This paper is a guide to the subfamily Hemerodromiinae found in North and South America. It includes two keys, one to the genus level for all of North and South America, and a much larger one for the species found in North and Central America. Each species is then given a paragraph in which all the external characteristics are described along with the general area they can be found in. The body parts whose features are most used to identify these flies are the antennae, genitals, wings, and front legs. Illustrations for the male genitalia for many of the species are included in tables at the end of the paper, showing their diversity and why they are useful identification tools.
This paper gave me a good starting point for what anatomical terms I’ll need to learn in order to identify these insects. It’s an old paper, and some species may have changed from then, but I doubt the terminology has. I’ll need to read more papers similar to this one to tell if the terms are consistent among authors.
Synopsis of the Hemerodromiinæ (Diptera, Empididæ)
Axel Leonard Melander
Journal of the New York Entomological Society, Vol. 55, No. 4 (Dec., 1947), pp. 237-273
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ReplyDeleteInteresting to consider how changes in terminology could complicate your research. Glad you are on top of that. Sounds like a very interesting paper.
ReplyDeleteDr. Kirk
I am just curious, but is there a way to verify if the terminology is the same? It is interesting that genitals would be such an important aspect in identifying the different species.
ReplyDeleteCameron