TACHINIDAE OF AUSTRALIA 21 



remains useful in taxonomy. The prescutum as such has little use in taxonomy 

 except for its patterning and pollinosity. 



presutural. In front of the transverse suture of the mesonotum. 



presutural seta. A single seta standing on the outermost part of the prescutum 

 near the notopleuron and approximately in line with the pre-alar and supra-alar 

 setae (presupra-alar seta of Townsend) (Text-fig. 4) . 



This is the most consistently stable and universally present thoracic seta in 

 the Tachinidae, and on this account is not used in taxonomy. It is very nearly 

 always present at least as a differentiated hair, and in the overwhelming majority 

 of forms is an extremely strong seta even when other parts of the chaetotaxy 

 are much reduced. 



prevertical setae. A pair of outwardly directed setae standing on the upper ends 

 of the parafrontals. 



These setae occur mainly in females of certain Tachininae and are very rarely 

 present in Goniinae (though found in some Spoggosia and Baumhaueriina, at 

 least). They appear to represent a pair of orbital setae that curve outwards 

 over the margins of the eyes instead of backwards towards the vertex (as is 

 typical in orbital setae). 



proclinate. Directed forwards, or forwards and downwards. 



proclinate orbital setae. A pair or more of strong downwardly directed setae 

 standing externally on the parafrontals near the eyes (fronto-orbital setae, Aussere 

 Orbitalborsten of Mesnil) (Text-fig. 3). 



These setae may be absent in both sexes, but typically two pairs are present 

 in females and none in males. In some forms (e.g. all Siphonini) they are present 

 in males as well as females. Occasionally a series of several (up to six or seven, 

 rarely more) pairs may be present in both sexes (e.g. Halydaia, Ceracia). 



profrons. A weakly defined area where the parafrontals and the parafacials 

 meet (Text-figs 1 & 13). 



Typically the area of the profrons is somewhat projecting and seen in profile 

 is the widest part of the head that is visible anterior to the eye. The width 

 of the profrons seen in profile in relation to the depth of the gena is occasionally 

 a useful character. 



propleural seta. A seta (sometimes duplicated) standing on the extreme 

 antero ventral corner of the thorax (Prdstigmdtikalborste of Mesnil) (Text- 

 fig- 7)- 



This seta, even if only hair-like, is differentiated in almost all Tachinidae 

 and has very limited taxonomic use. It is totally absent in a few Goniinae 

 (e.g. Anacamptomyia, Euvespivora, some Carcelia s.l. species), rarely elsewhere. 



propleuron. The flattened area of the front edge of the thorax below the humeral 

 callus (Text-fig. 7). 



This area has considerable taxonomic importance and provides an easily 

 seen key character according to whether it is bare (as is most often the case) 

 or haired. The area never has strong setae. Hairing of the propleuron occurs 

 sporadically throughout the Tachinidae, but particularly is present in all 

 Rutiliini and many Tachininae (e.g. Campy lochetini) . In the Phasiinae the 



