Australasian/Oceanian Diptera Catalog -- Web Version

Empididae are most numerous in northern temperate and montane regions but are distributed worldwide. There are over 3,000 described species worldwide and they exhibit a greater diversity of form than almost any other family of Diptera. This diversity has led to the recent separation of the Empididae into 4 families (Hybotidae, Atelestidae, Microphoridae, and Empididae) by the raising of some subfamilies to family level (Chvála 1983). This practice is not followed here in the interests of conformity with my contributions to other regional catalogs of Diptera; however, the arrangement of subfamilies follows Chvála's suggestions. Also, in the Australasian/Oceanian Regions there are species that possess characters that render them difficult to place in the existing system of classification. Clearly, many more genera and species occur in the regions covered here than have at present been described, and much more critical taxonomic research is needed before a satisfactory classification can be achieved or a reasonably complete catalog compiled. Because of this situation a conservative view of generic classification is presented here, largely following the literature. However, in an attempt to stimulate much-needed research in this family it can be stated that at least some of the species assigned to the following genera require the erection of new genera to receive them: Chersodromia, Micrempis, Leptopeza, Anthepiscopus, Apalocnemis, Atrichopleura, Trichopeza, and Microphorus. Some generic reassignments are established in the present catalog, and 2 new replacement names are proposed. In the Drapetini there appears to be a complex of at least 4 genera including Isodrapetis and Austrodromia. Following the suggestion of Chillcott & Teskey (1983), Coloboneura agryropalpa and Chersodromia lutescens are transferred to the genus Micrempis. Certainly, new genera will have to be erected for several Australian species in this complex when more material is available for study.

Both adults and larvae are predaceous on other insects, mainly Diptera. Adults also feed at flowers. Some genera, especially of the Empidinae, have evolved an elaborate courtship display in which the prey is used as an essential stimulus initiating copulation. A glandlike structure of possible epigamic function has been described in Austrodrapetis (Smith & Davies 1965). Some species form dancing swarms over vegetation on land (Empis, Rhamphomyia) or over water (Hilara); such swarms are usually connected with mating behavior. Hilara will take prey trapped in the surface film of water, and Hilarempis is found on boulders in streams or among marginal vegetation.

Almost nothing is known of the life history, biology, or behavior of Empididae from the regions covered by this catalog. Dumbleton (1966) described the aquatic larvae of Chelifera tantula and ?Clinocera gressitti from New Zealand. I identified an adult Micrempis sp. from a nest of the ant Myrmecia desertorum Wheeler in New South Wales. Elsewhere, larvae are known to be predaceous and occur in soil, leaf litter, rotting wood, and dung; others (Hemerodromiinae, Clinocerinae) are aquatic.
Refs.: Collin (1928, 1933, 1961), Melander (1928), Chvála (1981, 1983), Chillcott & Teskey (1983, keys, classif.), Smith (1969c, classif., keys, biol., behav., bibliogr.).

ATRICHOPLEURA Bezzi, 1909: 357. Type species: Atrichopleura schnusei Bezzi, 1909, orig. des.
compitalis Collin, 1928: 100. NZ (NZ).
conjuncta Malloch, 1931j: 424. NZ (NZ).

Genus BANDELLA Bickel

BANDELLA Bickel, 2002: 314. Type species: Bandella allynensis Bickel ,2002, orig. des.
albitarsis Bickel, 2002: 324. Australia (NSW).
allynensis Bickel, 2002: 318. Australia (NSW).
cerra Bickel, 2002: 318. Australia (NSW).
costalis Bickel, 2002: 323. Australia (WA).
duvalli Bickel, 2002: 322. Australia (Tas).
maxi Bickel, 2002: 322. Australia (Qld).
montana Bickel, 2002: 320. Australia (NSW).
noorinbee Bickel, 2002: 320. Australia (NSW).
tasmanica Bickel, 2002: 323. Australia (Tas).

Genus CUNOMYIA Bickel

CUNOMYIA Bickel, 1998: 59. Type species: Cunomyia unica Bickel, 1998, orig. des.
unica Bickel, 1998: 62. Australia (Tas).

EMPIDADELPHA Collin, 1928: 105. Type species: Empidadelpha propria Collin, 1928, orig. des.
propria Collin, 1928: 105. NZ (NZ).
torrentalis Miller, 1923b: 463 (Empimorpha). NZ (NZ).

EMPIS Linnaeus, 1758: 603. Type species: Empis pennipes Linnaeus, 1758, des. Latreille, 1810: 443.

Subgenus COPTOPHLEBIA Bezzi

COPTOPHLEBIA Bezzi, 1909: 100. Type species: Empis hyalipennis Fallén, 1816, orig. des.
acris Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 347. PNG (PNG).
duplex Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 349. PNG (PNG).
lamellalta Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 350. PNG (PNG).
lata Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 351. PNG (PNG).
longiseta Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 352. PNG (PNG).
missai Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 354. PNG (PNG).
nondouensis Daugeron, 2002: 87. New Caledonia (New Caledonia).
parvula Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 354. Indonesia (Irian Jaya).
submetallica Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 355. PNG (PNG).
woitapensis Daugeron & Grootaert, 2005: 356. PNG (PNG).

EMPIS Linnaeus, 1758: 603 (as gen.). Type species: Empis pennipes Linnaeus, 1758, des. Latreille, 1810: 443.
alata Hardy, 1934d: 177. Australia (NSW).
aquila White, 1916b: 234. Australia (Tas).
austera Daugeron & Plant in Daugeron et al., 2009: 642. Australia (NSW).
bellatoria White, 1916b: 232. Australia (Tas).
brevirostris Macquart, 1850: 400(96). Australia (Tas); Australia (NSW).
brouni Hutton, 1901: 30. NZ (NZ).
confirmata Walker, 1852: 205 (Hilara). Australia (Tas).
flabilis White, 1916b: 235. Australia (Tas).
maculosa Daugeron & Plant in Daugeron et al., 2009: 643. Australia (Tas).
occidentalis Daugeron & Plant in Daugeron et al., 2009: 645. Australia (WA).
pachypodiata Bigot, 1889b: 132. Australia (NSW).
papuana Bezzi, 1904a: 344. "Nuova Guinea."
pedivollosula Daugeron & Plant in Daugeron et al., 2009: 645. Australia (Tas).
probata Collin, 1928: 102. NZ (NZ).
sericata White, 1916b: 233. Australia (Tas).
tasmaniensis Smith, 1989: 384 (n.n. for certa Walker, 1852). Australia (Tas).
     certa Walker, 1852: 204 (Hilara). Australia (Tas). [Preocc. Harris, 1780.]
thompsoni Hardy, 1942: 204 (n. n. for tenuirostris Thomson). Australia (NSW).
     tenuirostris Thomson, 1869: 473. Australia (NSW). [Preocc. Fallén, 1816.]
tibialis Hardy, 1934d: 178. Australia (Tas).
waterhousei Hardy, 1934d: 178. Australia (NSW).
xanthopyga Schiner, 1868: 204. Australia (NSW).

Genus EUGOWRA Bickel

EUGOWRA Bickel, 2006a: 120. Type species: Eugowra uniseta Bickel, 2006, orig. des.
colei Bickel, 2006a: 122. Australia (Tas); Australia (Vic).
fusca Bickel, 2006a: 123.Aaustralia (Vic).
uniseta Bickel, 2006a: 122. Australia (NSW).

GYNATOMA Collin, 1928: 94. Type species: Gynatoma quadrilineata Collin, 1928, orig. des.
atra Malloch, 1931j: 426. NZ (NZ).
continens Collin, 1928: 97. NZ (NZ).
evanescens Collin, 1928: 97. NZ (NZ).
pygmaea Collin, 1928: 98. NZ (NZ).
quadrilineata Collin, 1928: 95. NZ (NZ).
subfulva Collin, 1928: 99. NZ (NZ).

HILARA Meigen, 1822: 1. Type species: Empis maura Fabricius, 1777, des. Curtis, 1826: 130.
anisonychia Collin, 1928: 73. NZ (NZ).
balnearia White, 1916b: 223. Australia (Tas).
consanguinea Collin, 1928: 71. NZ (NZ).
dracophylli Miller, 1923b: 456. NZ (NZ).
efficiens White, 1916b: 222. Australia (Tas).
flavinceris Miller, 1923b: 453. NZ (NZ).
fossalis Miller, 1923b: 460. NZ (NZ).
hudsoni Hutton, 1901: 30 (Empis). NZ (NZ).
intuta Collin, 1928: 74. NZ (NZ).
litorea Fallén—not Australasian/Oceanian.
littoralis Miller, 1923b: 454. NZ (NZ).
macrura Collin, 1928: 69. NZ (NZ).
minnamurra Smith, 1960: 373. Australia (NSW).
mollicella White, 1916b: 225. Australia (Tas).
nimia White, 1916b: 223. Australia (Tas).
nubila White, 1916b: 224. Australia (Tas).
philpotti Miller, 1913a: 202. NZ (NZ).
retecta Collin, 1928: 75. NZ (NZ).
spinulenta Collin, 1928: 74. NZ (NZ).
urophora Collin, 1928: 70. NZ (NZ).
urophylla Collin, 1928: 72. NZ (NZ).
vector Miller, 1923b: 454. NZ (NZ).

HILAREMPIS Bezzi, 1905: 443. Type species: Hilarempis nudifacies Bezzi, 1905, des. Melander, 1928: 128.
HILAROPUS White, 1916b: 226. Type species: Hilaropus peregrinus White, 1916, des. Smith, 1989: 384.
argentella Collin, 1928: 88. NZ (NZ).
benhami Miller, 1913a: 198 (Hilara). NZ (NZ).
brevistyla Collin, 1928: 93. NZ (NZ).
cineracea Collin, 1928: 89. NZ (NZ).
cyanescens Bezzi, 1904a: 342 (Empis). Australia (NSW).
dichropleura Collin, 1928: 84. NZ (NZ).
diversimana Collin, 1928: 84. NZ (NZ).
echinata White, 1916b: 230 (Hilaropus). Australia (Tas).
hilaraeformis Bezzi, 1904a: 340 (Empis). Australia (Tas).
huttoni Bezzi, 1904a: 360 (n. n. for fulvipes Hutton). NZ (NZ).
     fulvipes Hutton, 1901: 31 (Hilara). NZ (NZ). [Preocc. Macquart, 1834.]
immota Collin, 1928: 89. NZ (NZ).
kaiteriensis Miller, 1913a: 200 (Hilara). NZ (NZ).
longistyla Collin, 1928: 79. NZ (NZ).
minthaphila Collin, 1928: 81. NZ (NZ).
nigra Miller, 1923b: 462. NZ (NZ).
nigrimana White, 1916b: 228 (Hilaropus). Australia (Tas).
ochrozona Collin, 1928: 85. NZ (NZ).
pallidifurca White, 1916b: 227 (Hilaropus). Australia (Tas).
peregrina White, 1916b: 228 (Hilaropus). Australia (Tas).
simillima Collin, 1928: 90. NZ (NZ).
smithii Hutton, 1901: 30 (Empis). NZ (NZ).
subdita Collin, 1928: 82. NZ (NZ).
trichopleura Collin, 1928: 92. NZ (NZ).
uniseta Collin, 1928: 87. NZ (NZ).

Genus HYBOMYIA Plant

HYBOMYIA Plant, 1995: 25. Type species: Hybomyia oliveri Plant, 1995, mon.
oliveri Plant, 1995: 27. NZ (NZ).

Genus MUNBURRA Bickel

MUNBURRA Bickel, 2006b: 129. Type species: Munburra bulbicornis Bickel, 2006, orig. des.
bulbicornis Bickel, 2006b: 130. Australia (Qld).

RHAMPHELLA Malloch, 1930n: 449. Type species: Rhamphella inconspicua Malloch, 1930, orig. des.
inconspicua Malloch, 1930n: 449. Australia (NSW).

RHAMPHOMYIA Meigen, 1822: 42. Type species: Empis sulcata Meigen, 1804, des. Curtis, 1834: pl. 517 [Type species conserved by I.C.Z.N., 2003: 203.]
albidipennis Malloch, 1930n: 450. Australia (Vic).
aprilis White, 1916b: 238. Australia (Tas).
politella Malloch, 1931j: 425. NZ (NZ).
septembris White, 1916b: 239. Australia (Tas).

THINEMPIS Bickel, 1996: 116. Type species: Thinempis austera Bickel, 1996, orig. des.
austera Bickel, 1996: 122. Australia (SA); Australia (Tas, WA).
esperance Bickel, 1996: 124. Australia (WA).
minuta Bickel, 1996: 121. Australia (Qld); Australia (NSW).
otakouensis Miller, 1910: 235 (Empis). NZ (NZ); NZ (Chatham Is).
takaka Bickel, 1996: 123. NZ (NZ).
turimetta Bickel, 1996: 120. Australia (NSW); Australia (Qld, Tas, vic).

CHELIFERA Macquart, 1823: 150. Type species: Chelifera raptor Macquart, 1823 [= Tachydromia praecatoria Fallén, 1815], mon.
apicata Collin, 1928: 44. NZ (NZ).
fontinalis Miller, 1923b: 442 (Hemerodromia). NZ (NZ).
tacita Collin, 1928: 44. NZ (NZ).
tantula Collin, 1928: 43. NZ (NZ).

CHELIPODA Macquart, 1823: 148. Type species: Tachydromia mantispa Panzer, 1809 [misid., = Tachydromia vocatoria Fallén, 1815], orig. des.
LITANOMYIA Melander, 1902: 231. Type species: Sciodromia mexicana Wheeler & Melander, 1901, des. Coquillett, 1903a: 252.
abdita Collin, 1928: 31. NZ (NZ).
abjecta Collin, 1928: 37. NZ (NZ).
aritarita Plant, 2007: 43. NZ (NZ).
atrocitas Plant, 2007: 16. NZ (NZ).
australpina Plant, 2007: 48. NZ (NZ).
brevipennis Plant, 2007: 28. NZ (NZ).
consignata Collin, 1928: 30. NZ (NZ).
cornigera Plant, 2007: 34. NZ (NZ).
cycloseta Plant, 2007: 53. NZ (NZ).
delecta Collin, 1928: 38. NZ (NZ).
didhami Plant, 2007: 49. NZ (NZ).
digressa Collin, 1931: 353. NZ (NZ).
dominatrix Plant, 2007: 29. NZ (NZ).
ferocitrix Plant, 2007: 30. NZ (NZ).
fuscoptera Plant, 2007: 14. NZ (NZ).
gracilis Plant, 2007: 55. NZ (NZ).
inconspicua Collin, 1928: 36. NZ (NZ).
interposita Collin, 1928: 37. NZ (NZ).
lateralis Plant, 2007: 50. NZ (NZ).
longicornis Collin, 1928: 34. NZ (NZ).
macrostigma Plant, 2007: 17. NZ (NZ).
mediolinea Plant, 2007: 18. NZ (NZ).
mirabilis Collin, 1928: 32. NZ (NZ).
     recurva Collin, 1928: 34. NZ (NZ).
moderata Collin, 1928: 39. NZ (NZ).
modica Collin, 1928: 39. NZ (NZ).
monorhabdos Plant, 2007: 41. NZ (NZ).
oblata Collin, 1928: 40. NZ (NZ).
oblinata Collin, 1928: 41. NZ (NZ).
otiraensis Miller, 1923b: 443 (Litanomyia). NZ (NZ).
puhihiroa Plant, 2007: 39. NZ (NZ).
rakiuraensis Plant, 2007: 57. NZ (NZ).
rangopango Plant, 2007: 52. NZ (NZ).
secreta Collin, 1928: 35. NZ (NZ).
tainuia Plant, 2007: 15. NZ (NZ).
tangerina Plant, 2007: 51. NZ (NZ).
trepida Collin, 1928: 35. NZ (NZ).
ultraferox Plant, 2007: 54. NZ (NZ).
venatrix Plant, 2007: 31. NZ (NZ).

CLADODROMIA Bezzi, 1905: 453 (Hemerodromia subg.). Type species: Cladodromia inca Bezzi, 1905, des. Collin, 1928: 46.
futilis Collin, 1928: 50. NZ (NZ).
insignita Collin, 1928: 48. NZ (NZ).
inturbida Collin, 1928: 45 (Neoplasta). NZ (NZ).
negata Collin, 1928: 50. NZ (NZ).
soleata Collin, 1928: 47. NZ (NZ).

DOLIODROMIA Collin, 1928: 27. Type species: Doliodromia avita Collin, 1928, orig. des.
avita Collin, 1928: 27. NZ (NZ).

HEMERODROMIA Meigen, 1822: 61. Type species: Tachydromia oratoria Fallén, 1815, des. Rondani, 1856: 148. [Suspension of I.C.Z.N. rules required to validate Rondani’s type species designation, and to set aside earlier type designations by Westwood, 1840: 132 and Desmarest in d'Orbigny, 1845c: 528 in the interests of stability and common usage; see Melander (1928: 252), Collin (1961: 715).]
dromodromoa Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 34. Fiji.
iqasoa Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 36. Fiji.
kumia Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 38. Fiji.
moqimoqilia Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 38. Fiji.
radialis Collin, 1928: 42. NZ (NZ).
raradamua Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 40. Fiji.
senivana Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 41. Fiji.
spiculata Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 42. Fiji.
subiqasoa Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 42. Fiji.
stellaris Melander, 1947: 251. USA; Hawaiian Is [immigrant].
votovotoa Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 44. Fiji.
vucea Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 44. Fiji.
vulacia Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 47. Fiji.
vutivutia Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 47. Fiji.
watlingi Plant & Sinclair, 2008: 48. Fiji.

MONODROMIA Collin, 1928: 24. Type species: Monodromia fragilis Collin, 1928, orig. des.
fragilis Collin, 1928: 25. NZ (NZ).

PHYLLODROMIA Zetterstedt, 1837: 31 (Hemerodromia subg.) Type species: Empis melanocephala Fabricius, 1794, des. Rondani, 1856: 148.
falcata Plant, 2005: 132. NZ (NZ).
flexura Plant, 2005: 131. NZ (NZ).
floridula Plant, 2005: 133. NZ (NZ).
nigricoxa Plant, 2005: 128. NZ (NZ).
proiecta Plant, 2005: 126. NZ (NZ).
scopulifera Collin, 1928: 25. NZ (NZ).
striata Collin, 1928: 26. NZ (NZ).

Genus SORORSENEXA Plant

SORORSENEXA Plant, 2011: 268. Type species: Sororsenexa macalpinei Plant, 2011, orig.. des.
macalpinei Plant, 2011: 269. Australia (NSW)

PTILOPHYLLODROMIA Bezzi, 1904a: 344. Type species: Ptilophyllodromia biroi Bezzi, 1904, mon.
biroi Bezzi, 1904a: 345. Australia (NSW); Australia (Tas).

ASYMPHYLOPTERA Collin, 1933: 323. Type species: Asymphyloptera discrepans Collin, 1933, orig. des.
quadriseta Smith, 1961: 245. Australia (NSW).

CLINOCERA Meigen, 1803: 271. Type species: Clinocera nigra Meigen, 1804, subs. mon. Meigen, 1804: 292.
australiana Sinclair, 2000: 348. Australia (Tas); Australia (NSW, Vic).
bickeli Sinclair, 2000: 350. Australia (Tas).
gressitti Smith, 1964a: 327. NZ (Campbell I).
irrorata Sinclair, 2000: 353. Australia (NSW); Australia (ACT, Tas, Vic).
monticola Sinclair, 2000: 355. Australia (Tas); Australia (NSW).
queenslandica Sinclair, 2000: 355. Australia (Qld).
rubriventris Sinclair, 2000: 356. Australia (NSW); Australia (ACT, Qld, Tas, Vic).
spinosa Sinclair, 2000: 348. Australia (Tas).

DOLICHOCEPHALA Macquart, 1823: 147. Type species: Dolichocephala maculata Macquart, 1823 [= Tachydromia irrorata Fallén, 1815], mon.
DOLICHOCEPHALUS. Incorr. orig. spell. of Dolichocephala (Macquart, 1823: 165).
ciwatikina Sinclair & Evenhuis, 2005: 4. Fiji.
walutikina Sinclair & Evenhuis, 2005: 6. Fiji.
Undetermined sp.--Australia (Tas) (Hardy, 1930c: 244).

MICROPHORELLA Becker, 1909a: 28 (Microphor subg.). Type species: Microphorus praecox Loew, 1864, orig. des.
iota Colless, 1964: 320. Australia (ACT); Australia (NSW).
papuana Shamshev & Grootaert, 2004: 51. PNG (PNG).

MICROPHOR Macquart, 1827: 139. Type species: Microphor velutinus Macquart, 1827, des. Rondani, 1856: 151.
MICROPHORUS Macquart, 1834a: 345 (unjust. emend. of Microphor).
hiemalis White, 1916b: 240. Australia (Tas).

This page last revised 8 March 2012