T H E W A S l\1 A N N J 0 U R N A L 0 F B I 0 L 0 G Y

VOL. 11 , No. 1 SPRI!'iG, 1953

A Review of the Myopa m North America (Diptera: )

SIDNEY CAMRAS, 13 /J •'outh Keele1· A venue. Chi · cago, Illinois

The present paper is a continuation of studies of the Nearctic Conopidae. The species in this group are remarkable in having one of two distinct type.· of female genital plates, without any intermediates, in otherwise very similar species. It is therefore an ideal genus in which to test the value of the male genitalia in this family. These were studied, and found to be disappointing, for I was unable to find any differences in the male genitalia in species having different femal e genital plates. However, I must state that thi.· was my first attempt at studying genitalia, and a more experienced worker may find differences that I have overlooked. The only differences in the male genitalia that I was able to find are three forms of the seventh abdominal tergite. And of these, one is a variation of another. Most of the species (those listed before couplet 13 of the key), have a rounded, elongated prong projecting medial ly from the ventral margin of the seventh tergite. In Myopa f cn estmta Coquillett the prong is triangular in for·m, having a wider base and not projecting as much. 111 yo pet pulchra Coquillett would undoubtedly be simi­ lar to M. f enestmtct hut is the only species not dissected. Myopa willistoni Banks is similar to JII. f en estmtct, but the tip is morr rounded. In M. vica1·ia the typical form has almost complett• absence of the pt'Ong, but in a specimen of the melanistic form , the prong· approaches that of M. f enestrata.. It was interesting­ to find that M. rnelanderi Banks which is superficially mo1·r similar to M. willistoni, had the genitalia of the other less simi­ lar species. Later a new species was found (M. bohartonmt ),

Received for publication September 12, 1951. [ 97 l 98 THE WAS MANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, V oL. 11, 1953

which is intermediate between lJII. m elander i and the other spe­ cies listed before it in the key. Parsons ( 1948, page 235) , in his fin e review of the North American Conopidae, suggested division of the genus on the basis of the two types of female genital plates. Howner, as has been shown, the male genitalia do not support the importance of this character. In arranging the species, I have attempted to place the more "primitive" species first, and t he more "specialized" species afterward. I have selected the following character.- and clas­ sified them as primitive or specialized . In some cases it is easy to decide which character is more specialized; but in others, it is probably impossible to ever say with certainty. Primitive Specialized Short female genital plate Long female genital plate Male genital prong elongated Male genital prong short First posterior cell closed First posterior cell open Abdomen reddish Abdomen blackish Abdominal hairs dark Abdominal hairs light Anterior femur narrow Anterior femur thickened Wing unmarked Wing patterned 'l.'hus M. cu1·t-icornis Krober has six and one-half primitive characters and one-half specialized (fi rst posterior cell some­ times open) ; while M. willistoni and M. f enestrata haYe two primitive and fi ve specialized characters. The key has also been prepared, to group the species somewhat phylogen e tical l ~ · . The present study is based on a large series of specimens received through the courtesy of the following individuals and institutions: J. Bequaert (Museum of Comparative Zoology), G. E. Bohart, C. H . Curran (American Museum of ~ at ional History), W. J. Gerhard (Chicago Natural History Museum), P. D. Hurd, Jr. (University of California), lVI. 'l.'. J ames (Wash­ ington State College), E. L. Kessel (California Academy of Sciences), G. F. Knowlton (Utah State Coll ege of Agricul ­ ture), H. Oldroyd (British 1\tfuseum), C. W. Sabrosk,v (United States National Museum), and A. J. Walz (UniYersit,v of Idaho). In addition to J. Bequaert, J . E. Collin, and H. Old­ royd have kindly compared some of my specimens with types in the collections under their care. REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA-CAMRAS 99

KEY TO NOII'l'l-1 A:li1EUICAN SPECU: S OF MYOPA

1. Wings unmarked; or if patterned, first post erior cell is closed.... 2 Wings patterned, at least clouded at cross-veins. First postel'ior cell open ...... 13

2. Anterior cross-vein not thickened. Costal "stigma," if present, dark ...... 3 A nterior cross-vein thickened. Costal "stigma" yellowish ...... 12

3. Abdominal ha ir black...... 4 Abdominal hair predominantly white or yellowish ...... 11

4. Abdome n predominantly redd•ish ...... 5 Abdomen predominantly black...... 8

5. Male abdomen less pollinose, especially on the fifth segment. Fe­ ma le genital plate short...... 6 Male abdomen more pollinose, especially on the fifth segm ent. Fe- male genital plate long. (Western.) ...... M. p eTplexa, new species

6. Abdomen with pollinose markings less distinct. Male abdomen more circular...... 7 Abdome n with distinct pollinose markings. Abdomen long and cylindrical, especially in male. (North American.) ...... 111. cl ausa Loew

7. Abdomen moderately pollinose, less shiny. Hairs moderately long and dense. First posterior cell closed, but sometimes open. Size s maller , 6-8 mm. (Westem.) ...... M. cu1·ticontis Krober Abdomen with almost no pollen , shiny. Hairs short and sparse. First posterior cell almost always open. Size large!', 7-10 mm. (Westem.) ...... M. mbida (Bigot) 8. Abdominal pollen grayish white...... 9 Abdominal pollen golden yellow. (Southwestem.) ...... 111. plebeia Williston

9. Size la rger, 8- 9 mm. Abdomen usually reddish on the sides. Fourth segment without a middle pollinose stripe ...... 10 Size smaller, 61h-8 mm. Abdomen not more .than slightly r eddish on sides. Fourth segment usually with middle pollinose s tl·ipe. (Eastern.) ...... M. v i1·g inica Banks

10. Abdominal hair short. (Western.) ...... M. castanea (Bigot) Abdominal hair long. (Western.) ...... M. longi11ilis Banks

11. Abdomen reddish. (Western.) ...... M. flav o11ilosa Krober Abdomen black, or if reddish it is dark, not rufous. (North Amel'i- can.) ...... M. vesic1tlosa Say 100 THE WASMANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL 11, 1953

12. First posterior cell hyaline or slightly darkened. Abdomen with longitudinal pollinose stripe. (Western.) ...... M. bohm·tonon, new species First posterior cell with dark spot. Abdomen with stripe confined to terminal segments. (Western. ) ...... M. melande?"i Banks

13. Wings hyaline except for da rk clouds at cross-veins. (North American.) ...... M. v i ca?"ia Walker Wings heavily patte rned ...... 14

14. Wing pattern spotted. (Western.) ...... M . wi.llistoni Banks Wing pattern dark with hyaline ma rkings ...... 15

15. Thorax and abdomen with conside rable rufous coloration. Basal third of wing yellowish. (Mexican .) ...... M. pul chm Coquillett Thorax and abdomen dark, without rufous a reas. Basal fourth of wing yellowish. ( Mexican.) ...... M. t enestmt(t Coquillett

Myopa curticornis Krober. Myo1Ja c1t1·ticornis KRiiBER, 1916, page 32. 'l'his is considered the basic species from which the others in t his complex (M. rubida, JII . clausa, and Jl!f. pe1 · pl e ~(l, ) arc de­ rived. Intermediates occur between all of these species, and at one tim e I felt that they should be considered one great !~ - vari­ able species. Howevet·, the differences between the female geni­ tal plate characteristic of one species, without any intermediates, a nd the presence of different fo rm s in the same regions without jntermediates, support the contention that we are dealing with oistinct species in spite of the occasional occurrence of in ter­ g rades. Populations f rom various localities show geographic varia­ tions which help complicate the group. Thus, Utah specim ens of Jll. curtic01·nis are on the average small er t han California specimens; moreover the first posterior cell is more closed and ])etiolate in the Utah specimens. 'I' he distinguishing characters for this complex have been tabulated, but the differences can be best appreciated b~ - com­ parison of specimens. Intermediates will frequently show char­ acters of two species, as well as intergradation between two characters, and are very difficult to assign as to species. T~rpi­ cal specimens, however, are very distinct. RANGE: Rocky Mountain and West Coast States (Washing- REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA-CAMRAS 101 ton, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, and California). One specimen from Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico, is a discolored male, and may belong to M. pe1·plexa or another species. A total of 180 specimens were examined .

Myopa rubida (Bigot). Glossigona ntbida BIGOT, 1887, page 206. Myopa t ec tuTa ADAMS, 1903, page 35. Myopa clausa var. apeTta RoD ER, 1889, page 5. Myo11a seminuda. B ANK S , 1916, page 198. This species is commonest in Washington and the most typi­ cal specimens are from that state. In Bigot's original series, the supposed males include two females with short female genital plates. His female belongs to the species described below (M. perplex ct ) , but his descrip­ tion is based on the other specimens, and applies to this species. Specimens have been compared with the type series b~ · J. E . Collin. Bigot's type locality of Colorado is erroneous as his specimens are labelled from California, or Washington Territory. RANGE: Northern Rocky Mountain and West Coast States (California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Wyo­ ming, and Colorado) . A total of 95 specimens were examined.

Myopa clausa Loew. Myopa cla·usa LoE w, 1866, page 101. This is the only species of this complex that occurs in the East, and these specimens are quite distinct ; but in the West intermediates with M. curticomis and M. 1·ubida occm·. How­ ever, typical specimens also occur in the Western States. Some populations from California lack the pollinose markings, and Wyoming (Grand 'reton) specimens sometim es haYe the first posterior cell open. The proboscis may be quite short even in Eastern speci­ mens; also the second antenna! segment may be relative!? short, especially in smaller individuals. The two sizes of the proboscis occur in one series from North Carolina (Highlands) and show that structural differences may be of less importance than color in this group. RANGE: Southern Canada and United States (lV[ain c to 1-' 0 TABLE I "" Distinguishing chamct m·istics ot the S1J eci es of the Myopa curticornis-complex

M. Ctt?"tiC01"nis M. ntbida 111. c!a1tsa, 111. pe1·1Jlexa ~ Abdomen duller, less Abdomen shiny Abdomen shiny Abdomen duller, less ::X:: shiny shiny l?=.1 Abdominal pollen moder­ Abdominal pollen mini­ Abdominal pollen moder­ Abdominal pollen exten­ ~ ate in extent mal, frequently absent ate in extent sive, frequently cover­ :» Ul ing entire 5th abdom­ s:: inal segment :» Abdominal pollinose Abdominal pollinose Abdominal pollinose Abdominal pollinose z areas intergrading areas less intergrad­ areas distinct from areas intergrading z with unmarked areas ing with unmarked unmarked areas with unmarked areas t.; 0 areas q Abdominal hair moder­ Abdominal hair short and Abdominal hair short Abdominal hair usually z~ ately long and dense sparse and sparse relatively long and :» dense t"' Male abdomen circular Male abdomen circular Male abdomen elongated Male abdomen circular 0 and more flattened and more flattened and cylindrical and flattened "'J First posterior cell al­ First posterior cell First posterior cell usu­ First posterior cell al­ tli..... ally closed most always open most always closed almost always closed 0 Second antennal segment Second antenna] segment Second antenna] segment Second antenna] segment t"' 0 usually not much usually distinctly usually distinctly usually not much 0 longer than the third longer than the third longer than the third longer than the third .-< Proboscis relatively short, Proboscis usually rela­ Proboscis usually rela­ Proboscis relatively the middle segment tively long, the middle tively long, the middle short, the middle seg­ <0 usually much shorter segment frequently segment frequently ment usually much r 1-' than the anterior nearly the length of nearly the length of shorter than the an­ 1-' femur the anterior femur the"anterior femur terior femur 1-' Size smaller, 6-8 mm. Size lar·ger, 7-10 mm. Size larger, 7-10 mm. Size larger, 7-9 mm. .,<:D "" REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA- CAMRAS 103

Georgia, West to Washington and California) . A total of 75 specimens weee examined.

Myopa perplexa Camras, new species. I-loLO'l'YPE, FEMALE: California: Antioch, Contra Costa County, April 11, 1937. E. C. VanDyke. California Academy of Sciences Collection. Front brown on upper half except for ocellar triangle which is yellow. Lowee half of f ront yellow. Orbitals yellow with a brown triangular mark at level of antenna! base. First antenna! segment about one-third the length of the second, and one-half of the third segment. The first and second segments brownish yellow, the third orange yellow. Arista yellow with black tip. F ace and cheeks yeLlow. Cheek height about equal that of the eye. Proboscis dark, the second and third segments about equa l. E ach about two-thirds of the fore femur. Palpi long and s lightl~ r clavate, about one-half the length of the second segment of proboscis. Occiput dark brown on upper third except in region of the ocellar tr·iangle. Remainder of occiput yellow. Dorsum of thorax rufous with three confluent dark stripes, the central one extending anteriorly between the humer·i. Re­ mainder of thorax rufous except for the bl ack postnotum. F e­ mora and tibiae peedominantly eufous ; tarsi yellow, with later·al margins and tips of claws black. Abdomen rufous with black distal maegins centrall y on the third to sixth segments, and yellow pollinose distal mar·gin s laterally on the thir·d to fifth segments. Genital segments rufous, the femal e genital plate longer than wide, yellowish with a dark margin posteriorly. Abdominal hair black and moderately long. vVing· hyaline, yellowish at base and costa. First posterior· cell closed, with petiole nearly length of anterior cross-vein . Halteres yellow, dark at base and at extreme tip. Size : sy2 mm. from base of antennae to apex of abdomen.

ALW'l'YPE, MALE: Same data as for the holotype. (On sam e pin and was in copulation with the holotype. Became separated during handling. ) Similar to the holotype, but lower half of front dark brown as is the upper half. Parafacials and cheeks brown, confluent with the front and with a more extensive orbital mark. 104 THE WASMANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL. 11, 1953

Abdomen rufous on second, third, and basal and central por­ tion of the fourth segment. First segment and area adjacent to rufous colored portion of fourth segment blackish. Lateral third of fourth segment and entire fifth and sixth segments yel­ lowish gray pollinose on a dark rufo us background. Genital segments rufous. Hairs black, shorter than in the femal e. Size 8lf2 mm.

PARATYPES: 74 specimens f rom Ca lifornia, Oregon, Wash­ ington, Idaho, and Arizona, distributed am ong the various collections. Some of the paratypes are smaller, and in the mal es there is complete in tergradation with M. cn1"t icm·nis. As para type males I have selected only large, typical specimens that could not possibly belong to M. cu1·ticornis. When I first began to study this group I found so many intermediates, that at first I felt (as Williston had ) that onl y one species was present, which was very variable in the West. I was very perplexed, therefore, to find the femal es with the long genital plate, and to find them so consistent in their other characteristics. I was unable to distinguish males until I saw paired specimens on one pin; and even now they are so simi­ lal· to the male of M . cu?"ticornis t hat I am uncertain about the correct identity in many cases. I have been referring inter·­ mediate specimens to M. curticm·nis, but typical specimens of M. pe1·plexct are quite distinct. My greatest disappointment, of course, was not finding any differences in the mal e genita li a.

Myopa castanea (Bigot). Gon·il·hynchus casta.ne1ts BIGO T, 1887, page 207.

This name is here used for a form previously referred to Jll. plebeia. It differs from 111. plebeia by t he absence of the golden­ yellow pollen on the abdomen; from A1 . longipilis by the short hair ; and from M. vi1·giniw by the larg·e r size, usually more extensively reddish colored on the side of the abdomen and thorax, and the less extensive middle white pollinose stripe on the distal segments of the abdomen. The female genital plate is long, the first posterior ce ll is closed, and the abdominal hairs are short and black. Size larger, 8-9 mm. REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA- CAMRAS 105

RANGE: Western United States (Califo m ia and Nevada ). A total of 13 specimens were examined.

Myopa long·ipilis Banks. Myopa longitJilis B .\ N l's, 1916, page 197. This species differs from iii. castanea only in the greater· length of the abdominal hairs, and intermediates do occur. How­ ever, ca re must be taken to allow for wear and the greater length of the hairs in females. Some individuals arc very dark with almost no reddish coloration on t he sides of the abdomen, and thus approach 111. vi,rginica, but t hey are larger and usually have less pollen on the abdomen than do specim ens of Jll[. vi1·ginica, as well as havin g longer hairs. Size 8-9 mm.

RANGE : Northern Rocky Mountain and West Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Utah ). Alto­ gether, 19 specimens were examined.

Myopa virginica Banks. My01Ja vi1·ginica BAN"s, 1916, page 198. This form is characterized by the smal ler size, short hairs, and blackish abdomen. In addition the abdominal pollen fre­ quently extends upward in the mid-line more extensively than in the related forms. While most of the individuals arc rather uniform, occasional specimens are larger with longer hairs, or with considerable reddish coloration on the sides of the abdo­ men ; thus showing their relation to 111. longipilis and 111 . cas­ tanea. The specimens which are reddish colored on the side of the abdomen seem to be worn or greasy ones, so that the reddish color, ordinarily covered with pollen, appears. Size 6%-8 mm.

R ANGE: Southeastern Canada and eastern United States (Massachusetts to North Carolina, West to South Dakota and Missouri). A total of 40 specimens were examined.

Myopa plebeia Williston. M yopa plebeia WILLISTON, 1885, page 384. This species is characterized by the extensive golden-yellow poll en on the abdomen ; also by the yellowish pollen on the 106 THE WASMANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL. 11, 1953 dorsum of the thorax, giving it a very distinctive appearance. However, it is otherwise very close to M. castanea and inter­ mediates will probably be found. Most of the specimens previously referred here, belong t o jJf. castanea. The specimen recorded by Parsons from New York is a discolored example of M. clausa.

RANGE: Southwestern United States (Arizona). Only 1 speci­ men was examined.

Myopa ftavopilosa Krober. Myopa flavotJilosa KROBER, 1916, page 30. Myopa vesiculosa. var. vaTians BAN KS, 1916, page 196. This and the following species are the only ones with whit­ ish or yellowish hairs on the abdomen. 'l'hey are otherwise ver~· similar· to the species of the M . 1Jlebeia-vi·rg·inica group. Myopa fia vopilosa is characterized as fol lows: Abdomen and thorax almost entirely reddish, hairs long and yellowish, female genital plate long, and first posterior cell closed. Size 8 to 9 mm.

RANGE: Vvestern Canada and United States (Nebraska, Colo­ rado, Utah, l\'Iontana, Alberta, and California). A total of 32 specimens were examined.

Myopa vesiculosa Say. Myopa vesi culosa SAY, 1823, page 80. Myopa apicalis WALKER, 1849, page 679 .

(MY01Ja biStTia WALKER, 1849, page 679=Zodion /1tlvifTOnS SAY.) Myopa. conjuncta Tno:MsON, 1868, page 515. Glossigona maculij1·ons BIGOT, 1887, page 206. J11yopa uta,hensis STA I NS AND KNOWLTON , 1940, page 51. This species is widely distributed and shows considerable variation, especially in the West. In the East most individuals are similar, but larger specimens with longer and more yel­ lowish hairs occur. Occasionally, individuals have the abdo­ men with considerable reddish coloration and almost no black (at one time I considered this form to be M. vwrians), but many intermediates occur. Allowance must also be made in faded and teneral specimens. In the West some populations are quite large, 8-9 mm., others have very long yell owish hairs, and in REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA- CAMRAS 107 others the pollen is quite yellowish. The variation is similar to that in the M. plebia-virginica group, but in this case so many intermediates occur that I am unable to separate them at this time. Sizes 6:Y2-9 mm. The type of 111. yopa bistria Walker, is arranged under Z o­ dion julvi{1·ons Say at the British Museum, and would seem to belong to that species. However, Professor Oldroyd had not found it at the time he compared the specimens that I sent.

R ANGE : Southern Canada and U nitecl States (Quebec to Florida, West to Washington and California) . In all 115 speci­ mens were examined.

Myopa bohartorum Camras, new species.

HoLOTYPE, MALE : California : Napa, April 3, 1937. G. E. and R. M. Bohart. Bohart Collection. Deposited in the Cali­ fornia Academy of Sciences. Front blackish with a stripe of yell ow ex tending f rom an­ terior orbit across anterior third of the f ront. Below this a narrower black stripe extends from the orbit to the base of the antennae. First antennal segment bl ackish, short, length and width about equal. Second antenna] segment blackish with reddish yellow in center and at base, about three t imes the length of first segment and two times as wide. Third anten­ na! segment bright yellow on basal half and blackish on distal half beyond arista, slightly wider and shorter than the second antenna! segment. Arista yellow on basal segment, bl ack with narrow yell ow base on the distal segment. Face and cheeks entirely yellow. A black mark interrupts the yellow posterior orbit. Upper third of occupit black. Vertex blackish except for som e yellowish coloration on the anterior half of the ocellar triangle. Proboscis black, distal two segments not much longer than anterior femur. Palpi long and clavate. 'l'horax black with yellowish gray pollen or dorsum, with a narrow dark midline and a broader line laterall y separating­ the pollen on the humeri and notpleurae. P leurae black, with some reddish color dorsally, and less pollinose. Scutellum also clark, with some reddish color dorsally. Abdomen black with a conspicuous stripe of yellowish gray 108 THE WASMANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL. 11, 1953

pollen in the midline. Posterior margin of each segment with a narrow line of pollen becoming wider laterally and increas­ ing with each segment distally, so that the fifth segment has only two small dark spots, and the sixth and seventh segments are entirely pollinose. Genital segments dark reddish. Abdomi­ nal hairs black, moderately short. Anterior coxa yellowish, the others dark. Anterior femur black externally, yellow internally on the basal third and a pex. Somewhat thickened so that width is about one-third of length. Other femora black with yellow at base and apex. 'l'ibiae black with narrow margins of yellow at bases and apices. Tarsi yellow with narrow black margins at apices laterally. Pul villi yellow, claws black. Wings hyaline, with yellow at base, costal cell, ''stigma, '' and alulae. Anterior cross-vein thickened and conspicuous. A very faint suggestion of darkening is present in the first posterior cell. First posterior cell closed, petiolate about one-third anterior cross-vein. Halters yellow. Size 5% mm . from base of antennae to apex of abdomen.

ALLOTYP~~, FEMALE: California: Davis, April 24, 1936. R M. Bohart. Bohart Coll ection. Deposited in the California Acade m~ r of Sciences. Similar to male, but yellowish areas more extensiYe on f ront, antennae, and legs, and dark areas more reddish on the front, pleura, scutellum, leo·s, and sides of t he abdomen. The first posterior cell lacks the darkening, and it is slightly more petiolate. The genital plate is short. The g·enital seg­ ments of t he abdomen are dark reddish yellow. Size 5% mm. PARA'l'YPES: 28 specimens from Califo rnia as follows: 14 males, 10 females, Davis, April 12-28, 1936-1937, R lVI. Bohart, G. E. Bohart, J. J. DuBois; 1 male, Napa, April 3, 193 7, G. E . and R. M. Bohart ; 1 female, Strawberry, April, 1933, G. E. Bo­ hart (all in the Bohart Collection); 2 males, San Antonio Valley, Santa Clara County, April 8-20, 1947-1948, Ray F . Smith (University of California Collection). Paratypes have been distributed am ong the various col­ lections. Unfortunately many of the paratypes are somewhat worn and/ or greasy. Where the pollen of the abdomen is off, the color underneath is reddish. This sometimes explains the gTeat REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA-CAMRAS 109 difference in gross appearance, of individuals of the same spe­ cies in this genus. This species differs immediately from the other members of this genus by the pollinose stripe on the dot·sum of the abdomen. It is most closely related to Jllf. melcmde1·i from which it also differs in the almost hyaline wing. The sugges­ tion of a spot in the first posterior cell in many specim ens, and the thickening with sometimes a sli g· ht clouding at the anterior cross-vein, show its relationship to Jllf. melancle1·i. Jllfyopa melande·ri fr·equently has dark spots on the face which are not present in any of the specimens of M. bohct'l·tomm. This species represents a link between the unpatterned and pat­ terned winged species. The other species with which 111. bohar­ tonon may be confused is M. virginica in the male sex, wh en the abdominal stripe is inconspicuous because of wear or greasi­ ness. The female of Jllf. virgim:w is imm ediate l~ r differentiated by its long genital plate. The paratype from Strawberry, is aberrant in that the spot in the first posterior cell is quite prominent. And some spec i­ mens of .1/. ntelande1·i have a sug·g-estion of a middle abdominal stripe. 'l'hese may be hybrids. The two species occur together, apparently, as there is a typical specimen of .M. melanderi from Davis, California, in the Bohart Coll ection. I take pleasure in naming this species after the collectors who haYe contt·ibuted much to our knowl edge of the Conopi­ dae; and who apparently recognized the significance of this species and therefore collected a good series.

Myopa melanderi Banks. Myope£ melande1·i BAN KS. 1916, page 197. 'l'his species is characterized by the spot in the first pos­ terior ce ll. The female genital plate is short. It is the on l~ ­ species with patterned wings in which the mal e genitalia are like those of the unpatterned species. This is a small blackish species with yellow markings and grayish white pollen. 'l'hc first posterior cell is closed. The abdominal hair is moder·atel~ · long and black. The anterior femur is somewhat thicker than average but not as thick as in M. willistoni. Size 5-6 mm. (one specimen 7 mm. ) . 110 THE WASMANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL. 11, 1953

RANGE: Western United States (California, Oregon, Wash­ ington, and Idaho). A total of 42 specimens were examined.

Myopa vicaria Walker. Myopa vicm·ia WALKER, 1849, page 679. Myopa pilosa WILLISTON, 1885, page 383. This species is characterized as follows: Predominantly red­ dish colored with long black hair on the abdomen. First pos­ terior cell open. Cross-veins conspicuously clouded. Female geni­ tal plate short. This is the only species in which t he genital prong on the seventh abdominal segment of the male is nea rly absent. In a melanistic specimen the prong is more prominent, approach­ ing the following species. Size 6-8 mm. While this species is rather uniform in coloration, melanistic specimens occur, especially in the western states, in femal es, and in populations that are smaller in size. A pair of specimens (male and female) on one pin from Idaho: Lenore (altitude 1000 feet), April 8, 194 , Arthur J. W alz (University of Idaho Collection), differs from typical members of M. vicaria by the complete absence of reddish col­ oration which is replaced by black, with golden yell ow pollen, and yellowish black at the lighter areas. They are ,·en· distinct from typical specimens of M. vica1·ia, but melanistic indiYiduals (especially females) of M. vica1·ia occur which are Yery similar to the Idaho specimens. However, these melanisms still retain some reddish color on the abdomen and especiall y on the third antennal segment. Also the pollen on the abdomen is less yel­ lowish, and less prominent in the melanisms. The Idaho speci­ mens are smaller than the average of Jill. vica1·ia, but the melan­ isms are also usually small. The following melanistic specimens have been examined: 1 male, 1 female, California: Fish Ranch Road, Alameda County, March 4, 1949, P. D. Hurd (University of Ca Ji fom ia Collec­ tion) ; 1 female, California: Woodacre, Marin Count,,·, Niarch 31, P. D. Hurd (University of California Collection ); 1 female, California: Adobe Creek, Western Stanislaus County, :;\larch 30, 1948, R. F. Smith (University of California Collection); 1 female, California: Cajon Pass, April 13, 1936, G. E. and R. M. Bohart (Bohart Collection); 1 female, Alaska: 1\Iatanuska, REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA-CAMRAS 111

May 17, 1945, J. C. Chamberlin (United States National Mu­ seum); 1 female, Indiana: Elkhart, C. W. Johnson Collection (Utah State Agricultural College Collection) . Typical speci­ mens of M . vicm·ia have been seen from all of the a hove lo­ calities except Woodacre (usually males with the same data as the females). There is also a specimen in the California Academy of Sci­ ences Collection (female, California : Yorkville, Mendocino County, May 8, 1939, E. P. VanDuzee) that agrees with the Idaho pair in the almost complete absence of reddish color on the abdomen. But the third antennal segment, a small area on the sides of the abdominal segments and dorsum of fifth and sixth segments, and the genital segments are reddish, rather than yellowish as in the Idaho specimens. However, there are a number of other differences between the Yorkville and Idaho specimens. The Yorkville individual is larger, the abdomen is very shiny, and the hair is considerably shorter. What to do with these specimens is a problem. If the Idaho specimens are described as a new species, then the Yorkville specimen would also have to be named. It seems best to wait for the accumulation of more material, especially since inter­ mediates (what I am calling melanisms of M . vica1'ia) occur. Parsons has recorded some specimens f rom Sardinia and England in the American Museum Collection as belonging to M. vicMia. These have been compared with Eur·opean speci­ mens identified as M. testacea Linneus, and have been found to be the same. While very similar and apparently geoO'raphi­ cal representatives, there are several differences between 111. testacea and M . vicm·ia., although variations sometimes bridge the differences. Most prominent is the greater amount of pol­ len on the abdomen of M. vicar·ia and longer hairs, so that the abdomen is less shiny; the wing marking·s on the average arc more pronounced in M. vicar·ia; the two pale lines on the thorax are almost absent in M. vicm·ia; and M. vicaria. has a distinct patch of black hairs on the face which is usually absent or limited to a few short black hairs in M. testacea. A number of the Palaearctic species of Myo1xt were loaned by the British Museum and the United States National Museum, and none were found to be the same as any of the North Ameri­ can species. Thus far, none of the Palaearctic and Nearctia 112 THE WAS MANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL. 11, 1953

species of the Conopidae have been found to be common to both regions.

RANGE : Alaska, Canada, and United States (Nova Scotia to Georgia, west to Alaska and California ) . A total of 135 speci· mens were examined.

Myopa willistoni Banks Myo1Ja picti1Jennis WJLU ST01', 1885, page 382. (Not M. 1J'ictipennis Ro· bineau·Desvoidy, 1830.) Myopa willistoni BANKS, 1916, page 197. 'l'his species is distinguished by the presence of a spot in both the first and second posterior cells. It superficially re­ sembles Jill. melancle1·i, but there are many important differ­ ences. The anterior femora are conspicuously thickened. The first posterior cell is open. The female genital plate is short. 'l'he male genital prong on the seventh abdominal segment differs from all of the previous species (except Jill. vica·ria) in being triangular with a pointed tip, rather than elongated with a rounded tip. Size 8 to 9 mm.

RANGE : Western United States (Oregon, California, Ari­ zona, and Mexico (Toluca, i\fexico Province)). A total of 23 specimens were ex a mined.

Mypoa pulchra Coq ni llett. Myopa pulch1·a Coqu iLLETT, 1902, page 198. 'l'his species is characterized b:-· the heavily patterned wing and is closely related to ill. f enestmtct. It is more reddish col­ ored and has fewer black markings than does M. f enestmta. The female genital plate is short. The male genitalia have not been examined, but presumably they are the same as in 'Ali. fene­ stmta. Size 9 mm. The specimen recorded by Parsons from Amecameca (-;\'Tex ico Province) as a member of Jill. f enestmta, belongs here. But there are some differences from the Chihuahua specimen, and if sup­ ported by additional material it will have to be named.

RANGE: Mexico (Chihuahua and Mexico). Two specimens examined. REVIEW OF THE GENUS MYOPA- CAMRAS 113

Mypoa fenestrata Coquillett. Myopa jenest1·ata CoQ L: ILLETT, 1902, page 197. This species is most closely related to 111. pulchm, but is a much darker species. The male genital prong is similar to that of jJJ. willistoni, but the tip is more rounded, less pointed. Size 9 mm.

RANGE: lVIexico (Sierra Madre, Chihuhua). One specimen examined.

LITERATURE CITED

ADA:US, c. F. 1903. Dipterological contributions. Kansas University Science Bul­ letin, 2:21-47.

BA:'\KS, N. 1916. Synopses of Zodion and Il'l'yopa with notes on other Conopi­ dae. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 9 : 191- 200 (published July, 1916).

B IGOT, J. 188 7. Dipteres nouveaux on peu connus. Myopidi. Annals de Ia Societe entomologique de France, 7: 203-208.

COQUJLLETT, D. w. 1902. New cyclorrhaphous Diptera from Mexico and New Mexico. Canadian Entomologist, 34 :195- 202.

KRoBER. 0 . 1916. Die Myopa-Arten der Nicht-Palaear!;:tischen Regionen. Ar· chiv fiir Naturgeschichte (1915) Abt.A, H.7 : 23- 39 (pub­ lished March, 1916).

LOF~ \1" , H. 1866. Diptera Americae septentrionalis indigena. Centuria 7. Ber­ liner Entomologische Zeitchrift, 1866:1- 54.

PARSON S, C. T. 1948. A classification of North American Conopidae. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 41:223- 246.

RonER. v. v. 188 9. Ueber Myopa Clausa Loew. Wiener Entomologische Zei­ tung, 8:5. 114 THE WASMANN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY, VoL. 11, 1953

SAY, T. 1823. Description of dipterous of the United States. Jour­ nal of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, 3:73- 104.

STAINS, G. S. and G. F . K NOWLTON 1940. A new Myopa from Utah (Diptera). Proceedings of the Utah Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, 16: 51. T ll0l\1SON, c. G. 1868. Kongliga Svenska Frega tten Eugenies Resa Omkring Jor­ den. Diptera. Stockholm. WALKER, F. 1849. List of the specimens of dipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part 3. WJLLISTON, s. w. 1885. North American Conopidae. III.Conclusion. Transactions of th<' Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, 6 :377- 394.