The genus Ptecticus Loew from Australia, New Guinea and the Bismarck and Solomon Archipelagos (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
Abstract
Fourteen species of the genus Ptecticus Loew are recognised and described or redescribed from Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and a key for their identification given. P. albitarsus de Meijere is established as a synonym of P. quadrifasciatus. P. tritus is proposed as a replacement name for P. salomonensis Lindner. The new species, P. amplior (from Australia and New Guinea), P. queenslandicus (Australia), P. helvolus (New Guinea), P. spatuloides (New Britain), P. gilvus (New Ireland) and P. substitutus and P. eximius (Solomons) are described. The male terminalia of thirteen species are illustrated.
Attention is drawn to the posttegula, a thoracic appendage medial to the base of each haltere. Its application as a character for the separation of the superfamilies Tabanoidea and Asiloidea is briefly discussed.
