Rhinoleucophenga obesa

(Loew, 1872)

Rhinoleucophenga obesa is a of in the . Long misidentified in the Neotropics, it is now confirmed as to the Nearctic region with locality in Texas, USA. Brazilian specimens previously attributed to this species have been reassigned to R. cantareira and R. gigantea based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhinoleucophenga obesa: //ˌraɪnoʊˌluːkəˈfɛŋɡə oʊˈbiːsə//

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Identification

Rhinoleucophenga obesa can be distinguished from Neotropical R. cantareira and R. gigantea by female spermathecal capsule and male epandrium structure; COI barcode sequences corroborate these morphological differences. Historical misidentifications in Brazil were based on non- described by Lima (1935) and Malogolowkin (1946).

Distribution

Nearctic region; locality Texas, USA. Historical records from Mexico and Brazil have been reassigned to R. cantareira and R. gigantea.

Similar Taxa

Rhinoleucophenga cantareiraNeotropical previously misidentified as R. obesa; distinguished by female spermathecal capsule , male epandrium structure, and COI sequences; confirmed as identity of Lima (1935) and Malogolowkin (1946) 'R. obesa' descriptions
Rhinoleucophenga giganteaNeotropical previously misidentified as R. obesa; distinguished by female spermathecal capsule and COI sequences; new Brazilian distribution records established from reassigned specimens

Misconceptions

Rhinoleucophenga obesa was long considered widespread across the Americas (USA, Mexico, Brazil) due to misidentification of Neotropical specimens. Taxonomic revision based on -series from Texas confirmed these records actually represent distinct R. cantareira and R. gigantea.