Physocephala variegata, Meigen, 1824

Stuke, Jens-Hermann, 2016, Taxonomic notes on Western Palaearctic Conopidae (Diptera), Zootaxa 4178 (4), pp. 521-534 : 531

P. variegata ( Meigen, 1824)

Conops variegata Meigen, 1824: 132 ; type-locality: “ Oesterreich ”, “südlichen Frankreich ”; holotypus ♂ [MNHN]

Diagnosis. Physocephala variegata is a unique species belonging to a group which has a broad stripe of pleural dusting reaching from the mid coxa all the way up to the notopleuron and not becoming narrower dorsally. It is easily distinguished from other European species of this group, and indeed from all other European species, by the characteristic broad dusting on the parafacia. The reduced dark wing pattern and the distinct areas without microtrichia on the wing also distinguish this from similar species.

= P. aurulenta ( Bigot, 1887) syn. nov.

Conops aurulentus Bigot 1887: 31 –32; type-locality: “Europe mérid.”; holotypus ♂ [UMO] The holotype of Physocephala aurulenta was examined and it belongs to Physocephala variegata . Therefore, P. aurulenta is placed as junior synonym to P. variegata .

= P. laeta Becker, 1913 syn. nov.

Physocephala laeta Becker, 1913b: 613 –614; type-locality: “ Pers. - Beludshistan, Kirman, zwischen Chasyk und der Bergspitze Kuch-i-tuftan” [ Iran]; syntypus 1♂ 1♀ [ ZMHB]

Some specimens of Physocephala variegata can have a completely orange-brown abdomen, completely orange pleura and a scutum that is barely darkened in the centre only. These specimens agree completely with the description of P. laeta . P. l ae t a is therefore interpreted as a pale colour colour morph of P. variegata , and is accordingly treated as a junior synonym of P. variegata .