Ootaxonomy of Goniini (Diptera Tachinidae) with microtype eggs

Abstract

This preliminary study, on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of microtype eggs of eleven palearctic Goniini species (Diptera Tachinidae), revealed both general and specific eggs hell microsculp‐tures that are useful for taxonomy. Each species shows a morphologically distinct egg. sculpturing. Within these samples two groups can be recognized. One with a smooth or lightly reticulated egg capsule pattern is likely to correspond to the most general model of Goniini egg. The other presents different sculpturing models that do not appear related to each other. More extensive data could fill the gaps and reveal additional eggs hell patterns.

Key words:

• Diptera Tachinidae
• Microtype eggs
• Chorion microsculpture
• Ootaxonomy