Author
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Thompson, F |
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Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2003 Publication Date: 7/25/2003 Citation: Thompson, F.C. 2003. Austalis, a new genus of flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) with revisionary notes on related genera. Zootaxa. 246:1-19. Interpretive Summary: There are thousands of species of flies, some of which are pests and some beneficial. A group called flower flies are pollinators and their maggots aid in nutrient recycling by feeding on dead matter. They are good indicators of the environment because of their restricted and specialized life cycles. This paper describes one new group of species and one new species placing them in the context of the current, modern classification. This information, along with the included identification key and illustrations, will be useful to scientists studying flies, and to action agency personnel charged with identifying flies. Technical Abstract: A new genus and species of flower flies is described from the Australian Biotic Region (Austalis Thompson & Vockeroth, type Eristalis resolutus Walker; Australis rhina Thompson (Solomon Is.)). A key is provided to the groups of the subtribe Eristalina, along with nomenclatural notes and a checklist of genus-group names. |
