New and insufficiently studied morphological characters in species of the genus Dolichopus Latreille, 1797 (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

Abstract

The article discusses new morphological characters of species in the genus Dolichopus Latreille, 1797, which allow specific diagnostics of both males and females. For this purpose 244 Dolichopus species were studied. The identification of new diagnostic criteria, including these for females, is necessary, since diagnostics are often carried out using color characteristics that have extremely low value, it is difficult to identify females using existing tables, and for a number of species females have not yet been described. In particular, for the first time, such traits are discussed as the presence of setae on the haltere stem and processes on metepimerons. In a number of species of the D. planitarsis group, white claws on the tarsi were first detected. In addition, the variability in Dolichopus species was assessed for such features as setae on the mesonotum in front of the scutellum, the shape of the second and third male abdominal tergites, the setae on the postcranium, and groups of setae on the legs. Setae on mesonotum in front of scutellum are developed in both sexes and may serve to identify the entire group of D. latilimbatus species. Clusters of setae on the legs are also often developed in both females and males. For diagnostic purposes, the following characters can be used: the number of setae on the lower part of the head, the presence of a group of setae on the postgena, and the presence of flattened postocular setae.