Item

Abstract

A synopsis of Italian and Corsican Blephariceridae is provided. 18 species of all 5 European genera are known from this region, their distribution is mapped. Several faunal elements are distinguished. Liponeura cinerascens is widespread in Europe and is long established in Corsica and in the Apennines. In Central and South Italy and Sicily, there are 5 endemics, one of the widespread cinerascens-group of Liponeura, the other of the decipiens-group, with relatives in Corsica, Sardinia, North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. Except L. cinerascens, all species in Corsica and Sardinia are endemic and most are Tyrrhenian elements. However, additional species of Dioptopsis and of Apistomyia occur only in the eastern Mediterranean Region. Notes on life cycles and on habitat preferences are included. A stenothermous montane and an eurythermous foothill association of Blephariceridae are distinguished, each with a northern (allochthonous) and a southern (largely endemic) variant, which includes Corsica and Sardinia. The taxonomic check list contains literature references and/or new faunistical data and descriptive and nomenclatorial notes. The following new species are described: Liponeura discophora, L. paradecipiens, L. limomi. L. bezzii is distinct from L. bischoffi , both are redescribed. Lectotypes are designated for L. decipiens, L. edwardsi and L. insularis. L. insularis is a junior objective synonym of L. edwardsi . Key to genera (adults, larval instars 1-3) and to species (pupae, last instar larvae) are provided. Distinctive characters of most species are illustrated.