Neoephydra araucaria

Key to species of The araucaria group of South America

1. Mid- and hindfemora densely microtomentose, mostly pale greenish to gray....................................... 6

- Mid- and hindfemora thinly microtomentose to bare, coloration yellowish; if thinly microtomentose, generally appearing whit- ish................................................................................................. 2

2. Abdominal tergites 3–5 fasciate, anterior 1/2–2/3 of tergites brown to brassy, frequently subshiny, contrasted distinctly with dull colored bluish gray or greenish gray posterior margins..................................................... 3

– Abdominal tergites 3–5 not fasciate with brown anterior bands which contrast with bluish gray to greenish gray posterior mar- gins; if slightly fasciate, anterior band concolorous with posterior margin although coloration frequently more intense or shin- ier.................................................................................................. 5

3. Surstylus with lateral process extremely short, indicated as angulate bump and by medioapical patch of long setulae...................................................................................... N. abrupta (Cresson) in part

- Surstylus with lateral process as a distinct, long, narrow process................................................. 4

4. Surstylus in lateral view tapered gradually to apex (Fig. 73); surstylus in posterior view long, gradually widened at base, lack- ing distinct lateral protrusions basally; epandrium in posterior view wider, with lateral margins more or less straight, not dis- tinctly sinuate...................................................................... N. chilensis (Macquart)

- Surstylus in lateral view distinctly curved at nearly a right angle subapically; surstylus in posterior view short and with broadly produced lateral protrusions basally; lateral margins of epandrium narrow, sinuate, pedunculate in posterior view............................................................................................... N. zurcheri (Hendel)

5. Dorsum of thorax and abdomen brassy to metallic greenish blue; abdomen more bluish posteriorly; surstylus in lateral view with subapical enlargement before recurved apex...................................... N. ciligena (Rondani) in part

- Dorsum of thorax and abdomen greenish brown to brassy, abdomen more greenish brown posteriorly; surstylus in lateral view more or less gradually and evenly tapered to apex, posterior margin gently arched..................... N. caesia (Wulp)

6. Gena high, about 1/2 eye height; setae generally larger and more abundant........................................ 7

- Gena shorter, generally 1/3–1/4 eye height; setae weaker and less abundant........................................ 8

7. Legs entirely dark colored, more or less concolorous............................................. N. lenti (Oliveira)

- Tibiae and basitarsi reddish orange, contrasted with darker-colored femora and terminal tarsomeres..... N. trichina sp. nov.

8. Dorsum of abdominal tergites not fasciate, more or less unicolorous, mostly subshiny metallic blue.... N. zurcheri (Cresson)

- Dorsum of abdominal tergites fasciate, posterior margin distinctly contrasted with anterior darker fascia................. 9

9. Tibiae and femora concolorous, both dark colored...................................... N. ciligena (Rondani) in part

- Tibiae generally paler in color than femora, more reddish orange............................................... 10

10. Lateral surstylar process long, length from base about 1/2 length of surstylus in lateral view......................... 11

- Lateral surstylar process shorter, length from base 1/3 or less length of surstylus in lateral view....................... 15

11. Coloration of anepisternum, especially toward posterodorsal corner, distinctly darker than whitish gray katepisternum..... 1 2

- Coloration of anepisternum and katepisternum more or less concolorous, if anepisternum much darker than color changes very gradual............................................................................................. 13

12. Surstylus in lateral view over twice as long as wide (width not including lateral prong); posteroventral margin of surstylus evenly curved subapically (Argentina, Brazil, Chile).................................. N. pravoneura (Hendel) in part

- Surstylus in lateral view less than twice as long as wide (width not including lateral prong); posteroventral margin of surstylus shallowly recurved subapically, appearing slightly sinuate......................................... N. inca sp. nov.

13. Anepisternum and katepisternum mostly olivaceous brown.................................................... 14

- Anepisternum and katepisternum mostly gray to grayish brown (Bolivia)................. N. pravoneura (Hendel) in part

14. Surstylus in lateral view tapered evenly and gradually to apex; lateral surstylar prongs in posterior view distinctly protrudent................................................................................. N. prionoptera (Thomson)

- Surstylus in lateral view with subapical swelling before abruptly rounded apex; lateral surstylar prongs curving inward, not protrudent in posterior view....................................................... N. ciligena (Rondani) in part

15. Anepisternum and katepisternum mostly concolorous, gray; surstyli in posterior view broadly produced to bluntly-rounded apex................................................................................... N. penai sp. nov.

- Anepisternum generally darker than grayish katepisternum, if more or less concolorous, both brown; surstyli in posterior view narrowed distinctly to acutely-pointed apex................................................................ 16

16. Epandrium not much wider than greatest width of surstyli in posterior view; lateral surstylar prong distinct; surstylus in lateral view tapered abruptly subapically N. araucaria Mathis

- Epandrium much wider than greatest width of surstyli in posterior view; lateral surstylar prong barely evident; surstylus in lateral view tapered gradually to apex.................................................. N. abrupta (Cresson) in part