The 29 Australian species of Clistoabdominalis
Skevington are revised and a phylogenetic analysis is presented. The following
23 new species are proposed: Clistoabdominalis ancylus,
C. angelikae, C. capillifascis,
C. carnatistylus, C. collessi,
C. colophus, C. condylostylus,
C. danielsi, C. dasymelus,
C. digitatus, C. exallus,
C. gaban, C. gremialis,
C. lambkinae, C. lingulatus,
C. mathiesoni, C. nutatus,
C. octiparvus, C. scalenus,
C. scintillatus, C. tasmanicus,
C. tharra, and C. yeatesi.
Pipunculus picrodes Perkins is proposed as a junior
synonym of C. trochanteratus (Becker). Diagnoses and an
illustrated key to species are provided. A summary of host records for all
Australian species of Pipunculidae is presented to clarify confusion in the
literature. Pipunculidae are documented hilltopping for the first time. This
mating strategy is used by many species of
Clistoabdominalis and patterns of hilltopping within the
genus are examined.