Explanation of Names
From Greek meaning dew-lover.
Numbers
Nearctica lists 113 species.
Remarks
Taxonomic structure contributed by MA Ebbert :
I. Subgenus Drosophila
A. Quinaria section
1. Funebris group: funebris (cosmopolitan), macrospina
2. Immigrans group: immigrans (cosmopolitan)
3. Quinaria group: quinaria, falleni, recens, palustris
4. Testacea group: putrida
5. Tripunctata group: tripunctata
B. Guttifera group: guttifera
C. Virilis-repleta radiation
1. Melanica group: melanica, paramelanica, nigromelanica, micromelanica
2. Repleta radiation: repleta (cosmopolitan), hydei (cosmopolitan)
3. Robusta group: robusta
4. Virilis group: virilis, americana, texana
II. Subgenus Sophophora
A. Melanogaster group: melanogaster (cosmopolitan), simulans (cosmopolitan)
B. Obscura group: algonquin, affinis, narragansett, athabasca
III. Subgenus Dorsilopha: one species, busckii (cosmopolitan)
...
Features helpful in identifying species of this genus
Mesonotum, dorsal view, showing number of rows of hairs, orientation and presence of various bristles and colors patterns.
Banding patterns on the dorsal abdomen: whether the bands are interrupted along the mid-line, and whether there are any obvious spotting patterns.
Foreleg to see sex combs.
Wing coloration: clear versus clouding at cross veins or tips.
