Key to dolichopodid subfamilies

Key to the dolichopodid subfamilies of Seychelles

This key does apply for most subfamilies on Seychelles, but not for dolichopodids out of Seychelles.

1. Apical section of discal vein (m1+2) forked (Fig. 1). Vertex sunken between the eyes with a prominent ocellar tubercle (Fig.6). Slender species on long legs and generally with a shining metallic green body. Adults mainly seen on leaves and not associated with water.............................................................................. Sciapodinae

- Apical section of discal vein (m1+2) not forked, but the tip of discal vein can be strongly bent (Fig.2) in Neurigona and Argyrochlamys. Vertex not sunken between the eyes (except for Urodolichus permirus)............................................................... 2

2. First antennal segment dorsally with hairs .......................... Dolichopodinae
- First antennal segment dorsally without hairs .......................................................... 3

3. Arista apical  ......................................................................... 4
- Arista dorsal (Fig.5) ............................................................................. 7

4. Third antennal segment triangular ………………………………. Rhaphiinae
- Third antennal segment more or less globular  …………………….   5

5. A pair of strong fronto-orbital bristles present; marine, rocky shores …. Aphrosylinae (the genus Cymatopus is not reported yet from Seychelles, but expected).
- No fronto-orbital bristles present …………………………………… 6

6. Third antennal segment oval with apical arista; hypopygium stalked and reflexed below abdomen (Fig. 16); mainly on tree trunks  ................……………………...... Medeterinae
- Third antennal segment more or less triangular with a subapical arista /or arista inserted in an apical excavation. Female with bristles on clypeus, absent in male. Hypopygium also reflexed under abdomen, but with long white cerci; on damp soils  ….. ……………........…………………………............... Acropsilus (Peloropeodinae)

7. (Arista dorsal) Vein M apically strongly bent (Fig. 2). Large yellow species on long legs, sitting on tree trunks. Male with large genitalia flexed below abdomen. …………………. Neurigoninae
- Vein M apically almost straight, not bent; generally small species  ……… 8

8. Occiput more or less concave. Third antennal segment with a blunt tip ...................... Diaphorinae
- Occiput convex. Third antennal segment with a pointed tip, or apically rounded ...........9

9. Postocular bristles uniseriate. Third antennal segment with a pointed tip ......................... Sympycninae
- Postocular bristles pluriseriate. Third antennal segment apically more or less rounded (in Thinophilus, Fig. 5); on beach, in mangrove and on shores of streams ................................................................................. Hydrophorinae

Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith