Delia florilega ( Zetterstedt, 1845 )

Ackland, D. M., 2008, Revision of Afrotropical Delia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), with descriptions of six new species, African Invertebrates 49 (1), pp. 1-75 : 62-63

Delia florilega ( Zetterstedt, 1845)

Figs 109–114

Aricia florilega Zetterstedt, 1845: 1555 . For a full list of synonymies see Hennig (1974 b: 823) and Griffiths (1993: 1568).

Chortophila trichodactyla Rondani, 1866: 164 . Synonymy after Ringdahl 1933: 24.

Diagnosis:

♂ Hind femur with row of 10–15 pv on distal half to 2/3 which are abruptly cut off, not much shorter basally than distally; mid tarsomere 1 with fringe of long setulae on dorsal surface; hind tibia with continuous row of 18–20 pv setulose hairs of equal length. Sternite V processes with only one blunt apical seta.

Description: see Hennig (loc. cit.) and Griffiths (loc. cit.).

Lectotype ♂ of florilega in MZLU, designated by Hennig (1974 b: 824).

Syntypes of trichodactyla in MZUF, reviewed by Hennig (loc. cit.) .

Other material examined: ZIMBABWE: 1 ♂ N. Vumba, 5.vii.1965, D. Cookson ( NMSA) .

Discussion: This is the first and only record so far of the occurrence of this species in the Afrotropical Region. The single male from Zimbabwe may be an accidental introduction; no details of its capture were recorded on the label.

Life history: D. florilega is a widespread agricultural pest, feeding in the larval stage on a wide range of cultivated plants, as well as sprouting seedlings of legumes. For a detailed survey of the biological literature, see Griffiths (1993: 1572).

Distribution: D. florilega is widespread in the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions, reaching east as far as China.

Figures

Figs 109–113. Delia florilega, male (Britain): (109) cercal plate and surstyli; (110) hypopygium, lateral view; (111) sternite V; (112) basiphallus and distiphallus, lateral view; (113) gonites. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.

Figs 114–118. Delia platura (Mg.), male (Britain): (114) cercal plate and distiphallus; (115) ditto, lateral view; (116) sternite V; (117) gonites; (118) basiphallus and distiphallus, lateral view. Scale bar = 0.1 mm.