Chelipoda moderata Collin

2. Chelipoda moderata Collin

[Figs. 40–42]

Chelipoda moderata Collin, 1928: 39.

Type material. Collin (1928) described Chelipoda moderata from five males and four females from Ohakune, xi– xii/1922, TRH [BMNH]. Ohakune is in: New Zealand, North Island, RI. The male in best condition from Collin’s syntype series is here designated lectotype with the label: Ohakune, xi–xii.1922, T. R. Harris [BMNH]. The remaining 4♂, 4♀ (same data as lectotype) from Collin’s syntype series are here designated paralectotypes.

Additional material: New Zealand, North Is.; 1♀, TO, Pureora Forest, 29/xii/1986, ARP [NMWC]; 1♀, TO, Tongariro NP, Waihohonu Hut, 12/iv/1983, ARP [NMWC]; South Is.; 1♂, NN, Abel Tasman NP, near mouth Falls R., sweeping ferns on forest floor, 5/ii/1981, JWE; 1♀, MK? Mt. Cook NP, Hooker Valley, 7/ii/ 1969, ‘ento staff field trip’ [LUNZ].

Description. Length 2.0– 2.5mm. Similar to C. modica differing as follows.

Head: with vt and upo as strong as ocl.

Legs: darker, brownish rather than yellowish; C 1 in particular similarly coloured to F 2 and F 3; F 1 darker, contrasting with C 1. Ventral spines and particularly denticles of F 1 tending to be more numerous; femoral formula of ♂ 5(5–6)/22.5(20–23)/15(13–17)/5(5–6), of ♀ 6(5–6)/26(22–26)/16(16–18)/5(5–5).

Male genitalia with epandrial lobes trapezoid, not narrowed apically, a row of short black somewhat flattened short bristles on upper margin (Figs. 40–41); phallus (Fig. 42) strongly reflexed forward and gently curved, usually visible beyond upper margin of epandrium; phallic sheath trifid, 2 lateral lobes narrowly triangular pointed, ventral lobe keel-like and less strongly pointed; postgonite (?) with a dense brush of blunt black spines. Female sternite 8 pointed.

Comments. This species is very similar to C. modica but slightly larger (2.0– 2.5mm) with C 1 darker. Separation of females can be problematical. The known distribution includes forest biotopes (Nothofagus and mixed Nothofagus / podocarp being specifically mentioned) in central North Island with capture dates from December to March inclusive. Of the two South Island localities known, one was forest near sea level but the other was probably montane in the central Southern Alps.