Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173610

Title: The genus Aristosyrphus Curran (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Author
item Thompson, F
item MARINONI, LUCIANE - CURITIBA, BRASIL

Submitted to: Studia Dipterologica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2005
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Adult flower flies are pollinators and their maggots aid in nutrient recycling by feeding on dead matter. Some flower fly larvae are plant feeders and are important in biocontrol of invasive weeds, while others are important predators on aphids or general scavengers. This paper describes 7 species of flower flies previously unknown to science. This information, along with the included identification key, will be useful to scientists studying flies, and to action agency personnel charged with identifying flies such as APHIS-PPQ.

Technical Abstract: The flower fly genus Aristosyrphus (DIPTERA: Syrphidae) is revised. The genus is redescribed and a key to species is presented. The genus contains 7 previously described species, with 7 new species: barrettoi Thompson, described from Brazil (Goias); bellus Marinoni from Brazil (Amazonas); brunneus Thompson, described from Costa Rica (type) and Brazil (São Paulo); elegans Thompson, described from Brazil (Roraima); obscurus Thompson, described from Brazil (Santa Catarina); samperi Thompson, described from Colombia (type), Peru and Costa Rica; fortuitus Ramirez described from Mexico (Jalisco). The critical characters are illustrated.