Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde
, Serie A (Biologie) : YW

Nie Herausgeber:

Staatliches Museum fur Naturkunde, Rosenstein 1, D-70191 Stuttgart

Stuttgarter Beitr. Naturk. SEREEN Nr. 585 1578: Stuttgart, 30. 4. 1999

An annotated lıst of Stratiomyidae (Diptera)
from Sri Lanka with taxonomic notes on some genera

By Martin Hauser, Stuttgart and Rudolf Rozkosny, Brno

With 14 figures and 1 table

Summary

An annotated list of soldier flies from Sri Lanka is compiled as a result of the critical revi-
sion of published records and a study of material deposited in the State Museum of Natural
History, Stuttgart (SMNS) and in the authors’ collections.

Taxonomic notes are given for the genera Argyrobrithes Grünberg, Aulana Walker, Micro-
chrysa Loew, Odontomyia Meigen, Oplodontha Rondani, Ptilocera Wiedemann, Sargus
Loew, Tinda Walker und Wallacea Doleschall. The previously unknown male of Odontomyia
angustilimbata Brunetti, 1923 is described for the first time. Sargus mactans Walker, 1860 is
resurrected from the synonymy, and distinguishing characters on the male genitalia of two
species from the Sargus metallinus-group are illustrated. The revised list includes 30 species,
10 of them being endemic in Sri Lanka. Comments on these species refer to published records,
distribution and data concerning the examined material (if available).

Keywords: Stratiomyidae, Oriental region, Sri Lanka, faunistics, taxonomy.

Zusammenfassung

Als Resultat einer kritischen Revision von Literaturangaben und Material aus der Samm-
lung des Staatlichen Museums fiir Naturkunde Stuttgart (SMNS), und der Sammlungen sowie
der Autoren, wird eine mit Anmerkungen versehene Liste der Waffenfliegen Sri Lankas zu-
sammengestellt.

Zu folgenden Gattungen werden taxonomische Anmerkungen gemacht: Argyrobrithes
Grünberg, Aulana Walker, Microchrysa Loew, Odontomyia Meigen, Oplodontha Rondani,
Ptilocera Wiedemann, Sargus Loew, Tinda Walker und Wallacea Doleschall. Das bisher unbe-
kannte Männchen von Odontomyia angustilimbata Brunetti, 1923 wird zum ersten Mal be-
schrieben, Sargus mactans Walker, 1860 wird aus der Synonymie gehoben und Unterschei-
dungsmerkmale der männlichen Genitalien von zwei Arten der Sargus metallinus-Gruppe
werden abgebildet. Die revidierte Liste umfaßt 30 Arten, von denen 10 endemisch auf Sri Lan-
ka vorkommen. Kommentare zu jeder Art beziehen sich auf Literaturzitate, Verbreitung und
die Funddaten des untersuchten Materials.

2 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

Contents
1. ‘Introduction . 2.22 er bore den SOR er ee 2
2. Taxonomic notes on some genera... e+ ne ees ee ee nen ne 2
2.1. Argyrobrithes Grünberg and Wallacea Doleschall ..... ........ see 2
32. Aulana Walker -........0 0: ees sone ee en ee 3
2.3. Microchrysa Loew ...+-+++ 20sec cere eeee Feet eet et. Jeet ncas: 3
2.4. Odontomyia Meigen and Oplodontha Rondami .............2+-+s2se sees eee, 3
35, Prlocera Wiedemann ....<.-.202 02.2 200: see) soe + 6
2.6. Sargus LOCW ... 00.0022 eet ene cee ene on en un en el 6
37. Tinda Walker <5 cede oe vice bbs ne een eee 8
3. Annotated list of Stratiomyidae recorded from Sri Lanca....................-005. 8
A. Acknowledements\......--..0--4-022 22-2220 eee 14
5. Literature ee fam Geos es Oboe hee ge oe Osher O eee 14

1. Introduction

The recent list of the Stratiomyidae known from Sri Lanka includes 30 species
(James, 1975; RozkoSn¥ & Hauser, 1998). GERSTAECKER (1857) was probably the
first author who mentioned stratiomyids from this island. Brcor (1879) described a
new species: Sargus pallipes (= S. metallinus Fabricius) and BRAUER (1882) described
Acraspidea felderi which has been recognized, however, as a synonym of Aulana
confirmata Walker. Two records of Sargus species were later added by van DER
Wutp (1885). BRUNETTI (1907) registered only 4 earlier records from Sri Lanka and,
later on, in the Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma (BRUNETTI,
1920), he recorded 7 species from the then Ceylon; in his revision of Oriental Stra-
tiomyidae (BRUNETTI, 1923) he mentioned 13 more species. Only one species treat-
ed in his identification key (Odontomyia angustilimbata) was subsequently de-
scribed in detail (BRUNETTI, 1925). A special study devoted to Stratiomyidae from
Ceylon was published by Linpner (1955). He identified 22 species including two
new genera and three new species in the material collected by E KEIser in
1953-1954. Recently we have studied a series of specimens collected on Sri Lanka by
C. KassEBEER (Kiel) and Dr. C. Scom1D-EGGER (Karlsruhe) in 1994 and O. NIEHUIs
(Marburg) in 1996. We revised some specimens from the E. LinDnek collection pre-
served in the Staatliches Museum fiir Naturkunde in Stuttgart (SMNS). Among the
material examined we found a new species of the widely distributed genus Ptecticus
(Sarginae) which is externally very similar to Ptecticus australis Schiner, 1868, but
differs markedly by the shape of the male genitalia (cf. RozkoSnyY & Hauser, 1998).
Moreover, we correct some further misidentifications by earlier authors.

2. Taxonomic notes on some genera

2.1. Argyrobrithes Grinberg and Wallacea Doleschall

_Kerrész (1921) suggested that the Wallacea species of earlier authors should be
divided into two genera. According to his concept, Argyrobrithes includes species
with a considerably flattened antennal style, whereas Wallacea possesses a densely
haired and often almost cylindrical style.

_ Krivosuetna (1983) defined distinguishing characters for the most Oriental spe-
cies of both genera in her revisional study. The male of “Wallacea separata” from the

HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA 3

LINDNER collection shows the black, flattened antennal style, contiguous eyes and
the last abdominal tergite bearing a median stripe of whitish hairs. Thus it belongs to
Argyrobrithes albopilosus and not to Wallacea separata as LINDNER believed.

The second species of this group which was treated by LINDNER (1955), Wallacea
albiseta, difters from the related species by the arrangement of relatively short mar-
ginal cornicles on the scutellum, pale tibiae, the silvery pile on the scutum and a lon-
gitudinal median stripe of silvery hairs on tergite 5 (cf. KRIvOSHEINA, 1983). The
identification of LINDNER’s two females was confirmed as correct.

2.2. Aulana Walker

Aulana includes 5 Oriental species characterized by long and slender antennae
and a typical wing venation. A. confirmata has a black haired antennal style, some-
what upwards oriented scutellum and a brown middle band on each femur. The
available specimens were reexamined using the key compiled by Ho tis (1963).

2.3. Microchrysa Loew

All Oriental species of Microchrysa ought to be revised in the same way as the
Afrotropical species were by Mason (1997). So far, only the widespread Oriental M.
flaviventris, with the westernmost records from the Comoro Is., Madagascar and
the Seychelle Is., may be reliably identified according to the mentioned monograph.
All the revised specimens from the LINDNER collection display the incomplete discal
cell and the examined male possesses the characteristic aedeagal complex (Fig. 1).
The female is characterized by a relatively long pile on the ocellar triangle and a long
fringe of hairs on the distal margin of the third flagellomere.

The second species from Sri Lanka, M. vertebrata, is based on two females. This
species seems to be characterized by the peculiar pale pattern on the female abdomen
(Fig. 2). Unfortunately the male is not known and thus the relationships to other
Oriental species cannot be discussed.

2.4. Odontomyia Meigen and Oplodontha Rondani

When revising 6 specimens from LINDNER’s “Odontomyia minuta” deposited in
Stuttgart, we found that the pale specimens of this originally extensive series (36
males and 12 females) belonged really to Oplodontha minuta (Fabricius) whilst the
dark ones belong to Odontomyia angustilimbata Brunetti. The latter species was
briefly characterized in BRUNETTI’s key to the Oriental Odontomyıa species (BRU-
NETTI, 1923) but described from the two female specimens two years later (BRUNET-
TI, 1925). The male is described here for the first time.

Odontomyia angustilimbata Brunetti

Description of the male:

Head. — Black, with conspicuously produced and rounded face (Fig. 3). Large
eyes touching for a relatively long distance leaving only narrow, elongate triangular
upper frons in front of ocellar triangle free. Distance of posterior ocellus to hind eye
margin shorter than that between anterior and posterior ocelli in dorsal view. Low-
er frons above antennae short, subtriangular. Face hemispherically protuberant,
peristomal margin relatively long. Antenna brown (Fig. 3), flagellum darkened. Ba-

4 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

Fig. 1. Microchrysa flaviventris (Wiedemann), aedeagal complex in lateral view.

Fig, 2. Microchrysa vertebrata Lindner, female abdomen, dorsal view. _ von

Figs. 3-8. Odontomyia angustilimbata Brunetti. — 3. Male head in lateral view; — 4. male ab-
domen in dorsal view; — 5. male proctiger, cerci and epandrium; — 6. aedeagal com-

plex in dorsal and lateral view; — 7. male synsternite and gonostyli; — 8. female head
in lateral view.

HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA 5)

sal antennal segments combined about as long as flagellum, scape about 1.5 times
longer than pedicel. Six flagellomeres distinct, basal one about as long as the two fol-
lowing ones. Flagellomere 4 somewhat conical, flagellomere 5 very narrow, ring-
shaped, and flagellomere 6 flattened, almost quadrate. Sensillae covering basal 3 fla-
gellomeres whitish. Proboscis rather long and slender. Head pile yellowish to pale
brown and upright on vertex, ocellar triangle and upper frons. Very dense, silvery
white and appressed hairs distinct on frontal triangle above antennae and a group of
similar hairs at the eye margin in middle of face. Other parts of face and gena with
white to yellow sparse hairs reaching longest length on ventral part of head.

Thorax. — Black, only posterior margin of scutellum including a pair of scutellar
spines broadly yellow. Scutellar spines relatively short, almost cylindrical, slightly
curved innerwards. Thoracic pile pale yellow, erect on scutum, reaching the length
of antennal scape, semierect on pleura. In addition scutum (and partially also pleura)
covered with short and appressed golden yellow hairs.

Wing. — Without any infumation and microtrichia. Veins and pterostigma yellow,
only discal cell and adjoining parts of some veins more brownish. Vein Ry present,
discal cell relatively small, M; missing but its root visible, M3 completely absent.
Veins Mz and CuA, ending far before wing margin. Posterior crossvein slightly
longer than anterior one. Squamae greyish with white hairs, halteres yellow with
darkened stalks.

Legs. — Chiefly yellow but all coxae predominantly black. All femora with a
broad ring in apical half each, also last 2-3 tarsomeres darkened on each pair of legs.
Yellow pile mostly inconspicuous but dense and long on posterior side of all femo-
fas

Abdomen. - Subcircular (Fig. 4), even very slightly broader than long, predomi-
nantly shining dark brown to black. Yellow pattern consisting of narrow lateral mar-
gin and somewhat broader posterior margins of tergites 2-5. Yellow transverse
stripe on tergite 2 considerably narrowed or even interrupted in middle. Sternites
2-5 with broad yellow stripes becoming narrower to distal end of abdomen. In this
way, stripe on tergite 2 occupying its whole middle part, on sternite 3 is somewhat
broader than half sternite width and which on sternite 4 is narrower than black part.
Abdominal pile fine and pale, semi-erect to erect, long dorsolaterally and ventroba-
sally.

Male genitalia (Figs. 5-7). Relatively small and simple. Proctiger subtriangular, al-
most equilateral, cerci short and oval. Epandrium broader than long, with pointed
proximal corners. Medial process of synsternite well developed, broadly triangular,
its apex rounded. Dististylus bilobate on inner side, distal lobe pointed. Aedeagal
complex rather flat in lateral view, parameres slightly shorter than aedeagus and ap-
pressed along their whole length.

Body length. — 5.7 mm, wing length 4.6 mm.

The female was briefly described by BRuNETTI (1925). Here some additional facts:

Head. — Much longer than high, face almost as long as height of eye, rounded api-
cally (Fig. 8). Frons broader than one eye in dorsal view, postocular area slightly nar-
rower than antennal pedicel. Gena reaching about 1/3 of eye height. Colour of head
black with extensive yellow pattern occupying central area of face and a triangular
part of frons above antennae, anteriorly leaving only very narrow peristomal margin
black. Moreover, face with brownish middle longitudinal stripe. Yellow ventral and

6 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

posterior part of head separated from facial patch by a broad black stripe between
eye and peristomal margin. Yellow ventral part of head interrupted by a blackish
subtringular spot distinct in middle of ventral peristomal margin in lateral view.
Postocular area darkened in upper part but its hind corner at level of inner posterior
angle of eye partly yellowish. Flagellomere 5 of antenna almost indistinct and flagel-
lomere 6 slightly bilobate apically. Proboscis black, palpi yellow. Head pile white to
yellowish, mostly sparse and appressed, only on ventral part of head and palpi long
and erect. Three subcircular patches consisting of dense silverish white hairs distinct
in black area of frons and peristomal stripe at eye margin.

Thorax. — Chiefly black, only propleura and posterior corner of katepisternum
yellow. Scutellum yellow, with black basal third. Scutum with short and appressed
yellowish hairs.

Wings. — As in male but pterostigma more brownish.

Legs and abdomen. - As in male, but long hairs on posterior side of femora miss-
ing, posterior margin of tergite 1 predominantly yellow, yellow posterior stripe on
tergite 2 not interrupted in middle and yellow pattern on venter more extended, par-
ticularly in middle area. Bisegmented cerci yellow.

Body length. — 5.6mm, wing length 4.7mm.

Oplodontha Rondani

Oplodontha Rondani differs from Odontomyia Meigen by a very small or lacking
discal cell and a partly reduced wing venation (R, unbranched and M veins usually
reduced to a stump and a fold) and is generally accepted by recent authors. From 4
Oriental species 3 are keyed by James (1947). Oplodonta minuta is characterized by
the conspicuous pale spots on the pleura, completely yellow fore and mid tibiae and
the hind femur and tibia each bearing a broad dark ring. The scutellum in the speci-
mens examined is predominantly black, with the posterior margin including spines
being broadly yellow. O. rubrithorax, the second species found in Sri Lanka, differs
remarkably by the missing pleural spots, the entirely yellow hind femur and tibia
and the wholly black scutellum.

2.5. Ptilocera Wiedemann

The genus is characterized by the peculiar antennae which are particularly con-
spicuous in females. Seven Oriental species need revision, the diagnostic characters
in the published keys (KeRT£sz, 1916; BRUNETTI, 1923) appear to be at least partly
problematic. P fastwosa shows the blackish darkened wings with a transverse yellow
stripe from the pterostigma to the upper part of M3. The females are probably char-
acterized by the densely punctate and thus virtually granulate upper half of the frons
and vertex. The pattern consisting of metallic scales on the scutum and hairs on the
abdomen seems to be largely variable. Illustrations of the male genitalia are to be
found in Kerrész (1916: Figs. 43-45).

2.6. Sargus Loew

_Of the Oriental Sargus species at least two occur in Sri Lanka. According to the
distinguishing characters pointed out by van DER WuLP (1885), BRUNETTI (1907,
1920, 1923) and DE MEIJERE (1911) they fit well with S. metallinus (Fabricius) and S.
mactans Walker. However James (1957, 1975) considers both these species to be

HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA

Figs. 9-11. Sargus metallinus Fabricius, male genitalia. - 9. Dorsal part; - 10. synsternite
and gonostyli; — 11. aedeagal complex in dorsal and lateral view.

Figs. 12-14. Sargus mactans Walker, male genitalia. - 12. Dorsal part; - 13. synsternite and
gonostyli; — 14. aedeagal complex in dorsal and lateral view.

8 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

identical with regard to the considerable variability in the leg coloration within the
S. metallinus-group. Our recent study of the male genitalia proves that both species
are valid and distinguishable by a set of indisputable morphological differences in
addition to some more or less stable colour characters. They may be separated (at
least the populations living in Sri Lanka) as in Tab. 1 (cf. also Figs. 9-14).

Tab. 1. Characters of two Oriental species of Sargus.
Character S. metallinus S. mactans

hind coxa predominantly yellow black
hind tibia completely yellow black in basal 1/3-1/2

medial process of synsternite narrow and long broad and low

parameres shorter than aedeagus, as long as aedeagus, divergent
appressed

aedeagal apodeme missing well developed

Nacatomt (1975) apparently illustrated the male genitalia of S. mactans under his
“S. metallinus” from Japan because he followed James (1957) in the concept of the
S. metallinus-group. On the other hand, his “S. metallinus” from Thailand may be
closely related or even identical with the true metallinus. Nevertheless, the East
Palaearctic as well as Oriental species of Sargus are badly in need of a serious revi-
sion. This was shown by a recent study by Nacatomt (1990) where S. beppui is de-
scribed as a new species resembling S. metallinus by its male genitalia but differing
by the more extensive brown pattern on legs.

2.7. Tinda Walker

Four Oriental species of this genus are considered to be valid by James (1975).
However, T. acanthinoidea Jaenicke is identical with 7. javana (Macquart) according
to KerT£sz (1914), who reportedly studied the type specimen. T. vitalisi Brunetti
differs from the other known species by a shorter antennal scape and a broad frons
in the female which is not narrowed towards the antennae (cf. BRUNETTI, 1924:
Fig. 3). The further two widely distributed species, 7. javana and T. indica, should
differ in the head outline in profile being distinctly more elongate in T. javana (cf.
KERTESZ, 1914: Figs. 7, 10). The examined specimens from Sri Lanka fit well with
the Kerrész’ concept of the latter species. In any case the opinion of BRUNETTI
(1923) that there is probably only one Oriental species of Tinda is certainly not cor-
rect.

3. Annotated list of Stratiomyidae recorded from Sri Lanka!)

Adoxomyia hemienopla (Wiedemann, 1819)

Distribution and remarks: Ceylon (BRUNETTI, 1920), Kandy, Deiyannewela, Am-
bacotta, Teldeniya, Negombo, Puttalam, Mannar, Kankesanturai (LINDNER, 1955).
Apparently the most widely distributed from the three Oriental species of this ge-

!) Endemic species marked with E.

HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA 9

nus; known to occur from West Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to Burma. Well char-
acterized by the pattern consisting of short appressed hairs on the scutum.

Material examined: Negombo, 4.VIII.1953, 12; - Kandy Deiyannewela, 18.1.1954, 19,
both Keiser leg., in SMNS; — South Sri Lanka, Galle, Unawatuna, 18.X.1994, 1 d, SCHMIDT-

EGGeER leg.; — Tissamaharama, 15.X.1994, 4 8 d in Hauser coll.; 6 d 3, KassEBEer leg. & coll.,
Kiel.

Allognosta annulifemur Enderlein, 1921

Distribution: Ceylon (ENDERLEIN, 1921), Kandy, Deiyannewela, Nuwara Eliya
(LINDNER, 1955). Allognosta is a rich genus with 25 species in the Oriental region. A.
annulifemur is not found out of the territory of Sri Lanka. E.

Ankylacantha keiseri Lindner, 1955

Distribution and remarks: Kandy (LINDNER, 1955). A monotypic genus charac-
terized by a hooklike mid-dorsal projection on the scutellum. Its identity seems to
be well documented by a figure included in LINDNER (1955). Nevertheless, the dis-
tinct relation to Monacanthomyia Brunetti, 1912, have to be re-examined. Its distri-
bution area seems to be limited to Sri Lanka.

Material examined: Kandy, 10.1X.1953, 1 2; 12.IX.1953, 1 2 (both paratypes); KEIsER leg.,
in SMNS. E.

Argyrobrithes albopilosus DeMeyere, 1907

Distribution: Matale (BRUNETTI, 1923, sub Wallacea albopilosa), Kandy, Telde-
niya (LINDNER, 1955, sub Wallacea separata DeMeijere). The species is known only
from Java and Sri Lanka.

Material examined: Teldeniya, 20.1.1954, 1d, in SMNS (identified as Wallacea separata). —
Eliya, Haputale, 30 km SE Nuwara, 31.VII.1996, 1 2, Nrenuts leg.

Aulana confirmata Walker, 1864

Distribution: Rambodde (BRauER, 1882 and BRUNETTI, 1907, sub Acraspidea fel-
deri Brauer), Sudaganga, Matale (BRUNETTI, 1923), Kandy, Roseneath, Peredeniya
(LINDNER, 1955). In addition to Sri Lanka, Aulana confirmata is also known from
Malaysia and the Moluccas.

Material examined: Kandy, 12.VIII.1953, 2 2 2; 3.11.1954, 19; 17.11.1954, 2d 6; KEISER
leg., in SMNS.

Cibotogaster azurea (Gerstaecker, 1857)

Distribution: Ceylon (GERSTAECKER, 1857 and BRUNETTI, 1907, sub Acanthina
azurea). Cibotogaster Enderlein includes 6 Oriental species. C. azurea, the only spe-
cies recorded in Sri Lanka, is widespread from Sri Lanka, India and Sumatra to the
Philippines.

Hermetia illucens (Linné, 1758)

Distribution: Kandy, Pitakanda, Deiyannewela, Hantana, Lady Horton’s Drive,
Peradeniya, Haragama, Wariagala, Rajakadaluwa, Dambulla, Kantalai, Welimada —

10 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

Uva Ben Head (LinpNER, 1955). Spread by commerce through the warm parts
(tropics and subtropics) all over the world.

Material examined: Peradeniya Exper. Stat., 5.V1.1953, 1d; — Kandy Pitakanda, 19.V1.1953,
1 2; both Keser leg., in SMNS; — Kandy, Kandy lake, 500 m, 10.X.1994, 1 2; — Tjssamahara-
ma, 15.X.1994, 4 2 2; - Colombo, Piliyandala, 9.X.1994, 1056,12; all KassEBEER leg. &
coll., Kiel.

Hermetia inflata (Walker, 1859)

Distribution: Periviponcheram (BRUNETTI, 1923). Widely distributed from Sri
Lanka, Sumatra and Java to the Philippines and the Moluccas.

Microchrysa flaviventris (Wiedemann, 1824)

Distribution: Ceylon (BıGoT, 1879 and BRUNETTI, 1907, as Microchrysa gemma
Bigot), Paradeniya (BRUNETTI, 1920), Trincomalee - Hot Wells (BRUNETTI, 1923),
Kandy, Deiyannewela, Lady Blake’s Drive, Peradeniya, Ganoruwa (LINDNER, 1955).
Widespread in the Oriental region, eastern part of the Palaearctic region and Ocea-
nia from West Pakistan through India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaya, Sumatra and
Java to China, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Maria-
na Is. and Caroline Is. (James, 1975; NaGaTomt, 1975) but also recorded in eastern
part of the Afrotropical region on Madagascar, Comoro Is. and Seychelle Is.
(LINDNER, 1966; Mason, 1997).

Material examined: Peradeniya Exper. Stat., 6.V1.1953, 22 2; — Kandy, 2.VII.1953, 1 2;
16.11.1954, 1 3; all Keiser leg., in SMNS.

Microchrysa vertebrata Lindner, 1955

Distribution: Kandy (LINDNER, 1955). Based on two females, one of which was
revised. Only the type material from Sri Lanka is known.

Material examined: Kandy, 6.X1.1953, 1 2, KEıser leg., in SMNS. E.

Nigritomyia ceylonica Kertesz, 1921

Distribution and remarks: Kandy Roseneath, Lady Horton’s Drive, Peradeniya,
Haragama (LINDNER, 1955). The Genus Nigritomyia is represented by 7 species in
the Oriental region. The endemic N. ceylonica is characterized by a very typical
nose-like protuberance on the lower face in both sexes.

Material examined: Kandy Roseneath, 11.VIII.1953, 12; — Kandy, 30.1X.1953, 22 9;
23.X1.1953, 1d; all Keıser leg., in SMNS. E.

Nigritomyia maculipennis (Macquart, 1849)

Distribution: Kandy, Heneratgoda, Haragam, Velverry (BRUNETTI, 1923). These
records may refer to N. ceylonica which was not included in BRUNETTT’s revision
(1923). According to James (1975), the distribution area includes Sri Lanka, Borneo
and the Philippines.

HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA 11

Odontomyia angustilimbata Brunetti, 1923

Distribution and remarks: Tricomalee Hot Wells (BRUNETTI, 1923). BRUNETTI
pointed out only diagnostic characters. A detailed description (of the female) was
published two years later (BRUNETTI, 1925). The first description of the male is in-
cluded in our taxonomic notes (see above).

Material examined: Yala, 22.X.1953, 12; — Tissamaharama, 24.X.1953, 366, 19; all
Keıser leg., in SMNS (misidentified as O. minuta Fabricius). E.
Odontomyia cyanea (Brunetti, 1920)

Distribution: Kurunegala — Elephant Rock (LINDNER, 1955). A species which is
well known from Sri Lanka and India.

Odontomyia fascipes Brunetti, 1923
Distribution: Trincomalee, Kanthalia (BRUNETTI, 1923), Haragama (LINDNER,
1955). E.

Odontomyia punctifacies Brunetti, 1923

Distribution: Trincomalee, Kuchavilla, Nilawelli Road (BRUNETTI, 1923). E.

Oplodontha minuta (Fabricius, 1794)

Distribution and remarks: Trincomalee, Nilawelli, Periakulam (BRUNETTI, 1923,
sub Odontomyia minuta), Negombo, Kalpitiya, Mannar, Tissamaharama, Buthawa,
Yala (LinDNER, 1955, sub Odontomyia minuta). LINDNER’s (1955) concept of this
species is apparently a mixture of Oplodontha minuta and Odontomyia angustilim-
bata (see chapter 2.4.). Our study of 8 original specimens shows that only three real-
ly belong to this species. O. minuta occurs in Sri Lanka and India.

Material examined: Negombo, 4.VIII.1953, 3d d, KEıser leg.

Oplodontha rubrithorax (Macquart, 1838)

Distribution: Trincomalee, Kanthalia (BRUNETTI, 1923), Tambuttegama (LIND-
NER, 1955). A species distributed from Sri Lanka, India and Java to the Philippines.
Oxycera whitei Brunetti, 1923

Distribution: Matale (BRUNETTI, 1923). From 11 Oriental species of this genus
only O. whitei was recorded in Sri Lanka. E.
Prosopochrysa vitripennis (Doleschall, 1856)

Distribution: Kanthalia, Trincomalee Hot Wells (BRUNETTI, 1923), Welimada
(LinDneEr, 1955). Prosopochrysa de Meijere includes 3 Oriental species, P. vitripennis
has been recorded from Sri Lanka, India and Java.

12 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

Ptecticus australis Schiner, 1868

Distribution and remarks: Peradeniya (BRUNETTI, 1920, 1923), Kanthalia, Nuwa-
ra Eliya, Heneratgoda (BRUNETTI, 1923), Kandy, Reservoir, Roseneath, Lady
Horton’s Drive, Peradeniya (LINDNER, 1955). A widely distributed species in the
Oriental region but its occurrence on Sri Lanka needs confirmation. Actually, all
Ceylonian specimens identified by earlier authors as P. australis, which were recent-
ly re-examined, belong to a new species (P ceylonicus ROZKOSNY & Hauser, 1998).

Ptecticus ceylonicus Rozkosny & Hauser, 1998

Remarks: This recently described species apparently belongs to the endemic taxa
of Sri Lanka. The material available was identified by earlier authors as P australis.

Material examined (type series see RozKoSny & Hauser, 1998): Kandy Lake, 500m,
11.X.1994, 48 & (incl. holotype), KAssEBEER leg.; — Kandy, Lady Horton’s Drive, 21.V1.1953,

16, 13.VI1.1953, 1 &, 26.11.1954, 1 d; (all misidentified by LINDNER, 1955 as P. australis Schi-
ner), KEISER leg., deposited in the SMNS. E.

Ptecticus cingulatus Loew, 1855

Distribution and remarks: Kandy, Lady Horton’s Drive, Deiyannewela, Rose-
neath (LINDNER, 1955). A modern redescription including figures of the male geni-
talia is included in RozKosny & Kovac (1996). A conspicuous species known to oc-
cur in Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Taiwan.

Material examined: Hinaduma, 28.IV.1892, 1 d, YERBURY leg.; - Kandy, Lady Horton’s

Drive, 4.V1.1953, 2d d, KEIsER leg.; - Kandy Roseneath, 11.VII. 1953, 1d, KetsEr leg.; all in
the SMNS.

Ptilocera fastuosa Gerstaecker, 1857

Distribution: Ceylon (GERSTAECKER, 1857), Kandy, Peradeniya (BRUNETTI, 1920,
1923), Siyambalapitiya, Pitikanda, Deiyannewela, Roseneath, Lady Horton’s Drive,
Lady Blake’s Drive, Peradeniya, Ambacotta, Teldeniya, Mawanella, Kurunegala —
Elephant Rock (LINDNER, 1955). Known to occur in India, Sri Lanka, Nicobar Is.,
Thailand, Malaya, and the Philippines.

Material examined: Kandy, Peradeniya, Exper. Stat., 14.VII.1953, 18, 12; — Kandy,
Deiyannewela, 17.X.1953, 1d; — Kandy, Roseneath, 12.VII.1953, 12; all Keıser leg., in

SMNS. - South Sri Lanka, Galle, Unawatuna, 18.X.1994, 68 5, 9 2 2, SCHMIDT-EGer leg.,
in Hauser coll.

Ptilocera smaragdina Walker, 1849

Distribution and remarks: Ceylon (BRUNETTI, 1907, 1923). This species may be
identical with P fastuosa, but then P smaragdina Walker will have priority (cf. BRU-
NETTI, 1923). P smaragdina was described from the Philippine Islands and its occur-
rence on Sri Lanka needs confirmation.

Sargus mactans Walker, 1860

Distribution: Rambodde (van DER WuLpP, 1885). Kandy, Bentota, Peradeniya,
Rambodde (Brunetti, 1923). Kandy, Deiyannewela, Roseneath, Lady Horton’s
Drive, Peradeniya (LINDNER, 1955). According to BRUNETTI (1923), this is the se-

HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA 13

cond most common species of Sargus in the Oriental region ranging from India, Pa-
kistan and Sri Lanka through Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, Celebes and Moluccas to
Papua New Guinea and northern Queensland in Australia; also in Japan (Nacato-
mi, 1975, sub S. metallinus).

Material examined: Kandy, Roseneath, 11.VIII.1953, 22 2; - Kandy, 12.VIIL.1953, 12;
27.X.1953, 13; 1.1.1954, 23 d; all Kerser leg., in SMNS.

Sargus metallinus Fabricius, 1805

Distribution: Ceylon (Bicor, 1979, sub Sargus pallipes Bigot). Rambodde (van
DER WuLp, 1885). “Common in Ceylon” (BRuNETTI, 1923). Kandy, Peradeniya,
Hindagala (LINDNER, 1955). Probably the most common member of Sarginae in the
Oriental region, known to occur in India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaya, China, Suma-
tra, Java, Borneo, Moluccas and Aru Is.; recorded from Thailand by Nacatomi
(1975).

Material examined: Kandy, 27.X1.1953, 1d; — Peradeniya, Exper. Stat., 15. VIII.1953, 1 9;
27.X1.1953, 1 2; KEIsER leg., in SMNS.

Strophognatus argentatus Lindner, 1955
Distribution: Teldentya (LINDNER, 1955). E.

Tinda javana (Macquart, 1838)

Distribution and remarks: Kandy, Deiyannewella, Lady Blake’s Drive, Perade-
niya, Hindagala, Teldeniya, Hingurakgoda (LINDNER, 1955). The most remarkable
characters of this genus are the somewhat dorsoventrally flattened head in both sex-
es, with typical antennae having a long and flat apical style and four scutellar spines.
Tinda javana is widely distributed from Reunion Island (see material examined),
through Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Java, Lombok, Sumba and Celebes to the Philippines.

Material examined: Kandy, 13.X.1953, 1 9; 1.1.1954, 15; 1.III. 1954, 1d; all Kerser leg., in

SMNS. - South Sri Lanka, Galle, Unawatuna, 18.X.1994, 12; SCHMIDT-EGGER leg., in
Hauser coll. — Reunion, 23.XII.—30.X11.1994, 1d; OHm leg., in SMNS.

Wallacea albiseta DeMeyere, 1907

Distribution and remarks: Kandy, Welimada — Uva Bem Head, Talatuoya (LinD-
NER, 1955). Ceylon (S. NIETHNER coll.; KRIVOSHEINA, 1983). A modern redescrip-
tion of this species was given by KrivosHEINa (l.c.), the male genitalia were illustrat-
ed by Nacatomt (1975). The known distribution area includes Sri Lanka, Sumatra,
Malaysia, Taiwan (James, 1975) and Japan (Nacatomi, 1975). KRIVOSHEINA (I.c.)
confirmed the occurece in Sri Lanka and Taiwan, and added Canton in China, India
and the Primorye Territory of Russia.

Material examined: Kandy, 3.11.1954, 19; 17.11.1954, 19; both KrrsEr leg., in SMNS. -
Eliya, Haputale, 30km SE Nuwara, 31.VII.1996, 1 2. NıEHUIS leg., in Hauser coll.

Wallacea separata DeMeyere, 1907

Remarks: A record from Ceylon in James (1975) is apparently based on
LINDNER’s (1955) study. However, according to our revision of the original material

14 STUTTGARTER BEITRÄGE ZUR NATURKUNDE Ser. A, Nr. 585

from the Linpner collection this is a misidentification (see Argyrobrithes albopilo-
sus). For the time being, Argyrobrithes separatus must be excluded from the list of
species living in Sri Lanka.

4. Acknowledgments

Our thanks are due to C. KassEBEER (Kiel), O. NieHu1s (Marburg) and Dr. C. Scumi1p-Ec-
GER (Karlsruhe) who kindly provided recently collected specimens for our study.
Dr. H.-P. TscHorsnie (Stuttgart) kindly loaned material from the collection of E. LINDNER.
The manuscript was prepared with support by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic
(Grant No. 206/99/1526).

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HAUSER ET AL., STRATIOMYIDAE FROM SRI LANKA 15

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Authors’ addresses:

Dipl.-Biol. Martin Hauser, Staatl. Museum fur Naturkunde (Mu Lo
Rosenstein 1, D-70191 Stuttgart (Germany) and Se
Prof. RupoLr RozkosnY, Department of Zoology and Ecology, Faculty of Sci M
University, Kotläfskä 2, CZ-61137 Brno (Czech Republic). 24 N

RARIES

LE

2218

ISSN 0341-0145

Schriftleitung: Dr. Wolfgang Seeger, Rosenstein 1, D-70191 Stuttgart
Gesamtherstellung: Gulde-Druck GmbH, D-72072 Tübingen