Stomoxyinae Flies in Thailand: A Précis, with Abridged Taxonomic Key to the Adult Species

Abstract

Stomoxyinae flies (Diptera: Muscidae) are cosmopolitan obligate hematophagous insects of medical and veterinary importance. The subfamily Stomoxyinae includes 51 known species within 10 genera. Five genera, Stomoxys, Haematobosca, Haematobia, Haematostoma, and Stygeromyia, represent important livestock pests causing substantial economic losses in the commercial animal industry. The majority of Stomoxyinae research and control efforts have focused on Stomoxys species. Following the earliest descriptions of Stomoxyinae in Asia in the beginning of the past century, the first published list of species identified in Thailand did not occur until 1978. Currently, there are 11 confirmed species in the country with 3 others suspected present. This includes six species of Stomoxys with Stomoxys calcitrans the most common and widespread in the country. Since 1978, 20 publications, 17 of which since 2006, have covered original research on Stomoxyinae fly biology, species distribution, patterns of daily and seasonal activity, gene flow, and phylogenetics in Thailand. All Stomoxyinae-related published research from Thailand through 2017 is reviewed herein, and include an updated identification key to the Stomoxyinae genera and all known or suspected species, both male and female adults, present in Thailand.