Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5481 No. 4: 18 Jul. 2024
Type: Article
Published: 2024-07-18
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5481.4.1
Page range: 401-439
Abstract views: 60
PDF downloaded: 5

Revision of Nearctic Microcercis Beschovski (Diptera: Chloropidae), with Synonymy of Incertella Sabrosky

Research Collaborator; Department of Entomology; Smithsonian Institution; 10914 Little Sparrow Place; Columbia; Maryland; 21044 USA
Diptera Taxonomy identification grass flies salt marshes new species Nearctic

Abstract

Nearctic species of Incertella Sabrosky, 1980 are transferred to Microcercis Beschovski, 1978 due to the synonymy of the type species I. incerta (Becker, 1912) with M. albipalpis (Meigen, 1830). The ten species treated are M. albipalpis (Meigen) = M. incerta (Becker) syn. n., M. bispina (Malloch), M. dorsata (Loew), M. infesta (Becker), M. insularis (Malloch), and M. minor (Adams), [all are new combinations], and the four new species: M. laytoni sp. n., M. murphyi sp. n., M. johanni sp. n. and M. trifeminarum sp. n. A generic diagnosis is provided, as are species diagnoses and descriptions and a key to Nearctic Microcercis. Lectotypes are designated for M. infesta, and M. insularis. Incertella ovalis (Adams) is moved to Conioscinella Duda comb. n. Photographs illustrating the habitus of all species, male genitalia photos of most species, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) photos of specific features are provided. Material from Canada, the United States, and Mexico is recorded.

 

References

  1. Adams, C.F. (1905) On the North American species of Oscinis. Entomological News, 16, 108–111.
  2. Andersson, H. (1966) A revision of the species of Oscinides described by J. Zetterstedt (Dipt. Chloropidae). Opuscula entomologica, Lund, 31 (1–2), 61 ̶ 76.
  3. Andersson, H. (1977) Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Chloropidae (Diptera) with special reference to Old World genera. Entomologica scandinavica Supplementum, 8, 1–200.
  4. Beaulieu, F. & Wheeler, T.A. (2005) Diptera diversity in a homogeneous habitat: Brachycera associated with sedge meadows (Cyperaceae: Carex) in Quebec Canada. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 207 (1), 176–189. https://doi.org/10.4289/0013-8797.107.1.176
  5. Becker, T. (1910) Chloropidae. Eine Monographische Studie. 1. Teil. Paleaarktische Region. Archivum zoologicum, 1 (10), 33–174. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.9555
  6. Becker, T. (1912) Chloropidae. Eine Monographische Studie. IV. Teil. Nearktische Region. Annales Musei nationalis hungarica, 10, 21–256, taf. I.
  7. Beschovski, V.L. (1978) Subdivision of the genus Oscinella Becker, 1909 (Diptera, Chloropidae) with description of a new species. Acta zoologica bulgarica, 10, 21–120 + 256.
  8. Beschovski, V.L. (1981) On the systematic status of Oscinella (Microcercis) trigonella Duda, 1933. Reichenbachia, 19, 59–61.
  9. Bickley, W.E. and Seek, T.A. (1975) Insects in four Maryland marshes. Agriculture Experiment Station, University of Maryland, Miscellaneous Publication 870. Agriculture Experiment Station, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 2 + 27 pp. [April 1975]
  10. Cherian, P.T. (2002) The fauna of India and the adjacent countries—Diptera. Vol. IX. Chloropidae (Part 1): Siphonellopsinae and Rhodesiellinae. Publication Division by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, xvi + 368 pp.
  11. Cherian, P.T. (2003) Studies on Incertella Sabrosky (Diptera: Chloropidae) from the Oriental Region. Records of the zoological Survey of India, 101 (3–4), 225–231. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v101/i3-4/2003/159559
  12. Clark, W.H. & Blom, P.E. (1992) Notes on spider (Theridiidae, Salticidae) predation of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex salinus Olsen (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), and a possible parasitoid fly (Chloropidae). Great Basin Naturalist, 52 (4), 385–386.
  13. Collin, J.E. (1946) The British genera and species of Oscinellinae. Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 97, 117–148. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1946.tb00277.x
  14. Cumming, J.M. & Wood, D.M. (2017) 4. Adult Morphology and Terminology. In: Kirk-Spriggs, A.H. & Sinclair, B.J. (Eds.), Manual of Afrotropical Diptera, Vol. 1. Introductory Chapters and Keys to Diptera Families. Suricata 4. South African Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, pp. 89–133.
  15. Davis, L.V. & Gray, I.E. (1966) Zonal and seasonal distribution of insects in North Carolina salt marshes. Ecological Monographs, 36 (3), 275–295. https://doi.org/10.2307/1942419
  16. Deeming, J.C. & Al-Dhafer, H.M. (2012) Chloropidae from the Arabian Peninsula (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha). Zoology in the Middle East, 58, 1–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2012.10648977
  17. Duda, O. (1930) Die neotropischen Chloropiden (Dipt.). Folia Zoologica et Hydrobiologica, 2, 46–128.
  18. Duda, O. (1932–1933) 61. Chloropidae. In: Lindner, E. (Ed.), Die Fliegen der palaearktischen Region. 6 (1). E. Schweitzerbart’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Stuttgart, pp. vi + 1–248, taf. I–III.
  19. Enderlein, G. (1911) Klassifikation der Oscinosominen. Sitzungsberichte der Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin, 1911 (4), 185–244.
  20. Enderlein, G. (1913). Dipterologische Studien. IV. Neues und altes uber Chloropiden. Zoologischer anzeiger, 42, 352–370.
  21. Foote, B.A. (2004) Acalyptrate Diptera associated with stands of Carex lacustris and C. stricta (Cyperaceae) in northeastern Ohio. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 106 (1), 166–175.
  22. Foote, B.A. (2007) Higher Diptera associated with the marsh spike-rush, Eleocharis palustris (Cyperaceae), in northeastern Ohio. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 109 (1), 9–16.
  23. Ismay, J.W., Ismay, B. & Deeming, J.C. (2021) 96. Chloropidae (Frit Flies, Grass Flies and Eye Gnats). In: Kirk-Spriggs, A.H. & Sinclair, B.J. (Eds.), Manual of Afrotropical Diptera. Vol. 3. Brachycera-Cyclorrapha, excluding Calyptratae. Suricata 8. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, pp. 2035–2114 in i-xv, 1365–2379.
  24. Ismay, J.W. (1975) Femoral combs–a secondary sexual character in British Oscinellinae (Diptera: Chloropidae). Journal of Entomology, Series B, Taxonomy, 44 (1), 21–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3113.1975.tb00003.x
  25. Linnaeus, C. (1758) Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ. Per regna tria naturæ, Secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, Cum caracteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus 1. Editio Decima, Reformata. Laurentius Salvius, Holmiæ [Stockholm], iv + 823 + 1 (Emendata et Addenda)] pp. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.542
  26. Loew, H. (1869) Diptera Americae septentrionalis indigena. Centuria octava. Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift, 13 (1 ̶ 2), 1–52. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.18630070104
  27. Loew, H. (1872) Diptera Americae septentrionalis indigena. Centuria decima. Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift, 16 (1), 49–124. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.18720160110
  28. Malloch, J.R. (1913) The genera of flies in the subfamily Botanobiinae with hind tibial spur. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 46, 239–266. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00963801.46-2024.239
  29. Malloch, J.R. (1914) Four new North American Chloropidae (Diptera). Psyche, 21, 24–26. https://doi.org/10.1155/1914/62078
  30. Malloch, J.R. (1915) Notes on North American Chloropidae (Diptera). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 17, 158–162.
  31. Malloch, J.R. (1918) Three new North American Chloropidae (Diptera). Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, 13, 108–111.
  32. Meigen, J.W. (1830) Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten europäischen zweiflügeligen Insekten. Sechster Theil. Schulzische Buchhandlung, Hamm, xi + 404 pp., tabs. 55–60.
  33. Nartshuk, E.P. (2005) Phytophagous insects in the tundra zone (as an example of grassflies, Diptera: Chloropidae). Proceedings of the zoological Institute. Russian Academy of Sciences. Zoological Sessions, Annual Reports 2004, St. Petersburg, 308, 49–54.
  34. Nartshuk, E P. (2014) Grass-fly larvae (Diptera: Chloropidae): Diversity, Habitats, and Feeding Specializations. Entomological Review, 94 (4), 514–525. [translated from Russian] https://doi.org/10.1134/S001387381404006X
  35. Nartshuk, E.P. & Pakalniškis, S. (2004) Contribution to the knowledge of the family Chloropidae (Diptera, Muscomorpha) of Lithuania. Acta zoologica lituanica, 14 (2), 56–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/13921657.2004.10512580
  36. Nartshuk, E.P. & Przhiboro, A.A. (2009) A new species of Incertella Sabrosky (Diptera: Chloropidae) from the White Sea coast, Russian Karelia. Entomologica fennica, 20 (1), 4–8. https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.84453
  37. Nartshuk, E.P. & Andersson, H. (2013) The frit flies (Chloropidae, Diptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. In: Kristensen, N.P. & Michelsen, V. (Eds.), Fauna entomologica scandinavica. Vol. 43. Koninklijke Brill N.V., Leiden, pp. i–vi + 1–282 pp. [2012] https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004190665_002
  38. Nartshuk, E.P. & Przhiboro, A.A. (2017) Grass flies (Diptera, Chloropidae) of the Crimean Peninsula. Entomological Review, 97 (9), 1285–1306. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0013873817090081
  39. Nartshuk, E.P., Polevoi, A.V. & Przhiboro, A.A. (2020) A review of grass flies (Diptera, Chloropidae) of Karelia and Murmansk Province of Russia. Fauna norvegica, 40, 47–92. https://doi.org/10.5324/fn.v40i0.3406
  40. Riccardi, R.R. (2020) Taxonomic revision of the genus Chaethippus Duda, 1930 (Diptera: Chloropidae) with the description of four species. Zootaxa, 4802 (1), 129–140. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4802.1.8
  41. Sabrosky, C.W. (1935) The Chloropidae of Kansas (Diptera). Transactions of the American Entomological Society, 61 (3), 207–268.
  42. Sabrosky, C. (1936) A synopsis of the Nearctic species of Oscinella and Madiza, based on a study of the types (Diptera, Chloropidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 29, 707–728. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/29.4.707
  43. Sabrosky, C.W. (1965) Family Chloropidae. In: Stone, A., Sabrosky, C.W., Wirth, W.W., Foote, R.H. & Coulson, J.R. (Eds.), A Catalog of the Diptera of America north of Mexico. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Handbook 276. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., pp. 773–793.
  44. Sabrosky, C.W. (1980) New genera and new combinations in Nearctic Chloropidae (Diptera). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 82 (3), 412–429.
  45. Sabrosky, C.W. (1987) Chapter 99. Family Chloropidae. In: McAlpine, J.F., Peterson, B.V., Shewell, G.E., Teskey, H.J., Vockeroth, J.R. & Wood, D.M. (Eds.), Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Vol. 2. Monograph 28. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, pp. 1049–1067.
  46. Sabrosky, C.W. & Paganelli, C.H. (1984) Family Chloropidae. In: A catalogue of the Diptera of the Americas south of the United States. Vol. 81. Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, pp. 1–63.
  47. Say, T. (1825) American entomology, or descriptions of insects of North America. Vol. 2. S. A. Mitchell, for sale by A. Finley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 121 pp., pls. 19–36.
  48. Strobl, G. (1900) Dipterenfauna von Bosnien, Herzegovina und Dalmatien. Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen aus Bosnien und der Hercegovina, 7, 552–670. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.9862
  49. von Tschirnhaus, M. (1981) Die Halm- und Minierfliegen im Grenzbereich Land-Meer der Nordsee. Eine ökologische Studie mit Beschreibung von zwei neuen Arten und neuen Fang- und Konservierungsmethoden (Diptera: Chloropidae et Agromyzidae). [The Chloropidae and Agromyzidae (Diptera) at the terrestrial-marine border of the North Sea. An ecological study, with description of two new species and new sampling and preservation methods]. Spixiana Supplement, Munich, 6, 1–405, pls. 1–11.
  50. von Tschirnhaus, M. (2007) Acalyptrate Fliegen (Diptera: Schizophora, “Acalyptratae”) der jungen Düneninseln Memmert und Mellum unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Agromyzidae und Chloropidae. Drosera, 2007, 99−136.
  51. Zetterstedt, J.W. (1838) Sectio tertia. Diptera. Dipterologis Scandinaviae amicis et popularibus carissimus. Insecta Lapponica. s.n., Lipsiae [Leipzig], 392 pp. [pp. 477–868, in Latin].
  52. Zetterstedt, J.W. (1860) Diptera Scandinaviae disposita et descripta. [Part.] Tomus decimus quartus seu ultimus, continens addenda, corrigenda & emendanda tomis prioribus, una cum indice alphabetico novarum specierum hujus & praecedentis tomi, atque generico omnium tomorum. Ex officina lundbergiana, Lundae [Lund], pp. 6191–6609.