Introduction

Helosciomyzidae is a small family of flies. Worldwide, there are 22 species described from nine genera. With the exception of one genus, comprising two species from South America, all other known species are found only within the Australasian region. Sixteen species from five genera are known from Australia.

Little is known about the life histories of species in this family. Typical habitats are forest and swamps margins, with one species Cobergius vittatus known to have a maritime distribution. Larvae have been associated with dead insects, ant larvae, and seabird carcasses.

Steyskal and Knutson ([1979]) contains several species descriptions. Barnes (1981) published a review of the subfamily Helosciomyzinae, elevating it to family rank and provided a key to the family. Other important lilerature include Hendel (1917) creating the genus Helosciomyza, and McAlpine (1992) defining the oldest species of Heliosciomyzidae. McAlpine (2012) described 10 new species and gave new distribution records for several others.

General References

Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April]

Evenhuis, N.L 1996. Family Helosciomyzidae. In Evenhuis, N.L.(ed.) Catalog of the Diptera of the Australasian and Oceanian Regions. (online version). http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/aocat/heloscio.html

Hamilton, J. et al. 2006. On the Fly, The interactive atlas and key to Australian fly families. [CD-Rom] CBIT & Australian Biological Resources Study, Brisbane & Canberra.

Hendel, F. 1917. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der acalyptraten Musciden. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1917(Sechs Hefte): 33-47 [Date published 1 July]

McAlpine, D.K. 1992. The earliest described species of Helosciomyzidae (Diptera: Schizophora). Australian Entomological Magazine 19: 89­-92 [Date published October]

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012]

Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [Date published 24 January: dated 1978, published 1979]

History of changes

• Cobergius Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April] [49-50].

  Type species:

   Cobergius canus Barnes, 1981 by original designation.

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania

IBRA

SA, Tas: Flinders (FLI), Kanmantoo (KAN)

History of changes

• Helomyza vittata Macquart, J. 1851. Diptères exotiques nouveaux ou peu connus. Suite du 4.e supplément publié dans les mémoires de 1849. Mémoires de la Société Royale des Sciences, de l'Agriculture et des Arts de Lille 1850: 134-294 [252 (279)].

  Type data:

   Lectotype MNHP ♀, no date, J.P. Verreaux, group number 3/47, Tasmania.
  Paralectotype(s) MNHP 3♂♂, no date, J.P. Verreaux, group numbers 3/47 and illegible, Tasmania.
• Cobergius canus Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April] [50-51].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂ (2 Sep. 1963, D.A. M'Arthur), South Australia, Kangaroo Island.
• Cobergius hirsutus Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April] [52].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♀ (29 Nov.-5 Dec. 1951, J.H. Calaby), Tasmania, Furneaux Group, Fisher Is., off Lady Barron, Flinders Is.

Generic Combinations

• Cobergius vittatus (Macquart, 1851). —
  McAlpine, D.K. 1992. The earliest described species of Helosciomyzidae (Diptera: Schizophora). Australian Entomological Magazine 19: 89­-92 [Date published October] [90-91]

Distribution

States

South Australia, Tasmania

IBRA

SA, Tas: Flinders (FLI), Kanmantoo (KAN)

General References

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [70]

History of changes

• Eurotocus Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [728].

  Type species:

   Eurotocus australis Steyskal, [1979] by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria

IBRA

NSW, SA, Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

History of changes

• Eurotocus australis Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [730].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264608 ♂ (30.xi,1964, G.L. Bush), Mt Baw Baw, near Tanjil Bren, 4400 ft (1341 m), VIC [37° 50' S 146° 16' E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria

IBRA

NSW, SA, Vic: Australian Alps (AA), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

General References

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [57]

History of changes

• Helosciomyza Hendel, F. 1917. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der acalyptraten Musciden. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1917(Sechs Hefte): 33-47 [Date published 1 July] [33].

  Type species:

   Helosciomyza ferruginea Hendel, 1917 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Victorian Midlands (VM), Warren (WAR) ; ACT, NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic: NSW North Coast (NNC), Tasmanian West (TWE) ; ACT, NSW, Tas, Vic: South East Coastal Plain (SCP) ; NSW, Qld, Tas: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT) ; NSW, Vic: New England Tablelands (NET), South East Corner (SEC) ; Tas: Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza anaxantha Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [731].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K263391 ♂ (8.i.1960, D.K. McAlpine), Hellyer Gorge, Waratah Highway, TAS [41° 14' S 145° 34' E].

Distribution

States

Tasmania

IBRA

Tas: Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR)

General References

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [58]

History of changes

• Helosciomyza australica Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [735].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264619 ♂ (2.xi.1936, bred from larva (collector's name unknown)), Picton Lakes, (=Couridja), NSW [34° 12' 55" S 150° 32' 4" E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

IBRA

NSW, Tas, Vic: Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Tasmanian West (TWE)

General References

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [64]

History of changes

• Helosciomyza bickeli McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [60].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264288 ♂ (16.xii.1986), “Mooraback”, Werrikimbe National Park, NSW [31°09'S 152°13'E].
  Paratype(s) AM 11♂ 2♀ (also ANIC).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania

IBRA

NSW, Qld, Tas: NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tasmanian West (TWE), Wet Tropics (WT)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza driesseni McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [67].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264371 ♂ (16.ii.2004), Flood Creek, near Lake Saint Clair, TAS [42.102°S 146.113°E].
  Paratype(s) AM 4♂ 5♀ (also ANIC).

Distribution

States

Tasmania

IBRA

Tas: Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza ferruginea Hendel, F. 1917. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der acalyptraten Musciden. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1917(Sechs Hefte): 33-47 [Date published 1 July] [33].

  Type data:

   Holotype NHMV ♂ (1888), Victoria.

Distribution

States

Victoria

History of changes

• Sciomyza fuscinevris Macquart, J. 1851. Diptères exotiques nouveaux ou peu connus. Suite du 4.e supplément publié dans les mémoires de 1849. Mémoires de la Société Royale des Sciences, de l'Agriculture et des Arts de Lille 1850: 134-294 [249-250 (276-277)].
• Helosciomyza aliena Malloch, J.R. 1928. Notes on Australian Diptera, No. XV. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 53(4): 319-335 [Date published 15 October] [324-325].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264571 ♂ (9.vi.1925), Broken Hill, NSW [31° 57' 55" S 141° 27' 4" E].

Generic Combinations

• Helosciomyza fuscinevris (Macquart, 1851). —
  McAlpine, D.K. 1992. The earliest described species of Helosciomyzidae (Diptera: Schizophora). Australian Entomological Magazine 19: 89­-92 [Date published October] [90]

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: Australian Alps (AA), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Broken Hill Complex (BHC), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP), Riverina (RIV), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Victorian Midlands (VM), Warren (WAR)

General References

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [60]

History of changes

• Helosciomyza macalpinei Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [737].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264247 ♂ (25.ii.1961, D.K. McAlpine), Clyde Mountain, near Braidwood, 2400 ft (732 m), NSW [35° 33' S 149° 55' E].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: New England Tablelands (NET), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

General References

McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [67]

History of changes

• Helosciomyza neboissi McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [63].

  Type data:

   Holotype ANIC ♂, Tasmania: Pelion [probably Pelion Hut vicinity] [c. 41°50'S 146°03'E].
  Paratype(s) ANIC 2♂ 2♀.

Distribution

States

Tasmania

IBRA

Tas: Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza obliqua McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [66].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K263399 ♂ (13.iv.2004), Boyd River, [Morong Creek] crossing, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, NSW [33° 58' 22" S 150° 3' 23" E].
  Paratype(s) AM 4♂ 1♀.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria

IBRA

NSW, Vic: New England Tablelands (NET), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza steyskali McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [64].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264479 ♂ (13.iv.2004), Boyd River, [Morong Creek] crossing, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, NSW [33° 58' 22" S 150° 3' 23" E].
  Paratype(s) AM 8♂ (also ANIC).

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria

IBRA

ACT, NSW, Tas, Vic: NSW North Coast (NNC), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Tasmanian West (TWE)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza subacuta McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [63].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV ♂, Victoria: Wannon River, near, Jimmy’s [Jimmy] Creek, Grampians.
  Paratype(s) AM 5♂ 1♀.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Victoria

IBRA

NSW, Vic: South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), Victorian Midlands (VM)

History of changes

• Luta McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [57].

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: New England Tablelands (NET), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza luteipennis Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [736].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264312 ♂ (11.xii.1969, D.K. McAlpine), Mt Wilson, Blue Mts, NSW [33° 30' 04" S, 150° 23' 41" E].

Generic Combinations

• Neosciomyza luteipennis (Steyskal in Steyskal & Knutson, [1979]). —
  Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April] [61-63]
• Luta luteipennis (Steyskal in Steyskal & Knutson, 1979). —
  McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [57]

Distribution

States

New South Wales

IBRA

NSW: New England Tablelands (NET), South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

History of changes

• Neosciomyza Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April] [61].

  Type species:

   Neosciomyza anhecta Steyskal, [1979] by original designation.

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales

IBRA

Ben Lomond (BEL), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH) ; ACT, NSW: South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

History of changes

• Helosciomyza anhecta Steyskal, G.C. in Steyskal, G.C. & Knutson, L. [1979]. Helosciomyzinae in Australia (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 26: 727-743 [733].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264502 ♂ (25.i.1960, D.K. McAlpine), Mt Barrow, 3000 ft (914 m), TAS [41° 23' S 147° 25' E].

Generic Combinations

• Neosciomyza anhecta (Steyskal in Steyskal & Knutson, [1979]). —
  Barnes, J.K. 1981. Revision of the Helosciomyzidae (Diptera). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 11: 45-72 [Date published April] [61]

Distribution

IBRA

Ben Lomond (BEL), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH)

History of changes

• Neosciomyza peckorum McAlpine, D.K. 2012. Notes and descriptions of Australian Helosciomyzidae or comb-winged flies (Diptera: Schizophora). Records of the Australian Museum 64(1): 51-70 [Date published 23 May 2012] [68].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM K264387, Australian Capital Territory: Picadilly Circus [road junction], Brindabella Range.
  Paratype(s) ANIC(MMUS) 2♂ 1♀ (also AM).

Distribution

States

Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales

IBRA

ACT, NSW: South Eastern Highlands (SEH)

History of changes