The Tabanidae (Diptera) of Australia. 3. Subfamily Pangoniinae, Tribe Scionini and Supplement to Pangoniini.

Abstract

The Australian Scionini belong to five subgenera of the genus Scaptia, namely: Scaptia, known from South America and Australia, with 28 Australian species; Pseudoscione, known from South America, Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand, with 25 Australian species; Myioscaptia (7 species), Plinthina (7 species), and Palimmecomyia (2 species), known only from Australia. Many of the species suck blood, but some appear to feed only on flowers, chiefly of Leptospermum. Larvae and pupae of one species each of the subgenera Scaptia, Pseudoscione, and Myioscaptia are known. The principal concentration of species is in eastern New South Wales, with radiation north end south, and subsidiary concentrations in north Queensland and south-western Western Australia. The subgenus Plinthina has developed mainly in Western Australia. The Pleistocene glacial cycles are believed to have had a profound effect on speciation in the genus. The following new species and subspecies are described in the respective subgenera : Scaptia: barbara, B @, N.S.W., S. Qld. ; norrisi, B @, N.S.W., N. Qld. ; aurinotum, @, N.S.W. ; minuscula, B @, W.A. ; auranticula, B @, W.A. ; orba, @, N.S.W. ; alpina alpina, B @, N.S.W., Vic. ; alpina hardyi, B @, N.S.W. ; similis, B @, N.S.W., Qld. Pseudoscione: orientalis, B @, N.S.W., Vic.; guttipennis occidentalis, B @, W.A.; calabyi, B @, W.A.; neoconcolor, B @, N.Qld.; anomala, B @, N.S.W., Vic. Myioscaptia: calliphora, B @, N.S.W.; nigrocincta, @, N. Qld.; nigroapicalis, B @, N.S.W. Plinthina: nigerrima, @, N.S.W. ; subcinerea, B @, W.A. Palimmecomyia: pictipennis, @, S. Aust., ? W.A. Scaptia (Scaptia) monticola, nom. nov., is proposed for montana Ricardo nec Hutton. Two species are added to the Pangoniini: Ectenopsis (Ectenopsis) erratica (Walk.), B, W.A., previously unrecognized; and Caenoprosopon dycei, sp, nov., B, N.S.W. Ommia prisca End. is transferred from the synonymy of Ectenopsis (Parasilvius) victoriensis Ferg. to the synonymy of Mesomyia (Lilaea) lurida (Walk.), Chrysopinae.