Mallophora, Macquart, 1838

Dennis, D. Steve, Barnes, Jeffrey K. & Knutson, Lloyd, 2008, Pupal cases of Nearctic robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae), Zootaxa 1868 (1), pp. 1-98 : 53-54

Key to known pupal cases of Nearctic species of Mallophora

1 Maxillary sheath with small median process on each side of labral sheaths; prothoracic spiracle on rugose upraised area; abdominal segment 1 with all or some dorsal spurs expanded, sagittate, broad basally; segments 3–7 usually with median space in transverse row of ventral bristle­like spines (except male Mallophora bomboides )........................................................................................................................................2

­ Maxillary sheath without median process on each side of labral sheaths; prothoracic spiracle almost flush with prothoracic area; dorsal spurs on abdominal segment 1 not basally expanded or sagittate; segments 3–7 without median space in ventral row of bristle­like spines..................................................................3

2 Anterior coxal sheath with suborbital spine at base; wing sheath with 2 median tubercles; abdominal segments 3–7 with ventral transverse row of 7–14 sometimes bifurcate bristle­like spines; abdominal segment 8 with 10 dorsal spurs .................................................................. Mallophora leschenaulti Macquart

­ Anterior coxal sheath without suborbital spine at base; wing sheath with 1 median tubercle; abdominal segments 3–7 with ventral transverse row of 20–36 unforked bristle­like spines; abdominal segment 8 with 2–3 dorsal spurs ....................................................................... Mallophora bomboides (Wiedemann)

3 Posterior mesothoracic callosity with 1 median spine; abdominal segment 1 with 7–8 spurs in transverse row and 2 shorter median spines on anterior margin; segments 2–4 with dorsal transverse row of 16–20 alternating long, narrow spurs and short, wide, unforked bristle­like spines; segments 3–7 with ventral transverse row of 16–29 bristle­like spines; segment 8 with 4 dorsal spurs and lateral spines on each side... ................................................................................................................. Mallophora fautrix Osten Sacken

­ Posterior mesothoracic callosity with 2 subequal spines; abdominal segment 1 with dorsal transverse row of 16 spurs, outermost spine on each side short, 2 median spines three­fourths as long as adjacent spines; segments 2–4 with dorsal transverse row of 13–14 bifurcate or unforked spurs and spines of equal size; segments 3–7 with ventral transverse row of 10–14 bristle­like spines; segment 8 with 2 dorsal spurs and 3 lateral spines on each side .................................................................... Mallophora orcina (Wiedemann)