Abstract: The wood midges (Diptera: Lestremiidae) from Allegheny County Pennsylvania, USA are presented. Thirty eight species in twenty three genera have been recorded. A detailed larval, pupal and adult diagnosis is also provided for the first time which supports the monophyly of the Lestremiidae (Diptera). One new genus and species, Cratotocha ampliata gn. n. et sp. n. and two additional new species Polyardis carinata sp. n. and Excerscentia alleghenyensis sp. n.. are also described and illustrated. The systematic model for the Lestremiidae includes three subfamilies: Catotrichinae, Lestremiinae, and Micromyinae. Separate keys to the genera for larvae and adults are also included. These keys incorporate newly discovered taxa from North America including extralimital genera.


Plakidas proposes splitting Lestremiinae s. lat. (including Micromyinae and Catotrichinae) into a separate subfamily Lestremiidae. It has long been recognized that Cecidomyiinae and Porricondylinae form a monophyletic group, but the division of the rest of Cecidomyiidae (in the traditional sense) has been unsettled. The most recent catalog still includes the "Lestremiidae" in Cecidomyiidae.

The book is available on researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318044163_THE_WOOD_MIDGES_DIPTERA_LESTREMIIDAE_OF_ALLEGHENY_COUNTY_PENNSYLVANIA.