Conopinae

Published, First, 2010, A taxonomic revision of Australian Conopidae (Insecta: Diptera) 2581, Zootaxa 2581, pp. 1-246 : 31

4.5 Conopinae

4.5.1 Introduction

The Australian Conopinae comprise approximately 90% of the estimated 150 species of Conopidae in this country. The subfamily has radiated dramatically in Australia. Fifteen genera are now recognised but only two occur in other world regions. Four new genera ( Atrichoparia , Camrasiconops , Setosiconops and Tanyconops ) and 44 new species are described below. A total of 94 species are described or redescribed. I estimate an additional 40 species of Atrichoparia , Camrasiconops , Heteroconops and Microconops await description; the majority are Heteroconops .

Incorporating the synonymies and additions presented below, Conopinae worldwide now consist of 34 genera. The most obvious autapomorphy is the presence of an antennal stylus rather than an arista. The diversity of character states demonstrated by the Australian genera has made diagnosis of the subfamily difficult. Exceptions to many character states previously attributed to the Conopinae are found in one or more Australian genera. This point is illustrated in Table 1.

Many conopine genera from other regions have been examined in conjunction with this study. However similar exceptions to those indicated in Table 1 may be characteristic of some non-Australian genera and are here overlooked.