Scatopsciara atomaria (Zetterstedt, 1851)

Broadley, Adam, Kauschke, Ellen & Mohrig, Werner, 2018, Black fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) found in association with cultivated plants and mushrooms in Australia, with notes on cosmopolitan pest species and biosecurity interceptions, Zootaxa 4415 (2), pp. 201-242 : 234

Scatopsciara atomaria (Zetterstedt, 1851)

( Fig. 17 A–D )

Sciara atomaria Zetterstedt, 1851 [Zetterstedt (1851): 3761–3762] Common synonym: Scatopsciara vivida (winnertz, 1867)

Literature: Lengersdorf (1928 –1930): 58, plate 4, fig. 87 (as Lycoria vivida ). Frey (1948): 70, 87, plate 20, fig. 120; Tuomikoski (1960): 151–153 (all as Scaptosciara vivida ); Menzel & Mohrig (2000): 494–496, figs 458–463; Mohrig et al. (2013): 235–237.

Material studied: 1 male, 1.xi.2007, Australia, Sydney, biosecurity intercept (Bottle 130376), on Paeonia plants ex Canada, leg. M. Coleman ( PABM).

Diagnostic remarks. The species is characterised by sparse hairs on the flagellomeres, with a few stronger spear-like bristles among the hairs; short 3-segmented palpi with a sensory pit on the basal segment; wings with a very short R1; apex of the hind tibia with only one spur; and the gonostylus short and curved, with a long apical tooth and 3–5 somewhat shorter subapical spines.

Economic importance. A ubiquitous and common species, particularly in areas of anthropogenic influence (Mohrig et al. 2013), but not known to be a pest.

Distribution. Holarctic. Also distributed in Central America.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Scatopsciara atomaria (Zetterstedt, 1851). A. Hypopygium.B. Flagellomeres 4–6. C.Palpus. D. Fore tibia.