Burmapeza radicis Grimaldi 2018, new species

Burmapeza radicis, new species Figures 3, 28

DIAGNOSIS: As for genus, by monotypy.

DESCRIPTION: (female only). Head: Somewhat flattened anteroposteriad, with broad frontal surface. Eyes bare, occupying all of lateral surface, well separated, no differentiation of facets. Median furrow of frons, interfrontal and fronto-orbital setae not observable (due to preservation); three pairs of small, stout ocellar setae present; row short, stout, postocular setae present near posterior margin of eye. Vibrissa, genal setae absent. Antenna: Scape not visible, apical rim of pedicel with fine setae; arista dorsal; basal flagellomere short, laterall flattened, subcircular in lateral view; three aristomeres present, basal two minute, apical aristomere length 1.5× that of basal flagellomere, with minute micropubescence. Mouthparts: Palp well developed, clavate; labellum barely visible.

Thorax: Scutum relatively flat dorsally. Acrostichals numerous, very fine, not in rows; 3 pairs prescutellar setae (lateralmost pair the dorsocentrals), graded row of dorsocentrals absent; 1 supraalar, 3–4 notopleurals present. Prescutellum present; scutellum relatively large, setulose on dorsal surface, posterior rim with 4 setae and smaller setulae. Wing: Relatively broad, short, width 0.5× the length; membrane entirely covered with dense microtrichia, even in cells. Two prehumeral costal setae present; vein C with 2 long rows of thick setulae that grade to fine setu- lae apicad; C terminates at apex of M 1. Pterostigma absent; slight tint between Sc and R 1. Sc long, terminates near middle of wing; R 1 long, runs very close to Sc at base. R 4+5 terminates at tip of wing, slightly deflexed in middle posteriad. Cells rm and bm complete; crossvein dm-cu 2.5× its length from wing margin; M 1 -M 2 fork asymmetrical (M 1 branch longer, complete), apex of M 2 abruptly incomplete; tips of CuA 1, CuA 2 +A 1 incomplete (gradually faded). Cell cup large, CuA 2 curved. Anal lobe and alula well developed. Legs: Relatively unmodified, generalized. Femora stoutest and longest podomeres, especially metafemur; metatibia slightly curved femorad, with apical circlet of 5 stout, short setae. Legs without dark, bifid scales on tibiae or tarsi; with fine setulae only. Hind tarsomeres not expanded/flattened; tarsomere lengths 1> 2> 3> 4 = 5. Pulvilli and empodium not observable.

Abdomen: Relatively long, slightly flattened dorsoventrally; tergites well developed (8 visible), with fine setae; tergite 7 with 2 pairs of slightly longer setae; sternites well developed but not very visible. Cercus slender, elongate, ventroflexed.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Holotype, female, JZC Bu178a, the better preserved of two specimens in the same piece of amber. The other specimen (178b) is partial (sex uncertain), and is designated as a paratype. The species description is taken mostly from the holotype, but features of the head were derived from the paratype because it is better preserved.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin (“of the root”), in reference to the basal phylogenetic position of the genus and type species within Platypezidae.