Gnypeta sellmani Brundin

4. Gnypeta sellmani Brundin

(Figs 6, 24 a, b, 66-74, 193)

Gnypeta sellmani Brundin 1929: 14; Palm 1966: 139; Smetana 2004: 490. TYPE LOCALITY: SWEDEN, “Bei dem Bahnhof Torneträsk, 13.VIII.1927, Regio subarctica”. Holotype not examined.

Material examined

Specimens are listed in Appendix A.

Diagnosis

This species can be recognized by the following combination of characters: body length 3.0-3.4 mm (Fig. 6); elytra (at suture) about as long as pronotum and about 1/4 wider than maximum width pronotum (Fig. 6); abdomen at base about as wide as elytra (Fig. 6); antennal articles 4-6 moderately elongate, 7-9 about as long as wide or slightly transverse (Figs 24 a, b); median lobe of aedeagus with apex narrowly triangular and strongly produced (Fig. 66); spermatheca with capsule about as wide as long and funnel-shaped (Fig. 72); stem sinuate and slightly swollen basally (Fig. 72).

Description

Body length 3.0-3.4 mm; dark brown to black, sometimes central part of elytra and tarsi reddish brown (Fig. 6); integument moderately glossy; pubescence yellowish grey and moderately long and dense; antennal article 4 slightly shorter than preceding article, 4-6 elongate, and 7-9 about as long as wide to slightly transverse (Figs 24 a, b); head and pronotum of about the same width; elytra and abdomen wider than either head or pronotum; elytra small and short (Fig. 6); head rounded posteriorly; pronotum broadest in apical third, pubescence directed anterad along midline and laterad elsewhere; elytra (at suture) about as long as pronotum and 1/4 broader than maximum width of pronotum (Fig. 6), pubescence directed obliquely postero-laterad; abdomen subparallel, about as wide as elytra at base (Fig. 6); metatarsus with two basal articles of about the same length and the third one slightly shorter. Male. Tergite 8 transverse and truncate apically (Fig. 70). Sternite 8 elongate and rounded posteriorly (Fig. 71). Median lobe of aedeagus with narrowly produced apical part of tubus in lateral view (Fig. 66); bulbus enlarged and bearing two angular anterior projections in dorsal view (Fig. 67); internal sac with structures as illustrated (Figs 67, 68). Female. Tergite 8 similar to that of male (Fig. 73). Sternite 8 broadly rounded apically (Fig. 74). Spermatheca with capsule about as wide as long and funnel-shaped (Fig. 72), stem sinuate and slightly swollen basally (Fig. 72).

Distribution (Fig. 193)

Gnypeta sellmani is a Holarctic species with a likely circumpolar distribution. In the Palaearctic region it is recorded from Norway, Sweden, Finland and the north European territory of Russia (Smetana 2004). Here, it is recorded for the first time in North America from Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Alaska. In Quebec several specimens were captured from Mont Albert (1233 m) and Mont Jacques Cartier (1333 m) where other insect species with a northern distribution pattern are known to occur.

Collection and habitat data

Adults were collected in June, July and August from moss, near body of water, or by treading sedges around edge of temporary pond. Collecting sites ranged in altitude from 66 m to 1333 m.

Comments

The late Steve Ashe (University of Kansas) worked on the revision of Nearctic Gnypeta but was not able to complete it. Some specimens of this species that he studied were returned to CNC with his 1987 identification labels as two new species, G. tintinnabula Ashe and G. dialepta Ashe [manuscript – unpublished names]. His specimens were misidentified and belong to G. sellmani Brundin.