A taxonomic review of the Palpada ruficeps species group, with the description of a new flower fly from Colombia (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Abstract

A new species of flower flies, Palpada prietorum Mengual spec. nov. (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae) is described from Cali, Colombia. The new species belongs to the ruficeps subgroup in the vinetorum species group. An identification key is provided for the species of the ruficeps subgroup, as well as a comparison of morphological diagnostic characters to separate these taxa. Fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, the D2-3 region of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) are supplied for two species, Palpada prietorum spec. nov. and Palpada ruficeps (Macquart, 1842)