Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta, Diptera) of the Afrotropical Region, with the description of seven new genera

Revision of the Brazilian species of Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (Diptera: Tachinidae: Dexiinae), with the description of a new species

The Brazilian species of the New World genus Ptilodexia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 are revised. Before this study, only one species of Ptilodexia was recorded from Brazil, viz. P. lateralis (Walker, 1836). Herein we record, for the first time, two new records of known Ptilodexia species in Brazil, viz. P. striata (Wulp, 1891) and P. rubricornis (Wulp, 1891). In addition, a new species is described, Ptilodexia matogrossensis sp. nov. from Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul states in Brazil; hence four species of this genus are currently recorded from Brazil. The species Neomyostoma ptilodexioides Townsend, 1935, from Brazil, placed in the monotypic genus Neomyostoma Townsend, 1935, is proposed as junior synonym of P. lateralis. Illustrations and detailed descriptions are presented for P. lateralis, P. matogrossensis sp. nov., P. striata and P. rubricornis and the male terminalia is described for P. lateralis and P. striata. The female terminalia and the first larval instar are described for the first time for the genus, based on the descriptions of P. lateralis and P. striata. A key to the identification of all recognized Brazilian species of Ptilodexia is presented. Finally, an updated distributional record is given for all studied species.

Taxonomic study of the genus Macquartia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) from China

Background

The genus Macquartia Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) with 29 known species is a large group of Macquartiini of Tachininae and widely distributed in the Old World and the Nearctic Region.

New information

In this study, Chinese specimens of Macquartia were collected and examined, sixteen species are recognised: thirteen previously described, M.brunneisqua Zhang et Li, M.chinensis Zhang et Li, M.flavifemorata Zhang et Li, M.flavipedicel Zhang et Li, M.chalconota (Meigen), M.dispar (Fallén), M.grisea (Fallén), M.macularis Villeneuve, M.nudigena Mesnil, M.picta (Meigen), M.pubiceps (Zetterstedt), M.tenebricosa (Meigen) and M.viridana Robineau-Desvoidy and three species new to science, M.barkamensis sp. n. (Sichuan), M.setifacies sp. n. (Qinghai) and M.sichuanensis sp. n. (Sichuan). An identification key to the sixteen species of Macquartia known from China is included, along with 80 anatomical figures.

Revision of New World species of Roederiodes Coquillett (Diptera: Empididae: Clinocerinae)

The New World species of Roederiodes Coquillett, 1901 are revised and includes the following 13 species, of which eight are new to science: R. browni sp. nov., R. chillcotti sp. nov., R. costaricensis sp. nov., R. dedota sp. nov., R. distinctus Chillcott, 1961, R. junctus Coquillett, 1901, R. lawrencei sp. nov., R. moultoni sp. nov., R. notialis sp. nov., R. recurvatus Chillcott, 1961, R. wigginsi Wilder, 1981, R. wirthi Chillcott, 1961 and R. woodi sp. nov. The following new synonyms are proposed: Roederiodes petersoni Chillcott, 1966 and R. vockerothi Chillcott, 1961 = R. junctus Coquillett, 1901. A key to all New World species is provided and their distributions mapped. COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences were obtained for seven Nearctic species of Roederiodes.

Nominal genera and species of Diptera misidentified as to family by A.Z. Lehrer (Diptera: Muscidae, Tachinidae)

Nominal genera and species misidentified to family by A.Z. Lehrer are revised and annotated, with habitus photographs given for all holotypes. New synonyms in the Muscidae: Dobrogiella Lehrer & Oprişan, 2013 = Pyrellia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov., Dobrogiella phallogreciana Lehrer & Oprişan, 2013 = Pyrellia vivida Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov. New synonyms and new combinations in the Tachinidae: Benigramma Lehrer, 2013 = Thelairosoma Villeneuve, 1916, syn. nov., B. bellanda Lehrer, 2013 = Thelairosoma bellanda (Lehrer, 2013), comb. nov.; Eweka Lehrer, 2012 = Pales Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov., Eweka cordicerci Lehrer, 2012 = Ctenophorocera [now Pales] pauciseta Mesnil, 1950, syn. nov.; Mawuphalla Lehrer, 2013 = Ceracia Rondani, 1865, syn. nov., Mawuphalla antennomyia Lehrer, 2013 = Myothyria [now Ceracia] africana Mesnil, 1959, syn. nov.; Paraphalloides Lehrer, 2013 = Pales Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov., Paraphalloides epiphallops Lehrer, 2013 = Pales epiphallops (Lehrer, 2013), comb. nov.; Spinuphalla Lehrer, 2013 = Drino Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863, syn. nov., Spinuphalla juxtina Lehrer, 2013 = Drino (Palexorista Townsend, 1921) juxtina (Lehrer, 2013), comb. nov.

An updated catalogue of true flies (Insecta: Diptera) from northern Pakistan

We present the first comprehensive catalogue of true flies from the northernmost territories of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. In the current inventory, 64 genera and 153 species in 16 families are being documented. The total number of known species has been updated based on the availability of taxonomic literatures from Pakistan. In 2007, Insect Fauna of Azad Jammu & Kashmir was updated and it lists only 16 known species in order Diptera where as there is no such documented information so far available on the dipterous fauna of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, during the last few decades, relatively a few studies have been conducted on some major group of flies, i.e., Syrphidae, Sepsidae, Calliphoridae, and Tephritidae from Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Among these, Syrphidae represents 53 species which is the highest number of species recorded, followed by Sepsidae and Calliphoridae with 20 and 18 species, respectively. The present diversity does not reflect the true species account in the northern areas; the important biogeographic area that exhibits a very heterogeneous fauna, not only because of the high mountains with valleys (the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges of the Western Himalayas) but also the junction points of the world’s two largest zoogeographical regions (the Oriental and Palaearctic). Some common families, i.e., Stratiomyidae, Asilidae, Bombyliidae, Muscidae, Conopidae, Pipinculidae, Tachinidae, and some other families which are common in high mountainous regions of northern Pakistan still need to be explored in the future studies. The complete locality data for each valid species are presented as the baseline for future studies from northern areas of Pakistan, i.e., Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

A world review of the bristle fly parasitoids of webspinners

Background

Dipteran parasitoids of Embioptera (webspinners) are few and extremely rare but known from all biogeographical regions except Australasia/Oceania. All belong to the fly family Tachinidae, a hyperdiverse and widespread clade of parasitoids attacking a variety of arthropod orders.

Results

The webspinner-parasitizing Diptera are reviewed based mostly on records from the collecting and rearing by Edward S. Ross. A new genus is erected to accommodate a new Afrotropical species, Embiophoneus rossi gen. et sp. nov. The genus Perumyia Arnaud is reviewed and a new species, Perumyia arnaudi sp. nov., is described from Central America while P. embiaphaga Arnaud is redescribed and new host records are given. A new species of Phytomyptera Rondani, P. woodi sp. nov., is described from Myanmar, representing the first report of a member of this genus obtained from webspinners. The genus Rossimyiops Mesnil is reviewed, R. longicornis (Kugler) is redescribed and R. aeratus sp. nov., R. fuscus sp. nov. and R. rutilans sp. nov. are newly described from the Oriental Region, and an updated key to species is given.

Conclusions

Webspinners were probably colonized independently at least four times by tachinids shifting from other hosts, most likely Lepidoptera.

Annotated catalogue of the Tachinidae (Insecta, Diptera) of Chile

The Tachinidae (Diptera) of Chile are catalogued and information is given on distributions, name-bearing types, synonyms, nomenclatural issues, and pertinent literature. The history of tachinid collectors in Chile and authors who have contributed to the systematic knowledge of Chilean tachinids is extensively reviewed. The classification has been updated and 122 genera and 264 species are recognised in Chile. There is a significant amount of endemism with 28 genera and 100 species known only from Chile. There are also 113 species with distributions shared only between Chile and Argentina, particularly in the southern portions of these countries comprising Patagonia. The catalogue is based on examination of the original descriptions of all nominal species and all other references known to us containing relevant taxonomic and distributional information, for a total of approximately 450 references. Many of the name-bearing types and other Chilean specimens housed in collections were examined. Taxa are arranged hierarchically and alphabetically under the categories of subfamily, tribe, genus, subgenus (where recognised), and species. Nomenclatural information is provided for genus-group and species-group names, including lists of synonyms (mostly restricted to Neotropical taxa) and name-bearing type data. Species distributions are recorded by country within the New World and by larger geographical divisions in the Old World. Additional information is given in the form of notes and references under valid names at the level of tribe, genus, and species. Two genera are newly recorded from Chile: Chaetoepalpus Vimmer & Soukup, 1940 (Tachinini) (also newly recorded from Argentina) and Patelloa Townsend, 1916 (Goniini). Four species are newly recorded from Chile or other countries: Lyphaornata Aldrich, 1934 (Chile); Chaetoepalpuscoquilleti Vimmer & Soukup, 1940 (Argentina and Chile); Phytomypteraevanescens (Cortés, 1967) (Argentina); and Xanthobasisunicolor Aldrich, 1934 (Chile). Eight species previously recorded from Chile are deemed to have been misidentified or misrecorded from Chile (known distributions in parentheses): Archytasincertus (Macquart, 1851) (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay); Archytasseminiger (Wiedemann, 1830) (Brazil, Colombia); Goniacrassicornis (Fabricius, 1794) (Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Middle America, West Indies, Nearctic); Lespesiaandina (Bigot, 1888) (Cuba); Lespesiaarchippivora (Riley, 1871) (widespread Nearctic and most of Neotropical); Neoethillaignobilis (van der Wulp, 1890) (Mexico, United States); Siphona (Siphona) geniculata (De Geer, 1776) (Palaearctic, Nearctic [introduced]); and Winthemiaquadripustulata (Fabricius, 1794) (Palaearctic, Nearctic, Oriental]. As First Reviser we fix Paratheresiarufiventris Townsend, 1929 as the senior homonym and Sarcoprosenarufiventris Townsend, 1929 as the junior homonym when the two are placed together in Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; and we fix Mayophoriniaangusta Townsend, 1927 as the senior homonym and Metarrhinomyiaangusta Townsend, 1927 as the junior homonym when the two are placed together in Myiopharus Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889. New replacement names are proposed for eight preoccupied names of Neotropical species (country of type locality in parentheses): Billaearufescens O'Hara & Wood for Sarcoprosenarufiventris Townsend, 1929, preoccupied in the genus Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 by Paratheresiarufiventris Townsend, 1929 (Peru), nom. nov.; Billaeatriquetrus O'Hara & Wood for Sarcoprosenatriangulifera Townsend, 1927, preoccupied in the genus Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 by Dexiatriangulifera Zetterstedt, 1844 (Peru), nom. nov.; Eucelatorianudioculata O'Hara & Wood for Eucelatorioideanigripalpis Thompson, 1968, preoccupied in the genus Eucelatoria Townsend, 1909 by Chetolyganigripalpis Bigot, 1889 (Trinidad), nom. nov.; Eucelatoriaoblonga O'Hara & Wood for Urodexodeselongatum Cortés & Campos, 1974, preoccupied in the genus Eucelatoria Townsend, 1909 by Exoristaelongata van der Wulp, 1890 (Chile), nom. nov.; Lespesiathompsoni O'Hara & Wood for Sturmiopsoideaobscura Thompson, 1966, preoccupied in the genus Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863 by Eurigasterobscurus Bigot, 1857 (Cuba), nom. nov.; Myiopharuscharapensis O'Hara & Wood for Metarrhinomyiaangusta Townsend, 1927, preoccupied in the genus Myiopharus Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 by Mayophoriniaangusta Townsend, 1927 (Peru), nom. nov.; Myiopharusincognitus O'Hara & Wood for Stenochaetaclaripalpis Thompson, 1968, preoccupied in the genus Myiopharus Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 by Neoxynopsoideaclaripalpis Thompson, 1968 (Trinidad), nom. nov.; and Myiopharusrufopalpus O'Hara & Wood for Paralispepalpalis Townsend, 1929, preoccupied in the genus Myiopharus Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 by Myioxynopspalpalis Townsend, 1927 (Peru), nom. nov. New type species fixations are made under the provisions of Article 70.3.2 of the ICZNCode for three genus-group names: Parafabricia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1894 (synonym of Archytas Jaennicke, 1867), type species newly fixed as Parafabriciaperplexa Townsend, 1931; Tachinodes Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (synonym of Archytas Jaennicke, 1867), type species newly fixed as Juriniametallica Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; and Willistonia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 (synonym of Belvosia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), type species newly fixed as Willistoniaaldrichi Townsend, 1931. Lectotypes are designated for the following four nominal species, all described or possibly described from Chile: Echinomyiapygmaea Macquart, 1851 (a valid name in the genus Peleteria Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830); Goniachilensis Macquart, 1844 (a junior synonym of Goniapallens Wiedemann, 1830); Masiceraauriceps Macquart, 1844 (a valid name in the genus Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863); and Prosopochoetanitidiventris Macquart, 1851 (a valid name in the genus Prosopochaeta Macquart, 1851). The following 27 new or revived combinations are proposed (distributions in parentheses): Blepharipezaandina Bigot, 1888 is moved to Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863 as L.andina, nomen dubium (Cuba), comb. nov.; Camposodesevanescens Cortés, 1967 is moved to Phytomyptera Rondani, 1845 as P.evanescens (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Ectophasiopsisypiranga Dios & Nihei, 2017 is moved to Trichopoda Berthold, 1827 and assigned to subgenus Galactomyia Townsend, 1908 as T. (G.) ypiranga (Argentina, Brazil), comb. nov.; Embiomyiaaustralis Aldrich, 1934 is moved to Steleoneura Stein, 1924 as S.australis (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Eurigastermodestus Bigot, 1857 is moved to Lespesia as L.modesta (Cuba), comb. nov.; Eurigasterobscurus Bigot, 1857 is moved to Lespesia as L.obscura (Cuba), comb. nov.; Macropatelloatanumeana Townsend, 1931 is moved to Patelloa Townsend, 1916 as P.tanumeana (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Masicerainsignis van der Wulp, 1882 is moved to Drino Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863 as D.insignis (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Parasetigenahichinsi Cortés, 1967 is moved to Chetogena Rondani, 1856 as C.hichinsi (Chile), comb. nov.; Parasetigenaporteri Brèthes, 1920 and junior synonym Stomatotachinasplendida Townsend, 1931 are moved to Chetogena as C.porteri (Chile), both comb. nov.; Phoroceracalyptrata Aldrich, 1934 is moved to Admontia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 as A.calyptrata (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Poliopsauratus Campos, 1953 is moved to Admontia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889 as A.aurata (Chile), comb. nov.; Poliopsstriatus Aldrich, 1934 is moved to Admontia as A.striata (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Ruiziellafrontosa Cortés, 1951 is moved to Chaetoepalpus Vimmer & Soukup, 1940 and placed in synonymy with C.coquilleti Vimmer & Soukup, 1940 (Argentina, Chile, Peru), comb. nov.; Ruiziellaluctuosa Cortés, 1951 is moved to Chaetoepalpus as C.luctuosus (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Sarcoprosenaluteola Cortés & Campos, 1974 is moved to Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 as B.luteola (Chile), comb. nov.; Sarcoprosenarufiventris Townsend, 1929 is moved to Billaea where it is a junior secondary homonym and is renamed B.rufescens O'Hara & Wood (Peru), comb. nov.; Sarcoprosenatriangulifera Townsend, 1927 is moved to Billaea where it is a junior secondary homonym and is renamed B.triquetrus O'Hara & Wood (Peru),comb. nov.; Saundersiaaurea Giglio-Tos, 1893 is moved to "Unplaced species of Tachinini" (Mexico), comb. nov.; Schistostephanaaurifrons Townsend, 1919 is moved to Billaea as B.aurifrons (Peru), comb. nov.; Siphoactiacharapensis Townsend, 1927 is moved to Clausicella Rondani, 1856 as C.charapensis (Peru), comb. nov.; Siphoactiaperegrina Cortés & Campos, 1971 is moved to Clausicella as C. peregrina (Chile), comb. nov.; Sturmiafestiva Cortés, 1944 is moved to Drino as D.festiva (Argentina, Chile), comb. nov.; Sturmiopsoideaobscura Thompson, 1966 is moved to Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863, where it is a junior secondary homonym and is renamed L.thompsoni O'Hara & Wood (Trinidad), comb. nov.; Trichopodaarcuata Bigot, 1876 is returned to Trichopoda from Ectophasiopsis Townsend, 1915 and assigned to subgenus Galactomyia (Argentina, Chile), comb. revived; and Trichopodagradata Wiedemann, 1830 is returned to Trichopoda from Ectophasiopsis and assigned to subgenus Galactomyia (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay), comb. revived. New or revived generic and specific synonymies are proposed for the following 14 names: Camposodes Cortés, 1967 with Phytomyptera Rondani, 1845, syn. nov.; Ectophasiopsis Townsend, 1915 with Trichopoda Berthold, 1827, subgenus Galactomyia Townsend, 1908, syn. nov.; Embiomyia Aldrich, 1934 with Steleoneura Stein, 1924, syn. nov.; Fabriciaandicola Bigot, 1888 with Peleteriarobusta (Wiedemann, 1830), syn. revived; Macropatelloa Townsend, 1931 with Patelloa Townsend, 1916, syn. nov.; Peleteriainca Curran, 1925 with Peleteriarobusta (Wiedemann, 1830), syn. revived; Poliops Aldrich, 1934 with Admontia Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889, syn. nov.; Ruiziella Cortés, 1951 with Chaetoepalpus Vimmer & Soukup, 1940, syn. nov.; Ruiziellafrontosa Cortés, 1951 with Chaetoepalpuscoquilleti Vimmer & Soukup, 1940, syn. nov.; Sarcoprosena Townsend, 1927 with Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov.; Schistostephana Townsend, 1919 with Billaea, syn. nov.; Siphoactia Townsend, 1927 with Clausicella Rondani, 1856, syn. nov.; Stomatotachina Townsend, 1931 with Chetogena Rondani, 1856, syn. nov.; and Sturmiopsoidea Thompson, 1966 with Lespesia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863, syn. nov.

The Neotropical genus Eudexia Brauer amp; Bergenstamm, 1889 (Tachinidae: Dexiinae: Dexiini): lectotype fixation for the type species, synonymy, and a new species from Brazil

Eudexia Brauer Bergenstamm, 1889, a Dexiini genus restricted to the Neotropical Region, is revised with proposal of the following new synonymies: Chaetocalirrhoe Townsend, 1935 = Eudexia, syn. nov. and Cordillerodexia Townsend, 1927 = Eudexia, syn. nov. As a result, the following new combinations are proposed: Eudexia brevicornis (Macquart, 1851), comb. nov., Eudexia colombiana (Townsend, 1929), comb. nov., Eudexia grandis (Townsend, 1935), comb. nov., and Eudexia orientalis (Townsend, 1927), comb. nov. Redescriptions, photographs and a lectotype designation are provided for the type species Eudexia formidabilis (Bigot, 1889). Diagnoses and photographs are provided for Eudexia colombiana, E. grandis, and E. orientalis, and a diagnosis is provided for E. brevicornis. A new species from Brazil, Eudexia lopesi sp. nov., is described. Finally, an updated diagnosis for the genus Eudexia and a key to the seven known species are given.

First report of the mitogenome of Hamaxiella brunnescens (Diptera, Tachinidae) from Beijing, China

Hamaxiella brunnescens (Mesnil, 1967) (Diptera, Tachinidae) is a parasitic fly species and of great ecological importance in natural systems as parasitoids of herbivorous insects. The mitogenome of H. brunnescens was sequenced and analyzed here for the first time. The genome is 14,956 bp in length with high A + T content, which consists of 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, two rRNA genes, and a partial non-coding control region. The phylogenetic analyses support a monophyletic Tachinidae. The two subfamilies Exoristinae and Phasiinae are fully supported as monophyletic while Tachininae is inferred to be paraphyletic.

Parasitoid Distribution and Parasitism of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Different Maize Producing Regions of Uganda

The fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has successfully invaded Africa, where it has significantly impacted maize and sorghum production. Management of FAW in Africa predominantly relies on synthetic insecticides, which are expensive, and negatively impact the environment and beneficial insects. We, therefore, conducted field surveys in Uganda in 2017 and 2019 to identify egg and larval parasitoids of FAW for possible use in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Parasitoids were identified by their mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mtCOI) gene sequences. We identified 13 parasitoid species belonging to three families of Hymenoptera: Platygastridae, Braconidae and Ichneumonidae, as well as one Dipteran family (Tachinidae). Coccygidium spp. and Chelonus bifoveolatus were the most abundant and widely distributed parasitoids. Overall, parasitism averaged 9.2% and ranged from 3.1% to 50% in 2017, and 0.8% to 33% in 2019. Parasitism by Sturmiopsis parasitica, Diolcogaster sp., and Cotesia flavipes on FAW in maize crops are reported for the first time. Our results suggest high biological diversity of FAW parasitoids, which should be exploited in the IPM of the FAW in Uganda.

Parasitoid Complex of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Ghana and Benin

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a moth originating from the American continent, has recently invaded most African countries, where it is seriously threatening food security as a pest of cereals. The current management methods rely heavily on the use of synthetic insecticides but there is a need for more sustainable control methods, including biological control. Surveys were conducted in two West African countries, Ghana and Benin, to determine the native parasitoid complex and assess parasitism rates of S. frugiperda. Samples of S. frugiperda eggs and larvae were collected in maize fields located in 56 and 90 localities of Ghana and Benin, respectively, from July 2018 to July 2019. Ten species were found parasitizing the pest, including two egg parasitoids, one egg–larval, five larval and two larval–pupal parasitoids. The two most abundant parasitoids in both countries were two Braconidae: the egg-larval parasitoid Chelonus bifoveolatus and the larval parasitoid Coccygidum luteum. Parasitism rates were determined in three Ghanaian regions and averages varied from 0% to 75% between sites and from 5% to 38% between regions. These data provide an important baseline for the development of various biological control options. The two egg parasitoids, Telenomus remus and Trichogramma sp. can be used in augmentative biological control and investigations should be conducted to assess how cultural practices can enhance the action of the main parasitoids, C. luteum and Ch. bifoveolatus, in the field. Understanding the parasitoid complex of S. frugiperda in Africa is also necessary before any development of classical biological controls involving the introduction of parasitoids from the Americas.

The world woodlouse flies (Diptera, Rhinophoridae)

The world Rhinophoridae are catalogued, recognising 33 genera and 177 species. Nomenclatural information is provided for all genus-group and species-group names, including lists of synonyms and name-bearing type data. Species distributions are recorded by country. A key to the world genera is presented. Four new genera are erected to accommodate five new species, which do not fit within any of the current generic concepts in Rhinophoridae, according to the results of a morphology-based phylogenetic analysis: Marshallicona Cerretti & Pape with type species Marshallicona quitu Cerretti & Pape, gen. et sp. nov. (Ecuador); Maurhinophora Cerretti & Pape with type species Maurhinophora indoceanica Cerretti & Pape, gen. et sp. nov. (Mauritius); Neotarsina Cerretti & Pape with type species Neotarsina caraibica Cerretti & Pape, gen. et sp. nov. (Trinidad and Tobago) and Neotarsina andina Cerretti & Pape, sp. nov. (Peru); Kinabalumyia Cerretti & Pape with type species Kinabalumyia pinax Cerretti & Pape, gen. et sp. nov. (Malaysia, Sabah). The genus Aporeomyia Pape & Shima (type species Aporeomyia antennalis Pape & Shima), originally assigned to Tachinidae, is here reassigned to Rhinophoridae based on a reassessment of the homologies of the male terminalia. The following five species-group names, which were previously treated as junior synonyms or nomina dubia, are recognised as valid species names: Acompomintho caucasica (Villeneuve, 1908), stat. rev. [from nomen dubium to valid species]; Acompomintho sinensis (Villeneuve, 1936), stat. rev. [from nomen dubium to valid species]; Stevenia bertei (Rondani, 1865), stat. rev. [from nomen dubium to valid species]; Stevenia sardoa Villeneuve, 1920, stat. rev. [from junior synonym of Rhinophora deceptoria Loew, 1847 to valid species]; Stevenia subalbida (Villeneuve, 1911), stat. rev. [from junior synonym of Rhinophora deceptoria Loew, 1847 to valid species]. Reversal of precedence is invoked for the following case of subjective synonymy to promote stability in nomenclature: Rhinophora lepida (Meigen, 1824), nomen protectum, and Musca parcus Harris, 1780: 144, nomen oblitum. New generic and specific synonymies are proposed for the following two names: Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935, junior synonym of Tromodesia Rondani, 1856, syn. nov. and Ptilocheta tacchetti Rondani, 1865, junior synonym of Stevenia obscuripennis (Loew, 1847), syn. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: Acompomintho sinensis (Villeneuve, 1936), comb. nov. [transferred from Tricogena Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830]; Tromodesia guzari (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935]; Tromodesia intermedia (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935]; Tromodesia lindneriana (Rohdendorf, 1961), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935]; Tromodesia magnifica (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935]; Tromodesia obscurior (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935]; Tromodesia pallidissima (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935]; Tromodesia setiventris (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935] and Tromodesia shachrudi (Rohdendorf, 1935), comb. nov. [transferred from Mimodexia Rohdendorf, 1935].

First report of mitogenome of Subclytia rotundiventris (Diptera, Tachinidae) yielded by next-generation sequencing

The mitochondrial genome of Subclytia rotundiventris (Fallén, 1820) belongs to the subfamily Phasiinae of Tachinidae, was obtained using a next-generation sequencing approach. This 15,574 bp mitogenome consists of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 noncoding control region. Our results strongly supported the monophyly of Tachinidae. It also indicated that the monophyly of the Dexiinae, Tachininae, Phasiinae, and Exoristinae is consistently fully supported and clustered as (Dexiinae (Tachininae (Phasiinae + Exoristinae))).

Molecular phylogeny and evolution of world Tachinidae (Diptera)

We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships within the diverse parasitoid fly family Tachinidae using four nuclear loci (7800 bp) and including an exceptionally large sample of more than 500 taxa from around the world. The position of the earthworm-parasitizing Polleniinae (Calliphoridae s.l.) as sister to Tachinidae is strongly supported. Our analyses recovered each of the four tachinid subfamilies and most recognized tribes, with some important exceptions in the Dexiinae and Tachininae. Most notably, the tachinine tribes Macquartiini and Myiophasiini form a clade sister to all other Tachinidae, and a clade of Palpostomatini is reconstructed as sister to Dexiinae + Phasiinae. Although most nodes are well-supported, relationships within several lineages that appear to have undergone rapid episodes of diversification (basal Dexiinae and Tachininae, Blondeliini) were poorly resolved. Reconstructions of host use evolution are equivocal, but generally support the hypothesis that the ancestral host of tachinids was a beetle and that subsequent host shifts to caterpillars may coincide with accelerated diversification. Evolutionary reconstructions of reproductive strategy using alternative methods were incongruent, however it is most likely that ancestral tachinids possessed unincubated, thick shelled eggs from which incubated eggs evolved repeatedly, potentially expanding available host niches. These results provide a broad foundation for understanding the phylogeny and evolution of this important family of parasitoid insects. We hope it will serve as a framework to be used in concert with morphology and other sources of evidence to revise the higher taxonomic classification of Tachinidae and further explore their evolutionary history and diversification.

The mitochondrial genome of Drino Sp. (Diptera, Tachinidae)

The tachinid fly Drino sp. belongs to the subfamily Exoristinae of Tachinidae. We sequenced and annotated the mitogenome of Drino sp. which makes this species first representative of the tribe Eryciini (Tachinidae: Exoristinae) with nearly complete mitochondrial data. This mitogenome is 15437 bp in total, which consists of 22 transfer RNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs and non-coding control region. All genes have the conservational arrangement with other published species of Tachinidae. The nucleotide composition biases toward A and T, the overall A + T% was up to 80.4% of the entire mitogenome. Bayesian inference analysis strongly supported the monophyly of Tachinidae and Exoristinae. Our results also suggested that Exoristinae is the sister group to Phasiinae, and Dexiinae is the sister group to the clade of Phasiinae + Exoristinae.

Mitochondrial genome analysis of Ectophasia roundiventris (Diptera, Tachinidae)

The mitochondrial genome of Ectophasia roundiventris (Loew, 1858), the first representative of subfamily Phasiinae, was sequenced and annotated. So far, there are four Tachinidae mitochondrial genomes, here, all of them are used in Neighbour-Join and Maximum Likelihood analyses. The nucleotide composition of Ectophasia roundiventris mitochondrial genome was 40.4% of A, 39.0% of T, 11.8% of C, 8.8% of G, 79.4% of A + T content. The codon ATG was the most popular start codon. The conservative stop codon was TAA, COX2, and ND5 terminated with an incomplete stop codon T, while the gene ND4 was ended with stop codon TA.

Redefining the generic limits of Winthemia (Diptera : Tachinidae)

One of the major problems hindering the systematic study of tachinid flies is that genera are often poorly defined, making it difficult to unambiguously assign species among closely related genera. Within the tribe Winthemiini, an example of this problem is represented by the unstable classification of the Afrotropical species most recently classified as Smidtia capensis (Schiner). This species has been previously assigned to four different genera on the basis of limited examination and evidence. Here, we evaluate the identity and phylogenetic affinities of this species and other members of the tribe Winthemiini using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis. We demonstrate that S. capensis actually belongs to the genus Winthemia Robineau-Desvoidy. We also find that Winthemia is paraphyletic with respect to two monotypic genera, Crypsina (type species Crypsina prima Brauer & Bergenstamm) and Hemiwinthemia (type species Hemiwinthemia calva Villeneuve). On the basis of morphological and genetic evidence, we propose to extend the generic limits of Winthemia to include W. londti, sp. nov. (South Africa), W. capensis (Schiner), comb. nov. (South Africa), W. prima (Brauer & Bergenstamm), comb. nov. (China, Japan, Australia) and W. calva (Villeneuve), comb. nov. (D.R. Congo), thus synonymising with Winthemia the generic names Crypsina, syn. nov. and Hemiwinthemia, syn. nov.