Two new species of the genus Brunettia Annandale, 1910 (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China

277 Two new species of the genus Brunettia Annandale, 1910 (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China Shuai-Lai Yang1, Xin-Ming Yin1, Yu-Qiang Xi1 1 State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science/Henan International Laboratory for Green Pest Control; Department of Entomology, Henan Agricultural University, No. 95 Wenhua Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou 450003, Henan Province, China Corresponding author: Yu-Qiang Xi ([email protected]) Copyright: © Shuai-Lai Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (Attribution 4.0 International – CC BY 4.0). Research Article Abstract Two new species of the genus Brunettia Annandale, 1910, collected from China, are described as new to science: Brunettia zunyiensis sp. nov. and Brunettia sinensis sp. nov. An updated key to the species of Brunettia from China is presented. Key words: Brunettia, Brunettiini, China, identification key, moth flies, new species, Psychodidae, taxonomy Introduction Psychodidae species are diverse and abundant, with about 3190 described species known worldwide (Munstermann 2019). The subfamily Psychodinae is the most species-rich in Psychodidae, with about 160 genera and 2000 species (Munstermann 2019). Following the classification by Kvifte (2018): Brunettia Annandale, 1910 belongs to Psychodinae, tribe Brunettiini. The genus can be diagnosed based on the following characters: species with 13 flagellomeres; wings with well-developed costal and anal areas; Rs pectinate with radial fork (R2+3) basal to medial fork (M1+2); R5 ending at tip; wing membrane with bristles; tergite 9 and gonocoxite without bristles; gonostyle with pair of long bristles at apex; and aedeagus symmetrical (Bravo 2006). Brunettia has four subgenera: Maurobrunettia Duckhouse, Campanulobrunettia Duckhouse, Brunettia Annandale and Neobrunettia Bravo & Amorim (Bravo and Amorim 1995; Bravo 2006). The subgenus Maurobrunettia is characterized by the scape elongated, longer than posterior margin of eyes, and pedicel elongated, longer than wide, pyriform or reniform. The subgenus Campanulobrunettia is characterized by the ascoids palmate, with many branches; gonostylus flattened and enlarged, paddle shaped; and tenacula bell-tipped. The subgenus Neobrunettia is similar to the subgenus Brunettia, and they share the following common characteristics: ascoids not palmate, of other shapes; gonostylus never paddle-shaped; and tenacula clavate or uniseriate; however, the subgenus Neobrunettia has the wing vein R1 with a rupture in the basal fourth; Sc unsclerotinized, present as only a hair line; and the subgenus Brunettia has wing vein R1 without a rupture; and Sc strongly sclerotized (Bravo 2006). Academic editor: Gunnar Kvifte Received: 17 March 2025 Accepted: 8 October 2025 Published: 11 November 2025 ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/ 4AD85D23-C7FA-4E4A-90D8B625DDA30269 Citation: Yang S-L, Yin X-M, Xi Y-Q (2025) Two new species of the genus Brunettia Annandale, 1910 (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China. ZooKeys 1259: 277–286. https://doi.org/10.3897/ zookeys.1259.153178 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025) DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 278 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China There are more than 110 known species of Brunettia distributed widely in the world except in the Nearctic region (Kvifte and Wagner 2017). About 36 species are distributed in the Oriental and Palearctic regions (Annandale 1908; Brunetti 1908, 1911; Freeman 1951; Tokunaga and Komyo 1955; Satchell 1958; Tokunaga 1959; Quate 1962, 1965; Ipe et al. 1986; Huang and Chen 2001). Only six species are known in Taiwan Province, China: B. lungjingensis Huang & Chen, B. autumna Huang & Chen, B. rotundior Huang & Chen, B. setiala Huang & Chen, B. subdisiunctio Huang & Chen, and B. albonotata (Brunetti) (Lin and Chen 1999; Huang and Chen 2001). In this study, two new species are described from China: Brunettia zunyiensis sp. nov. and B. sinensis sp. nov., both belonging to the subgenus Brunettia. A key to the known species of Brunettia from China is presented. Material and methods The head, wings, and male genitalia were dissected separately, genitalia preparations were made by removing and macerating the apical portion of the abdomen in glacial acetic acid, then rinsing in distilled water before storage in glycerin-filled microvials. After examination, the head, wings and genitalia were all preserved in small tubes filled with glycerol. Specimens were examined and photographed using a Leica M205A stereomicroscope. Helicon Focus v. 7.0.2 was used for image stacking. Scale drawings were created based on the photographs, with partial structural details observed and refined under a stereomicroscope through adjustments and modifications before finalization. Image plates were post-processed with Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 Extended. All measurements of adults are in millimetres (mm). Palpal proportions are calculated with the first segment as unit 1. Specimens examined were deposited in the Entomological Museum of Henan Agricultural University (HAU), Zhengzhou. Terminology follows Kvifte and Wagner (2017) and Cumming and Wood (2017). Taxonomy Key to the species of Brunettia of China 1 Eye bridge separated (Fig. 4A) .....................................................................2 – Eye bridge contiguous (Fig. 1A) ...................................................................4 2 Eye bridge separated by more than 1 facet diameter ................................... ........................................................ B. albonotata (Brunetti, 1908) (female) – Eye bridge separated only by 0.5 or at most by 1 facet diameters ............3 3 Wing vein R5 ending at wing apex; ejaculatory apodeme rod-shaped, surstylus biformed, tenacula bent ........ B. subdisiunctio Huang & Chen, 2001 – Wing vein R5 ending slightly below wing apex (Fig. 4C); ejaculatory apodeme not rod-shaped (Fig. 4E); surstylus short stick-shaped, tenacula not bent ..............................................................................B. zunyiensis sp. nov. 4 Wing with humeral and anal regions expanded ..........................................5 – Wing with humeral and anal regions normal ...............................................6 279 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China 5 Ratio of wing length to width 1.91; ejaculatory apodeme broad at apex, 2.2× length of aedeagus .................................................B. sinensis sp. nov. – Ratio of wing length to width 1.59; ejaculatory apodeme pointed at apex, 1.5× length of aedeagus .................. B. lungjingensis Huang & Chen, 2001 6 Surstylus with 3 tenacula forms (short and straight, short and bent, long and bent); parameres basal style round .......B. setiala Huang & Chen, 2001 – Surstylus with 2 tenacula forms (short and straight, long and bent); parameres basal style narrow or not round............................................................7 7 Eye bridge rounded at apex; parameres short, about 1.1 × length of apical shafts of aedeagus, base of parameres broad ............................................. .................................................................. B. rotundior Huang & Chen, 2001 – Eye bridge square at apex; parameres long, about 1.3 × length of apical shafts of aedeagus, base of parameres slender .....B. autumna Huang & Chen, 2001 Brunettia sinensis sp. nov. https://zoobank.org/7C95B6AE-8238-4248-ACB6-E877A5FE12F2 Figs 1A–F, 2A, B Type material. Holotype • 1 ♂, China, Jilin, Changchun, Jingyuetan, 143°46'53"N, 125°27'48"E, 246 m, 2022.VIII.16, leg. Yuqiang Xi; Paratypes: • 1 ♂, China, Fujian, Fuding, Taimu Mt., Jinfeng Temple, 27°06'48"N, 120°10'15"E, 591 m, 2024. IV. 26–2024. V. 10, leg. Malaise Trap. • 6 ♂♂, China, Fujian, Fuding, Huangren Village, Huangren Mt., 27°23'49"N, 120°18'58"E, 260 m, 2024. IV. 26–2024. V. 10. leg. Malaise Trap; • 1 ♂, China, Fujian, Fuzhou, Fuzhou National Forest Park, 26°09'41"N, 119°17'08"E, 230 m, 2024. VI. 23, leg. Rong Huang; • 2 ♂♂, China, Fujian, Fuzhou, Fuzhou National Forest Park. 2024. VI. 30, 26°09'51"N, 119°17'08"E, 253 m, leg. Shuailai Yang; • 1 ♂, Shaanxi Province, Xianyang, Shimen Mt., National Forest Park, 2019. VII. 24, 35°04'27"N, 108°32'55"E, 1670 m, Qicheng Yang. Diagnosis. Eye bridge of three facet rows, contiguous. Dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wings are densely covered with dark brown microtrichia, only at apex of the veins on the dorsal surface covered with white microtrichia; vein R5 ending at wing apex. Ejaculatory apodeme 2.2× length of aedeagus. Parameres long and slender, pointed at the distal, 1.57× length of aedeagus. Gonostyle slender, with 2 setae distally. Surstylus with 27 tenacula distally, tenacula have three forms: short and straight, long and straight, long and curved. Description. (N = 1) Male. Body length 2.3 mm. Wing length 2.3 mm, width 1.2 mm. Head width 0.44 mm, length 0.4 mm; vertex 0.12 mm. Antennal 15 segments, scape length 0.12 mm, pedicel length 0.058 mm, width 0.066 mm; 1–13 flagellomeres: 0.12: 0.058: 0.095: 0.086: 0.086. 0.088: 0.88: 0.087:0.87: 0.09: 0.09: 0.09: 0.08: 0.069: 0.057. Palpomeres 1: 0.032, 2: 0.18, 3: 0.2, 4: 0.22. Head (Fig. 1A) about the same length as width; vertex about 1/4 times length of head; with 4–6 ocular setae. Eye bridge of three facet rows, contiguous; interocular suture inverted Y-shaped; frontal scar patch concentrated at the middle half of the frontal and inner margin of the antennal socket, not extended to interocular suture. Antennae (Fig. 1B) 15 segments, scape cylindrical, distally widened; pedicel rounded, distally rather pointed; flagellomeres fusiform, swollen at middle and narrowed distally; two transparent ascoids, long, slightly curved, same width in all the length. Clypeus margin slightly U-shaped, clypeus 280 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China scar patch more than half of clypeus, labellum bulbous. Palpal proportions 1:5.63: 6.25: 6.88 Thorax. Epimeron, anepisternum and katepisternum smooth, anepimeron half smooth and half setae. Wing (Fig. 1C) densely clothed with fine black setae, microtrichia forming white spots at the apex of the veins in dorsal view (Fig. 2A), but R5 at apex with white spot rather indistinct; at the middle with white, sparse microtrichia forming indistinct pale spots. Wing wide, veins brownish, covered with dark brown scales; humeral region expanded and dark brown at the margin; vein R1 rather wide, radial fork and medial forks complete, R5 ending at wing apex. Figure 1. Brunettia sinensis sp. nov. A. Head; B. Antennae; C. Wing; D. Epandrium, dorsal view; E. Aedeagal complex; F. Surstylus, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (C); 0.1 mm (A, B, D–F). 281 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China Terminalia (Fig. 1D–F). Ejaculatory apodeme length 0.16 mm, rod-shaped, long and thin, obvious broad at apex in lateral view; ejaculatory apodeme 2.2× length of aedeagus. Aedeagus length 0.07 mm. Parameres long and slender, pointed distally, length 0.1 mm, about 1.57× length of aedeagus; basal of parameres length 0.079 mm; hypandrium wide, and the middle extension length exceeds the aedeagus. Gonocoxite rather wide and round, about 1.2× length of gonostyle; gonostyle slender, with 2 nearly transparent setae distally. Epandrium rectangular with two irregular pseudospiracular openings; hypoproct small, extended at the middle, tongue-shaped in dorsal view. Surstylus slightly broad, length 0.087 mm, width 0.059 mm in lateral view; surstylus with 27 tenacula distally, tenacula have three forms: 7 short and straight, 15 short and curved, 5 long and curved, contains 7 straight and 20 bend, tenacula length 0.04–0.098 mm, slightly oblate and darker distally. Female. Unknown. Distribution. China (Fujian, Jilin, Shaanxi). Etymology. The specific name refers to China, referring to the new species distributed in the south and north of China. Biology. Specimens of this new species were collected through sweep netting in densely vegetated broad-leaved forests with abundant leaf litter and humus on the ground (Fig. 3A–C). Figure 2. Brunettia sinensis sp. nov. A. Wing; B. Adult, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm. 282 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China Remarks. The new species resembles B. spinistoma Tokunaga & Komyo,1955 in the habitus, parameres long and slender, ejaculatory apodeme developed and long; but it can be separated from the latter by the following: eye bridge contiguous; ejaculatory apodeme and aedeagus 2.5× length of gonostyle; and the tenacula have three forms: short and straight, long and straight, long and curved. In B. spinistoma Tokunaga & Komyo, the eye bridge is minute; ejaculatory apodeme and aedeagus 2.0× length of gonostyle; and the tenacula have two forms, short and straight, long and curved (Tokunaga and Komyo 1955). Brunettia zunyiensis sp. nov. https://zoobank.org/0DBFE56E-B17B-42E9-8AAA-36F53D52C68D Figs 2A, B, 4A–F Type material. Holotype • 1 ♂, China, Guizhou Province, Zunyi, Kuankuoshui National Nature Reserve, 28°14'28"N, 107°12'19"E, 2016.VII.22, 1147 m, leg. Malaise Trap. Paratypes: • 1 ♂, same data as for holotype. Diagnosis. Eye bridge of three facet rows, separated by about 1 facet diameter. Wings humeral region obviously expanded and dark brown at the margin; R1 widened, R5 ending slightly below wing apex. Ejaculatory apodeme broad at the apex and rather curved, U-shaped. Parameres slender, pointed distally. Gonostyle slender, with 4 setae placed distally. Epandrium rectangular; pseudospiracular openings of epandrium oval-shaped; surstylus with 13–14 thick, short and straight tenacula distally, tenacula slightly oblate and darker distally. Description. (N = 1) Male. Body length 2.3 mm. Wing length 3.3 mm, width 1.8 mm. Head width 0.59 mm, length 0.5 mm, vertex 0.12 mm; antennal 15 segments, scape length 0.2 mm, pedicel: 0.083 mm, width 0.09 mm; 1–13 flagFigure 3. Brunettia sinensis sp. nov., specimen collection site in Fujian Province, Fuzhou, National Forest Park (photo by Miss Rong Huang). A. Habitat around the collection site; B. Shuailai Yang collecting specimens; C. Footpaths around the specimen collection site. 283 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China ellomeres: 0.16, 0.13, 0.13, 0.14, 0.13, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.13, 0.12, 0.1, 0.085, 0.06. Palpomeres 1: 0.15, 2: 0.42, 3: 0.35, 4: 0.26. Head (Fig. 4A) head 1.2× wider than length; vertex about 1/5 times length of head; without obvious ocular setae. Eye bridge of three facet rows, separated about 1 facet diameters; interocular suture inverted Y-shaped; frontal scar patch concentrated at the middle, disappearing near the inner margin of the eye bridge and not extending to interocular suture. Antennae (Fig. 4B) 15 segments, scape cylindrical, 2× as long as the width, the distal slightly wider; pedicel about Figure 4. Brunettia zunyiensis sp. nov. A. Head; B. Antennae; C. Wing; D. Epandrium, posterior view; E. Aedeagal complex; F. Surstylus, lateral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (C); 0.1 mm (A, B, D–F). 284 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China the same length as width, rounded, distal slightly pointed; flagellomeres fusiform, swollen at middle and narrowed distally; two ascoids transparent, long, slightly curved, same width in all the length. Clypeus margin slightly U-shaped, labellum bulbous. Palpal proportions 1: 2.52: 2.1: 1.56. Thorax. Epimeron with sparse setae, anepisternum and katepisternum smooth, anepimeron half smooth and half setae. Wing (Fig. 4C) brownish, broad with dark brown scales, humeral region expanded and vein C rather dark at the margin; vein R1 widened, radial fork and medial forks complete; vein R5 slightly below the top of the wing. Terminalia (Fig. 4D–F). Ejaculatory apodeme underdeveloped, very indistinct, broad at the apex and rather curved, U-shaped, and the middle is depressed. Aedeagus length 0.14 mm. Parameres length 0.094 mm, slender, slightly pointed distally. Gonocoxite wide and round, about 0.8× length of gonostyle; gonostyle rather long and slender, with 4 setae distally, setae near transparent. Epandrium rectangular; pseudospiracular openings of epandrium oval-shaped; hypoproct large, extended at the middle, slightly protruding near the epandrium, approximately tongue-shaped. Surstylus slightly slender, length 0.12 mm, width 0.083 mm from the lateral view. Surstylus with 13–14 tenacula distally, thick, short and straight, length about 0.042–0.067 mm, tenacula slightly oblate and darker distally. Female. Unknown. Distribution. China (Guizhou). Etymology. The specific name“zunyiensis”refers to the type locality, Zunyi, in Guizhou Province. Remarks. The new species is similar to B. napaea Duckhouse, 1991 in the habitus, ejaculatory apodeme broad; epandrium rectangular; and the pseudospiracular openings of the epandrium oval-shaped, but it can be separated from the latter by the following: eye bridge of three facet rows; wing broad, 1.8× as long as wide; and the surstylus with 13 or 14 thick, short and straight tenacula. In B. napaea Duckhouse, the eye bridge has four facet rows; the wing is slender, 3.2× as long as broad; and the surstylus with 8 long tenacula (Duckhouse 1991). Discussion Thirty-six known species of Brunettia are distributed in the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. Nine species are known in India: B. superestes (Annandale, 1908), B. albonotata (Brunetti, 1908), B. flavicollis (Brunetti, 1911), B. annandalei (Brunetti, 1908), B. argenteopunctata (Brunetti, 1908), B. atrisquamis (Brunetti, 1908), B. novemnotata (Brunetti, 1911), B. squamipennis (Brunetti, 1908) and B. panchpulaensis Ipe, Ipe & Kishore, 1986; three species are known in Japan: B. ishiharai Tokunaga & Komyo, 1955, B. lucidisquama Tokunaga, 1959 and B. spinistoma Tokunaga, 1959; eleven species are known in the Philippines: B. amoena (Quate, 1965), B. exulans Quate, 1965, B. hispida Quate, 1965, B. kibawa Quate, 1965, B. mateola Quate, 1965, B. mindanensis Quate, 1965, B. nubicola Quate, 1965, B. pallens Quate, 1965, B. parexulans Quate, 1965, B. recepta Quate, 1965 and B. yoshimotoi Quate, 1965; six species are known in Malaysia: B. albonotata (Brunetti, 1908), B. orchestris, Quate, 1962, B. brevifurca Satchell, 1958, B. pendleburyi Satchell, 1958, B. triangulata Satchell, 1958 and B. tormentosa Satchell, 1958; and three species are known in Sri Lanka: B. albohumeralis (Brunetti, 1911), B. albonotata (Brunetti, 1908) and B. uzeli Ježek, 1996 (Annandale 1908; 285 ZooKeys 1259: 277–286 (2025), DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1259.153178 Shuai-Lai Yang et al.: Two new species (Diptera, Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from China Brunetti 1908, 1911; Freeman 1951; Tokunaga and Komyo 1955; Satchell 1958; Tokunaga 1959; Quate 1962, 1965; Ipe et al. 1986; Huang and Chen 2001). With the exception of three species distributed exclusively in Japan, Brunettia sinensis sp. nov. represents the sole species recorded within the Palearctic region. Occurring in both North and South China, this species is hypothesized to potentially have a widespread distribution across the country. Acknowledgements We are grateful to Miss Rong Huang (Fuzhou) and Dr Qicheng Yang (Beijing) for their kind help in collecting the specimens. Thanks to Miss Rong Huang for helping to take the habitat photos. Additional information Conflict of interest The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. Ethical statement No ethical statement was reported. Use of AI No use of AI was reported. Funding This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Henan (No. 242300420157), Undergraduate Teaching Engineering Course Construction Project of Henan Agricultural University (No. 2023KC03; 2024KC14), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31672333; 32470470), the Special Foundation for National Science and Technology Basic Research Program of China (No. 2018FY100400), the earmarked fund for CARS (No. CARS-27), and the Natural Science Youth Innovation Fund of Henan Agricultural University (No. KJCX 2019A11). Author contributions All authors have contributed equally. Author ORCIDs Shuai-Lai Yang https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6813-8949 Xin-Ming Yin https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3936-3557 Yu-Qiang Xi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3285-8904 Data availability All of the data that support the findings of this study are available in the main text. References Annandale N (1908) Notes on Oriental Diptera. V. Description of a new species of psychodid of the genus Phlebotomus. Records of the Indian Museum 2: 101–104. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v2/i1/1908/163310