Corresponding author: Shaun L. Winterton (
Academic editor: M. Hauser
The previously monotypic genus
Australasia is the most species-rich biogeographical region for stiletto flies (
In their revision of the genus
A new endemic Australian genus is described and is the putative sister genus to
Adult morphological terminology follows
Types are deposited in the following institutions and collections: Australian Museum (Sydney) (AMS), Australian National Insect Collection (Canberra) (ANIC), Queensland Museum (Brisbane) (QM), Western Australian Museum (Perth) (WAM), Greg Daniels private collection [to be ultimately housed in the Australian Museum] (GDCB/AMS), California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco) (CAS), California State Collection of Arthropods (Sacramento) (CSCA). Numbers quoted with individual specimens as MEI000000 are unique identifiers in the therevid database MANDALA and are attached to each specimen as a yellow or white label (
Body length rarely exceeding 5.0 mm. Body usually covered with dense glaucous grey pubescence with darker brown or grey markings on head and scutum, admixed with numerous, dark setae; head length approximately equal to or slightly longer than height; male frons narrow with eyes often contiguous; parafacial pile absent, pubescence with silver velutum band laterally between antennal base and eye; face concave, grey pubescent; male with one or more rows of postocular setae; antennae shorter than or equal to head length; scutal pubescence glaucous, marked with dark brown, markings frequently as two medial stripes anteriorly, fused posteriorly, laterally stripes broken or irregularly tessellated; prosternal depression without setae; metanepisternum with post-spiracular setae absent; setae absent on posterior surface of mid coxa; femoral velutum patches absent; hind femur without subapical
Most key couplets rely heavily on male characteristics as females are difficult to distinguish for many species. External characters are used where possible throughout the key, but male genitalic dissections should be examined to confirm identity. Unassociated females cannot be confidently separated for most species of
1 | Wing uniformly dark smoky infuscate (e.g. |
2 |
– | Wing with dark to suffuse mottling tending to more extensive infuscation with white translucent fenestrations (e.g. |
8 |
2(1) | Frons with numerous elongate setae immediately above antennae (Western Australia) | 3 |
– | Frontal setae minute or absent; ( |
4 |
3(2) | Male frontal setae divided medially to form two patches ( |
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– | Male frontal setae a single patch only, not divided medially ( |
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4(2) | Abdominal segments 1–2 suffused with dark yellow laterally ( |
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– | Abdomen uniform dark grey-brown (often overlain with grey pubescence); male frons usually with setae, but sometimes reduced or absent ( |
5 |
5(4) | Male frons without setae; outer gonocoxal process relatively short, abruptly narrowed apically ( |
|
– | Male frons with small to minute setae present; outer gonocoxal process relatively elongate, spatulate ( |
6 |
6(5) | Male with single row of postocular setae immediately laterad of ocellar tubercle (more irregularly arranged setae laterally) ( |
|
– | Male with two well defined rows of postocular setae; distiphallus relatively short, not extending ventrally beyond gonocoxite ( |
7 |
7(6) | Male gonocoxites without triangular medially directed process; inner gonocoxal process dark sclerotized, ladle-shaped with numerous strong setae apically; ejaculatory apodeme relatively narrow ( |
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– | Male gonocoxites with triangular medially directed process; inner gonocoxal process lightly sclerotized, narrow with few strong setae apically, ejaculatory apodeme relatively broad ( |
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8(1) | Femora yellow basally ( |
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– | Femora uniformly dark (rarely with yellowish suffusion); wing variable, but usually with extensive dark banding or mottling, venation dark throughout, rarely yellowish at wing base; gonocoxite setae uniform in colour and length | 9 |
9(8) | Scutellum with two pairs of large macrosetae ( |
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– | Scutellum with one pair of large macrosetae (smaller setae occasionally present laterad) | 10 |
10(9) | Male frontal setae relatively short, distinctly weaker than setae on scape | 13 |
– | Male frontal setae relatively long and robust, approximately equal in length and thickness to setae on scape ( |
11 |
11(10) | Male with single row of postocular setae immediately laterad of ocellar tubercle; male abdomen brown pubescent dorsally, uniform grey pubescent laterally ( |
|
– | Male with two rows of postocular setae (irregular) immediately laterad of ocellar tubercle; male abdomen completely covered with silver grey pubescence ( |
12 |
12(11) | Wing vein M3 complete, joining to wing margin; male abdomen covered with uniform silver-grey velutinous pubescence ( |
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– | Wing M3 frequently incomplete, terminating before wing margin ( |
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13(10) | Gonocoxites with dark medially directed sclerotized process immediately ventral of ventral lobe ( |
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– | Gonocoxites without dark sclerotized process ventral of ventral lobe ( |
14 |
14(13) | Male wing mostly white translucent ( |
|
– | Male wing more extensively marked ( |
AUSTRALIA:
Frontal setae smaller than setae on scape (in both sexes); male postocular setae in single row with irregular setae dorsomedially; male wing mostly white translucent, with brown infuscate markings apically on cells bm, br and d, female wing darker with markings along most wing veins; femora brown, yellow apically; male abdomen with velutum; triangular ventromedial process on gonocoxites absent.
Body length= 3.5–4.0 mm (male), 3.5–4.5 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Frontal setae absent or minute, much smaller than scape setae; frons not protruding; male postocular setae in two rows; male dark yellow to cream laterally on abdominal segments 1–2; wing uniform smoky infuscate; femora brown, male hind femur yellow basally; male abdomen without velutum; gonocoxites without triangular ventromedial processes.
Body length= 3.5–4.0 mm (male), 4.5–5.0 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
8 males, 6 females, same data as holotype (MEI_023070, 023071, 023073, 023076, 023078, 023089, 023092, 023094, 023849, ANIC; MEI_023079, 023080, 023088, 023097, 023099, CAS); 5 males, Stirling Ranges NP, Chester Pass Road: Eucalyptus open woodland 230m, C. Lambkin, J. Recsei, 3–15.xi.2003: Malaise ANIC Bulk Sample 2191,
AUSTRALIA:
Wing mottled; male frontal and scape setae similar length; male frons protruding slightly; two rows of postocular setae in male; femora black; tibiae dark yellow to brown; male abdomen with silver velutum; ventromedial projection absent on gonocoxites.
Body length= 3.0–3.5 mm (male), 4.0–4.5 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Wing mottled; male frontal setae slightly shorter than scape setae; male frons protruding; single row of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown; male abdomen with silver velutum; triangular ventromedial projection present on gonocoxites; female frons with concentric brown spot and crescent above antennae.
Body length= 2.5–3.5 mm (male), 4.0–5.0 mm (female).
The specific epithet is named after the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park (Queensland), where this species was collected.
Wing uniform infuscate; male frontal setae minute; male frons flat in profile; two rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown; male abdomen without silver velutum; acute triangular ventromedial projection present on gonocoxites; gonocoxites without velutum patch; female frontal markings as irregular brown quadrangle dorsally and brown band above antennae.
Body length= 3.0–4.0 mm (male), 4.0 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
AUSTRALIA:
Wing dark mottled; frontal setae similar length to scape setae; male frons protruding in profile; multiple rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown; abdomen grey-silver pubescent laterally, brown dorsally; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection; female frontal markings as narrow medial stripe, irregular brown quadrangle dorsally and brown band above antennae.
Body length= 3.5–4.5 mm (male), 4.0–5.0 mm (female).
The specific epithet refers to the incomplete M3 vein frequently exhibited by individuals of this species.
Wing uniform infuscate; male frontal setae minute; male frons flat in profile; single row of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown; male abdomen without silver velutum; triangular ventromedial projection absent on gonocoxites, velutum patch absent; distiphallus extending ventrally well beyond gonocoxites.
Body length= 3.5 mm (male).
The specific epithet is the Latin
Wing uniform infuscate; male frontal setae absent; male frons flat in profile; multiple rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown; male abdomen with grey pubescence laterally; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection; female frontal markings as diffuse brown quadrangle medially and brown spot above antennae.
Body length= 3.0–4.0 mm (male), 4.0–4.5 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Wing mottled infuscate, fenestrations faint in male; male frontal setae similar length to scape setae; frons protruding in profile; single row of postocular macrosetae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown with yellow suffusion; male abdomen without silver velutum; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection, posterolateral area glossy, glabrous; female frontal markings as narrow medial stripe and two diffuse brown spots laterally along eye margin.
Body length= 3.0–4.0 mm (male), 4.0–5.0 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Wing dark banded infuscate; male frontal setae similar length to scape setae; frons protruding in profile; two rows of postocular macrosetae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; head and thoracic setae relatively elongate; scutellum with two pairs of macrosetae; femora dark brown; male abdomen with dense silver velutum; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection, velutum patch present.
Body length= 4.0 mm (male).
The female of
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
AUSTRALIA:
Wing mostly white translucent with slight infuscation (darker in female); male frontal setae few in number, minute; male frons flat in profile; single row of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; hind femur yellow with brown patch; male abdomen with grey pubescence; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection; female frontal markings as brown medial stripe, with brown band and spot above antennae.
Body length= 3.0–3.5 mm (male), 4.0–5.0 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Greek
AUSTRALIA:
Wing mottled infuscate; male frontal setae shorter than scape setae; frons protruding in profile; multiple irregular rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora dark brown; male abdomen with dense silver velutum; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection, velutum patch distinct.
Body length= 3.0–4.0 mm (male), 4.0–5.0 mm (female).
Wing largely uniform infuscate; male frontal setae similar size to scape setae, patch divided medially; male frons protruding in profile; two rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora dark brown; male abdomen with brown pubescence, grey laterally; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection or velutum patch.
Body length= 3.0–3.5 mm (male).
The female is unknown for
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Wing uniform pale infuscate; male frontal setae smaller than scape setae; male frons flat in profile; two rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora brown; male abdomen without silver velutum; triangular ventromedial projection absent on gonocoxites; inner gonocoxal process with dense tuft of strong macrosetae.
Body length= 3.0–3.6 mm (male).
The female is unknown for this species.
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin,
Wing uniform infuscate; male frontal setae similar size to scape setae, patch not divided medially; male frons protruding in profile, rounded; two rows of postocular setae adjacent to ocellar tubercle in male; femora dark brown; male abdomen with brown pubescence, grey laterally; gonocoxites without ventromedial projection; velutum patch reduced; female frontal markings as broad brown quadrangle, silver along eye margin and brown spot above antennae; ejaculatory apodeme enlarged, distiphallus with ventral bulb.
Body length= 3.0–3.5 mm (male), 4.0–5.5 mm (female).
The specific epithet is derived from the Latin
Body length 6.0–9.0 mm. Body usually covered with dense glaucous grey pubescence; head higher to much higher than long, pronounced ventral projection of head; male frons width variable, ranging from narrower than anterior ocellus to slightly wider than ocellar tubercle, eyes not contiguous; ocellar tubercle raised, black with short, dark setae in both sexes; antennae length variable; scape cylindrical, sometimes bulbous with strong setae, length variable but usually not longer than flagellum; flagellum turbinate with apical style; parafacial pile present but never extensive, rarely absent; face not concave, flat, grey pubescent; palpus 2-segmented, apical segment relatively short; prosternal depression without setae; metanepisternum with post-spiracular setae absent; posterior surface of mid coxa usually bare, sometimes pilose; wing vein R2+3 reflexed anteriorly with kink approximately midway; cell m3 open (
20 | Body usually large to medium sized, robust, glossy dark metallic blue or orange; abdomen abruptly tapered; small patch of postspiracular setae present on thorax; wing extensively black (sometimes hyaline basally) or orange infuscate | 21. |
– | Body size variable, usually relatively slender, never glossy metallic blue or orange; abdomen elongate, evenly tapered; thoracic postspiracular setae absent; wing infuscation variable, usually banded or hyaline, never uniform orange or black | 22a. |
21 | Scape short, setae on antennae and head relatively short; two pairs of scutellar setae; wing with uniform orange infuscation… |
|
– | Scape elongate with numerous enlarged setae; single pair of scutellar setae; wing either with uniform black infuscation or hyaline basally | |
22a | Body distinctly covered with glaucous grey and brown pubescence; head higher than long; wing usually mottled, wing vein R2+3 reflexed anteriorly | |
– | Body pubescence variable, but usually not densely grey and brown; head not distinctly higher than long, usually longer than high; wing vein R2+3 with gentle curve or straight, not with abrupt kink | 22. |
22 | Male and female occiput convex, variously overlain with bronze, matte black, silver and gold pubescence; multiple rows of postocular setae in male; abdomen of equal diameter along length; distiphallus broad, cylindrical; medium to large individuals | |
– | Male occiput typically flat to concave, not distinctly convex, rarely overlain with bronze, matte black, silver and gold pubescence; usually single row of postocular setae in male; abdomen tapered; distiphallus usually narrow; size variable | 23. |
The genus name is derived from the Greek,
1 | Mid coxa with pale setae on posterior surface | 2 |
– | Mid coxa without setae on posterior surface | 3 |
2(1) | Postocular and scutal macrosetae white in male, mostly dark in female; frons without dark spots along eye margin; male abdomen with extensive covering of elongate white setae ( |
|
– | Postocular and scutal macrosetae uniform black in both sexes; large dark spots on frons along to eye margin ( |
|
3(1) | Scutum tan with dark setal bases ( |
|
– | Scutum grey with extensive dark markings not restricted to setal bases ( |
4 |
4(3) | All setae on head, thorax and abdomen white ( |
|
– | At least scutal macrosetae dark, usually more extensive dark setae on head ( |
5 |
5(4) | Scape slightly shorter than flagellum ( |
|
– | Scape equal in length to flagellum ( |
AUSTRALIA:
Wing white translucent with irregular brown marginal mottling; most head and body setae white; scutum with narrow medial stripe and spots laterally; scape yellow, brown laterally, longer than flagellum; posterior surface of mid coxa with setae; extensive silver setae on abdomen.
Body length= 5.0–5.7 mm (male), 5.5–7.0 mm (female).
It is an honour to name this species after the grandfather of the senior author, Avery “Joe” Winterton.
AUSTRALIA:
Wing dark brown with white fenestration; head and body macrosetae black, coxal macrosetae white; frons with dark spots along eye margins; scutum with narrow medial stripe and irregular tessellate pattern laterally; scape yellow, red-brown dorsally, mostly dark setae with several pale setae basally; posterior surface of mid coxa with long pale setae; abdomen with sparse, silver pubescence admixed with sparse, erect pale setae especially laterally (darker posteriorly).
Body length= 5.0–5.5 mm (male), 5.0–6.0 mm (female).
The species epithet is derived from the type locality of this species.
Wing white translucent with irregular apical brown mottling; all head and body setae white; scutum with narrow medial stripe; scape dark with silver-grey pubescence; posterior surface of mid coxa without setae; extensive appressed setae on abdomen.
Body length= 6.5–7.0 mm (male).
The species epithet is from the Greek,
Wing brown infuscate with white fenestration; head and body macrosetae mostly black, coxal macrosetae white; scutum with broad medial stripe and irregular tessellate pattern laterally; parafacial setae absent; male frons wider than anterior ocellus at narrowest point; scape yellow with sparse grey pubescence; posterior surface of mid coxa without setae; abdomen with silver velutum but without appressed setae.
This species is known southeastern Queensland, just west of the Great Dividing Range. The wing and scutal markings are distinctive, along with the elongate male genitalia with a forked gonostylus. The gonocoxites are fused medially, which appears to be a rare character in this genus.
This species is named in honour of Greg Daniels, the collector of this species.
Wing white with irregular brown fenestrate mottling; most head and body macrosetae black, coxal macrosetae admixed black and white; scutum dark yellow-tan with dark setal bases; scape yellow; posterior surface of mid coxa without setae; abdomen with silver velutum and numerous white, erect setae; male genitalia greatly enlarged.
Body length= 7.5 mm (male).
The species epithet is derived from the Greek,
Wing dark brown with white fenestration; most head and body macrosetae black, coxal macrosetae white; scutum with broad medial stripe and irregular tessellate pattern laterally; scape yellow with sparse grey pubescence; posterior surface of mid coxa without setae; abdomen with sparse, silver pubescence admixed with sparse, erect pale setae (darker posteriorly).
Body length= 6.6–7.5 mm (male), 7.0–8.0 mm (female).
The species epithet is from the Greek,
Thank you to Dr Michael Irwin (University of Illinois and University of Arizona) for loan of specimens. Dr Irwin originally identified some of the