Full title: "Comprehensive taxonomic, faunistic, biological, and biogeographic inventory and analysis of the snail-killing flies (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) of Indiana, USA."

Abstract: "The Sciomyzidae (Insecta: Diptera), also known as marsh flies or snail-killing flies, arc a family of acalyptrate true flies; 541 described species in 62 genera are known worldwide, of which 170 species in 23 genera are known from the Nearctic (North America including Greenland, south to northern Mexico). The biology of all Nearctic species is tied intimately to Mollusca--snails, snail egg masses, slugs, and fingernail clams. Examined here faunistically and taxonomically are all 61 species of Sciomyzidae in 15 genera recorded from Indiana. USA, and an additional 28 species in 15 genera not yet recorded from Indiana but recorded from adjacent states. During this study one new species of Sciomyzidac, Dictya behrmani Murphy, was described from Indiana, and a species previously known from a single specimen collected in 1921 was discovered in 11 Indiana counties, reared, and all life stages were described. Included are locality records and distribution maps; data on habitat, seasonal distribution, natural history, and larval feeding habits; references to descriptions of immature stages: and illustrated keys to adults. Tetanocera iowensis Steyskal, 1938, is placed as a new synonym of Tetanocera vidua Macquart, 1843."


An impressive, comprehensive synopsis of the Sciomyzidae of the Midwest.