Microptila

Microptila RIS

Microptila RIS 1897, 416; type species: Microptila minutissima RIS 1897 (monobasic).

The genus Microptila contains 16 extant species, of which 13 species are Oriental, 1 species is West Palearctic, 1 species is Afrotropical, and 1 species is Afrotropical–West Palearctic (MORSE 2015). The new Microptila species described below is the first representative of the genus known in the typical Oriental Region of China (Yun-nan Province).

Microptila species have forewings that are each ~1.5–3.0 mm long, 3 ocelli, a mesoscutellum that is asymmetrically rhomboidal with its anterior margin widely convex in an obtuse angle and larger than its posterior angle, a metascutellum that is trapezoidal, and a spur formula of 0-3-4. Microptila male genitalia have segment IX with a shallow excision along the dorsoposterior margin; tergum X forms a short membranous dorsal lobe; inferior appendages are elongate, although not so long as in Ugandatrichia and arising from the ventroposterior margin of segment IX with apices slightly incurved; the subgenital plate is elongate; and the aedeagus is long with a short spiral titillator (diagnosis modified from MARSHALL 1979).