taxonID	type	description	language	source
03CA5059FFA2FF9BFF0A8EE9A7B06E25.taxon	materials_examined	Reared material (emergence data) Ex. larva: 1 ♂, 29. iv. 2022; 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 05. v. 2022; 1 ♂, 11. v. 2022; 3 specimens of larvae: 29. iv. 2022.	en	Shparyk, Viktor Y., Carstensen, Leif Bloss, Boiko, Tetiana A., Popov, Grigory V., Zamoroka, Andrew M. (2026): First description of the third-stage larva and puparium of Brachyopa testacea (Fallén, 1817) (Diptera, Syrphidae), with a revised identification key for larvae of the European Brachyopa Meigen, 1822. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 502-518, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.5
03CA5059FFA2FF9BFF0A8EE9A7B06E25.taxon	description	Description of third-instar larva General characteristics. Larval coloration ranges from dark brown on the dorsal surface and lighter on the ventral. Length 4 – 6 mm, width 2.1 – 2.7 mm, height: 1.6 mm (n = 2). Larval body flattened dorsoventrally, rounded anteriorly and elongated posteriorly due to a well-sclerotized breathing tube. Entire surface covered with regular rows and areas of setae and spicules. Lateral surface of mesothorax (Ms), metathorax (Mt) each bear two sensilla and abdominal segments (A 1 – A 7) with three sensilla; all of these which gradually increase in size from mesothorax to anal segment. Prolegs are not developed on the ventral part, but there are well-developed locomotory organs on segments A 1 – A 5 (Fig. 2 B). Cephalopharyngeal skeleton. The cephalopharyngeal skeleton well-developed and heavily sclerotized, length 1.04 mm, height 0.51 mm. Dorsal cornu with highly sclerotized dorsal bridge (Fig. 3 A). Epipharyngeal plate translucent, connected to the labium through sclerotized labial rods. Mandibles highly developed and strongly sclerotized, prominently protruding, each bearing a tooth-like outgrowth on the ventral surface (Fig. 3 A, B). Mandibular lobes attached to the mandibles; their inner surface covered with transverse ridges (Fig. 3 A). Labrum and labium highly sclerotized (Fig. 3 A, B). Ventral cornu slightly sclerotized and largely translucent, with pharyngeal ridges clearly visible (Fig. 3 A); the posterior end of the ventral cornu bears a deep notch at an angle of approximately 90 °, length 0.12 mm, 0.07 mm. Tentorium with a highly sclerotized tentorial arm, paired tentorial bars, and a connecting strip joining the tentorial bars. Pseudocephalon and thorax. The ventral surface of the prothorax, side to the lateral lip, contains four rows that form three fleshy ridges. The surface of the lateral lip and ventral ridges is covered with fine setae. The lateral lips are rounded and have a groove that extends from the mouth opening to the center of the lip. The oral hooks and mandibular lobes are internal. The ventral lip is in the form of a well-developed black sclerotized trapezoid whose wider edge is turned toward the mouth, contrasts with the colour of other coverings. The fleshy lateral lip ridges hide the dorsal lip. Antenno-maxillary organs well developed, located between mouth and dorsal surface of prothorax. The anterior fold of prothorax with massive, black, hook-shaped spines, the largest of which are flat-topped and cylindrical in shape (Fig. 5). The cuticle area around these spicules is black pigmented. (Fig. 5 B). The dorsal surface of the prothorax is divided by three grooves into two fleshy ridges. Prothorax dorsally with four observable sensilla, laterally with one pair and ventrally with two pairs. Sensilla PV ₆ is located on the folds touching the lateral lips and sensilla PV ₇ directly on the lateral lips. All prothoracic sensilla bear 3 – 4 setae, which slightly exceed the length of the surrounding setae, barely visible under direct examination but clearly visible under lateral examination or on SEM images. The setae of these sensilla are twice the length of the surrounding setae. Dorsal surface of prothorax covered by hook-shaped black spicules. Prothorax with anterior respiratory process located nearly at the level of the third pair of sensilla of mesothorax. Anterior respiratory process are cylindrical structures about two times longer than wide. The anterior spiracles are cylindrical structures, 65.3 micrometres long from base to apex, oval in crosssection with a width of 41 × 30 micrometres, with a smooth outer surface. The prothorax and mesothorax dorsally have a broad central plate covered with brown blotches, free of spicules or sensilla (Fig. 2 A). The blotches are located close to each other on the prothorax, colouring it completely brown. On the mesothorax, they are more distinct, allowing the light cream base to be visible. The mesothorax is divided by rows and ridges similar to those of the prothorax. The ventral region of the mesothorax, beneath the ventral lip, forms a plate free of spicules with three rows of black spots and a pair of sensilla. The mesothorax has three pairs of dorsal sensilla, which are arranged in a transverse row on both sides of the central plate and in such a way that the 3 rd sensillum is located at the level of the anterior spiracle of the prothorax. The mesothorax bears dorsally three pairs of sensilla, each bearing one seta 1.5 times longer than the remaining setae of the same sensillum. The mesothorax laterally has two sensilla, each bearing two setae. The mesothorax ventrally has three pairs of sensilla with 4 – 7 setae of equal length. The ventral sensilla are barely visible among the surrounding spicules (Fig. 5). The second pair of sensilla (MsV 7) is located on the marginal ridge of the mesothorax. The third pair of sensilla (MsV 8) is located on the ventral plate beneath the ventral lip. The other surface apically and laterally from the sensilla is covered with hook-shaped spicules that do not form regular rows. The metathorax bears dorsally three pairs of sensilla (Fig. 4): MtD ₁ and MtD ₂ are similar in structure to the dorsal sensilla of the mesothorax, while MtD ₃ is located on a fleshy papilla and bears 5 – 6 setae, two of which (those at the apex) exceed the length of the others by 2 times. The metathorax bears laterally two pairs of sensilla (Fig. 4), both located on a fleshy papilla, each bearing four setae, with the two apical ones exceeding those at the base by 1.5 – 2 times. The metathorax bears ventrally three pairs of small sensilla (Figs 4, 5), each bearing two setae, homologous in structure and position to the corresponding sensilla of the mesothorax. Abdomen. Dorsally, the abdominal segments (A 1 – A 6) bear three pairs of observable sensilla, which slightly increase in size from the 1 st to the 6 th segment (Fig. 4). The larval discs — area of differentiated cuticle forming the window in puparium through which the pupal spiracles will be thrust — are located on the 1 st abdominal segment between sensilla A 1 D 2 and A 1 D 3. Each segment is dorsally divided by a furrow into two transverse ridges. The anterior ridge bears one row of thick dark brown spicules, mostly looking to the posterior, the posterior ridge bears three pairs of sensilla, and the cuticle of the ridge is covered with blotches. Abdominal segments 1 – 6 laterally bear three pairs of sensilla each (Fig. 4). Sensilla A 1 – 6 D 3 are on fleshy lobes. The lateral surface of the abdominal segments forms two pairs of fleshy lobes: the upper ones bear one pair of sensilla, the lower ones two pairs of sensilla. Sensilla A 1 – 6 L 4 are located at the level of dorsal sensilla A 1 – 6 D 3, dark brown in colour on a short fleshy papilla, bearing 4 – 5 setae, three of which are 1.5 – 2 times longer than the others. Sensilla A 1 – 6 L 5 and A 1 – 6 L 6 are located on fleshy lobes, where A 1 – 6 L 5 is placed on a small papilla, and A 1 – 6 L 6 on a large papilla. Each of the lateral sensilla bears 3 – 5 setae, where two are 3 – 4 times longer than the others. The ventral surface of segments A 1 – A 6 is formed by one pair of marginal fleshy lobes, between which are located locomotory organs: one transverse ridge and one depression (Fig. 4). The fleshy lobe bears sensillum A 1 – 6 V 7, which is located on a short papilla and has two setae. The surface of the transverse ridge is covered with short, thick, massive spicules, which have a V-shaped notch in the middle. Segment A 6 has a sensilla arrangement pattern similar to the previous segments. However, sensilla A 6 D 4, A 6 L 5, and A 6 L 6 are located on a fleshy papilla with lateral setae. Segments (A 7 – A 8) are modified, dorsally flattened, and form a plate. Segment A 7 dorsally bears four pairs of sensilla: A 7 D 1, A 7 D 2 are simple, short with two setae, A 7 D 3 and A 7 D 4 are located on one fleshy projection and are formed by two papillae with lateral setae. Segment A 7 laterally bears two pairs of sensilla on a fleshy papilla with lateral setae. Segment A 7 ventrally bears one pair of simple sensilla analogous to A 1 — 6 V 7. Segment A 8 is dorsally divided into two subsegments, without visible sensilla on the surface. The anterior subsegment laterally of A 8 bears two pairs of lappets (A 8 L 1,2) with a sensillum at the apex; the subapical setae exceed the lateral ones by 1.5 – 2 times. The posterior subsegment laterally bears one pair of lappets (A 8 L 3) analogous in structure to A 8 V 1 and A 8 V 2. Ventrally, A 8 bears two pairs of anal sensilla without papillae; the sensilla are simple in structure and contain two setae. Posterior respiratory process short, 0.38 mm long dorsally; width at base 0.25 mm, width at centre 0.22 mm; spiracular plate 0.16 mm in width. The basal third of the posterior respiratory process has a transversely undulating surface, the apical 2 / 3 has a smooth surface with punctate depressions (Fig. 6 A). A spiracular plate sits on the apex of the breathing tube, with distinct morphological structures (Fig. 6 B, C), including spiracular plate with a pair of ecdysial scar in the center, four pairs of long feather inter-spiracular setae, three pairs of spiracular opening. Description of puparium Overall description. Puparium elongated-ovate, flattened dorsoventrally, expanded anteriorly and narrowed posteriorly. Cuticle dull, light brown, covered with dried dark coloured setae. Posterior breathing tube sclerotized, lustrous and brown coloured partly translucent (Fig. 7 A). Length including prp: 6.1 ± 0.3 mm; width: 2.9 ± 1.5 mm; height: 2.1 ± 0.1 mm (n = 5). Pupal spiracles. Horn-shaped (0.62 ± 0.02 mm long, 0.19 ± 0.03 mm wide, n = 8), narrowed toward the apex and slightly curved to the side. Cuticle yellow-brown, densely covered with tubercles of two sizes. Small tubercles 6.1 – 9.3 μm in diameter, arranged in concentric rows around the large tubercles (Fig. 7 B). Large tubercles arranged irregularly, 18 – 23 pieces on each pupal spiracle (22 – 28 μm in diameter). Spiracular openings slit-like, 3 – 5 grouped radially (sometimes chaotically) on the apex of large tubercles (Fig. 7 B).	en	Shparyk, Viktor Y., Carstensen, Leif Bloss, Boiko, Tetiana A., Popov, Grigory V., Zamoroka, Andrew M. (2026): First description of the third-stage larva and puparium of Brachyopa testacea (Fallén, 1817) (Diptera, Syrphidae), with a revised identification key for larvae of the European Brachyopa Meigen, 1822. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 502-518, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.5
03CA5059FFACFF9BFF0A8901A1EA6B73.taxon	description	Considering the discovery of additional data on larvae in this study and redescription of the third instar larva of B. panzeri (Shparyk & Zamoroka 2021), we have updated the previously published keys (van Steenis et al. 2020). Identification keys have been developed for larvae of known and studied Brachyopa species of Europe, with the exception of B. bimaculosa, B. cinerea, B. grunewaldensis, B. maculipennis, B. obscura, B. plena, B. quadrimaculosa, B. silviae, B. tristis, B. vernalis and B. zhelochovtsevi. An updated key to the larvae of Brachyopa is given below.	en	Shparyk, Viktor Y., Carstensen, Leif Bloss, Boiko, Tetiana A., Popov, Grigory V., Zamoroka, Andrew M. (2026): First description of the third-stage larva and puparium of Brachyopa testacea (Fallén, 1817) (Diptera, Syrphidae), with a revised identification key for larvae of the European Brachyopa Meigen, 1822. Zootaxa 5828 (3): 502-518, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5828.3.5
