172 Transactions. 



Art. XI.- — Contributions to the Diptera Fauna of Neiv Zealand: Part I. 



By David Miller. 



[Read before the Otago Institute, 5th December, 1916; received by Editors, 30th 

 December, 1916; issued separately, 9th July, 1917.] 



This "contribution" is the first of a series, and comprises a description of 

 seven new forms belonging to the family Stratiomyidae, together with a 

 revision of the nine species included by Hutton in the genera Beris and 

 Exaireta* Since commencing this paper several additional new forms 

 have been collected and will be described in a future work on this family. 



I have laid stress upon the structure of the wing-neuration, since there 

 are marked differences even amongst species of the one genus ; however, 

 in certain cases some forms will no doubt have to be separated later on. 

 Not only the wings, but antennae show distinct peculiarities. 



The palpi of some species are peculiar. For example, in Beris saltusans 

 n. sp. the 2nd palpal joint shows apparently 5 segments and the 1st joint 3, 

 marked by lateral restrictions. Little has been done in the comparative 

 study of the dipterous palpi, which are believed to vary from 1 to 5 

 joints. An investigation of these organs would doubtless be of consider- 

 able systematic value. 



In referring to the tarsal joints I have adopted the following terminology 

 for the 1st to 5th joints respectively, as suggested by Dr. Williston : pro- 

 tarsus, epitarsus, mesotarsus. metatarsus, and onychotarsus. 



The wing illustrations of the genus Exaireta were drawn to scale from 

 photographs. 



I am indebted to Mr. R. Speight, of the Canterbury Museum, for his 

 kindness in allowing me access to the Hutton collection, and to Mr. G. 

 Howes and Mr. G. V. Hudson for various specimens placed at my disposal. 



Family STRATIOMYIDAE. 

 uenus Fxaireta Schiner. 



If the wings of the various species of this genus, referred to below, be 

 examined, it will be noticed that the 1st submarginal cell varies considerably 

 in form where the 3rd longitudinal vein arises from the 2nd. This feature 

 is due to the position of the anterior cross-vein, and I have indicated in 

 such cases that this cross-vein has either a common origin with the 

 3rd longitudinal from the 2nd or arises independently from the 3rd. 

 The 3rd longitudinal vein is, according to the species, either strongly or 

 slightly sinuated ; accordingly the anterior branch, which may arise from 

 the middle, before the middle, or beyond, is shorter or longer respectively. 

 Again, the distance from the posterior wing-margin of the confluence of the 

 5th and 6th (anal) longitudinal veins, as compared with the length of the 

 anterior cross-vein, is a feature I consider of importance. 



It will be noticed from the illustrations that in the wing of spiniger (the 

 type of this genus) the alula is well developed, while in the other species 

 this part of the wing is absent. Also, the general outline of the wings and 

 the position of the discal cell vary considerably. 



Of the 4 posterior veins, characteristic of this genus, the 3rd varies 

 considerably in length and may be rudimentary. On the right wing of 



* F. W. Hutton. 1901, Synopsis of the Diptera brachycera of New Zealand, Trans. 

 N.Z. Inst., vol. 33, pp. 1-95 



