Revision of taxonomy, immature stages, host associations, and oviposition strategy of the genus Xanthozona Townsend, 1908 (Diptera: Tachinidae), with an identification key to similar genera of Neotropical Tachinini

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Xanthozona Townsend, 1908 (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprises species that serve as important parasitoids of palm tree pests, particularly the larvae of Brassolis Fabricius, 1807 and Opsiphanes Doubleday, [1849]. However, its host range, distribution, taxonomy, and relationships with similar genera have remained unclear. Here, the taxonomy of Xanthozona is revised, with two new junior synonyms proposed: Jurinia scutellaris Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 = Jurinia indica Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, syn. nov. = Tachina melanopyga Wiedemann, 1830, syn. nov. As a result, X. scutellaris (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) is recognized as the sole representative of the genus. An illustrated key to Tachinini genera that are similar to Xanthozona Townsend, 1908, is provided, highlighting the most useful diagnostic characters. Redescriptions and illustrations of males, females, and the puparium are presented, alongside the first description of the first-instar larva. The classification, distribution and host range of X. scutellaris have been reassessed, and significant misconceptions regarding its oviposition strategy are discussed.