Genus Neochirosia

Neochirosia Malloch, 1917

Named after Chirosia, to which the type species setiger is superficially similar.

Three described species, at least one undescribed species in Canada, several more species in Europe.

According to Manual of Nearctic Diptera, distinguished from other Scathophagidae by the bare propleuron, three bristles on the katepisternum (fewer in most genera), and anterior margin of frons without a "deep triangular emargination".

According to Ozerov (2009), "distinguished from other Palaearctic genera by the following combination of characters: anterior and central parts of proepisternum bare, without setulae; katepisternum with 3 setae; length of fore basitarsus usually conspicuously shorter than length of fore coxa; postpedicel not elongate, length about twice its width, rounded apically."

The one North American species with known biology is a leaf miner in Veratrum, as are several European species.

"First-stage larvae form serpentine mines which radiate from the group of eggs. These mines are rapidly obliterated, and a blotch mine is formed from the coalescence of the individual serpentine mines. The blotch mine is enlarged as the larvae feed along its perimeter. Thus, a single mine as it is usually seen in nature contains a number of larvae." (Neff, 1970, discussing N. atrifrons)

Neff S.E. 1970. Observations on the life cycle and immature stages of Neochirosia atrifrons (Diptera: Scatophagidae). Canadian Entomologist 102:1088-1093.

Ozerov, A. L. 2009. A review of Palaearctic species of the genera Delina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 and Neochirosia Malloch, 1917 (Diptera: Scathophagidae). Russian Entomol. J. 18(3):235-241. (PDF online)