Merucata vieirai Soares, Camargo & Lamas 2025, sp. nov.

Merucata vieirai Soares, Camargo & Lamas sp. nov. (Figs 17, 18, 19) Diagnosis (male). The new species is remarkably similar to M. caipora sp. nov., contrasting mainly by femora mostly covered with white setae (Fig. 17A) (remarkable on anterior surface of femur I (Fig. 17C)); 2 postalar macrosetae; hypandrium only with posterolateral macrosetae at posterior edge (Fig. 18K). Description. Holotype male (Fig. 17A). Body length: 9.5 mm; wing length: 6.4 mm. Similar to M. caipora sp. nov. except as noted: Thorax (Fig. 17A, B). Scutum covered with more dense short black setae, slightly longer at posterior 1/2; 2–3 black postsutural dorsocentral macrosetae; 2 black postalar macrosetae. Leg I. Anterior surface of coxa I with slender white macrosetae. Femur almost wholly covered with short white setae, with 4–5 long white setae at ventral ½ (Fig. 17C). Tibia with ventral to anteroventral row of 4 white macrosetae from basal 2/3 to apex. Basitarsus with 1 posteroventral white macroseta near base. Leg II. Femur wholly covered with white setae. Tibia with posteroventral row of 3–4 short white setae, 1 ventral and 1 posteroventral white setae at apical 1/2; 2–3 dorsal short white setae at apical 1/3. Basitarsus with 1–2 posteroventral white setae. Leg III. Femur wholly covered with white setae, except for 1 antero- and 1 posterodorsal and 1 posterior preapical black seta. Tibia with 2 anterodorsal and 2 anteroventral white setae at apical 1/2. Wing (Fig. 17E). Cell cua closed and petiolate with petiole as long as crossvein r-m. Abdomen. Tergite 8 with wide concavity at anterior margin, with rounded posterior corners, with a few black macrosetae (Fig. 18H). Sternite 8 subrectangular, covered with a few short setae at posterior edge (Fig. 18I). Terminalia (Fig. 18). Orangish brown to dark brown. Inner dorsal process of epandrium longer and digitiform (Fig. 18C). Hypandrium somewhat saddle-shaped, only with posterolateral macrosetae at posterior edge (Fig. 18K). Gonocoxite subtriangular, dorsal edge truncated, membranous at apex; outer edge covered with short black setae; ventral edge with black macrosetae (Fig. 18E, F). Gonostylus 1.5 times longer than gonocoxite, mostly subrectangular, weakly sclerotized at middle and apex; apex rounded, slightly curved dorsally, covered with spicules (Fig. 18J). Variation. Body length: 8.75–11 mm, wing length: 6.8–7.5 mm (n = 11). Female. Similar to male, except as noted: body length: 9.3–12.2 mm, wing length: 6.6–8.2 mm (n = 8). Face and frons sometimes golden pruinose, mystax not forming dense tuft of macrosetae ventrally. Terminalia as in M. caipora sp. nov. Type material. HOLOTYPE: ♂ (MZUSP) labelled: “ Brasil: MS: Corguinho | Taboco | Reserva Quinta do Sol | 19º46'40,8"S 55º14'59,0"W | Malaise 12 | 12.x–12.xi.2012 | Lamas, Nihei & eq. cols.” “HOLOTYPE | Merucata vieirai | Soares, Camargo & Lamas [red label]”. Holotype condition: Good, not dissected. PARATYPES: Same data as holotype (1 ♂, dissected, 3 ♀, MZUSP); same data, except: 19°46'36.8"S 55°14'55.7"W, Malaise 14, 12– 29.xi.2012 (2 ♂, 2 ♀, MZUSP); same data, except: 19°46'40.8"S 55°14'59"W, Malaise 12, 12.x–12.xi.2012 (3 ♂, MZUSP); Porto Murtinho, Fazenda Retiro Conceição, Trilha da Mata Bruta, 21°41'52.0"S 57°45'57.1"W, Malaise 33, 01–15.xi.2012, Lamas, Nihei e eq. cols. (6 ♂, 1 ♀, MZUSP; 1 ♀, NHMW); same data, except: 21°40'59.7"S 57°46'42.5"W, Malaise 31, 26.xii.2011 – 10.i.2012 (1 ♂, MZUSP); Aquidauana, Reserva Ecológica UEMS, 20°26'01.6"S 55°29'30.4"W, Ativa, 12.xii.2013, Lamas e eq. cols. (1 ♂, dissected, 3 ♀, MZUSP); Camisão, Trilha do Mirante, 20°26'40"S 55°38'22.5"W, Ativa, 13.xii.2013, Lamas & eq. cols. (1 ♂, 1 ♀, NHMW); Bodoquena, Fazenda Califórnia, 20°41'53.5"S 56°52'55.7"W, Ativa, 15.xii.2013, Lamas eq. cols. (1 ♂, NHMW). Remarks. The new species is remarkable similar to M. caipora sp. nov. as discussed above in the remarks of M. caipora sp. nov. but it can be easily distinguished by the characteristics presented in the diagnosis and in the key to species. Distribution. Brazil (state of Mato Grosso do Sul) (Fig. 19). Etymology. Named after Dr. Rodrigo Vieira (SEDUC/AM) for his remarkable contribution to the knowledge of the Neotropical robber fly fauna.