The tabanidae (Diptera) of Australia. 4. Subfamily chrysopinae

Abstract

The subfamily Chrysopinae is represented in Australia by 1 species of Chrysops (Chrysopini) and 36 species of Bouvieromyiini, distributed in the monotypic genera Phibalomyia and Pseudopangonia, and 4 subgenera of Mesomyia, namely: Lilaea (6 species), Perisilvius (1, a Papuan intrusion), Pseudotabanus (distincta group 8, lunulata group 5, silvester group 6), Mesomyia (8). Elements of both southern and northern origin are represented. Most species of Mesomyia suck blood; the egg mass of M. (Pseudotabanus) silvester (Bergr.) and the larva and pupa of M. (Lilaea) fuliginosa (Tayl.) are known. Distribution of the subfamily in Australia is wide in the Bassian, Torresian, and Eyrean divisions, with a preponderance of species in the north. The semi-arid phases of the Pleistocene climatic cycles are believed to have had a major influence on speciation. The following new species of Mesomyia are described in the respective subgenera : Lilaea: norrisi, @ , W.A., ?Vic. Pseudotabanus: burnsi, @ , N. Qld.; eyreana, @ , W.A.; fulvissima, @ , N.W.A.; obscura, @ , N.T., N. Qld.; pulla, B @ , N.S.W. Mesomyia: latifrons, @ , ? B, S. Aust.; nigerrima, @ , W.A. Vepriella Mackerras is reduced to the rank of a species group in the subgenus Pseudotabanus, and Mesomyia (Pseudotabanus) taylori, nom. nov., is proposed for distinctus Taylor nec Ricardo.