A revision of the Herina lugubris species group (Diptera, Ulidiidae, Otitinae), with the description of two new species

Abstract

The Herina lugubris species group includes five externally almost indistinguishable species that may be separated unambiguously only by the structure of the male and female terminalia and, at least partly, by their distribution. Herina aartseni sp. n. is described from Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Israel. It is the sister species of Herina rivosecchii sp. n. (= H. lugubris auctt. nec Meigen), which is known from Central Europe and the Central Mediterranean region. The other three species of this group are Herina lacustris (Meigen) (= H. approximata (Villeneuve), syn. n.) from the Western Mediterranean region, Herina ghilianii (Rondani) from North Africa, Sicily and Malta and Herina lugubris (Meigen) (= H. longistylata Rivosecchi, syn. n.) from Italy, Southern France and Spain. The synonymy of Ortalis lugens Meigen with O. lugubris Meigen is confirmed by the study of the types. Detailed illustrations and a key to all species are given. A cladistic analysis of the species group is presented.