Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #174432
Title: Flower flies of the genus Alipumilio Shannon (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Author
item Thompson, F
item WYNNE, IAN - COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

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

Interpretive Summary: Flower flies are important pollinators as adults, and the larvae of many species are predators of plant pests, such as aphids. A few flower fly larvae are plant feeders and are important in biocontrol of invasive weeds. This paper treats a tropical genus of flower flies that breed in sap runs in trees, aiding in the nutrient recycling. One species is eaten by Quechua indians of Ecuador as food. This paper describes 5 species 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.

Technical Abstract: Alipumilio athesphatus Thompson (Argentina (type), Bolivia), A. joroni Wynne (Peru); A. laceyae Thompson (Brazil: Sao Paulo), A. obscurus Thompson (Brazil) and A. sedmani Thompson (Peru) are described. A key to the species of Alipumilio is given. All species are described and pertinet nomenclatural and distributional data provided. Figures of male gentialia and other key characters are given.