Species Minettia fasciata

Lauxania fasciata Fallén, 1826

Sapromyza rivosa Meigen, 1826

Latin for "barred", referring to the black marks on the abdomen.

"The [Minettia fasciata species] group is characterized by the grey microtrichose mesonotum, a pair of black spots on the lateroventral side of the scutellum, 0+3 dorsocentral setae, 6 rows of acrostichal setulae, only one dorsal preapical seta on the midtibia, dark transverse stripes on the abdominal tergites and characteristic terminalia." (Merz, 2004) This is the only member of the species group found in North America.

Widespread and common in Europe, North Africa, and adjacent parts of southwest Asia, with a disjunct population along the Pacific coast from northern Oregon to Vancouver.

The only Nearctic representative of the Minettia fasciata species group.

Probably accidentally introduced along with scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) in ship ballast some time between the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 and collections in 1963. (Waloff, 1966)

Minettia caesia has a less contrasting abdomen; fasciata is black and yellow.

Waloff, N. 1966. Scotch Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) Wimmer) and Its Insect Fauna Introduced into the Pacific Northwest of America. Journal of Applied Ecology 3(2):293-311 (JSTOR)

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