taxonID	type	description	language	source
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	description	(Figs. 1, 6)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	materials_examined	Types. Holotype ♀ (BPBMENT 0000081282) from: Morocco: Ifrane, environs of Forêt de Cédres, 33 ° 31 ′ N, 5 ° 06 ′ W, 1,500 m, 29 Apr 1999, V. Vrabec & V. Vrabcová, yellow pan water trap (BPBM). Paratypes. Malta: 1 ♀, Verdala Palace near Buskett, Jul – Oct 2015, D. Mifsud (BPBM). Morocco: 1 ♀, Al Haouz, Tahannaout, Boukhyiam, 31 ° 21 ′ 29.871 ″ N, 7 ° 55 ′ 12.100 ″ W, 932 m, 28 May 2024, K. Kettani (MNHNR). Holotype in BPBM, paratypes in BPBM and MNHNR.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) syntomus, sp. nov. by both having yellow laterally on the occiput, a yellow scutellum, and a yellow prescutellar mark, but can be separated from it by presence of mesonotal vittae being complete from the interhumeral mark to the prescutellar mark (absent in E. (E.) syntomus). A recently described species from the Canary Islands, Empidideicus (E.) tagoror Suárez (Suárez et al. 2025) keys to this species using the above key; however it can be separated by vein M 1 distinctly upward at wing margin (curved distinctly downward toward the wing margin in E. (E.) bartaki); and the presence of a dark spot on the halter (absent in E. (E.) bartaki).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	description	Description Female (Fig. 1 a). Length: 1.2 – 1.3 mm. Wing: 1.0 – 1.1 mm. Head (Figs. 1 a, b): slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput black, yellow laterally; frons white, with small squarish brown spot medially; face white; antennae with scape short, white, subtrapezoidal; pedicel white, subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere black, conical, length subequal to width; second flagellomere thin, cylindrical, subequal in length to first flagellomere, with minute transparent apical style; clypeus pale yellowish white, as long as oral margin; proboscis dark brown to black, length 1.5 × head length; labrum sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length 2 × clypeus. Thorax (Figs. 1 a, b, c). Mesonotum matte brown; yellow dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; yellow interhumeral marks coalesced with yellow humeral calli and extending to yellow prescutellar area as admedian vittae; median stripe dark brown with thin pale brown medial line within it; scutellum yellow; mesonotal disc and dorsum of scutellum with short fine brown hairs; pleura bare, white, with brown on following: anteroventral corner of anepisternum and anepimeron, lower half of katepisternum; propleuron white, posterior half of meron; halter stem and knob white, knob yellow dorsally. Legs (Fig. 1 a). Yellowish white except tarsal segments 3 – 5 brown. Wing (Fig. 6). Elongate, length 3.5 × width; hyaline; veins pale brown; costa ends beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 slightly bowed; vein M 1 curved toward wing margin; M 2 mostly straight; cell dm open apically; CuP thin, straight to wing margin; anal cell widely open at wing margin; CuA evanescent; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing well shortest at wing tip becoming longer and more sparse toward base. Abdomen. Tergites black dorsomedially, concolorous with mediotergite color, with white band along posterior margin, band becoming successively broader on successive segments, lateral margins broader white than posterior bands (can be seen in Fig. 1 a); tergites VI – VIII all white; sternites white; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia. Not dissected. Male: Unknown.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Named for Miroslav Barták, who kindly donated to the first author many mythicomyiid specimens, among which included the type of this species.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The presence of this Moroccan species also on Malta (over 2,000 km distant) is somewhat surprising, but the Maltese specimens clearly fits all the characters of Empidideicus (E.) bartaki and is thus treated as such here. In Morocco, this species seems to favor forest environments at high elevations in the Middle and High Atlas Mountains (Map 1), which are characterized by humid climate and dense vegetation.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDC152643F2FD73FDF91D83.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Malta, Morocco.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152643F2FD12FD5219D0.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Types. Holotype ♂ (BPBMENT 0000081262) and 1 ♂, 2 ♀ paratypes from Portugal: Beja, Mértola, Mértola, 37 ° 38 ′ 13.0 ″ N, 07 ° 39 ′ 47.1 ″ W, 4 Aug 2022, R. Andrade. Other Paratypes: Portugal: 2 ♀, topotypic, 2 Aug 2022, R. Andrade; 1 ♀, Faro, Silves, São Bartolomeu de Messines, 37 ° 16 ′ 28.7 ″ N, 08 ° 18 ′ 37.3 ″ W, 12 Jul 2014, R. Andrade (BPBM); 1 ♂, Viseu, Moimenta da Beira, Leomil, 41 ° 00 ′ 16.1 ″ N, 07 ° 40 ′ 13.4 ″ W, 7 Aug 2013, R. Andrade (BPBM). Morocco: 1 ♀, AA, Tiznit plage, Sidi Moussa d’Aglou, 29.749 ° N, 9.892 ° W, 9 May 1999, V. Vrabeć, V. Vrabcová (BPBM); 1 ♀, MA, Ifrane, environs of Fôret de Cédres, 33 ° 31 ′ N, 5 ° 06 ′ W, 1,500 m, 29 Apr 1999, V. Vrabec & V. Vrabcová (BPBM); 2 ♀, MA, Ifrane, Zaouiet Ifrane, 33 ° 33 ′ 32.88 ′′ N, 5 ° 7 ′ 35.73 ′′ W, 1,497 m, 2 Apr 2017, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♀, Rif, Chefchaouen, Aïn Rami, 35 ° 12 ′ 34.5 ′′ N, 5 ° 28 ′ 06 ′′ W, 479 m, 18 May – 27 Jun 2017, K. Kettani (MNHNR). Spain: Zaragoza Prov: 12 ♂ ♀, Monegros, Pina de Ebro, Retuerta de Pina, 360 m, 7 Jun 1991, pan traps between Juniperus thurifera and Rosmarinus sp., J. Blasco-Zumeta (BPBM); Segovia: 1 ♂, Chañe, 16 Aug – 14 Sep 2000, J. F. Gomez (MCT); Salamanca: 1 ♀, Villa de Ciervo, La Navizuela, 31 May – 9 Jun 2003, H. - P. Tschorsnig (MCT); 19 ♂ ♀, Sierra del Gata, Rio Azueda, N of El Payo, 15 Aug 2000, on Erigeron, J. F. Gomez (MCT): 163 ♂ ♀, Aldea del Obispo, Prado Caño, 28 Jun 1995, J. F. Gomez (MCT; 179 ♂ ♀, Villa de la Yegua, 24 Apr 1995, swept from Umbelliferae, H. - P. Tschorsnig (MCT).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152643F2FD12FD5219D0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Easily separated from the congeners in North Africa and Iberia possessing a yellow scutellum by the brown spot laterally on the tergites at the aera of the abdominal spiracle (no other species of Empidideicus from this region have this).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152643F2FD12FD5219D0.taxon	discussion	Remarks. No new material has been examined of this species since its original description. Evenhuis (2024) listed NHMM as the type depository. This was an error. The type is in BPBM. This species occurs in three distinct habitats in Morocco (Map 1). It was collected from a coastal habitat in the Anti-Atlas along the southern Atlantic Plain, from a cedar forest under a perhumid climate in the Middle Atlas at high altitude, and from a lowland dotted by Asteraceae plants under a humid climate in the Rif at the north of Morocco.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152643F2FD12FD5219D0.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Morocco, Portugal, Spain.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152A43F2F8E3FBFB1C3F.taxon	description	(Figs. 2, 3, 7)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152A43F2F8E3FBFB1C3F.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. Neotype ♀ (BPBMENT 0000081283) and 1 ♂, 2 ♀ from Tunisia: Mahdia, dunes N of Chebba [36.2569 ° N, 11.0965 ° E], 28 Apr 2009, D. Gibbs (BPBM). Original holotype in HNHM destroyed; neotype in BPBM. Other material examined. Morocco: 1 ♀, AA, Zagora, Oulad Yahya Lagraire, Lghaba, 30.55395 ° N, 6.12610 ° W, 894 m, 31 Mar 2025, M. El Berini (MNHNR); 2 ♂, 2 ♀, AP, Kénitra, Forêt Maâmora, 34 ° 08 ′ 50 ′′ N, 6 ° 36 ′ 56 ′′ W, 106 m, 11 May 2022, K. Kettani (MNHNR).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152A43F2F8E3FBFB1C3F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) carrapateira in having a black mesonotum and prescutellar area, and by the dark scutellum, but can be separated from it by the presence of interhumeral marks (absent in E. (E.) carrapateira) and the distinct yellow bands on the posterior margins of the tergites (these bands thin and grayish in E. (E.) carrapateira).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152A43F2F8E3FBFB1C3F.taxon	description	Description of Neotype Female (Fig. 2 a). Length: 1.3 mm. Wing: 1.2 mm. Head (Figs. 2 a, b): slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput and postgena black; frons slightly depressed medially, black, white only above antennae; face yellowish; antennae black; scape short, subtrapezoidal; pedicel subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere conical, length 2 × width; second flagellomere thin, cylindrical, length subequal to first flagellomere, with minute transparent apical style; mentum black; clypeus black, as long as oral margin; proboscis directed down and backward, black, length 1.5 × head length; labrum sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length subequal to head height. Thorax (Figs. 2 a, b, c). Mesonotum matte black, gray pollinose with slightly darker admedian vittae in pollinose area; yellow wavy dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; yellow interhumeral marks coalesced with yellow humeral calli; scutellum black; mesonotal disc and dorsum of scutellum with short fine white hairs; pleura bare, predominantly black, with yellow to sclerites as in Fig. 2 a; halter stem brown, knob yellowish white. Legs (Fig. 1 a). Coxae black, femora black except yellowish; tibiae brown; basitarsus yellow; tarsal segments 2 – 5 brown. Wing (Fig. 7). Elongate, length 3.5 × width; subhyaline; veins dark brown; costa ends just beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 slightly bowed at apical one-third; vein M 1 and M 2 straight; cell dm open apically; CuP thick; anal cell closed at wing margin; CuA evanescent; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing. Abdomen. Tergite I black, concolorous with mediotergite; tergites II – VII predominantly black with thin white band along posterior margin; lateral margins broader white than posterior bands; sternites black with yellow lateral margins; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia (Fig. 3) with genital fork sclerotized, V-shaped with apically forked lateral arms; common duct and basal valve not evident; basal duct, short, smooth sided; sperm pump ca. 1.5 × length of genital fork; thin, appearing corrugated, but closer examination (Fig. 3 B) shows continuing thin muscle spiraling and surrounding sperm pump; apical valve and apical duct sclerotized, roughly one-half length of sperm pump; spermathecal reservoir subglobular, sclerotized, with apical invagination slightly more than one-third height of reservoir, with glandular trichomes emanating from apical invagination. Male: As in female. Genitalia not dissected.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152A43F2F8E3FBFB1C3F.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Becker (1907) originally described this species based on a single specimen from Sfax, Tunisia collected by Lagos Biró. Engel (1933) examined the type, which was still existing in HNHM at the time [Evenhuis (2002, 2024) mistakenly stated the type depository as “ UNKN ” but this was because he had missed Engel’s (1933) account of the type, which Engel clearly said was in HNHM]). Unfortunately, this type specimen, along with almost all the Diptera, except some acalyptrates, Culicidae, Chironomidae, Anthomyiidae, and Pipunculidae, were lost in the 1956 uprising in Budapest (Földvári & Papp 2007). To fix the identity of this species, the type species of Empidideicus, which is very close in appearance to other species in the Mediterranean region and may exhibit variation in some specimens (see below), all of which could confound accurate identification, we here designate a neotype female with the following data: Mahdia, dunes N of Chebba [36.2569 ° N, 11.0965 ° E], 28 Apr 2009, D. Gibbs. The neotype is deposited in BPBM. The dunes near Chebba are less than 70 km from Sfax and it is also a coastal locality like Sfax. Although it is not known exactly where in (or around) Sfax the holotype was collected, we believe that the type locality was most likely the same sort of coastal (beach) ecosystem and possibly dunes where the neotype was collected. Engel (1933: 101 – 102) gave a detailed description of the type from Tunisia in HNHM and of other specimens under this name from Algeria, Egypt and “ Palästina ” [= Israel] that he received from other collections. The neotype and paralectotypes match the description given by Engel (1933) of the original holotype from Tunisia. However, Engel noted some variation in coloration in the wing and scutellum of the non-Tunisian specimens. These could be variations of a single species, or possibly represent other species. Until such time as these specimens can be examined and compared with the neotype, these non-Tunisian specimens listed by Engel are provisionally included here as Empidideicus (E.) carthaginiensis. The specimen from Morocco examined in this study matches well with the Tunisian specimens so (despite representing a potentially disjunct population from the type locality) is treated here as Empidideicus (E.) carthaginiensis. Theodor (1983) illustrated the male and female genitalia of specimens from Israel he determined as “ carthaginiensis ”. These do not represent the true species. I have examined 17 specimens identified as carthaginiensis by Theodor and they represent two or three other species, not Empidideicus (E.) carthaginiensis. Unfortunately, there were too few specimens available during this study to afford dissection of male genitalia of the Tunisian material. Confirmation of what the female genitalia of true Empidideicus (E.) carthaginiensis look like will have to await further study of longer series, optimally from the type locality, or near. This species occurs in Morocco (Map 1) under an arid climate in the Anti-Atlas within xerophyte vegetation composed of Brocchia cinereal, Echium horridum, Heliotropium undulatum, Leysera capillifolia, Malva parviflora, Morettia canescens and Withania adpressa. It was also collected from cork oak forest along the Atlantic Plain under a subhumid climate.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFDA152A43F2F8E3FBFB1C3F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Morocco (new record), Sudan, Tunisia.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD6152943F2FC4EFE091D83.taxon	description	(Figs. 4, 5)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD6152943F2FC4EFE091D83.taxon	materials_examined	Other Material Examined. Morocco: 1 ♀, Zagora, Oulad Yahya Lagraire, Lghaba, 30.55395 ° N, 6.126120 ° W, 894 m, 31 Mar 2025, M. El Berini (MNHNR); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, HA, Midelt, Mibladen, Oued Outate, 32 ° 76.14 ′ N, 4 ° 74.61 ′ W, 1,293 m, 17 May 2021, riverbank, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♀, Rif, Larache, Tazroute, Mchichouen, 35 ° 19 ′ 38.914 ′′ N, 5 ° 28 ′ 27.080 ′′ W, 640 m, 22 May – 25 Jun 2019, matorral, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Rif, Akchour, Chellal sghir, 35 ° 14 ′ 21 ′′ N, 5 ° 10 ′ 37 ′′ W, 424 m, 17 Jun – 14 Aug 2017, banks of a waterfall, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♂, Rif, Ouezzane, Laghdir, Oued Loukkos, 35 ° 01 ′ 21 ′′ N, 5 ° 25 ′ 14.0001 ′′ W, 140 m, 11 Jun 2021, riverbank, K. Kettani (MNHNR).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD6152943F2FC4EFE091D83.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) evenhuisi by lacking a yellow prescutellar area, and having a yellow scutellum and black frons, but can be separated from it by the white face (black in E. (E.) evenhuisi). A recently described species from the Canary Islands, Empidideicus (E.) guguy Suárez (Suárez et al. 2025) keys to E. (E.) croceus using this key, but it can be separated by the lack of large yellow interhumeral marks (present in E. (E.) croceus) and having dark femora (yellow in E. (E.) croceus).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD6152943F2FC4EFE091D83.taxon	description	Description Female (Fig. 4 a). Length: 1.8 – 2.0 mm. Wing: 1.7 – 2.0 mm. Head (Figs. 4 a, b): slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput and postgena black; frons slightly depressed medially, black on upper half, white on lower half above antennae; face yellowish, tip of oral margin black; antennae black; scape short, subtrapezoidal; pedicel subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere conical, length 2 × width; second flagellomere [broken off in lectotype] thin, cylindrical, length three-fourths of first flagellomere, with minute transparent apical style; mentum black; clypeus black, as long as oral margin; proboscis black, length 1.5 × head length; labrum sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length subequal to clypeus; palpus not evident. Thorax (Figs. 4 b, c). Mesonotum matte black; yellow wavy dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; large yellow interhumeral marks coalesced with yellow humeral calli; scutellum dirty yellow, brown basomedially; mesonotal disc and dorsum of scutellum with short fine white hairs; pleura bare, yellow, with black on following: anteroventral corner of anepisternum and anepimeron, lower half of katepisternum; propleuron yellow; halter stem and knob creamy yellow white. Legs. Coxae brown; femora brown basally, yellow apically; tibiae and basitarsi yellow; tarsal tarsal segments 3 – 5 brown. Wing [both wings missing in lectotype (description from non-type ♀ from Zagora, Oulad Yahya Lagraire, Lghaba)]. Elongate, length 3.5 × width; subhyaline; veins dark brown; costa ends just beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 slightly bowed at apical one-third; vein M 1 and M 2 straight; cell dm open apically; CuP thick; anal cell open at wing margin; CuA evanescent; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing. Abdomen (Fig. 4 d). Tergite I black, concolorous with mediotergite color; tergites II – VII black dorsomedially with yellow along posterior margin, yellow color becoming successively broader on successive segments; lateral margins broadly yellow with small brown spot on tergites II – VII, additional spot of brown lateral of midline on tergites III – VI; sternites yellow; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia. Not dissected. Male: As in female. Genitalia (Fig. 5) with epandrium yellow, in lateral view (Fig. 5 A) subtrapezoidal with large pseudosurstylus; cercus small, not exerted; gonocoxa brown, in lateral view (Fig. 5 A) subglobular, smaller than epandrium, in ventral view (Fig. 5 B) with deep ventral cleft; gonostylus (Fig. 5 D) inserted subapically on gonocoxa, subquadrate with long coniucal apical portion; phallic complex (Fig., 5 C) with long aedeagus, tapering to apex; parameral sheath with lateral arms extending almost to end of aedeagal apodeme; aedeagal apodeme small, peanut-shaped in lateral view (Fig. 5 A); lateral rami small, thin, foliate.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD6152943F2FC4EFE091D83.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Evenhuis (2002, 2024) erred in citing the earliest publication for this name. The species name was first made available by characters given the key in Séguy (1949 a); the full description followed in Séguy (1949 b). Séguy originally described croceus in Cyrtosia based on three females from “ Goulimine ” [= Guelmim] in southern Morocco. The best preserved of these and the one bearing a red “ TYPE ” label is herein designated lectotype female. The syntype series has one specimen (the lectotype) labeled as “ Cyrtosia crocea / TYPE / ” [in Séguy’s hand] and the other two are labelled as “ Cyrtosia crocea Co-Type ” [in Séguy’s hand]. The lectotype is glued to a card by its proboscis, lacks antennae and wings and a few legs are broken off. The re-description above is based on the lectotype but filled in (for those characters missing in the type series) by a non-type female specimen from Zagora, Morocco. All the original syntypes are damaged. The lectotype is the best preserved of the three but lacks antennae and wings. There is evidence that at least one of the wings of the lectotype may have been glued to a point below the pinned specimen, but it is gone and what appears to be a fragment of a costa is all that remains. One paralectotype is squashed and not much can be determined beyond color patterns of head and thorax; the other paralectotype has only one wing that is folded onto itself so the venation is indiscernible. The lack of wings with discernable venation could have been the original condition of the type series and thus the error by Séguy (1949 a) in originally placing this species in Cyrtosia. In Morocco, this species occurs under diverse ecological conditions. It has been recorded from mountainous areas and riverbanks in the Rif and the Middle Atlas under a humid bioclimate, as well as from the Anti-Atlas (Map 1), where an arid Saharan climate with desert influence prevails.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD6152943F2FC4EFE091D83.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Morocco.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD5152943F2FD12FD4C1AC7.taxon	materials_examined	Types. Holotype ♂ (NHMM 2022 - 017) and 1 ♂, 4 ♀ (NHMM 2022 - 018 – 2022 - 022) paratypes from Portugal: Faro, Vila Real de Santo António, Monte Gordo, 11 Mar 1994, H. H. Evenhuis, ‘ op gele Composiet in de Zeeduinen’ [on yellow composites in the sea dunes]. Other paratypes: same data except 1 ♂, 3 ♀ (NMHH 2022 - 023, 2022 - 024) (BPBM). Other material examined: Portugal: 2 ♂, 7 ♀, Beja, Mértola, Mértola, 37 ° 38 ′ 13.0 ″ N, 07 ° 39 ′ 47.1 ″ W, 4 Aug 2022, R. Andrade (BPBM), 1 ♂, same data except 2 Aug 2022, R. Andrade (BPBM); Morocco: 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Rif, Tétouan, Jbel Bouhachem, Amsemlil, 35 ° 15 ′ 44.424 ″ N, 5 ° 26 ′ 0.276 ″ W 1,067 m, 17 Feb 2021, pine forest around peat bog, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♂, AA, Tiznit plage, Sidi Moussa d’Aglou, 29.749 ° N, 9.892 ° W, 9 May 1999, V. Vrabeć, V. Vrabcová (BPBM); 1 ♀, AA, Ouarzazate, Fint Oasis, 30 ° 49 ′ 51.947 ″ N, 7 ° 8 ′ 13.407 ″ W, 1,188 m, 14 May 2024, K. Kettani (MNHNR); Spain: Segovia: 1 ♂, Chañe, 16 Aug – 4 Sep 2000, J. F. Gómez (MCT); Salamanca: 2 ♀, Aldea del Obispo, Prado Caño, 30 Jun 1995, H. - P. Tschorsnig (MCT).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD5152943F2FD12FD4C1AC7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) croceus by having a dark prescutellar area, a yellow scutellum, and black frons, but can be separated from it by the black face (white in E. (E.) croceus). In Morocco, this species was collected in a humid pine forest in the Rif around a peat bog, as well as in an oasis of palm trees under an arid climate in the Anti-Atlas (Map 1). It was also found in a coastal habitat along the southern Atlantic Plain where semi-arid climate and salty winds prevail.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD5152943F2FD12FD4C1AC7.taxon	distribution	Distribution: Morocco, Portugal, Spain.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD5152E43F2F9D6FCA91C5B.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. Cape Verde Islands: 1 ♂, 3 ♀, São Tiago, São Jorge dos Órgãos, Mar 1990, A. van Harten (BPBM). Portugal: 1 ♂, 10 ♀, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Canidelo, 41 ° 08 ′ 20.7 ″ N, 08 ° 39 ′ 55.2 ″ W, 30 Sep 2010. R. Andrade; 1 ♀, same data except 29 Jun 2011; 2 ♂, same data except 4 May 2011; 1 ♀, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Arcozelo, 41 ° 03 ′ 12.3 ″ N, 08 ° 39 ′ 18.0 ″ W, 26 May 2011, R. Andrade (BPBM, ZMUC); 1 ♀, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Gulpilhares, 41 ° 04 ′ 27.8 ″ N, 08 ° 39 ′ 23.6 ″ W, 22 Jun 2009, on Eryngium maritimum, R. Andrade; 1 ♀, Braga, Esposende, Apúlia, 41 ° 28 ′ 16.4 ″ N, 08 ° 46 ′ 27.2 ″ W, 6 May 2009, R. Andrade; 1 ♀, same data except 4 Jun 2009; 2 ♀, Faro, Loulé, Almancil, 37 ° 01 ′ 31.8 ″ N, 08 ° 00 ′ 20.4 ″ W, 30 Sep 2016, R. Andrade (all BPBM). Morocco: 1 ♀, AA, Tiznit plage, Sidi Moussa d’Aglou, 0 – 50 m, 29.749 ° N, 9.892 ° W, 20 Apr 2003, P. Skála (BPBM); 1 ♀, Rif, El Hamma, 35 ° 23 ′ 5.74 ′′ N, 5 ° 30 ′ 49.24 ′′ W, 338 m, 6 – 21 Jun 2016, Malaise in cork oak scrubland, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♀, Rif, Tétouan, Ben Karrich ,, 35 ° 29 ′ 14.28 ′′ N, 5 ° 26 ′ 21.12 ′′ W, 140 m, 20 Jul – 13 Aug 2016, Malaise in Pinus halepensis forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 2 ♀, Rif, Fnideq-M’diq, Cabo Negro, 35 ° 39 ′ 54 ″ N, 5 ° 17 ′ 05 ″ W, 3 m, sandy dunes on beach, H. Maamri (MNHNR); 1 ♀, Rif, M’diq, Barrage Smir, 35 ° 41 ′ 14 ′′ N, 5 ° 23 ′ 15.14 ′′ W, 82 m, 18 Jun – 27 Jul 2016, K. Kettani, Malaise in shrubby riparian strip at the dam (MNHNR); 3 ♂, 2 ♀, AP, Kénitra, Forêt Maâmora, 34 ° 08 ′ 50 ′′ N, 6 ° 36 ′ 56 ′′ W, 106 m, 11 May 2022, grassland beneath Quercus suber trees, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 8 ♂, 8 ♀, Rif, Tanger-Asilah, Briech, plage Briech, 35 ° 31 ′ 09 ′′ N, 5 ° 59 ′ 6 ′′ W, 0 m, 14 Oct 2017, sandy dunes on beach, K. Kettani (MNHNR). Spain: Salamanca: 24 ♂ ♀ Sierra de Gata, Rio Agueda, n. of El Payo, 6 Aug 2000, on Eryngium, J. F. Gómez (MCT); 1 ♀, Villa de Cierro, La Naviguela, 1 May – 9 Jun 2003, H. - P. Tschorsnig (MCT); 177 ♂ ♀, Villa de Yegun, Vado de la Viña, 24 Apr 1995, swept off Umbelliferae, H. - P. Tschorsnig (MCT); 107 ♂ ♀, Aldea del Obispo, Prado Caño, 28 Jun 1995, H. - P. Tschorsnig (MCT).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD5152E43F2F9D6FCA91C5B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Easily separated from the congeners in the region studied by the yellow scutellum possessing a medial brown stripe (this character not found in the other species of Empidideicus in the region). In Morocco (Map 1), this species appears to prefer sandy dunes along Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal habitats, as well as inland areas such as matorral and mixed forests of cork-oak and pine trees under sub-humid to humid bioclimates in the Rif Mountains.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD5152E43F2F9D6FCA91C5B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Cape Verde Islands, Morocco, Portugal, Spain.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD2152C43F2FC6AFC971E63.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Types. Holotype ♀ from Spain: Granada, Sierra Nevada, N. slope Veleta, 2,200 m, [37.162 ° N, 03.5252 ° W], 30 Jul 1960, J. R. Vockeroth [photographs of type on slide examined] (CNC). Paratype ♀ from Spain: Sierra Nevada, Granada, 2,400 m, [37.162 ° N, 03.5262 ° W], 30 Jul 1960, J. R. Vockeroth [on slide] (RBINS). Other material examined: France: 48 ♂ ♀, 4 km S Agde, 43 ° 18 ′ 49 ″ N, 3 ° 31 ′ 55 ″ E, 10 – 11 Jul 2009, salty meadows, pan traps and sweeping, M. Barták (BPBM). Morocco: 1 ♀, Rif, Larache, Tagzhout Adrou, 556 m, 35.523333 ° N, 05.62861 ° W, 14 Jun – 15 Jul 2013, Malaise in Quercus suber forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 2 ♂, AP, Kénitra, Forêt Maâmora, 34 ° 08 ′ 50 ″ N, 6 ° 36 ′ 56 ″ W, 106 m, 11 May 2022, cork oak forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 2 ♀, Rif, Talassemtane, Madissouka, 35 ° 09 ′ 50.52 ″ N, 5 ° 08 ′ 38 ″ W, 1,651 m, 10 Jun 2021, mixed forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♀, Rif, Tétouan, M’diq, Koudiat Taifour, 35 ° 40 ′ 28.776 ″ N, 5 ° 19 ’ 2.416 ″ W, 150 m, 8 May 2018, pine forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♀, Rif, Talassemtane, Afeska, 35 ° 10 ′ 18.4 ′′ N, 5 ° 11 ′ 10.5 ′′ W, 1,293 m, 10 Jun 2021, fir and cedar forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♂, Rif, Ouled Sidi Mansour, Oued Tassikeste, 35 ° 23 ′ 6.49 ′′ N, 5 ° 13 ′ 9.00 ′′ W, 240 m, riverbank within cork-oak forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♀, MA, Ifrane, Zaouiet Ifrane, 33 ° 33 ′ 32.88 ′′ N, 5 ° 7 ′ 35.73 ′′ W, 1,497 m, 2 Apr 2017, cedar forest, K. Kettani (MNHNR). Portugal: 1 ♂, 6 ♀, Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Vila Nova de Anha, 41 ° 40 ′ 08.9 ″ N, 08 ° 49 ′ 25.7 ″ W, 12 Jun 2011, R. Andrade (BPBM); 2 ♀, Viana do Castelo, Ponte da Barca, Entre Ambos-os-Rios, 41 ° 49 ′ 12.6 ″ N, 08 ° 19 ′ 18.4 ″ W, 8 Aug 2013, R. Andrade; 2 ♀, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Avintes, 41 ° 06 ′ 00.0 ″ N, 08 ° 33 ′ 35.3 ″ W, 20 Jun 2011, R. Andrade (BPBM); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same data except 23 May 2011 (BPBM); 2 ♀, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Canidelo, 41 ° 08 ′ 20.7 ″ N, 08 ° 39 ′ 55.2 ″ W, 29 Jun 2011, R. Andrade (BPBM); 1 ♂, 10 ♀, Braga, Esposende, Apúlia, 41 ° 28 ′ 16.4 ″ N, 08 ° 46 ′ 27.2 ″ W, 3 Aug 2009, R. Andrade (BPBM, ZMUC); 1 ♀, Braga, Vila Nova da Famalicão, Novais, 41 ° 23 ′ 26.34 ″ N, 08 ° 26 ′ 06.06 ″ W, 16 Aug 2013, R. Andrade; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, same data except 16 Jun 2017; 6 ♀, same data except 23 Aug 2010 (BPBM), 2 ♀, Braga, Barcelos, Gilmonde, 41 ° 30 ′ 43.0 ″ N, 8 ° 38 ′ 57.0 ″ W, 19 Aug 2010, R. Andrade (BPBM); 1 ♀, same data except 2 Jun 2019; 2 ♀, same data except 1 Sep 2020; 1 ♀, Bragança, Miranda do Douro, Vila Chã de Braciosa, 41 ° 25 ′ 29.8 ″ N, 06 ° 18 ′ 29.4 ″ W, 9 Jun 2021, R. Andrade (BPBM); 2 ♂, 6 ♀, Leiria, Óbidos, Vau, 39 ° 23 ′ 30.9 ″ N, 09 ° 12 ′ 03.6 ″ W, 15 Aug 2022, R. Andrade (BPBM); 11 ♂, 24 ♀, Porto, Valongo, Campo, 41 ° 10 ′ 31.9 ″ N, 08 ° 28 ′ 48.5 ″ W, 28 Jul 2010 (BPBM, ZMUC); 3 ♂, 5 ♀, Bragança, Bragança, França, 41 ° 56 ′ 33.1 ″ N, 06 ° 45 ′ 51.0 ″ W, 19 Jul 2020, R. Andrade (BPBM).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD2152C43F2FC6AFC971E63.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Easily separated from the congeners in the area studied by the black scutellum with a thin yellow median strip (this character not found in the other Empidideicus species in the region). In Morocco (Map 1), this species seems to prefer forested environments, where it was mainly collected in cork-oak, pine, fir, and cedar forests under a humid to perhumid bioclimate in the Rif and Atlas Mountains. It was also reported from the cork-oak forest of Maâmora in the Atlantic Plain where a sub-humid climate prevails.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD2152C43F2FC6AFC971E63.taxon	distribution	Distribution. France, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152C43F2FE72FD1C1B74.taxon	materials_examined	Type. Holotype ♀ from Spain. Almeria: Cabo de Gata [36.75 ° N, 2.18 ° W], 0 – 50 m, 26 Mar 1966. Type in Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen (photos examined). Material Examined. Morocco. 1 ♂, Rif, Ametrasse, Oued Ametrasse, 35 ° 05 ′ 00.7 ′′ N, 5 ° 05 ′ 02.3 ′′ W, 950 m, 20 May 2022, K. Kettani (MNHNR).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152C43F2FE72FD1C1B74.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Easily separated from those species in this region that have a black occiput, predominantly black mesonotum, and a yellow scutellum; by having brown along the posterior margin of the scutellum (this area of the scutellum all yellow in the other species).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152C43F2FE72FD1C1B74.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Previous to this study, no specimens of this species had been collected since the type in 1966. The holotype in the Natural History of Denmark is pinned, with the scutellum, both wings and abdomen missing. The left wing was illustrated by François (1969). The abdomen may have been removed for genitalic study, but there is no associated slide material and François (1969) did not illustrate them. The type is a female and the specimen collected in this study is a male. The detailed description by François (1969) (done before removal of body parts) fits this species perfectly, so there is no need for a redescription. In Morocco, this species was recorded only from a riverbank covered by diverse Asteraceae plants within a cork-oak forested environment in the Rif Mountains.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152C43F2FE72FD1C1B74.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Morocco, Spain (new record).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	description	(Figs. 8, 10)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	materials_examined	Types. Holotype ♀ and paratype ♀ from Morocco: Rif, Larache, Taghzout, Adrou, 556 m, 35.523333 ° N, 05.62861 ° W, 14 Jun – 5 Jul 2013, K. Kettani, Malaise in Quercus suber forest (MNHNR). Other paratypes. Morocco: 1 ♀, Rif, Ben Karrich, Oued Mhajrat, 5.4873000 ° N, - 5.4392000 ° W, 16 Aug – 13 Oct 2016, K. Kettani, Malaise in Pinus pinaster forest. Holotype and paratypes in MNHNR.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) hackmani in having a black prescutellar area but can be separated from it by the scutellum being all yellow (scutellum black with yellow stripe medially in E. (E.) hackmani).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	description	Description Female (Fig. 10 a). Length: 1.8 – 2.0 mm. Wing: 1.6 – 1.8 mm. Head (Figs 10 a, b): slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput dorsally and medially black, laterally along posterior eye margin; frons yellow with brown spot medially; face white, tip of oral margin brown; antennae with scape yellow, short, subtrapezoidal; pedicel yellow, subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere conical, length 2 × width; second flagellomere [broken off in all specimens]; mentum membranous, white; clypeus brown, as long as oral margin; proboscis dark black, length 2 × head length; labrum sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length 1.5 × head height. Thorax (Figs. 10 a, b). Mesonotum matte black; yellow dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; yellow interhumeral marks not coalesced with yellow humeral calli; scutellum yellow, brown at extreme lateral margin; prescutellar area black; mesonotal disc and dorsum of scutellum with short fine white hairs; pleura bare, yellow, with black to on following: anteroventral corner of anepisternum and anepimeron, lower half of katepisternum; propleuron white; halter stem and knob white. Legs. Fore coxa yellowish brown, mid and hid coxae brown; femora predominantly yellow, brown basally; tibiae and tarsal segments 1 – 2 yellow; tarsal segments 3 – 5 brown. Wing (Fig. 8). Elongate, length 3.5 × width; subhyaline; veins brown to pale brown; costa ends beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 straight to wing margin; vein M 1 curved toward wing margin; M 2 straight; cell dm open apically; CuP thick, straight to wing margin; CuA evanescent; anal cell open at wing margin; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing. Abdomen. Dorsum brown, concolorous with mediotergite color; tergites II – VII predominantly brown with yellowish white along posterior margin, band becoming successively broader on successive segments; lateral margins broader white than posterior bands; sternites white; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia. Not dissected. Male: Unknown	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species occurs only in the Rif Mountains (Map 1), where it inhabits forested environments such as cork-oak forest under a humid bioclimate, dense shrubland with herbaceous vegetation, and pine stands along riverbanks.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet is named for Dr. Kawtar Kettani, who generously provided the first author with much material for study from Morocco, and for her efforts at increasing our knowledge of the Moroccan Diptera fauna.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD0152D43F2FB07FE091C13.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Morocco.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD1153243F2FCA2FE4A19BA.taxon	description	(Fig. 9)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD1153243F2FCA2FE4A19BA.taxon	materials_examined	Types. Holotype ♀ from: Morocco: EM, Berkane, Saidia, 35 ° 07 ′ 11 ″ N, 2 ° 19 ′ 40 ″ W, 1 m, 15 Aug 2022, H. Maamri (MNHNR). Paratypes: Morocco: 1 ♂, EM, Berkane, Saidia, Moulouya estuary, 35 ° 7 ′ 23 ″ N, 2 ° 20 ′ 41 ″ W, 0 m, 16 Jul 2023, H. Maamri (MNHNR); 1 ♀, EM, Nador, Cap de l’eau, 35 ° 08 ′ 15 ″ N, 2 ° 24 ′ 48 ″ W, 4 m, 20 May 2023, H. Maamri (MNHNR). Holotype and paratypes in MNHNR.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD1153243F2FCA2FE4A19BA.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) inesae Evenhuis et al. by having a brown scutellum with a yellow medial stripe but can be separated from it by the yellow prescutellar area being broadly yellow and coalesced with the admedian mesonotal vittae (a thin yellow stripe not coalesced with median vittae in E. (E.) inesae).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD1153243F2FCA2FE4A19BA.taxon	description	Description: Female (Fig. 9). Length: 1.0 – 1.1 mm. Wing: 1.0 – 1.1 mm. Head: slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput brown above, with yellow line along posterior eye margin; brown medially; frons white, slightly depressed medially, with brown spot medially; face white; antennae pale brown; scape short, subtrapezoidal; pedicel subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere conical, length 2 × width; second flagellomere thin, cylindrical, length subequal to first flagellomere, with minute transparent apical style; mentum brown; clypeus brown, as long as oral margin; proboscis brown, length subequal to head length; labrum brown, sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length subequal to head height. Thorax (Fig. 9). Mesonotum matte brown; yellow dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; yellow interhumeral marks coalesced with yellow humeral calli; admedian vittae yellow, distinct to yellow prescutellar area; scutellum yellow with brown laterally; mesonotal disc and dorsum of scutellum with short fine white hairs; pleura bare, yellow, with black on following: anteroventral corner of anepisternum and anepimeron, lower half of katepisternum; propleuron yellow, halter stem and knob brilliant white. Legs. Coxae brown; femora brown basally, yellow at apex; tibiae and tarsal segments 1 – 2 yellow, tarsal segments 3 – 5 brown. Wing (Fig. 9). Elongate, length 3.5 × width; subhyaline; veins brown to pale brown; costa ends beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 straight to wing margin; vein M 1 curved toward wing margin; M 2 straight; cell dm open apically; CuP thick, straight to wing margin; CuA evanescent; anal cell open at wing margin; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing. Abdomen. Brown dorsally and at extreme lateral tip of tergites; tergites laterally with large white patch of color; sternites white; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia. Not dissected. Male [desiccated from alcohol preservative evaporating]. As in female except generally darker brown than female; fore and mid femora yellowish brown; hind femur dark brown; genitalia (not dissected) with epandrium and gonocoxae brown.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD1153243F2FCA2FE4A19BA.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species occurs only in Eastern Morocco (Map 1), where it inhabits coastal habitats along Mediterranean coast under a semi-arid bioclimate.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFD1153243F2FCA2FE4A19BA.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet is named in memory of dipterist Michael von Tschirnhaus (1939 – 2025), who has given generously of his time and assistance to us, and for his generosity in donations of specimens from his worldwide collections.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCE153343F2F8C7FD3C1D3B.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. Holotype ♂ (BPBMENT 0000081265) and 7 ♂, 20 ♀ paratypes from Portugal: Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Arcozelo, 41 ° 03 ′ 12.3 ″ N, 08 ° 39 ′ 18.0 ″ W, 26 May 2011, R. Andrade. Other paratypes from Portugal: same data except 20 – 22 Jun 2009; 1 ♂, 4 ♀, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Gulpilhares, 41 ° 04 ′ 27.8 ″ N, 08 ° 39 ′ 23.6 ″ W, 22 Jun 2009 on Euphorbiaceae, R. Andrade; 1 ♂, 8 ♀, Braga, Esposende, Apúlia, 41 ° 28 ′ 16.4 ″ N, 08 ° 46 ′ 27.2 ″ W, 4 Jun 2009, R. Andrade. Morocco: 1 ♀, AA, Ouarzazate, Afra, 30 ° 58 ′ 47.965 ″ N, 6 ° 38 ′ 9.362 ″ W, 1,145 m, 15 May 2024, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 2 ♂, AA, Ouarzazate, Tarmigte, 30 ° 51 ′ 34.092 ″ N, 6 ° 50 ′ 15.757 ″ W, 1,133 m, 14 May 2024, K. Kettani (MNHNR); 1 ♂, AA, Zagora, Oulad Yahya Lagraire, Oued Draa, 30.54611 ° N, 6.11459 ° W, 822 m, 7 – 17 May 2025, Malaise in Tamarix bovrana, M. El Berini (MNHNR).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCE153343F2F8C7FD3C1D3B.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) evenhuisi and E. (E.) croceus by having a black prescutellar area and an all yellow scutellum; it can be separated from both by the white frons (black in E. (E.) evenhuisi and E. (E.) croceus).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCE153343F2F8C7FD3C1D3B.taxon	discussion	Remarks. In Morocco (Map 1), this species colonizes arid regions with desert influence in the Anti-Atlas, where sandy substrates and drought-resistant plants adapted to hot and dry climate prevail.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCE153343F2F8C7FD3C1D3B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Morocco (new record), Portugal.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	description	(Fig. 11)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	materials_examined	Types. Holotype ♂ (BPBMENT 0000081280) and paratype ♂ from Morocco: Anti-Atlas, 17 km NW Tiznit beach, 29.749 ° N, 9.892 ° W, 9 Apr 2015, C. Schmid-Egger. Holotype in BPBM.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) mariouti Efflatoun from Egypt by having a yellow prescutellar area, but can be separated from it by the admedian vittae being faint (distinct in E. (E.) mariouti) and the prescutellar area faintly yellow (bright yellow in E. (E.) mariouti).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	description	Description: Male (Fig. 11 a). Length: 0.98 mm. Wing: 0.97 mm. Head (Figs. 11 a, b): slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput and postgena black; frons white, slightly depressed medially, black along inner eye margin, brown medially; face white; antennae brown; scape short, subtrapezoidal; pedicel subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere conical, length 2 × width; second flagellomere clear, cylindrical, thin, length subequal to length of first flagellomere, with minute transparent apical style; mentum black; clypeus pale brown, as long as oral margin; proboscis brown, length 1.5 × head length; labrum sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length subequal to clypeus. Thorax (Figs. 9 a, b, c). Mesonotum matte black with scattered short white hairs; white dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; without interhumeral marks; prescutellar area yellowish brown; scutellum yellow, brown long lateral margin; pleura bare, yellow, with brown on following: anteroventral corner of anepisternum, lower half of katepisternum and anepimeron; propleuron white; halter stem and knob yellowish white. Legs. Coxae yellowish, yellowish brown posteriorly; fore and mid femora yellowish brown, hind femur brown on basal 4 / 5, apical 1 / 5 yellow; tibiae yellow; tarsi brown. Wing [badly wrinkled in holotype]. Elongate, length 3.5 × width; subhyaline; veins pale brown; costa ends beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 slightly bowed at apical one-third; vein M 1 curved toward wing margin; M 2 straight; cell dm open apically; CuP straight to wing margin; CuA evanescent; anal cell open at wing margin; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing well shortest at wing tip becoming longer and more sparse toward base. Abdomen. Dorsum brown, concolorous with mediotergite color; tergites II – VII predominantly brown with white band along posterior margin, band becoming successively broader on successive segments; lateral margins broader white than posterior bands; sternites white; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia. Not dissected. Female: Unknown.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species is recorded only in the Anti-Atlas near the Atlantic coastline in Morocco (Map 1), where the semi-arid bioclimate prevails.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet is named for eminent French dipterist Eugene Séguy (1890 – 1985), who contributed significantly to our knowledge of Mythicomyiidae in the Mediterranean region.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCF153143F2FA5CFE091C87.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Morocco.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCD153743F2FC16FD781EF3.taxon	description	(Fig. 12)	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCD153743F2FC16FD781EF3.taxon	materials_examined	Types. Holotype ♂ (BPBMENT 0000081281) from: Morocco: AA, Tiznit plage, Sidi Moussa, d’Aglou, 0 – 50 m, 29.749 ° N, 9.892 ° W, 8 May 1999, V. Vrabec & V. Vrabcová (BPBM). Holotype in BPBM.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCD153743F2FC16FD781EF3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Similar to Empidideicus (E.) bartaki, sp. nov. by both having yellow laterally on the occiput, a yellow scutellum, and a yellow prescutellar mark, but can be separated from it by the vittae on the mesonotal disc being absent (admedian vittae distinct and complete from the interhumeral mark to the prescutellar mark in E. (E.) bartaki).	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCD153743F2FC16FD781EF3.taxon	description	Description Male (Fig. 12 a). Length: 0.90 mm. Wing: 1.00 mm. Head (Figs. 12 a, b, c): slightly longer than high; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 1 × distance between lateral ocelli; occiput black, yellow laterally; frons white, slightly depressed medially, with large brown squarish spot medially; face white; antennae with scape yellow, short, subtrapezoidal; pedicel pale brown, yellow mesally, subconical, wider than long; first flagellomere dark brown, conical, length 2 × width; second flagellomere thin, cylindrical, length subequal to length of first flagellomere, with minute transparent apical style; mentum white; clypeus pale yellow, as long as face; proboscis directed downward, dark brown, length 2 × head length; labrum dark brown, sclerotized, stiff, pointed apically, length three-fourths head height. Thorax (Figs. 12 b, c). Mesonotum matte black; yellow dorsolaterally from humeral callus to post alar callus; yellow interhumeral marks not coalesced with yellow humeral calli; prescutellar area yellowish brown; scutellum white; mesonotal disc and dorsum of scutellum with short fine brown hairs, these hairs white on anterior of mesonotum; pleura bare, white, with brown on following: anteroventral corner of anepisternum and anepimeron, lower half of katepisternum; propleuron all white; halter stem and knob white. Legs (Fig. 12 a). White except tarsal segments 3 – 5 brown. Wing. Elongate, length 3.5 × width; subhyaline; veins brown to pale brown; costa ends beyond end of R 4 + 5; vein Sc incomplete; Rs faded basally at connection with R 1; R 4 + 5 straight to wing margin; vein M 1 curved toward wing margin; M 2 straight; cell dm open apically; CuP thick, straight to wing margin; CuA evanescent; anal cell open at wing margin; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing. Abdomen. Tergite I black, concolorous with mediotergite color; tergites II – VI black with white band along posterior margin, band becoming successively broader on successive segments; lateral margins broader white than posterior bands; tergite VIII all white; sternites white; tergites with sparsely scattered minute white hairs. Genitalia. Not dissected. Female: Unknown.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCD153743F2FC16FD781EF3.taxon	discussion	Remarks. This species was collected from a beach habitat along the southern Atlantic coast of the Anti-Atlas under a semi-arid bioclimate (Map 1) with Mediterranean shrubs, drought-resistant plants, adapted to poor soils and salty winds.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
4F38C30EFFCD153743F2FC16FD781EF3.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the Greek σύνΤΟΜΟΣ (cut short) and refers to the absence of distinct admedian vittae on the mesonotal disc.	en	Evenhuis, Neal L., Kettani, Kawtar, Maamri, Hajar (2026): The genus Empidideicus Becker, 1907 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae) in Morocco. Zootaxa 5752 (2): 188-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5752.2.2
