Wing Morphometrics of Australian Luciliini (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Abstract

Wing morphometrics of Australian representatives of the tribe Luciliini were examined in order to clarify phenetic relationships within the group. Wing variables were shown to be valid and consistent species characteristics. No significant variations were found due to sex, generation or locality. No clines could be detected from an analysis of 30 localities. Multiple species comparisons indicate that, at the 95% level of similarity, at least three groups apparently exist, corresponding to the genus Hemipyrellia and two groups within the genus Lucilia. There is no support for other genera, such as Phaenicia, as previously proposed. Some doubt exists as to the validity of placing fergusoni in the genus Hemipyrellia, as it appears from our data to be more similar to species of Lucilia.