Copestylum simile, Giglio-Tos, 1892

Rotheray, Graham E., Marcos-García, Maria-Angeles, Hancock, Geoff, Pérez-Bañón, Celeste & Maier, Chris T., 2009, Neotropical Copestylum (Diptera, Syrphidae) breeding in Agavaceae and Cactaceae including seven new species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 156 (4), pp. 697-749 : 709

COPESTYLUM SIMILE GIGLO- TOS, 1892

Larva and puparium: Anterior fold with a wide spicule band extending from just above the antennomaxillary organs to the apex. Spicules confined to the extreme ends of the longitudinal folds of the prothorax, only one or two further along between the folds. Crochets of metathoracic prolegs forming a w-shaped band. Metathorax with lateral folds bearing broad setae at sensilla 4 and 5. Anal lobe with spicules. Posterior breathing tube with AP 1.4¥ length of TR, matt and shiny in parts and tapering. Pupal spiracles about 0.78¥ length of AP.

Taxonomic notes: Copestylum simile is most similar to other members of the Marginatum group having an AP longer than the width of the TR. It differs from these species in having a wide band of spicules on the anterior fold, bands of broad setae on the anterior margins of the transverse folds on the dorsum of the abdomen, and in having a tapered posterior breathing tube.

Material examined (CIBIO, NMS): 2 ♀, two puparia MEXICO, Tehuacán, Puebla Zapotitlán, Salinas, Jardín Botánico 6–10.vii.1999 E. G. H., M. A. M., G. E. R. ex decaying fallen M. geometrizans (Cactaceae) ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀, three puparia MEXICO, Tehuacán, Puebla Zapotitlán, Salinas, Plan de Fierro 10.vii.1999 E. G. H., M. A. M., G. E. R. ex decaying fallen unidentified cactus; 1 ♂, one puparium MEXICO, Tehuacán, Puebla Zapotitlán, Salinas, Plan de Fierro 10.vii.1999 E. G. H., M. A. M., G. E. R. ex decaying fallen M. geometrizans .