1 the Palaearctic Species Resembling (Diptera, Phoridae), Including Two New Species

--J Aniiales Enroniologici Ferinici 54:153-161. 1988

Megaselia pygmaea ’1 The Palaearctic species resembling (Diptera, Phoridae), including two new species

K. H. L. Disney

Disney. R. H. L. 1988: ThePalaearctic species resembling Megaseiiapygmaea (Diptera, Phondac), inciuding two new species. - Ann. Entomoi. Fennici 54:153-161. Keys to both sexes of the phenetic group of species resembling Megaselia pygmaea (Zetterstcclt) are providcd. M. angustiara Schmitz and M. uspera Schmirz are synonymised with M. orybelorwn Schmitz. hf. parvula Schmitz is synonymised with M. brevissimu (Schmik). M. pseudobrevior sp. n. and M. stenoterga sp. n., from the Canary Islands, are described. R. H. L. Disney. Field Studies Council Research Fellow. University Depariment of Zoology, Downing Sneet, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ. England Index words: Diptcra, Phoridae. Megaselia pygnroea complex, new species. new synonyms, keys

The genus Megaselia Rondani is one of the largest and Australasian faunas are covered by Borgmeier genera known. About 1400 species have been (1967a-b) and Disney (1981a-c. 1982b-c, 1986a, described. Estimates suggest the actual total is likely to 1987a). lie between 5,000 and20.000 species (Disney, 1983a). In a recent revision of the British species (Disney, 1988a) an initial total of 191 species was raised to 220 species, after removing 25 by synonymy and revisions The Megaselia pygmaea complex of identification; and adding 54 species, including 23 new to science. The Bntish Phond fauna is the most Collections of Phoridae from the Canary Islands fully documented in the world. madc by Dr. P. Ashmole (Edinburgh University) have The Palaearctic fauna is covered by a recent cata- produced several species which resemble Megaselia logue (Disney, 1988b). Keys to just overhalf the genus pygmea (Zetterstedt). In order to name these it has are available (Schmitz, 19561958, continued as proved necessary to rry to make sense of the often Schmitz 8; Beyer, 1965-1974, Schmitz & Delage, inadequate descriptions of the species omitted from 1974-1981). The rest of the genus is only partly any of the published keys. The confusions are covered by the much-dated keys of Lundbeck (1922); compounded by some species being only known in one npart from the recent key to the males of the British sex. It is also apparent that in the Afrotropicai Region fauna (Disney, 1988a). The rest of the world fauna is there abounds a complex of species ciosely resembling covered as follows. The species formerly in Plas- M. currineura (Brues). Progress with the taxonomy of roplzoru Brues by Colyer & Elberg (1969, see Disney, these will only be made when the known Paiaearctic 1985a, 1986a). The Nearctic fauna is covered by species can be recognised with confidence. Borgmeier (1964, 1966) supplemented by Robinson The phenetic group of species resembling M. (l977,1978,1981),Robinson&Wisseman (1983)and pygmaea can be defined as follows: Disney (198 Id). The Neotropical fauna is covered by blesopleuron bare; scutellum with an anterior pair Borgmeier (1962, 1969a-b, 1971) and Disney of short hairs and a posterior pair of bristles; costal ‘i (1982a). The Afrotropical fauna is covered by Beyer index less than 0.4; costal cilia-short, mostly less than (1965) and Disney (1978, 1980, 1982d). The Oriental O. 1 mm, al1 less than O. 13 mm; knob of hahere yellow. ,

154 Disney: The Palaearctic species resembling Megasefiapygmaea.. .

Lundbeck’s key (1922) included two species, 5. Middle third of veins 4 and 5 subparallcl (Fig. 2B). conforming to this definition, in his Group VI1 couplets Only 3 costal cilia on leading edge of costal sections 2 + 3. Hypopygium as Fig. 3C ...... rienoierga sp. n. 8-19. These were M. pygniaea, which he also keyed - Only sccond quaricr of veins 4 and 5 subparallel. Al out separately under the synonym M. brachyneura leas 4 coslal cilia on lcading edge of costal sections 2 (Egger), and M.berndseni (Schmitz), which he also + 3. Hypopygium otherwise...... insecia Schmitz keyed out under the synonym M. pygmaeoides 6. The outcrmost axillary brislle about same length as costal cilia on leading edge of costal section 3 (Fig. (Lundbeck). The widely distributedM. curtineura was 449 in Disney, 1988a), at most only a little longcr also known at this time but had not then been recorded (e 1.3 x) ...... 7 from the Palaearctic Region. Its male falls within this - The outermost axillary bristle clearly longer than group of species, but its female is excluded by having costal cilia of section 3 (Fig. 450 in Disney, 1988a) .. 10 7. Notopleuron with only 2 bristles. Costal index 2 pairs of bnstles on the scutellum. The female is keyed < 0.37. Costal cilia on leading edge of costal section out by Schmitz & Delage (1981). Since Lundbeck’s 3 short (< 0.08 mm) ...... 8 monograph a further 13 species have been descnbed - Notopleuron with 3 bristles. Costal index > 0.37. Costal cilia longer (> 0.08 mm) ...... laeviceps Schmitz from the Palaearctic Region. Five of these were 8. Lobc from left side of rear edge oí hypnndrium descnbed from females only and one from the male relatively long and postcro-dorsal region of epandrium only. In preparing a key to the mal& of Bntish with some hairs (Fig. 447 in Disney, i988a) ...... Megaselia (Disney, 1988a) M. pygmaeoides was ...... brevior (Schmitz) - Lobe from left side of hypandrium relatively short and synonymised with M. berndseni (Disney, 1985b) and postero-dorsal region of hypandrium usually bare M.brevior (Schmitz) added to the Bntish List (Disney, (Figs. 1A and IB) ...... 9 19 87 b) . 9. Hypopygium as Fig. 1A. in particular with longer lobe from left side of hypandrium which has some brown pigmcnt along outer margin ...... brevissitrm (Schmiiz) - Hypopygium as Fig. lB, with shorter and unpig- rnented lobe from left side of hypandrium ...... Keys to the Palaearctic species ...... pseudobrevior spn. 10. Costal cilia of leading edge of costal section 3 longer (> 0.08 mm. Fig. in Disney, 1988a). Hypo- The following keys deal with the Palacarctic species of thc see 450 pygium as Fig. 451 in Disncy (1988a). (Lowcr faces Megaseliapygnineacomplex. Noteson someof tiic spccies 1 have of labella of proboscis with dense ficlds oí short, palc examined are given below. Figures of all specics cxamined by spines) ...... berndreni (Sc hm itz) myself are provided. unless thesc have bcen figured in my rrxent - Costal cilia of section 3 shorter (< 0.08 mm). Hypo- key (Disney. 1988a). The other species have bcen included on the pygium otherwise ...... 11 basis of the published descripuons alone. The latter should be 11. Hypopygium as Fig. 1C ...... oxybelorum Schmitz consulted to confim the identification of specimens. - Hypopygium otherwise ...... exrecta Schmitz + iniersecra Schmitz Note. The male of M. iniersecia is not known and the dcscription of M. esecia’s maie is inadequak. Key to males

1. Vein 3 unforked ...... abludens Schmitz - Vein 3 forked...... 2 Key to females 2. Hind femur yellow wilh sharply contrasting dark apex ...... 3 1. Vein 3 unforked ...... abludens Schmiu. - Hind femur variously darkened, and if basal half is - Vein 3 forked...... 2 dirty yellow it only gmdually darkcns towards apcx .... 4 2. Scutellum with 4 bristles, the anterior pair usually 3. Labella of proboscis enlarged and with dcnsc ficlds of bcing a littlc lcss robust than the posterior pau. (Legs numerous short pale spines below. Dorsal face of largcly ycllow apart from contrasting dark apex 10 hind epandrium about two-thuds lcngth of lowcr margin of fcmur. Hind margins of abdominal tergites 2-5 lcft side (Fig. 435 in Disncy, 1988a) ...... y ello w .) ...... cwrineura (Bws) ...... p);gniaea(Zettcrstcdt) - Scutcllum with an antcrior pair of short, finc hairs and - Labella not enlarged and with only a few short pale a posterior pair of bristles ...... 3 spines below. Dorsal facc of epandrium only about 3. Hind fcmur yellow with sharply conlrasting dark apcx. half length of lower margin of ieft side (Fig. 2A) ...... (Abdominal tergites as Fin. 3A). .Dygmaea (Zettcrstedt) ...... cwiineura (Bms) - Hind femur variously d&kened,. Énd if basal hall is Note: hf. ieucorona and M. su~urellowill also key out dirty ycllowish it only graduaily darkens iowards apex. 4 hcre, but their males have not yet bcen dcscribcd. 4. Vcins 4 and 5 convergc and then divcrge (Fig. 2C). 4. Second quarter to middle third (Fig. 2B) of vcins 4 and Tcrgites 3 and 4 of abdomen greatly narrowed (Fig. 5 subparallel ...... 5 3B) ...... sienoterga sp. n. - Veins 4 and 5 divergent throughout (Fig. 439 in Dis- - Veins 4 and 5 divcrgcnt throughout. If tergites 3 and 4 ney, 19YSa) ...... 6 are narrowcd they are still broader than in Fig. 3B ...... 5 Ann. Entomol. Fennici 54:4. 1988 155

5. Thorax and antcnnac somcwhat ycllowish orangc...... u~~ellaSchmitz - Thorax and antcnnuc brown LO dark brown ...... 6 6. Abdominal tcrgitc 6 and rcar half of 5 almosi dcvoid oí' pigment ...... leucozona Schmiu - Abdominal tcrgites 1-6 dark brown ...... 7 7. Hind margin of abdominal tcrgitc 4 a liitle lo clearly broadcr han íront margin of tcrgiic 5 (c.g. Figs. 4A. C&D)...... 8 - Hind margin of tcrgite 4 narrower lhan front margin of I tcrgitc 5 (c.g. Figs. 3A & D) ...... 12 E 8. With only 2 bristles on notoplcuron ...... 9 - With 3 bristlcs on notoplcuron. (Costal indcx > 0.37) ...... laevfcepsSchmitz 9. Costal cilia of lcading edge of scciion 3 distinctly longcr than space encloscd by íork of vcins 2 + 3; and axillaiy bristlcs rclaiively long (Fig. 450 in Disncy. 1988a) ...... ber~e~(Schmitz) - Costal cilia of section 3 at mostpnly as long as fork of vcins 2 + 3; and axillary brisilcs rclativcly short (Fig. 449 in Disncy, 1988a)...... 10 10. Hind margin of abdominal tcrgiie 5 with a distinct median emargination (Fig. 4A). ...pseudobrevior sp. n. . - Hind margin of tergite 5 almost slraight. wiih at most a very slight emargination (Figs. 4C & D )...... 11 11. Axiliary bristles distincily longcr than costal cilia of Fig. 1. Malc hypopygia viewed from left sidc. - A: Megaselia section 3. Abdominal tergites as Fig. 4D ...... brevissima; B: M. pseudobrevior; C M. oxybelorum...... brevissim (Schmitz) - - - Axillary bristlcs at most subcqual lo costal cilia of - Scale bar = 0.1 mm. section 3 (Fig. 449 in Disney, 1988a). Abdominal tcrgites as Fig. 4C ...... brevior (Schmitz) 12. Hind margin of abdominal icrgitc 4 morc [han two thirds width of front margin of tcrgite 5 (Fig. 3D) ..:...... oxybelorum Schmitz length ranges from 0.8-1.3 mm and in females from - Hind margin of tergitc 4 about half, or less, the width 1.O -1.7 mm. The costal index ranges from0.2&0.34 in of íront margin oí tcrgiic 5 ...... 13 nmles and 0.274.35 in females. Specimens with a 13. Lcngth of abdominal tergitc 4 clearly greater than shoner wing and costal index agree with the breadth of its front margin. (Costal indcx c 0.34. Costal section 1 > 2 x sections 2 + 3) ...... descriptionofM. brevissima.Those with alongerwing ...... exsecia Schmitz and costal index apee with the descnption of M. - Length of tcrgitc 4 at most as great as brcadth of its parvula. Some specimens are intermediate. M.parvula front margin ...... 14 was descnbed from a male and female from 13. Costal index < 0.34. Costal section 1 > 2 x sections 2 + 3 ...... iniersecra Schmitz Daghestan, USSR. 1 have examined slide-mounted - Costal index > 0.34. Costal scction 1 < 2 x sections wings of a male and female from the Schmitz 2 + 3 ...... insecra Schmitz collection (these are probably from the holotype and paratype, but the slides lack data labels). The male wing is 1.0 mm long with a costal index of 0.31432. Kolcs on species The female wing is 1.2 mm with an index of 0.33. 1 can discover no character that will reliably distinguish M.parda from M. brevissima. The former iVegnselia brevissiina (Schnii t z) must, therefore, be treated as a synonym of the latter. (Figs. IA, 4B,4D, 5D) Apliiochaeia brevissinla Schmiu, 1924: 85 híegaselia parvula Schmitz, 1930: 69. - Syn. nov. Megnselia oxybelorum Schrnitz (Figs. lC, 3D, 5G, 5M) This species was described from a single female from Yugoslavia. Schmitz (1928) provided a photo- Megatelia ogbelorum Schniiu, 1928: 131 graph of the wing. Megarelia aspera Schmik. 1930 68. - Sgn. nov. A series of specimens from the canaryIsla,,&, of Megateh angrrsiiara Schmiu. 1936: 76.- Sgn nov. uhnt is clearly one species, exhibits araiige of variation M.aspera was descnbed fram a male and female, in the wing length and costal index. In males the wing but the descnption of the latter was very brief. The 156 Disney: The Palaearctic species resembling Megaselia pygmaea.. . --- -

5 AA-

- Fig. 3. Megaselia species. -M.A pygmuea female ahdc Fig. 2. Megaselia species. -A:M. curiineura male hypopygium tergites; - B: M. sienoierga femaie abdominal icrgites: viewed from Icft sidc; - B: M. sienoierga wing Of -c: M.sienoierga male hypopygium viewed from lcft sidc; M.stenorerga wing of femaie. - Scale bars = O. 1 mm. M.oxybelorum fernaie abdominal tergites. (h'umbers refcr gite number). - Scale bars = 0.1 mm. single female of M. angustiara was more fully de- two 'species' are in fact a single species. HoweL scribed. Apart from somewhat more yellow in the females of the Canary Islands series also agree colounng of the legs of the latter the descnptions make description of M. oxybelorum, ailowing for oiiii. it difficult to distinguish the two females. 1 have with respect to characters which permit c examined the slide-mounted wings of Schmitz's comparison withlaterdescribed speciesand in th specimens of M. aspera (which are probably from the of the present awareness of the variation in costal holotype and paratype, but the slides lack data labels) and the costal index. Of particular note is the : and confirm the sexual dimorphism in the costal ratios. dimorphism in the degree of robustness of the ar 1 have a series of males and females from the Ca- pair of hairs on the scutellum, which are dist nary Islands whose wings ag-ree with those o€M. as- stronger on the females from the Canay Islands t pera. Furthermore the legs of the females tend to have the males. Schmitz (1928) particularly noted tha more extensive yellow areas than the males. The males hairs were stronger in M. oxybelorum females I are compatible with the description of the male of M. related species. aspera and the females with the detailed descnption of 1 have remounted a pair of drimaged spei M. angustiara (which is only known from a single, from the Schmitz collection (labelled No. 4: pinned type specimen, but the descnption by Schmitz, mbuted to M. oxybelorumin 1942.Thesedonot 1936, includes a photograph of a wing). 1conclude the to this species, as evidenced by details of th Ann. Entomol. Fennici 54:4. 1988 157 ,

A C

3 D

Fig. 5.Megaselra females. A-H=Dufour’s mechanism in neckof crop. FM = egg frorn a gravid individual. - A: M.curtineuru, - B: M pseudobrevior; - C: M. sienoierga; - D: M. bre- Fig. 4. Megaselia fernales. A: pseudobrevior abdominal - M. vissima; - E: M. brevior; - F: M.pygmaea; - G: M. oxy- tergi tes; -B: 61. brevissimo egg frorn gravid individual;- C: M. belorum; - H: M. berndseni; - 1: M. pseudobrevior: - J: brevior abdominal tergiies; - D: M. brevissima abdominal ter- M. curtineura; - K: M.pygmaea; - L M. sienoierga; - M: Sites. (Nurnbers refer lo tergite number). -Scale bars = O. 1 mrn. M. oxybelorum. - Scale bars = 0.1 mm.

e hypopygium. It seems that Schmitz added specimens frons than antero-laterals. The three bnstles almost e of another species to his seriesof ‘M.oxybelonlm’ and equidistant. Pre-oc+rs about as far apart as upper s then entenained a misleading concept of the species. SA’s and about same distance from medio-laterals ora i1 In conclusion M. aspera and M. angustiara are both little closer toeach other than tolatter. Antennae brown it synonyms of M. ogbeIorum. and subspherical. Palps pale yellow brown with h S bristles in apical half. Externai face with an irregular :1 shallow pit. Proboscis with pde brown labrurn and ,r Megaseliapseudobrevior sp. n. simple labella bearing only a few spines below. y (Figs. lB, 4A, 5B,51) Thorax brown with a bare mesopleuron. Noto- n pleuron with only two bristles and no cleft. Scutellum F As is evident from the keys this species is close to with an antenorpairofminute hairsandapostenorpair 1 M. brevior and M. brevissima. of bnstles. Male: Fronsdark brown and alittle wider than high. Abdomen with brown tergites and brownish grey 9 With 120-140 hairs. Lower supra-antennal bnstles a venter. Hairs on tergites extremely short and fine, in- - little shorter and less robust than iipper pair, and cluding ut rearof tergite 6. Venter with a few short hairs Z situated a little closer together than latter. Upper SA’s on segments 4-6, but only at al1 obvious on 6. 2 slightly lower than antialc, which are a little lower on Hypopygium as Fig. IB. Brown with brownish anal 158 Disney: The Palaearctic species resembling Megaselia pygmaea.. . tube and pale, shortish lobe from left side of hypan- apical half. Externa1 face only slightly pitted. driuni. Internally with 4 rectal papillae. Proboscis with pale brown labrum and simple labella Al1 legs brownish but front legs and base of hind with only a few pale spines at outer, dista1 niargins. femur, in particular, somewhat more yellowish. A Thorax brown with bare mesopleuron. Noto- postero-dorsal hair palisade on segments 1-4 of fore pleuron with only two bristles and no cleft. Scutellum tarsus. Hind femur with 5-7 hairs below basal half with an anteriorpairofminute hairs andapostenorpair which are not long, but are clearly longer than those of of bristles. antero-ventral row of apical half. Abdomen with brown tergites and brownisli Wings very similar to those of M.brevior (Fig. 449 venter. Hairs short and fine, including at rearof tergite in Disney, 1988a). Length 1.2-1.6 mm. Costal index 6. Venter with a few short hairs on segments 4-6, but 0.34-0.36. Costal ratios 2.8-3.4 : 0.8-1.1 : 1. Costal only obvious on 6. Hypopygium with reduced lobes cilia 0.05-0.06 mm. Usually with a small hair at base from hind margin of hypandrium (Fig. 3C). Generally of vein 3, but missing from one wing in one specimen. brown apart froni paler anal tube and hypandrial lobes. With 2 bristles on axillary ridge. The outer, longer, one Internally only 2 rectal papillae discemed. is subequal to costal cilia ón leading edge of section 3. Al1 legs greyish to brownish with paler regions. A Menibrane lightly tinged yellowish grey. Haltere with postero-dorsal hair palisade on segnients 1-3 of fore dark stem and yellow knob. tarsus. Hind femur with 3-5 hairs below basal hrilf Female: Head very similar to male, with slightly which are clearly longer than those of antero-ventral smaller antennae. Thorax as male, with slightly row of apical half. stronger anterior pair of hairs on scutellum. Abdomen Wings (Fig. 2B) with veins 4 and 5 subparallel in colounng and venter hairing as in male. Tergites brown middle sections. Length 0.9-1.1 mm. Costal index and as Fig. 4A. Internally with 4 rectal papillae; and a 0.33-0.35. Costal ratios 3.2-3.3 : 0.7-1.0 : 1. Costal pale, posteriorly bilobed, Dufour’s mechanism in the cilia 0.05-0.06 mm. Vein 3 with or without a minute crop (Fig. 5B). Wing length 1.3-1.6 mm. Costal index hair at base. Membrane lightly tinged greyish. Haltere 0.34-0.36. Costal ratios 3.1-3.7 : 1.1-1.5 : 1. Costal with dark stem and yellow knob. cilia O.OM.07 mm. Otherwise wings and halteres as Female: Very similar to male. The anterior pair of male. hairs on scutellum are notably stronger than in male, but are still not bristle-like. Abdomen with tergites 3 Typc material Holotype: O, Canary Islands, Laniarote, 30.111.-3.1V.1985 and 4 strikingly narrow (Fig. 3B). Internally with 4 (P. Ashmolc) (in Cambndge Univcrsity Zoology Museum). rectal papillae and a Dufour’s niechanism with a sim- Paratypes: 560,599 same daia as holotypc except daies are ple rounded posterior end (Fig. 5C). 24.111.-3.1V.1985. Wings(Fig. 2C) with stnkingconvergenceofveins 4 and 5 in outerhalf. Length 1.2-1.5 nim. Costal index 0.34-0.37. Costal ratios 3.3-5.0 : 0.7-1.0 : 1. Costal cilia 0.06-0.07 mm. -Megaselia sfenoterga sp. n. (Figs: 2B, 2C, 3B, 3C, 5C, 5L) Type material Holoiype: Q, Canary Islands,El Hierro, 1-5.IV.1987 (p. This is a very distinctive species. In both sexes the Ashmolc) (In Cambridge University Zoology Muscum). wing veins are notable and in the female the abdominal Paraiypes: 2c3O. IQ samedata as holotypcexcepi femaIc isdatcd tergites are striking. 2-6.1V. 1987. Male: Fronsdark brown and about as wide as high. With 110-140 hairs. Lower supra-antennal bristles distinctly shorter and less robust than upper pair, and Discussion situated a little closer together than latter. The upper SA’s a little lower on frons than anticils, which are Some females of M. citrtineura from Israel (sent bj distinctly lower than antero-laterals. Antials clearly Y. Nussbaum) and one paratype femaie of M. closer to upper SA’s than to antero-laterals. Pre- pseitdobrevior are heavily infested with Nematodes in ocellars about as far apart as upper SA’s and a little their abdomens. Richardson et al. (1977) hnve de- further from the medio-laterals than they are from each scribed a nematode as a parasite of M. hnlieruili other. Antennae subspherical, brown, and somewhat (Wood). small (the diameter of segment three being only 0.08 M. o.rybelonun is known to breed iri the paralysec rnm or less). Palps brownish yellow with 6 bristles in prey (not the larva, as incorrectly translated b) Ann. Entomol. Fennici 54:4. 1988 159

. Robinson, 1971) of the solitary wasp Oxybeliu character. This feature is illustrated for the eight 1 iinigtimis (Linn.) (Schmitz, 1928). It has also been species 1 have on slides (Fig. 5A-H). The strikingly reared from the egg pods of a locust, along with M. long postero-lateral lobes in M. brevissima, M. brevior, brevissima (Schmitz, 1930). In a slide-mounted gravid M. curtineura and M. pseudobrevior suggest these four female there are only two mature eggs, which are species form part of a single clade. This grouping tends tinusually rounded (Fig. 5M). This contrasts with other to suggest that the strong anterior scutellars in the species of this complex (Figs. 51-L). A gravid female female of M. curtineiira are one end of a series in which of M. ciirtineura was carrying at least 14 relatively the anterior scutellars in the female are stronger than small, mattire eggs (Fig. 5J). It is a polyphagous those in the rnale. The character should not be given the snprophage (Robinson, 197 1). Reanng records for taxonomic weight it has received in the past. other species whose eggs are illustrated (Figs. 4B, The species with narrowed abdominal tergites 3 51-L) need to be treated with caution because of and 4 in the female (Fig. 3A, B & D),whose Dufour’s taxonomic confusions. Other maxirnurn egg numbers mechanism is known (Fig. 5C, F and G), have the latter recorded so far for gravid females are as follows: M. simple, not bilobed. M. berndseni also has a simple brevissima - 20, hl. pseiidobrevior - 10, M. sreno- Dufour’s mechanisrn (Fig. 5H) but its abdominal terga - 2. In the genus Piiliciphnra Dahl and Diplo- tergites are normal. Its male has spinose labella, as does nevra Lioy there is evidence that a reduced egg the male of M.pygrnaea. If, therefore, M. berndseni is nuniber, as well as somewhat larger than normal eggs, thereby related to M. pygmaea, and the M. pygmaea is associated with parasitoid or specialised predator group (M. pygmaea, M. srenoferga and M. hnbits (Disney, 1986b, 1988~).M. berndseni breeds in oxybelorum, along with M. exsecra, M. intersecta and fungi (e.g Eisfelder, 1956). M.pygmaea would appear M. insecta-speculating that these three have asimple to beapolyphagous saprophage (Robinson, 1971), but Dufour’s rnechanisrn) is a monophyletic group, then the diversity ofpabularecordedcould be areflectionof M. berndseni would become the sister taxon to this taxonomic confusions in the past. group. The spinose labella would then have to be The range of variation in the costal ratios in the treated as plesiornorphic. If this feature is apomorphic highly distinctive female M. stenoferga highlights the then its presence in both M. berndseni and M.pygmaea inadvisability of giving toomiich taxonomic weight to would be due to convergence. The functional signif- such differences. In particular the validity of the icance of spinose labella is not known. In Lauxaniidae distinction between M. infersecta and M. insecra is elaborately spinose labella are associated with fungal called into question, especially as the male of the grazing (Broadhead, 1984). In Megaselia spinose former is not known. Only fresh, slide-mounted, labella are associated with the male sex only, orelse the specimens are likely to resolve this. fields of spines are more extensive in the male than in The group of species treated above was selected as the fernale of the same species. a phenetic group. The qtiestion can be asked as to Until rhe species presently only known as dried, whether al1 or part of the group is monophyletic. It is damaged, specimens on pins are available as slide- recognised that “the freqtiency of partial con,gruence mounted specirnens further speculation is unwar- between the results of phenetic analysis and phyloge- ranted. However it is clear that the Dufour’s mecha- netic cladistic analysis means the former may be a nism of the females and the labella of the males need iiseful means of performing a preliminary sorting of a documenting for these species. complex of similar species. This then needs adjusting by critica1 phylogenetic cladistic analysis” (Disney, Acknowledgement: I am graieful to Dr. H. Ulnch (Zooi- 1983b). ogisches Forschungsinstiiut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Dufour’s mechanism in the crop of females (Dis- Bonn) for Lhe loan of valuable specimens from [he Schmitz ney, 1987c) has been highlighted asausefiil taxonomic colleciion.

Referen ces

Beycr. E. M. 1965: Phoridae (Diptera Brachycera). - Explo- Phonden verschiedcner Gaitungcn (Dipi. Phondae). - raiionduParcNationai Albcrt.MissionG. F. De W¡tle(l93> Siuciia Eniomoi. 5:289488. 1935) 99:l-211. - 1964: Revision of the Nonh Amcrican Phorid flies. Partil. Tne Borgmeicr, T. 1962: Versuch einer Uebcrsicht uebcr die neo- spccies of lhe genus Mcgaselia. subgcnus Aphiochaew tropischen hkgaselia-Anen, sowic neue oder uenig bekannie (Diptera, Phoridae). - Studia Entomol. 7:257-416. l

160 Disney: The Palaearctic species resembling Megaselia pygmaea.. .

- 1966 Revision of the North Amencan Phond flies. Pan iil. - 1985b: Records of scuttle flics (Dipiera: Phoridae) from The species of ihe genus hkgaselia. subgenus Megaselia Flatford hfill, including two spccies new u) Britain.-Trans. (Diplera, Phoridae). - Studia Entornol. 8:1-160 (1965). Sufíolk Nat. Soc. 21:13-17. - 1967a: Studies on Indo-Australian Phorid flies, based rnainly -1986a: A new genus and three new spccies of Phoridae on material of he Museum of Comparative Zoology and the (Diptera) parasitizing ants (Hyrnenoptera) in Sulawesi. - J. United States National Museum (Diptera, Phoridae). - Nai. Hist 20:777-787. Studia Entornol. 9:129-328 (1966). - 1986b: Two remarkable new spccies of scuttle-fly (Dipuira: - 196%: Studies on Indo-Australian Phorid flies. based rnainly Phoridae) ihat parasitize iermites (isoptera) in Sulawcsi. - on material of the Museum of Comparative Zoology and the Systematic Entomology 1 k413-422. United States National Museum. Pan II (Dipkra, Phoridae). - 1987a: A new gcnus and two new species of Phoridae (Dipt.) - Studia Entornol. 1081-276. from nests of ants (Hyrn., Formicidae) in Sulawesi. - - 1969a: Brcdin-Archbold-SmithsonianBiological Survey of Entomol. Mon. Mag. 123:157-161. Dominica: The Phoridae of Dominica (Diptera). - - 1987b Two spccies of scuttie fly (Diptera: Phondae) new to Smithsonian Conuib. Zool.23:1-69. British List. -Entomol. Rec. J. Var. 99:243-244. - 1969b: New or littie-known Phond flies. mainly of the Neo- - 1987c: Observations on a peculiar mcchanism in thc crop of tropical Region (Diptera. Phondae). - Studia Entornol. some Phoridac (Diptera) and its taxonornic value. - J. Nat. 12:33-132. Hist 21975-280. - 1971: Furiher studies on Phond flics, mhnly of the Neo- - 1988a: Scuttle Flies - Diptera Phoridac Genus Megasclia tropical Region (Diptera,Phondae).-StucjiaEntornol. 14: 1- (males only). - Handbook Ident. Brit. Insccts, 10in prcss. 172. - 1988b: Phoridac. In A. Soos (Ed.) 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- 1956: Phoridae. - In Lindner. E. (Ed.): Die Fkgen der - 1974: Phondae. - In Lindner, E. (Ed.): Die Fliegen der palaearktischen Region 4(33)(Lief. 187):3694 16. palaearktischen Region 4(33) (Lief. 301):609437. - 1958: Phondae. - In Lindner, E. (Ed.): Die Flicgen der Schmitz, H. & De1age.A. 1974: Phondae.-InLindner.E.(Ed.): palaearktischen Region 4(33)(Lief. 202):465-5 12. Die Fliegen der palaearktischen Region 4(33)(Lief. Schmitz, H. & Beyer, E. 1965: Phoridae. -In Lindner, E. (Ed.): 301):638-664. Dic Fliegen der palaearktischen Region 4(33)(Licf. 258, - 1981: Phondae. - In Lindner, E. (Ed.): Die Fliegen der : 260):513408. palaearktischen Region 4(33)(Lief. 325):665-712.

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