32

Saropogon hyalinus Coquillett, 1904: 185.

References

Back 1909: 351 (key and short redescription); Curran 1930: 2 (key), 1931: 2 (key); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 129 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 14.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: California, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16985.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1 ♀, holotype; California, Los Angeles County; 34°03'N, 118°14'W; 97 m; Coquillett; USNM; USNMENT01199005.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

You can access photographs of the holotype here: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/308595f92-7180-42d6-a5ed-8be56e3423d4.

Saropogon hypomelas (Loew, 1866)

Figs 5I, J, 15, 26, 33

Diogmites hypomelas Loew, 1866: 24 [= Saropogon hypomelas (Loew)].

References

Loew 1866: 24 (as Diogmites); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 133 (key and translation of original description); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 15.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16986.

Type material examined

United Staes of America • 1 ♀, syntype, New Mexico; 34°17'N, 106°17'W; Loew; MCZ; MCZ-ENT00012822.

Arizona material examined

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

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Martin and Wilcox (1965) included the name Saropogon hypomelas in their catalog. They did not state it as a new change, and the author who first transferred Diogmites hypomelas to Saropogon, is still unknown. Wilcox (1966) mentions receiving correspondence from Bromley in 1936 saying that after examining the type, he believed that it belonged in Saropogon Loew.

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

Figs 16, 26, 32

Saropogon laparoides Bromley, 1951: 14.

References

Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966 (junior synonym S. sculleni is described and keyed); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 16.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16987.

Type material examined

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

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

According to Bromley (1951), this species resembles an African Dasypogoninae genus, Meolapharus [sic] (= Neolaparus, junior synonym of the widespread genus Pegesimallus (Londt, 1980)).

Saropogon luteus Coquillett, 1904

Figs 5K, L, 17, 26, 33

Saropogon luteus Coquillett, 1904: 185.

Saropogon rufus Back 1904: 290, junior synonym.

References

Back 1909: 351 (key and redescription); Curran 1930: 2 (key); Curran 1931: 2 (key); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 130 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 17.

Saropogon luteus Coquillett, 1904 Female (UCBMEP0073792): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0073760): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: California; Mexico: Baja California SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16988.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1♀, holotype; California, Los Angeles County; 34°03'N, 118°14'W; 97 m; Coquillett; USNM; USNMENT01199100.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

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

Figs 18, 26, 34

Saropogon mohawki Wilcox, 1966: 134.

References

Wilcox 1966: 134 (key and original description); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Diagnosis

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.

Figure 18.

Saropogon mohawki Wilcox, 1966 Female paratype (UCBMEP0003173): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0003175): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah; Mexico: Baja California, Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16989.

Type material examined

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.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Photographs of the holotype can be viewed at: https://monarch.calacademy.org/taxa/index.php?tid=679456.

Saropogon nitidus Wilcox, 1966

Figs 19, 31

Saropogon nitidus Wilcox, 1966: 135.

References

Wilcox 1966: 135 (key and original description); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Diagnosis

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.

Figure 19.

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.

Distribution

USA: New Mexico, Texas; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16990.

Type material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Photographs of holotype can be found at: https://monarch.calacademy.org/taxa/index.php?tid=679457.

Saropogon pritchardi Bromley, 1934

Figs 20, 33

Saropogon pritchardi Bromley, 1934: 90.

References

Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 129 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Diagnosis

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.

Figure 20.

Saropogon pritchardi Bromley, 1934 Female (UCBMEP0280596): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0280595): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Distribution

USA: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16991.

Type material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

The holotype is housed at SEMC and information about it can be found here: https://biodiversity.ku.edu/node/1095/.

Saropogon purus Curran, 1930

Figs 4E, F, 5M, N, 21, 26, 33

Saropogon purus Curran, 1930: 3.

References

Curran 1930 (key and original description); Curran 1931: 2 (key); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 129 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Diagnosis

The broad, brown wings easily distinguish this species from others (Fig. 5). It is a sexually dimorphic species (Fig. 4). Male abdomen and legs are black, metathoracic femora in part reddish; female abdomen and legs are mostly yellowish red, coxae densely deep with golden pubescence. Body length 11–13 mm; wing length 7–9 mm. Flight time July to August.

Figure 21.

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona; Mexico: Sinaloa, Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16992.

Type material examined

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.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Most specimens have two scutellar bristles, but Wilcox (1966) noted that some have four.

Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov.

https://zoobank.org/3B057DFB-5B32-445D-AE22-037E7FD4C0C8

Figs 1, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34

Diagnosis

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. 1).

Description

Male. Holotype (Figs 22, 23D–F).

Figure 22.

Habitus drawing of male Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. by Keely Davies.

Head. (Fig. 23) Wider than high; vertex slightly depressed (less than 60° angle on median margin of compound eye); facial swelling not developed and with gold pubescence; mystax 24 white macrosetae that are restricted to lower facial margin; ommatidia of different sizes, at least some median ommatidia distinctly larger; postgena with its posterior margin simple and smooth; frons with gray pubescence, white setose; ocellar tubercle with gray pubescence, with white setae and macrosetae; vertex with gray pubescence and white setae; median occiput sclerite with several white macrosetae; postocular setae slightly angled anteriorly distally, with white macrosetae; occiput predominately with gray pubescence and white setae; postocciput non-pubescent, with white and brown macrosetae.

Figure 23.

Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. paratype female: A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; holotype male: D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Proboscis and maxillary palpus. (Fig. 23) Proboscis straight, subequal in length to an eye when viewed from the front, pale brown to dark brown distally; postmentum with white setae ventrally; prementum with white setae proximo-ventrally; labella reduced, apex blunt; maxillary palpus pale brown to orange, with yellow setae and macrosetae, non-pubescent.

Antenna. (Fig. 23) Pale brown to dark brown distally, with pale gray pubescence; scape approximately as long as pedicel, short white setae dorsally and long white macrosetae ventrally; pedicel white and pale brown setae distally; postpedicel tapering distally, medially broadest, short, approximately the same length as scape and pedicel combined, asetose; stylus composed of one element, asetose, with an apical seta-like sensory element in cavity of stylus.

Thorax. (Fig. 23) Pale brown to orange, with white pubescence; proepisternum with gray pubescence, with white setae and macrosetae; cervical sclerite long, with white setae; antepronotum with white pubescence, with white setae and macrosetae; postpronotum with white pubescence, with white setae; postpronotal lobe setose; pleuron with white pubescence; proepimeron asetose; anepisternum asetose; anepisternum supero-posterior asetose; anterior basalare asetose, with white pubescence; posterior basalare asetose, with white pubescence; anepimeron asetose, anterior half with white pubescence, posterior half non-pubescent; katepisternum asetose, anterior half non-pubescent, posterior half with white pubescence; katepimeron asetose, non-pubescent; katergite with white setae and macrosetae, with white pubescence; meron and metanepisternum asetose, with white pubescence; metakatepisternum asetose, with white pubescence; metepimeron asetose, and with white pubescence; anatergite asetose, with white pubescence; scutum predominantly with gray pubescence; scutum brown with white setae and macrosetae; scutal setae with small sockets; two notopleural setae; one supraalar seta; one postalar seta; many (> 4) short white dorsocentral (dc) setae; many (> 4) short white acrostichal setae; many (> 4) short white medial setae on posterior scutum (between dc setae); scutellum with gray pubescence; discal scutellar setae absent; apical scutellar setae present, two long brown macrosetae.

Leg. (Fig. 23) Pale brown to orange, non-pubescent, at least some setae dorso-ventrally flattened, others circular; coxae orange, with gray pubescence, with white setae and macrosetae; prothoracic femur flattened with white setae ventrally and long white setae dorsally; prothoracic tibia with short white setae except the antero-ventral surface has short gold setae, one or two yellow macroseta on distal end of ventral side, with white macrosetae: four in a postero-dorsal row, five short ones in a postero-ventral row, one or two long macrosetae in a postero-ventral row; prothoracic tibia with sigmoid spur, originating antero-ventrally directly from tibia; mesothoracic coxa with gray pubescence, with white setae and macrosetae; mesothoracic femur ventrally asetose except for two white macrosetae on proximal end, short white macrosetae sparsely covering the rest; mesothoracic tibia with short white setae, white macrosetae: three in an antero-dorsal row, 2 in 1 antero-ventral row, four in a dorsal row, three in a postero-ventral row; metathoracic coxa with gray pubescence, with white setae and macrosetae; metathoracic femur with long white setae and macrosetae; metathoracic tibia with white macrosetae: three in a antero-dorsal row, three in an antero-ventral row, three in a dorsal row, three in a postero-ventral row, straight; tarsus with proximal pro, mes, and met tarsomeres as long as following two tarsomeres combined, with brown macrosetae; pulvilli well-developed (as long as claw); claw smoothly arched distally, pointed; empodium setiform, and well developed (as long as pulvilli).

Wing. (Fig. 24) 8 mm. Hyaline, without microtrichia; posterior wing margin with microtrichia arranged in a single plane.

Figure 24.

Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. wing. Scale bar: 2 mm.

Abdomen. (Figs 6, 25) Pale brown to orange with some tergites brown dorsally; tergite sculpture smooth and setae with small sockets only; T1 white setose, laterally with long white macrosetae, predominantly with gray pubescence, medially non-pubescent, entirely sclerotized medially, dorsal surface smooth and without protuberances; T2–8 entirely sclerotized, white setose, setae short medially and longer laterally, predominantly pale brown to orange, predominantly non-pubescent with gray pubescent band on posterior margin, band thinner dorso-medially; T2–8 marginal and medial macrosetae absent; S1–8 brownish orange, with short white setae, and with pale gray pubescence.

Figure 25.

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. 25A–C) S8 simple, reduced rectangular sclerite; hypopygium rotated ~ 90° and pointing posteriorly; epandrium separated medially, joining proximally, and unfused; hypandrium well-developed and rectangular; hypandrium and epandrium approximating laterally, but not fused proximally; hypandrium and gonocoxites entirely free; gonocoxal apodeme present and short; gonostyli present and positioned distally on gonocoxites; cerci free and not fused medially; lateral ejaculatory process present and with a large cylindrical sclerite; one functional phallic prong; hypandrium with posterior margin simple with no distinct projections; sperm sac appearing weakly sclerotized; ejaculatory apodeme is a single plate.

Female abdomen. (Fig. 25D–G) S7 and T7 are normally developed, without any modifications; segments eight and following comprising ovipositor; setae on T8 are directed anteriorly; T8 with anterior rectangular apodeme and entirely fused to T8; S8 plate-like with hypogynial valves extending; T9 and T10 partly fused; T10 divided into two heavily sclerotized acanthophorite plates with eight acanthophorite spurs on each plate; three equally large spermathecae, common spermathecal duct short, and not extending beyond tip of furca, individual spermathecal ducts long; spermathecal reservoir formed by coiled ducts and heavily sclerotized spermathecae contained within three most posterior segments; furca divided anteriorly into two lateral sclerites, H-shaped; furcal apodeme present, short and platelike.

Length. Body length 10 mm; wing length: 6 mm.

Holotype condition

The holotype is in good condition and is not missing any parts.

Type material

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.

Other material examined

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona (Fig. 26) https://www.simplemappr.net/map/17143.

Figure 26.

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.

Biology

Jeff Gruber photographed specimens of Saropogon pyrodes sp. nov. and its habitat (Fig. 27A, B). S. pyrodes sp. nov. is seen here perching/hunting on a grass, most likely Bouteloua aristidoides (Poaceae; Fig. 27C), on the edge of a sandy clearing as well as consuming its prey (Fig. 27D) in the typical hanging position observed in other Dasypogoninae species.

Figure 27.

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 1, 27) on Flickr: “Found this beauty as I was walking back to my car mid-afternoon on a very warm day. It was hanging around the low grasses at the periphery of a Pogonomyrmex ant nest in grassland type habitat on floodplain(?) of Santa Cruz River, which at the time was a dry wash. It alternated perches between the low grasses, short dead stems poking up from the soil, and the soil surface”. Original post: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7432824@N07/36417103883/in/faves-157063159@N04/.

Etymology

Named for the fly’s bright, fiery red color: pyrodes is Greek for fire-like.

Comments

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. 27A–D) of this species appeared on BugGuide (https://bugguide.net/node/view/1439519), an online community where naturalists post and identify images of arthropods from the United States and Canada. Because of this, the second author immediately knew that this fly was long overdue for description, resulting in this manuscript.

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. 26). Saropogon pyrodes typically flies later in the season (Aug. – Sep.) than S. bryanti and S. senex (Jun. – Aug.), S. purus (Jul.), and S. albifrons (Apr. – Jun.). Saropogon coquillettii (May – Sep.), S. fletcheri and S. mohawki (Jun – Oct.), and S. hypomelas (Jun. – Sep.) have longer flight seasons but are uncommon in the later months.

Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904

Figs 26, 28, 31

Saropogon semiustus Coquillett, 1904: 186.

References

Back 1909: 351 (key and redescription); Curran 1930: 2 (key); Curran 1931: 2 (key); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 130 (key and comments); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 28.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona, California; Mexico: Sonora, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16994.

Type material examined

United States of America • 1 ♂, holotype; California, San Diego County; 32°42'N, 117°09'W; 38 m; Coquillett; USNM; USNMENT01199020.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Photographs of the holotype can be found here: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3648f2ac9-3f50-4efb-9719-6f3128085846.

Saropogon senex Osten Sacken, 1887

Figs 4G, H, 5O–P, 26, 29, 34

Saropogon senex Osten Sacken, 1887: 179.

Saropogon aridus Curran, 1930: 3, junior synonym.

References

Curran 1930: 2 (key, as S. aridus); Curran 1931: 2 (key, as S. aridus); Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox 1966: 128 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 29.

Saropogon senex Osten Sacken, 1887 Female (UCBMEP0280483): A dorsal view B lateral view C anterior view; Male (UCBMEP0280489): D anterior view E dorsal view F lateral view. Scale bars: 2 mm.

Diagnosis

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.

Distribution

USA: Arizona; Mexico: Sinaloa, Sonora, Nayarit, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16995.

Type material examined

Mexico • 1 ♂, holotype; Presidio; 29°33'N, 104°22'W; Forrer; NHMUK; NHMUK013933278; Record 1427186.

Arizona material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

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

Figs 30, 31

Saropogon solus Bromley, 1951: 15.

References

Martin and Wilcox 1965: 383 (catalog); Wilcox, 1966: 128 (key); Fisher and Wilcox 1997: 4 (catalog).

Figure 30.

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.

Diagnosis

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.

Figure 31.

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.

Distribution

USA: Texas; Mexico: Tamaulipas, SimpleMappr: https://www.simplemappr.net/map/16996.

Type material examined

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.

Other material examined

Suppl. material 1.

Comments

Photographs of the holotype are available at; http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/320c061d2-3a39-4baf-9836-909bdf168a64.

Figure 32.

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.

Discussion

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 Fisher and Wilcox 1997). In terms of the entire Asilidae fauna of the Nearctic, Saropogon is the 14^th most species-rich genus (Fisher and Wilcox 1997; Geller-Grimm 2004).

Figure 33.

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).

Figure 34.

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.

Acknowledgements

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.

References

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Back EA (1904) New species of North American Asilidae. Canadian Entomologist 36(10): 298–293. https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent36289-10

Back EA (1909) The Robber-flies of America, north of Mexico, belonging to the subfamilies Leptogastrinae and Dasypogoninae. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 35(1): 137–400. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.9381

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Bromley SW (1951) Asilid notes (Diptera), with descriptions of thirty-two new species. American Museum Novitates 1532: 1–36. https://hdl.handle.net/2246/2377

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Supplementary material

Supplementary material 1

Locality information of all specimens examined

Charlotte H. E. Alberts, Eric M. Fisher

Data type: excel file

Explanation note: Locality information of all specimens examined.

This dataset is made available under the Open Database License (http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/). The Open Database License (ODbL) is a license agreement intended to allow users to freely share, modify, and use this Dataset while maintaining this same freedom for others, provided that the original source and author(s) are credited.

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﻿Abstract

Keywords

﻿Introduction

﻿Current North American species

﻿Materials and methods

﻿Taxonomy

﻿ Saropogon Loew, 1847

Subfamily

Tribe

Diagnosis

Biology

﻿Key to species of North American Saropogon, modified from Wilcox (1966)

﻿ Saropogon abbreviatus Johnson, 1903

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon albifrons Back, 1904

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Arizona material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon birdi Curran, 1931

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon bryanti Wilcox, 1966

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Arizona material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon combustus Loew, 1874

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon coquillettii Back, 1909

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Arizona material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon dispar Coquillett, 1902

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon fletcheri Bromley, 1934

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Arizona material examined

Other material examined

﻿ Saropogon hyalinus Coquillett, 1904

References

Diagnosis

Distribution

Type material examined

Other material examined

Comments

﻿ Saropogon hypomelas (Loew, 1866)

References

Diagnosis

Abstract

Introduction

Current North American species

Materials and methods

Taxonomy

Saropogon Loew, 1847

Key to species of North American Saropogon, modified from Wilcox (1966)

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