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Empididae; Dolichopodidae; Rhamphomyia Meigen 1822; abdominal morphology; decoration; increase of attractivity; pheromones
Abstract:
Eversible pleural sacs were recently discovered in ♀♀ of European species of Rhamphomyia Meigen 1822 (Empididae). In live specimens, they are showily orange. SEM photos show a peculiar surface with numerous setae arranged in whorls. It remains unclear whether they are simply decoration or in combination with pheromones to increase female attractivity. Appendages of male Dolichopodinae are digitate and not covered by hairs or setae. They seem to be restricted to the subfamily Dolichopodinae and probably work wogether with pheromones.
