TACHINIDAE OF ORIENTAL REGION 135 



The Eryciini is a much diversified and richly developed group in the Oriental 

 area and cannot readily be defined by any simple combination of characters, but 

 (excepting Badromyiella) the Oriental forms do at least possess the following features 

 in common. 



Gena wider than the profrons (except in Diatraeophaga and Metoposisyrops, and sometimes 

 not very obviously: cf. Carceliini with narrow gena). Both sexes with one or more pairs of 

 reclinate orbital setae (cf. Winthemiini in which males often without such setae). 9 without 

 outwardly directed prevertical setae (cf. Palaearctic and Tasmanian 'Baumhaueriina' in which 

 such setae present). Vibrissae level with or at most only very slightly above the level of the 

 epistomal margin (cf. Sturmiini in which vibrissae typically well above this level). Humeral 

 callus with not more than four setae (cf. Winthemiini typically with five). Presternum always 

 haired or setulose. Propleural seta always present (cf. Anacamptomyiini in which normally 

 absent). Barette bare or at most with very few hairs on anterior half (cf. Winthemiini, some 

 Carceliini and Sturmiini, in which extensively hairy). Lower calypter not closely applied 

 to scutellar margin, its inner posterior angle rather rounded and away from the scutellar margin 

 (cf. Sturmiini in which inner margin of lower calypter closely following the edge of the scutellum 

 and the posterior angle rather abrupt). Mid tibia with a submedian v seta (rarely weak). 

 Abdominal Ti + 2 excavate to its hind margin or virtually so. 



The genus Badromyiella was described by Mesnil (1952a) in the Erythrocerina 

 and is therefore here included in Eryciini, as in my Australian conspectus (Crosskey, 

 19736), but is excluded from the above characterization because of its very doubtful 

 affinity with eryciines in general. It should probably be placed in the Blondeliini 

 near to Trigonospila Pokorny as it has the small pre-alar seta characteristic of 

 Blondeliini and a number of other blondeliine features. The fully haired barette 

 and lack of a submedian v seta on the mid tibia, apart from the small pra seta, 

 contra-indicate its correct placement as an erythrocerine-eryciine. 



Within the Oriental Eryciini it is possible to recognize certain aggregations of 

 genera that appear to be 'natural' monophyletic entities, clearly separable from 

 other groups of genera, and some of these generic groupings correspond in the main 

 with some of the weakly differentiated tribes that have been named by Townsend 

 and Mesnil. As an aid towards a clearer understanding of the Eryciini in the 

 Oriental area, and in order that the diversity of forms occurring there may be readily 

 compared with the fauna of other regions, an attempt has been made here to indicate 

 the lines on which the Oriental genera appear to aggregate into natural groupings. 

 The groups recognized can be differentiated by the tentative key and diagnoses 

 that follow. 



Tentative Key to Generic Groupings in Oriental ERYCIINI 

 [Note. Some generically unplaceable species have been omitted from consideration.] 



Head shape very strongly triangular in profile and with the profrons very much 



wider than the depth of the gena (as Text-fig. 54) . . DIATRAEOPHAGA -group 



Head shape normal, at most rather weakly triangular in profile and profrons not 



wider than the depth of the gena ......... 2 



Three post dc setae ............ 3 



Four post dc setae ............ 4 



