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Title: A review of the genus Ditylometopa Kertész (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Author
item Woodley, Norman

Submitted to: Zootaxa
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/27/2009
Publication Date: 3/11/2009
Citation: Woodley, N.E. 2009. A review of the genus Ditylometopa Kertész (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Zootaxa. 2032:39-47.

Interpretive Summary: Many species of soldier flies are beneficial to agriculture because larvae help decompose plant material, although a few species are known to attack living plants, such as grass roots. This publication reviews a poorly-known genus occurring in Central and South America, providing identification aids, descriptions and illustrations of known species, including one of which is new to science. This research will enable scientists, quarantine personnel, and others concerned with flies to identify these species.

Technical Abstract: The genus Ditylometopa Kertész (Diptera: Stratiomyidae, Clitellariinae), which occurs only in the Neotropical Region is reviewed. Euryneura rufifrons Curran, 1934 is synonymized with Ditylometopa elegans Kertész, 1923. A neotype is designated for D. elegans. Two species are recognized,including Ditylometopa centralensis sp. nov. which is described from Costa Rica (type locality) and Nicaragua.