Revision of the Australian bee fly genus Aleucosia Edwards (Diptera : Bombyliidae)

Abstract

Comptosia (Aleucosia) Edwards is diagnosed and Chelina Hull and Paramonovomyia Evenhuis are synonymised with it. The characters of the Australian Lomatiinae are specified and a key to the Australian genera of Lomatiinae is presented. Aleucosia is divided into 8 species-groups based on wing pattern and integumental colour. Cladistic relationships between the species and species-groups are delineated. Keys to these species-groups and to the species within them are presented. For most species the antenna1 flagellum, male and female genitalia and distribution are illustrated. Aleucosia contains at least 38 species; 16 are redescribed and 20 described as new. Alyosia tricellata (Macquart) and Alyosia tripunctata (Macquart) are synonymised under Aleucosia atherix (Newman). Lectotypes are designated for A. triceliata (Macquart), A. cuneata (Edwards), A. norrisi (Hull), A. plena (Walker) and A. serpentiger (Walker). The following new species are described: A. albovittata, A. hyalina, A. saltuaria, A. directa, A. sugillata, A. arguta, A. marginata, A. preclara, A. abdita, A. tridentata, A. affinis, A. aquila, A. guttata, A. multipunctata, A. colona, A. pallida, A. obtusa, A. illota, A. danielsorum and A. adusta.