Author
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Gagne, Raymond |
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SOLINAS, MARIO - IST.DI ENT.,PERUGIA,ITALY |
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Submitted to: Insecta Mundi
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/4/1995 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Gall midges feed on a variety of plants and several species are pests. Other species have been used for biological control of weeds. Proper identifications of these flies is vital to research on their use and control. Type specimens are the basis for scientific names and a stable classification. Concepts of some scientific names are nevertheless based on tradition for various reasons, including the reliance on other people's word and the inability to find types, and cause problems for nomenclatural stability. If types are lost, new types must be proposed so that classification can be placed on a solid basis. One very old collection amassed by C. Rondani of Parma, Italy, between 1840 and 1869 was recently rediscovered and is found to contain types of species on which several genera are based. The collection is cataloged and a report is made on the status and identity of each of Rondani's 16 species of Cecidomyiidae. This information will aid researchers who need the correct names of gall midges and will be useful to regulatory personnel charged with insect identifications. Technical Abstract: The Rondani collection of Cecidomyiidae in Florence Italy, is cataloged to account for existing specimens of Rondani species. A report is made on the status and identity of each of Rondani's 16 species of Cecidomyiidae. Types of 12 species are represented by specimens in good to poor condition; those of the remaining four species cannot be found. A lectotype is designated for Brachineura fuscogrisea and illustrations are given of its male genitalia and antenna. Recommendations are made for future fixation of lectotypes or neotypes of some of Rondani's species. |
