Taxonomy of the New Zealand genusEulimnia, and biology and immature stages ofE. philpotti(Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

Abstract

The endemic New Zealand genus Eulimnia and its two species are redescribed. Data are presented on the life cycle of E. philpotti Tonnoir & Malloch, and the habitat, geographical distribution, phenology, and biological features of adults and immature stages are discussed. Adults are found in permanently wet marshes, where the larvae prey on fingernail clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae) while completely submerged. Mature larvae form puparia among vegetation or debris above the water level. The immature stages of E. philpotti are described. The genus is placed in tribe Tetanocerini, and its taxonomic position is discussed.

Biology and immature stages of the clam-killing fly, Renocera pallida (Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

“…Compared with R. pallida, the other two known clam killing flies, New Zealand Eulimnia philpotti and Palaearctic Ilione lineata, have a combination of morpho logical features characteristic of the Tetanocerini: egg chorion striate, larvae with accessory teeth on the mouthhooks, 3rd instar indentation index less than 50, long lobes around the posterior spiracular disc in aquatic spe cies; only one window in the cornu (ventral), always without a dorsal bridge between the pharyngeal sclerites, and absence of ventral spinule patches (Knutson & Berg, 1967;Barnes, 1980). The biology of R. pallida is generally very similar to that of the 3 Nearctic species.…”

“…The surface dwelling larvae (e.g., Dictya Meigen, 1803; Elgiva Meigen, 1838; Sepedon Latreille, 1804; some species o f Ilione Haliday, 1837 and Tetanocera Duméril, 1800) are typical preda tors of pulmonate gastropods of the families Lymnaeidae, Planorbidae and Physidae. Larvae of the Palaearctic Ilione lineata (Fallén, 1820), Eulimnia philpotti Tonnoir et Malloch, 1928 from New Zealand and probably all spe cies of Renocera Hendel, 1900 attack sphaeriid clams (Veneroida: Sphaeriidae) (Knutson & Berg, 1967;Foote & Knutson, 1970;Foote, 1976;Berg & Knutson, 1978;Barnes, 1980). In the group of semi-aquatic predators and parasitoids (e.g., Colobaea Zetterstedt, 1837; Pteromicra Lioy, 1864; Sciomyza Fallén, 1820; many species of Pherbellia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) of hydrophilous and amphibious snails are included larvae of, e.g., Pherbina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830;Psacadina Enderlein, 1939; Hydromya Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 and some Tetanocera spp.…”

New Data about Snail-Killing Flies (Diptera, Sciomyzidae) in Iran

“…Sciomyzidae (commonly called snail-killing fl ies or marsh fl ies) with about 550 declared species and 63 genera belonging to three subfamilies (Phaeomyiinae, Salticellinae and Sciomyzinae), is a moderately small family of acalyptrate fl ies (Steyskal, 1965;Barnes, 1980;Vala, Gbedjissi, 2011;Vala et al, 2012). Only Sciomyzinae (Sciomyzini and Tetanocerini) and Salticellinae occur in Iran (Tirgari, Massoud, 1979;Ayatollahi, 1971;Knutson et al, 1973;Yano, 1978;Vala, Leclercq, 1981;Rozkošný, 1987;Khaghaninia et al, 2016).…”