Records for the Family Ulidiidae (Diptera, Tephritoidea) in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The Diptera family Ulidiidae or picture-winged flies known from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are reviewed. Six species in three genera are recognised, Ceroxys confusa (Becker), C. urticae (Linnaeus), Melieria nigritarsis Becker, M. omissa (Meigen) [Otitinae], Physiphora alceae (Preyssler), and P. smaragdina (Loew) [Ulidiinae]. Only M. nigritarsis and P. alceae were previously recorded from the Kingdom. The other four species, C. confusa, C. urticae, M. omissa, and P. smaragdina represent new country records. Additionally, the above records of Ceroxys are new for the Arabian Peninsula. Physiphora smaragdina (Loew) is known for most of Africa except SouthAfrica. This is the third time this species is recorded outsideAfrica in addition to Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The Saudi Arabian genera and species are keyed and images are provided to facilitate identification.