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A new species of Hydrellia (Diptera: Ephydridae) mining Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae) leaves in Singapore
Author(s) -
Bownes Angela,
Deeming John
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
austral entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.502
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 2052-1758
pISSN - 2052-174X
DOI - 10.1111/aen.12193
Subject(s) - hydrilla , hydrocharitaceae , biology , botany , aquatic plant , ecology , macrophyte
A new species of ephydrid fly, Hydrellia purcelli Deeming sp. nov. from Singapore, is described and illustrated. Hydrellia purcelli larvae mine the leaves of a weedy aquatic macrophyte, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle. Morphologically, Hydrellia purcelli is most similar to Hydrellia balciunasi Bock from Australia. However, the shape of the fused surstyli of the male fly is unique, in that the most basal part of the medial emargination is not slot‐like but almost a hairline division. Descriptions and illustrations of adults and immature stages are provided, and information on its biology and life history is detailed. Hydrellia purcelli is a candidate biological control agent for Hydrilla verticillata in South Africa.