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Efferia okanagana, a new species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) from the grasslands of southern British Columbia, Canada, with notes on taxonomy, biology, distribution, and conservation status

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 September 2012

Robert A. Cannings
Robert A. Cannings
Affiliation:
Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 9W2 (e-mail: [email protected])
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Abstract

Efferia okanagana sp. nov. is described from specimens collected in the grasslands of the southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, mainly the Okanagan Valley. The male and female genitalia are described and illustrated. The existing key to species of Efferia Coquillett is modified to enable identification of male and female E. okanagana. The species belongs to the E. arida species group and perhaps is most closely related to E. arida (Williston) and E. pinali Wilcox. Efferia coulei Wilcox is the closest sympatric relative. Sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene (DNA barcode) for E. okanagana and E. coulei show distinct clusters for each species that are approximately 7.0% divergent (uncorrected p distance). Efferia okanagana has an early flight period (May and June) and lives in low-elevation grasslands dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve) (Poaceae), especially where the soil is gravelly. It is considered a potential species at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

Résumé

Efferia okanagana sp. nov. est décrit à partir de spécimens récoltés dans les prairies du sud de la région intérieure de la Colombie-Britannique, Canada, surtout de la vallée de l'Okanagan. Les organes génitaux du mâle et de la femelle sont décrits et illustrés. Une modification de la clé existante des espèces d—Efferia Coquillett permet l'indentification des mâles et des femelles d—E. okanagana. L'espèce appartient au groupe d'espèces d—E. arida et est probablement le plus apparentée à E. arida (Williston) et E. pinali Wilcox. Efferia coulei Wilcox est le plus proche parent sympatrique. Les séquences du gène de la cytochrome oxydase I (code à barres d'ADN) d—E. okanagana et d—E. coulei possèdent chacune des groupements distincts qui présentent une divergence d'environ 7,0% (distance p non corrigée). Efferia okanagana possède une période de vol hâtive (mai et juin) et vit dans des prairies de basse altitude dominées par l'agropyre à épi (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve) (Poaceae), particulièrement là où le sol est graveleux. C'est une espèce considérée potentiellement en péril par le Comité sur la situation des espèces en péril au Canada.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Research Article
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 143 , Issue 6 , December 2011 , pp. 578 - 593
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2011

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