An annotated checklist of the horse flies (Diptera: Tabanidae) of Lebanon with remarks on ecology and zoogeography: Pangoniinae and Chrysopsinae

Catalogue of the Diptera (Insecta) of Morocco- an annotated checklist, with distributions and a bibliography

The faunistic knowledge of the Diptera of Morocco recorded from 1787 to 2021 is summarized and updated in this first catalogue of Moroccan Diptera species. A total of 3057 species, classified into 948 genera and 93 families (21 Nematocera and 72 Brachycera), are listed. Taxa (superfamily, family, genus and species) have been updated according to current interpretations, based on reviews in the literature, the expertise of authors and contributors, and recently conducted fieldwork. Data to compile this catalogue were primarily gathered from the literature. In total, 1225 references were consulted and some information was also obtained from online databases. Each family was reviewed and the checklist updated by the respective taxon expert(s), including the number of species that can be expected for that family in Morocco. For each valid species, synonyms known to have been used for published records from Morocco are listed under the currently accepted name. Where available, distribution within Morocco is also included. One new combination is proposed: Assuaniamelanoleuca (Séguy, 1941), comb. nov. (Chloropidae).

Diversity and abundance of tabanids in Northern Spain

Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) are large haematophagous flies that cause both direct (by biting nuisance) and indirect (primarily by mechanical transmission of diseases) damage to host species. Research studies on this family have received little attention in some parts of Europe. Our aims were to characterise the species richness, abundance, and peak of activity of tabanid fly species in a region of Northern Spain. Home-made canopy traps, sweep nets, and Malaise traps were employed for the collection of tabanids across four cattle farms, two equestrian centres, and two golf courses during a 3-month period in the summer of 2020. A total of 300 specimens of 27 tabanid species belonging to eight genera were identified. The most prevalent species were Haematopota pluvialis (23.3%), Tabanus eggeri (20.0%), and Tabanus bromius (8.0%). The former species was recorded biting humans and therefore should be considered of relevance to public health. Tabanids were more diverse and abundant in scrubland and grazing pastures [relative abundance (RA) =  > 10%; species richness (S) = 8-12; Shannon-Index (H´) = 1.5 - 2.1] compared to crop landscapes (RA =  < 1%; S = 0-1; H´ = 0) according to canopy traps. The tabanid population dynamics was determined to be short, with the greatest abundance and diversity concentrated in mid-late July. This study updates the checklist of this Diptera group in the Northern Spain from nine known extant species to 31 species, providing the first data on the summer peaks of activity of tabanids for this region.

A review of the Tabanus semiargenteus-subgroup as part of the Tabanus bovinus species-group (Diptera: Tabanidae) with the description of two new species for science

The semiargenteus-subgroup of the Tabanus bovinus species group is reviewed. The known distribution area of the three previously known species could be significantly increased. T. semiargenteus Olsufjev, 1937 was for the first time recorded from Syria and Iran, T. olsufjevi Hauser, 1960 from Iraq and Iran and T. sarbazensisJežek, 1990 from Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iraq. Two new species are described from this region, Tabanus beieri sp. nov. and T. lintzeni sp. nov. The male of T. sarbazensis is described for the first time. Species of the semiargenteus-subgroup are found in arid mountenous areas from the northern Levant (Lebanon, Syria) through south and east Turkey, northern Iraq and Iran towards Nakhichevan and Armenia with records typically from above 1000m, often even above 2000m. Host records are for the first time presented for the subgroup. Females were either collected on or in direct proximity of large ruminants like donkeys, horses and cows, none of the species was observed to attack man. Detailed diagnostic features as well as a key are presented for the females and males of the five species, two colour plates show the habitus as well as the heads in frontal and lateral view.

Pangonius theodori a new horse fly species for science from Israel and Lebanon (Diptera: Tabanidae: Pangoniinae)

Pangonius theodori a new horse fly species (Diptera: Tabanidae: Pangoniinae) from northern Israel and southern Lebanon is described. The zoogeography, habitat preference and taxonomic position within the genus of the new species is discussed in detail.