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The literature on robber fly pupae published primarily since 1972 is reviewed. Terminology used in morphological descriptions of pupal cases is compared and standardized, and some new terminology is used. A general description of asilid pupal cases is presented. Diagnostically useful characters are identified, and a consistent format for descriptio...
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... Du Merle (1979) was translated from French to English with 'Google Translation'. The morphological terminology of the asilid and bombyliid larvae follows Courtney et al. (2000) and of the asilid and bombyliid pupa follows Dennis et al. (2008). Dennis et al. (2013) reported that Asilidae have both spines and spurs in the rows of spinous processes that typically occur along the posterior margin of the abdominal segments. ...
... The morphology of the mature larva and pupa of Bathypogon nigrinus is consistent with that of other asilid larvae and pupae (Wood 1981;Foote & Dennis 1991;Dennis et al. 2008Dennis et al. , 2013. From our survey of the literature, this may be the first larva and pupae of the Bathypogoninae described. ...
... The larvae share characters of the Laphriinae and Dasypogoninae, having both ventral tubercles on abdominal segments 1-6 and a sclerotised terminal area on the abdomen (Foote & Dennis 1991). The pupa shares characters of Dasypogoninae group, with the ventral posterolateral processes of abdominal segment 9 slightly smaller than the dorsal posterolateral processes, and both sets of processes straight or curved dorsally (Dennis et al. 2008). ...
Assassin or robber flies (Asilidae) and bee flies (Bombyliidae) are two of the largest and most diverse fly families with over 7400 and 4700 described species worldwide, respectively. Adult assassin flies are predatory, feeding on smaller insects captured on the wing, and larvae predate on soft‐bodied arthropods in the soil or rotting wood. Adult bee flies feed on nectar and pollen. Almost all bee fly larvae are external or internal parasitoids of other insect larvae, usually in the soil. Although the interaction between bee fly larvae and their hosts has been rarely observed, we recently discovered assassin fly larvae hosting bee fly Lepidanthrax linguatus (Anthracinae: Villini) endoparasitoids in riverine sandy soil in southern NSW, Australia. While bee fly larvae have been known to attack other fly larvae, Asilidae is an uncommon host group. Furthermore, to find bee fly larvae inside the host is even less common because most bee fly larvae are ectoparasitoids. Here we describe and illustrate the host assassin fly (Bathypogon nigrinus : Bathypogoninae) larva and pupa, as well as the first instar bee fly larva (planidium) though careful external examination of the surface of the asilid larva, which is translucent, allowing us to see the internal parasite. This is the first larva and pupa from Bathypogoninae to be described. We also illustrate the bee fly larva in detail based on scanning electron microscopy of a larva in situ , after dissection from the host. Finally, we describe the late instar larval and pupal exuvia of the endoparasitoid. Like other endoparasitoid bombyliid larvae in the Villini, the first instar larva causes the host to produce a breathing tube that surrounds the posterior half of the parasitoid, allowing the parasitoid to maintain contact with atmospheric oxygen.
... There is a scarcity of published information on robber fly pupae, specifically concerning those described from Wyoming. To our knowledge, the only papers are those by Dennis & Lavigne (1976c) and Dennis et al. (2008) who described the pupal cases of one species of Dasypogoninae [Comantella fallei (back, 1909)], two species of Stenopogoninae (Heteropogon wilcoxi James, 1934 andStenopogon inquinatus Loew, 1866), and seven species of Asilinae [Pogonioefferia benedicti (bromley, 1940), Pogonioefferia frewingi (Wilcox, 1966b), Pogonioefferia helenae (bromley, 1951), Machimus occidentalis (Hine, 1909) (Williston, 1885), Proctacanthella cacopiloga (Hine, 1909), and Proctacanthus micans Schiner, 1867]. ...
... PLATTE: guernsey, 6 July 1961 (RJL), 8 July 1964 (LDH); Dwyer, 30 June 1964 (FRH, RJL); Hartville, 19-25 June 1963 (RJL); 25 June-9 July 1964 (FRH, RJL); 11 km N of Hartville, 15-19 June 1964 (RJL). Recorded from Wyoming by: Adisoemarto (1967); (as prey of Stenopogon inquinatus), (1976b) (pupal case); Dennis et al. (2008Dennis et al. ( ) (pupal case), (2009Dennis et al. ( , 2010; ; geller-grimm (2018); Lavigne & ; Lavigne & Holland (1969); Lavigne et al. (1976) [as prey of Pogonioefferia benedicti (as Efferia benedicti)]; . ...
There are 171 species of robber flies recorded for Wyoming, USA, including three newly described species (Cyrtopogon hollandi sp. nov., C. martini sp. nov., and Stenopogon graminis sp. nov.) in this paper, in 10 of the 14 recognized subfamilies. The largest numbers of species belong to the Asilinae (61) followed by Brachyrhopalinae (35), Laphriinae (23), Stenopogoninae (19), Dasypogoninae (9), Stichopogoninae (9), Leptogastrinae (8), Dioctriinae (3), Willistonininae (3), and Trigonomiminae (1). The most species (136) occur in one or more of the shrub/grassland vegetation types, with fewer species occurring in the grassland vegetation types (130), the forest (78 species) and in the shrub (24 species) vegetation types. Keys to subfamilies, genera and species with brief species descriptions are provided; the ecology and ethology of individual species are discussed.
... Asilidae larvae and pupae are similar to other asiloid larvae; their morphology has been described in detail by Wood (1981), Foote and Dennis (1991) and Dennis et al. (2008). Larvae are elongate, cylindrical to slightly dorsoventrally flattened, tapering slightly at each end. ...
... The shape of the mandibles and maxillae are important in larval taxonomy, as are the presence or absence of fleshy tubercles on the abdominal segments and the presence or absence of a sclerotised plate on the last abdominal segment (Foote and Dennis 1991). The precise number, shape and curvature of the sclerotized processes on the head and thorax of the pupae, and the nature and number of the spines and spurs on the pupal abdomen, as well as the shape and curvature of the processes on abdominal segment nine are important in pupal taxonomy (Dennis et al. 2008). ...
... The morphological terminology used is Courtney et al. (2000) for larva and Dennis et al. (2008) for the pupa. Dennis et al. (2008) reported that Asilidae have both spines and spurs in the rows of spinous processes that typically occur along the posterior margin of the abdominal segments. ...
Assassin or robber flies belong to the family Asilidae, one of the most diverse fly families, with over 7400 described species worldwide. Adults are predators on mostly smaller insects which they catch on the wing; larvae are predators on soft bodied arthropods in the soil or rotting wood, usually beetle (Coleoptera) larvae, often curl or white grubs (Scarabaeidae). Predation by larval and adult Asilidae puts downward pressure on populations of their prey above and below ground. Because asilid larvae are cryptic, the immature stages of few species have been described, thus hampering our ability to identify larvae. We describe and illustrate the late instar larva and pupa of one of Australia's largest and most impressive asilid species, Blepharotes splendidissimus (Wiedemann) (Asilinae: Apocleini). Taxonomically useful variation in asilid larvae so far described occurs in the head and its appendages. We have examined the fine detail of the larval head capsule and mouthparts using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the first time in Asilidae. The larva and pupa of B. splendidissimus are similar to other Asilidae but larger and more robust. The larva has a broad maxillae and long narrow mandibular hooks with an acute tip armed with a row of recurved spines. Our SEM studies detail the grooves on the inner surface of the mandible that form a feeding channel when the mandibles are appressed. Thus, the mandibular hooks are the insect equivalent of a Swiss army knife, with at least four functions: to pierce the prey, hold the prey, inject venom and extract nutrients from the prey. Asilid pupae have a well‐developed armature on the head, thorax and abdominal tergites, for drilling up out of the soil on adult eclosion. The pupa has distinct anterior and posterior antennal spinous processes and anterior and posterior mesothoracic spinous processes, and the tip of the abdomen has large, dorsally curved dorsal posterolateral processes and very small ventral posterolateral spinous processes. All the dorsal armature on the pupal abdominal segments are articulated spurs, rather than a mixture of fixed spines and spurs, as found in many asilid pupae.
... Morphological terminology of adults follows Yeates (1994) and Cumming & Wood (2009), morphological terminology of the pupal case follows Dennis & Barnes (2013) and Dennis et al. (2008). The specimens were studied and illustrated using a Leica M80 microscope at CSIRO National Research Collections Australia and with a Zeiss DV8 stereomicroscope at Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo. ...
All six known Australian species of the bee fly genus Thevenetimyia Bigot are reviewed, and the following four new species are described as new: T. fergusoni Li and Rodrigues, sp. nov., T. infuscata Li and Yeates, sp. nov., T. major Li and Yeates, sp. nov., and T. nuri Rodrigues and Lamas, sp. nov. The female of T. australiensis, the male of T. tenta and the pupal case of T. longipalpis are described and photographed for the first time. The pupal case of the North American species T. lanigera (Cresson) is redescribed and photographed herein. A key to the 10
... The morphological terminologies used on larvae follow Courtney et al. (2000) and for the pupae Dennis et al. (2008). Dennis et al. (2008) reported that Asilidae have both spines and spurs in the rows of spinous processes that typically occur along the posterior margin of the abdominal segments. ...
... The morphological terminologies used on larvae follow Courtney et al. (2000) and for the pupae Dennis et al. (2008). Dennis et al. (2008) reported that Asilidae have both spines and spurs in the rows of spinous processes that typically occur along the posterior margin of the abdominal segments. Spines are described as extensions of the integument, whereas spurs are articulated at their base. ...
The Apioceridae (Diptera) are relatively large asiloid flies with just over 140 described species worldwide. They are closely related to both Mydidae and Asilidae, and most species are found in Australia and North America, however a handful are found in both southern Africa and southern South America. The immature stages of only one species is known, the Australian beach dune inhabiting species Apiocera maritima Hardy. Like most asiloid larvae, apiocerid larvae are assumed to be predators of other soft-bodied invertebrates in the soil. Anatomically the larvae and pupae are similar to those of closely related families. The larvae are elongate, cream-coloured, subcylindrical and with a small, well-sclerotised head capsule. The pupa has a number of robust processes and spines on the head capsule and rows of distinctive bristles on the abdominal tergites. These spines and bristles are used by the pupa to drill upwards out of the soil prior to adult emergence. Here we describe the late instar larva and pupa of the Australian species A. striativentris Paramonov and compare them to the larva and pupa of the previously described species. Apiocerid larvae have distinctive, rounded abdominal segments 2-5 that may be diagnostic for the family.
... The morphological terminology used for the larvae follow Courtney et al. (2000) and for the pupae Dennis et al. (2008). Dennis et al. (2008) reported that the pupae of Asilidae have both spines and spurs in rows of spinous processes that typically occur along the posterior margin of the abdominal segments. ...
... The morphological terminology used for the larvae follow Courtney et al. (2000) and for the pupae Dennis et al. (2008). Dennis et al. (2008) reported that the pupae of Asilidae have both spines and spurs in rows of spinous processes that typically occur along the posterior margin of the abdominal segments. Spines are described as extensions of the integument, whereas spurs are articulated at their base. ...
The Mydidae are a small family (~470 described species) of medium to large-bodied flies belonging to the Asiloidea and are closely related to the Asilidae and Apioceridae. The biology of mydas flies, as they are commonly known, is poorly known globally, with the larva and pupa of only one American species described a century ago. Field work over the past few years in south-eastern Australia has uncovered the life histories of two Australian species belonging to different subfamilies: Diochlistus gracilis (Macquart 1847) (Diochlistinae) and Miltinus viduatus (Westwood 1835) (Apiophorinae). Here, we present detailed descriptions and illustration of the larvae and pupae of these species and compare them with Mydas clavatus Drury (Mydinae) from North America. We also present some observations on the mating behaviour of D. gracilis. The relationships of the 10 Mydidae subfamilies, based exclusively on characters of the adult stage, are poorly resolved. The differences between the larvae and pupae of these two Australian genera provides evidence that there may be phylogenetically informative variation in the immature stages that could be used in future comprehensive studies on the relationships of mydas flies. These descriptions of mature larvae represent the second and third species to be published worldwide.
... Morphological terminology follows McAlpine (1981). For description of pupal exuviae we follow the terminology of Denis et al. (2008). Type material are deposited in the following collections: BG = Babak Gharali personal collection, Qazvin (Iran); BPBM = Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii (USA); IRIPP = Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran (Iran); ZMHB = Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität, Berlin (Germany). ...
Based on material collected from Northern Iran, a new species of the genus Phthiria, Phthiria vaganoides sp. nov., is described and its diagnostic characters are photographed. Phthiria fulva Meigen, 1804 is also recorded for the first time from Iran. The pupal exuviae of Phthiria fulva Meigen is described and illustrated and its host, Argyresthia sp. is recorded. This marks the first description of an immature stage of the genus Phthiria.
... The following describes M. orcina ovipositions, the eggs, emergence of the larvae, and the first instar larvae. The pupal case of an adult female M. orcina is pictured and described in Dennis et al. (2008). ...
The oviposition, eggs, emergence of first instar larvae, and larvae of Mallophora orcina (Wiedemann, 1828) are described and compared with those of Mallophora spp., Megaphorus spp., and other species of robber flies. Oviposition occurred on vegetation 1–3 m above the ground with approximately 188–323 eggs deposited in layers in a chalky-white albumin. The eggs are elongate and initially glistening white. They turn a dark metallic color on the end where larvae emerge from. Upon emergence the larvae drop to the ground where they bury themselves in the soil. Larvae are shiny white, dorsoventrally flattened, tapering at each end, with a distinct head, 3 thoracic segments, and 9 abdominal segments. The separation between most segments is not visible or clearly delineated.
... Comparative Morphology of Efferia Pupal Cases. Dennis et al. (2008a) provided a key to the pupal cases in the Asilinae-group for which there are detailed descriptions. The morphological characteristics for the Efferia snowi pupal case agree well with all of the characteristics used to separate Efferia pupal cases from the cases of other genera. ...
... These include presence of anterior and posterior mesothoracic spines; abdominal spiracles distinctly elevated above cuticle (at least on segments 1-7); proboscidal sheath lacking median tubercles, with posterior tubercle or tubercles; and abdominal segment 9 with ventral posterolateral processes and ventromedian tubercles or callosities (previously called processes), outer or third posterior antennal process lacking apical points, not appearing attached to side of middle process; and segment 9 with ventral posterolateral processes long and narrow, resembling dorsal posterolateral processes, but not as long. Melin (1923) and Dennis et al. (2008a) found that male pupal cases could be distinguished from female cases by the presence of midventral callosities on the ninth abdominal segment. These anteroventral callosities are present on the male pupal cases of E. aestuans, E. helenae, and E. triton on the ninth abdominal segment near the juncture of the eight and ninth segments. ...
... On both the male and female pupal cases of these species and the female cases of E. benedicti, E. frewingi, and E. snowi, the posterior part of segment 8 has a pair of midventral tubercles and posteroventral callosities or tubercles on segment 9 just slightly anterior to the ventral posterolateral processes (Figs. 4, 5). We believe that the anteroventral callosities or tubercles on segment 9 sheath the male genitalia (Dennis et al., 2008a). ...
The pupal case of the Nearctic robber fly, Efferia snowi (Hine, 1919), is described,
illustrated, and compared with the pupal cases of five other Nearctic species. A key is provided
to the known pupal cases of Nearctic Efferia species.
... Musso (1978 also included A. atrum and A. bayardi in a key to the pupae of 13 species of robber flies and the subfamilies Asilinae, Dasypogoninae, and Laphriinae. Dennis et al. (2008a) provided a key to the known pupal cases in the subfamily Laphriinae for the Nearctic genera Andrenosoma and Laphria. The most detailed description of a pupal case is for A. atrum (Dennis and Barnes, 2012). ...
... Melin (1923) indicated, based on the pupae of six species of Laphria, that the hypopharyngeal sheath (now designated the proboscidal sheath) on pupae of the subfamily Laphriinae extends to the heart-shaped piece or posterior coxal sheath. Dennis et al. (2008a) also showed this for seven species of Laphria and Lampria bicolor (Wiedemann, 1828). However, this is not true for A. atrum, A. bayardi, A. cruentum or A. albopilosum. ...
... On some pupal cases the spines are short, stout extensions of the cuticle and the longer thinner spurs emanate from areas of thin cuticle. However, Dennis et al. (2008a) indicate that the pupal cases of known species in the subfamily Laphriinae (which includes Andrenosoma cruentum) lack discernible spurs. Dennis and Barnes (2012) also found this to be true for A. atrum. ...
The pupal case of the Nearctic and Neotropical robber fly, Andrenosoma cruentum (McAtee, 1919), is described, illustrated, and compared with the pupal cases of three Palearctic species of Andrenosoma.
