Revision of Key to dolichopodid subfamilies from Wed, 2013-08-28 10:35

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