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 Spfoggosia 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 
anteroventral 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. Campylochetini). In the Phasiinae the 

