Vol. 30, pp. 189-198 December 1, 1917 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



GENERA OF THE DIPTEROUS TRIBE SARCOPHAGINI. 

 BY CHARLES H. T. TOWNSEND. 



The Sarcophaga type is most nearly related on the one hand 

 with the Muscidae (Calliphoridae) and on the other hand with 

 the Miltogramma and Metopia types. Through the Muscidae it 

 is next related with the Stomoxydidae (Muscinae auct.) and 

 through the Miltogramma type with the Calirrhoidae (Dexiinae 

 auct.) and the Dexiidae (Pseudodexiidae BB). Brachicoma, 

 Amobia and Tephromyia are types of tribes which belong in the 

 family with Sarcophaga, and it is probably taxonomically expe- 

 dient to include the Miltogramma and Metopia types in the same 

 family. 



Sarcophaga has long functioned as a catch-all generic name. 

 As such, it means little. A genus can not be conceded by 

 elimination, but must be recognized by definition. Sarcophaga 

 has thus grown to be a taxonomic complex which demands un- 

 tangling. The genitalic method of distinguishing the species 

 has worked well in Europe, where the forms have been under 

 observation long enough to link both sexes in most cases. In 

 attacking the mass of comparatively unknown species in Amer- 

 ica, however, the task of separating them is better begun at the 

 female end. Gravid females, captured in the open, will furnish 

 larvae for the study of the three stages and rearing to the adults 

 of both sexes. At one stroke this plan yields characters of all 

 stages and both sexes. Study of the total characters for the 

 species shows natural groups of species in this tangled mass of 

 unlike forms. 



The real problem which confronts us in the Sarcophaga com- 

 plex is the elucidation of species groups or genera. It is first 



46— Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash.. Vol. 30. 1917. (189) 



