Numbers
Current classification has four genera:
Amblypsilopus (16 species),
Condylostylus (33 species),
Mesorhaga (12 species), and
Sciapus (8 species).
(1)Identification
Most Sciapodinae have vertex deeply excavated when viewed from ahead
and vein M1+2 with a long, promient fork.
Other Dolichopodidae have at most a slightly excavated vertex or a very short fork. Mesorhaga is the only genus in North America to uniformly lack the second branch of M; it may also be absent in a few males of Amblypsilopus.
Unlike most Dolichopodidae, Sciapodinae usually perch with wings spread, with the notable exception of Sciapus
Range
Worldwide, more diverse in Southern hemisphere and tropics. Only five species west of Rocky Mountains, one introduced.
(1)Remarks
Most green long-legged flies perched on broad leaves are in this subfamily.
Revised at the genus level by Bickel (1994
(2)).
Keys to Sciapus s.l. (including Amblypsilopus) in Steyskal 1966, 1973.
Key by Z. Dankowicz for live individuals:
1. Vein M1 absent → Mesorhaga
1'. Vein M1 present → 2
2. Wings held at an angle when at rest (not dead or flying); fore coxae with two large black bristles; vein R4+5 curving continuously into M1+2; scape black → Condylostylus
2'. Wings held on a single plane (flat) when at rest; fore coxae with at least two medium-sized white bristles; vein R4+5 sinuously bent towards M1+2 near the apex of the wing; scape usually yellow → 3
3. Anterior angle of M1 bend obtuse; males very skinny; male tarsi often with embellishments → Sciapus
3'. Anterior angle of M1 bend acute; males generally fatter; tarsi never embellished → Amblypsilopus
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Key to North American genera adapted from Aldrich 1915, Bickel (1994
(2), 2009
(3)), Loew 1864, Steyskal 1966 and 1973. Note (Z. Dankowicz): the first couplet in this key is vague and possibly misleading. Use with care.
1. Hind femur with anterior preapical seta (sometimes absent in male); acrostichals short or absent; dorsocentrals usually long in both sexes; lateral scutellar setae short and hairlike; thorax often pruinose. Wing unmarked. Eastern North America, Washington → Sciapus
1'. Femora without strong anterior preapical setae; acrostichals usually present; thorax usually shining metallic → 2
2. Vein M2 completely absent, dorsocentrals strong on both sexes; arista usually dorsal; strong vertical seta present in both sexes, not arising from setose mound; tibiae without major setae → Mesorhaga
2'. Vein M2 present, sometimes only as a fold; other features various → 3
3. Frons of both sexes with raised setose mound bearing strong vertical seta; M1 beyond M2 usually sharply recurved basad; both pairs of scutellar setae long; wing often with dark bands, usually joined in U shape; costa of male usually without cilia; both sexes with 4-5 strong dorsocentrals; antenna black → Condylostylus
3'. Frons with vertical seta strong in female, usually weak in male, but without vertical seta arising on setose mound; males usually with some anterior dorsocentrals weak and hairlike; M1 usually with gentle arc to apex or rounded right angle bend and R5 approaching M; antenna often with yellow; costa of male often with cilia → Amblypsilopus
Print References
Steyskal, G. C. 1966. A new species of Sciapus from California, with a revised key to the species of Sciapus found in America north of Mexico (Diptera, Dolichopodidae). Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington. 68:290-294.
Steyskal, G. C. 1973. Notes on Southeastern North American Species of
Condylostylus and
Sciapus (Diptera:Dolichopodidae). The Florida Entomologist 56:359-360. (
JSTOR)
