Revision of the cluster-flies of the Pollenia vagabunda species-group (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

AbstractWithin Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, a vagabunda species-group is defined and described. It consists of three species new to science: P. bezziana sp. n., P. stigi sp. n. and P. verneri sp. n. and two redescribed species: P. contempta Robineau-Desvoidy and P. vagabunda (Meigen). It is monophyletic on the basis of synapomorphies in the male cerci and the number of the inner posthumeral setae. Its sister-group is believed to be the viatica species-group. A key is provided and terminalia of both sexes illustrated for all species as far as these are known. A neotype is designated for Pollenia contempta Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. A lectotype is designated for Pollenia hasei Séguy, 1928b. P. contempta is widely distributed in the western Mediterranean region and is the sister species of P. vagabunda with a much wider distribution in Europe. P. vagabunda is also reported from the U.S.A. for the first time. P. bezziana is described from Italy, P. verneri from Spain and Portugal, and P. stigi from high altitude in the Moyen Atlas mountains of Morocco. Musca varians Meigen in Morge (1975), nomen nudum, is established as a new synonym of Musca vagabunda Meigen, 1826.