Long-distance introduction: First new world record of stevenia deceptoria (Loew) and a key to the genera of new world Rhinophoridae (Diptera)

Abstract

The Rhinophoridae are a small family with about 150 named species worldwide. Seventeen species of this family are known from the Neotropical Region: 14 species of Bezzimyia Townsend; the monotypic genera Shannoniella Townsend and Trypetidomima Townsend; and the Palaearctic immigrant Melanophora roralis (Linnaeus) (Pape & Arnaud 2001; Pape in press). Undescribed species of Bezzimyia and Shannoniella as well as species that cannot be assigned to any of the currently described genera are known (P. Cerretti, pers. comm., & TP, unpubl.), and the Neotropical rhinophorid fauna is still superficially known. Most of the native Neotropical rhinophorids are restricted to tropical areas. Thus, most species of Bezzimyia inhabit humid forests, mainly between 500 and 2300 m altitude, and similar conditions seem to hold for Shannoniella cuspidataTownsend and Trypetidomima lutea Townsend in Brazil. On the other hand, Melanophora roralis has reached the temperate regions of southern South America, with records from Argentina and Chile (Blanchard & De Santis 1975; González 1998). Here, we report on the first occurrence of the genus Stevenia Robineau-Desvoidy in the Neotropical Region, from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, based on adult specimens of S. deceptoria (Loew) partly captured by the authors and partly examined in collections. Bezzimyia Townsend; the monotypic genera Shannoniella Townsend and Trypetidomima Townsend; and the Palaearctic immigrant Melanophora roralis (Linnaeus) (Pape & Arnaud 2001; Pape in press). Undescribed species of Bezzimyia and Shannoniella as well as species that cannot be assigned to any of the currently described genera are known (P. Cerretti, pers. comm., & TP, unpubl.), and the Neotropical rhinophorid fauna is still superficially known. Most of the native Neotropical rhinophorids are restricted to tropical areas. Thus, most species of Bezzimyia inhabit humid forests, mainly between 500 and 2300 m altitude, and similar conditions seem to hold for Shannoniella cuspidataTownsend and Trypetidomima lutea Townsend in Brazil. On the other hand, Melanophora roralis has reached the temperate regions of southern South America, with records from Argentina and Chile (Blanchard & De Santis 1975; González 1998). Here, we report on the first occurrence of the genus Stevenia Robineau-Desvoidy in the Neotropical Region, from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, based on adult specimens of S. deceptoria (Loew) partly captured by the authors and partly examined in collections.