Platytropesa auriceps Macquart, 1851

Colless, D. H., 1998, Morphometrics in the genus Amenia and revisionary notes on the Australian Ameniinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae), with the description of eight new species, Records of the Australian Museum 50 (1), pp. 85-123 : 99

Platytropesa auriceps Macquart

Crosskey (1965) gives a very detailed description. I give below the salient features, and some others not mentioned by Crosskey.

Male. Head in facial view with inner eye margins strongly diverging and distinctly angulate at about the level of lunula. Carina strongly developed, its anterior surface flattened, tapering strongly in upper third towards lunula. Parafacials projecting to form deep foveae in which lie the enlarged antennae. Parafrontal with exclinate prevertical bristle and two proclinate fronto-orbitals; also, numerous black setulae and sometimes several pale ones anteriorly. Interfrons very dark brown, the dark setulae of parafrontal extending on to a marginal strip, but at most a short way on to the disc. Palp dark brown. Mesonotum emerald green with variable, usually strong, cupreous hue in glancing lights. Sternopleuron with at most a little pale pollinosity, forming an indistinct pale spot in some lights. Wing. M-bend index 0.9-1.3. Calypter with dark marginal colour extending on to membrane as a distinct band, covering some 10-20% of the exposed surface and extending clearly around the posteroexternal angle. Fore tibia with 1-2 p setae, 1-3 pd (usually 2); mid tibia with 2 large ad, 1 large v, 2 medium p, and 2-3 small pd setae. Abdominal venter with conspicuously long and dense hairs, those on S5 with apices strongly curved downwards and inwards ( Crosskey, 1965: fig. 30). Genitalia as described by Crosskey (1965: figs 39, 42); cerci in lateral view gently curved, their tips rounded; surstyli more or less parallelsided, their apices about level with those of cerci.

Female. Generally similar to male, differing as follows: Angulation of eye margin often less distinct. Carina less strongly flattened anteriorly, tapering regularly towards lunula. Antennae shorter, lying in shallower foveae. Parafrontal setulae much less profuse. Abdominal sternites with spinous setae instead of long hairs.

Distribution. Queensland: Palm Island, Etty Bay, Yungaburra, Kuranda, Cairns (Earl Hill, Ellis Beach), Cooktown (Shiptons Flat, Gap Creek), Iron Range.