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7АуК_I © Амурский зоологический журнал. VIl(l), 2015.33-42 | Accepted: 8.02.2015
УДК 595.773.4 | ©Amurian zoological journal. VIl( 1 ), 20 IS. 33-42 | Published: 31.03.2015
REVIEW OF THE WORLD FAUNA OF THE GENUS AZELIA (DIPTERA, MUSCIDAE)
N.E. Vikhrev
[Вихрев Н.Е. Обзор мировой фауны рода Azelia (Diptera, Muscidae)]
Zoological Museum of Moscow University, Bolshaya Nikitskaya 6, Moscow, 125009, Russia. E-mail: nikita6510@yandex.ru Зоологический музей, Московский государственный университет им. М.В. Ломоносова, Большая Никитская ул., 6, Москва, 125009, Россия. E-mail: nikita6510@yandex.ru
Key words: Diptera, Muscidae, Azelia, new species, new synonymies Ключевые слова: Diptera, Muscidae, Azelia, новые виды, новые синонимы
Summary. The world fauna of the genus Azelia is considered. Two new species, A. spinosa sp. nov. (from Serbia, southern European Russia and Kyrgyzstan) and A. unguigera sp. nov. (from N Vietnam) are described. Two new synonymies are proposed: Azelia cilipes Haliday, 1838 = Azelia aequa Stein,1920, syn. nov. and Azelia triquetra Wiedemann, 1817 = Azelia nuditibia Emden, 1965, syn. nov. Revised key for identification of Azelia species is offered. Dustributions of the species of Azelia are specified.
Резюме. Рассмотрена мировая фауна рода Azelia. Описано 2 новых вида: A. spinosa sp. nov. (из Сербии, юга европейской России и Киргизии) и A. unguigera sp. nov. (из Северного Вьетнама). Предложено 2 новых синонима: Azelia cilipes Haliday, 1838 = Azelia aequa Stein,1920, syn. nov. and Azelia triquetra Wiedemann, 1817 = Azelia nuditibia Emden, 1965, syn. nov. Предложен переработанный определительный ключ для Azelia. Уточнены ареалы видов рода Azelia.
INTRODUCTION
Azelia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is a small genus with 14-15 valid species worldwide. Azelia is characterized as follows: dark, small flies with body length 2.5-5.5 mm; inner posterior surface of hind coxa with setulae; anal vein short, extends less than half way to wing margin; eyes large, bare, with enlarged upper facets; male frons reduced to small triangle above lunula, with only 1 pair of inclinate frontals; arista almost bare to short pubescent; scutum anteriorly velvety black, posterior part of postsutural area brownish-grey dusted; 2+3 dc, ac in 2 rows (except for A. beuki); t1 and t2 with or without only 1 sub-median p; fore tarsomeres slightly compressed laterally and produced ventrally (except for A. fasciata); tar1-4 and tar1-5 often with elongate d setulae; fore claws and pulvilli enlarged, outer claw bigger than inner one (except for A. fasciata); f2 with 1-2 spine-like v seta(e); abdomen dusted with interrupted median stripe and paired lateral spots on each tergite (except for A. aterrima); male terminalia rather uniform. Azelia is certainly related to Thricops Rondani, 1856. Both genera have inner posterior surface of the hind coxa setulose; the fore tarsomeres compressed, tar1-4 often with d setae; tar2-3 often with fine waved v hair(s). Both genera have their centers of diversity in the temperate to cold zones of Palaearctic, they are well represented in Nearctic [Huckett, 1965], but totally (Thricops) or almost (Azelia) absent from the tropical zone and in Southern Hemisphere.
Species of Azelia usually are associated with dung of large herbivorous animals. Such animals became
rare in the wild, so are becoming their domesticated relatives grazing free. This circumstance, together with a small size and inconspicuous coloration make Azelia rather uncommon in collections. The small size makes the proper mounting of a specimen difficult and at the same time makes proper mounting necessary, because otherwise important diagnostic characters are hardly visible. Azelia is an unlucky genus with respect to safekeeping of type material, types of all species described in XIX century are unknown and most probably lost.
Besides, females of Azelia species are very much alike and in most cases unidentifiable, so only males, which are more rare, are presently suitable for taxo-nomic and faunistic use. (For this reason in the present paper I restrict consideration to males only).
In the last 5-6 years, ZMUM collection of Aze-lia was replenished by hundreds of freshly captured specimens. The examination of this material permitted to offer substantially reworked identification key, to describe overlooked species, to offer new synonymy and to specify distributional data.
In Azelia the male fore tarsus has about the same value for the diagnosis, as the genitalia in other groups: tar1-3 has several short av spinules; tar1-4 often bears characteristic d setulae; tar1-5 often bears at apex characteristic short pd spinules. These modifications of the fore tarsus are widely used in the present identification key. A number of other diagnostic characters used in this paper at the first time. For example, the well-known diagnostic character of A. monodactyla is an elongate and dilated outer
claw of the fore tarsus, but actually A. beuki has about the same modification of this claw. There are several other characters which make A. monodactyla hardly mistakable (t1 with p seta; tarl-4 with a pair of straight, strong and long d spines with blunted apices; tar2-3 ventrally with a set of 6-9 waved hairs; f3 with submedian pv seta) which were never mentioned in previous descriptions of this species or identification keys of Azelia [Hennig, 1956; Gregor et al., 2003]. I believe that the offered characters for A. monodac-tyla, as well as characters newly indicated for other species of Azelia are reliable and helpful for identification.
A. neotropica, A. fengi and A. plumitibia were not examined by the author, but their taxonomy and diagnostic characters are discussed in "Remarks" to respective species. Information on A. fengi and A. plumitibia is insufficient and contradictory, I suppose that both species should be synonymyzed, that is why they are not included in the identification key. Description of A. neotropica is detailed and quality, but still I decided not to include it in the key, the more so because only its distribution in Southern Hemisphere is enough for identification.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The majority of the specimens studied are in the Zoological Museum of Moscow University (ZMUM), in this case not indicated in text. Other collections are abbreviated as follows: ZIN - Zooligical Institute, St-Petersburg; ZMHU - Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
Localities (where possible) are given in a form: country, region, geographical coordinates, the later are given in the Decimal Degrees format. If coordinates were not present in an original label, they are provided in brackets. Countries and regions are listed in the alphabetical order.
The full names of regions of Russian administrative subdivision are an entangled result of political and historical events of no interest for zoology, so they are listed as name (taken from English version of Wikipedia) and word "region". There are 4 exceptions: Leningradskaya Oblast and Federal City St-Petersburg are listed as St-Petersburg region; Altai Kray and Altai Republic are listed respectively as Altai Kray region and Altai Republic region; Adygeya Republic enclave within Krasnodar region is listed under Krasnodar region.
The following abbreviations for morphological structures are used: f1, t1, f2, t2, f3, t3 = fore-, mid-, hind- femur or tibia; ac = acrostichal setae; dc = dor-socentral setae; a, p, d, v = anterior, posterior, dorsal, ventral seta(e); prst - presutural, post - postsutural.
The abbreviation for the tarsi as tar followed by
a pair of digits separated by a hyphen was proposed by Vikhrev [2011]: the first digit (1 to 3) gives the leg number and the second digit (1 to 5) the number of the tarsal segment. For example, tar1-4 = 4-th segment of fore tarsus; tar3-1 = hind basitarsus. All illustrations are original.
EXAMINED MATERIAL AND TAXONOMIC NOTES
Azelia aterrima Meigen, 1826 Material examined:
Germany, Frankfurt am Oder (52.35N 14.55E), 2229.08.1913, M. Riedel, (ZMHU). Poland: Stolp in Pommern [Slupsk, 54.5N 17.0E], 28.07.1929, O. Karl, 1$; Pommern, Treptow an der Rega [Trzebiatow, 54.06N 15.26E], P. Stein, 20.08.1911, 1$ (ZMHU).
Russia: Amur reg., Zeya env., [53.7N 127.3E], 2-4.07.1981, A. Ozerov, 4$; North Ossetia reg., Buron env., (42.8N 44.0E), 7.07.1990, A. Ozerov, 2$; Primorsky reg.: Kedrovaya Pad NR [Primorsky vill. env., 43.1N 131.5E], 19.09.1980, A. Shatalkin, 1$; Kamenushka, Ussuri NR env., 43.62N 132.23E, 5.08.2013, I. Gomyranov, 1$; St-Petersburg reg.: Yukki [60.11N 30.28E], 18.07-16.08.1931-33, A. Stackelberg, 6$ (ZIN); Luga disr., Yaschera [59.15N 29.91E], A. Stackelberg, 19.08.1957, 1$; 26.08.1960, 1$ (ZIN); Tver reg., Centralno-Lesnoy NR [56.46N 32.97E], 18.7.1971, V. Kovalev, 1$. Vietnam, Lai Chau prov., Sapa env.: 22.35N 103.77E, 1900 m asl, 16-19.04.2012, D. Gavryushin, 2$, A. Ozerov, 1$; 22.37N 103.76E, 1900 m asl, 26.05.2014, D. Gavryushin, 1$, A. Ozerov, 2$.
Distribution. Treated as a West European species in http://www.faunaeur.org, but reported by Pont [1986] for Mongolia (based on 1$ from Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, A. Pont, pers. comm.). New records from Russia (Amur and Primorsky regions) and Vietnam extended the known range of A. aterrima to Far East and the northern Oriental region. Still no records from Siberia are known. Remarks. Hennig [1956] and Gregor et al. [2002] describe chaetotaxy of t3 of A. aterrima as 2-3 av and 2-3 pv. Actually the position of these setae is turned at about 45 degrees relative to the typical one and should be described as follows: t3 with 2(3) aav and 2(3) v. This 45° turn of t3 setae is an additional diagnostic character.
All Palaearctic specimens of A. aterrima I have seen were collected in the second half of summer, from late July to August.
Azelia beuki Vikhrev, 2012 Material examined:
Holotype $: Thailand, Phang Nga prov., Khao Lak env., 8.712N 98.254E, elephant camp, 16-21.12.2011, N. Vikhrev (ZMUM).
India, Goa state, Sahakari spice farm, 15.408N 74.024E, 22.01.2008, N. Vikhrev, 1$, 2$. Sri Lanka, Pinnawala 7.28N 80.39E, Elephant Foundation, 19-21.12.2012, N. Vikhrev, 2$, 7$. Thailand: Kanchanaburi prov., Taweechai elephant camp, 14.215N 99.225E, 28.01.2014, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Mae Hong Son prov., Pai env., 19.31N 98.46E, on elephant dung, 15-20.11. 2010, N. Vikhrev, 3$, 10$; Phang Nga prov., Khao Lak env., 8.616N 98.245E, 8.712N 98.254E, 8.760N 98.284E and 8.840N 98.474E, near elephant camps, 14-24.12.2009-2011, N. Vikhrev, 45$, 44$; Trat prov., Ko Chiang Isl., elephant dung, 10-15.12.2011, N. Vikhrev, 3$, 3$. Distribution. Oriental: India, Goa; Sri Lanka; Thailand: Kanchanaburi, Mae Hong Son, Phang Nga, Trat. Remarks. Females of A. beuki are reliably distinguishable from females of other Azelia due to the following set of characters: presutural ac in 4 regular rows; frons with areas around insertion of interfrontal setae densely dusted; inner surface of upper parafacial with a narrow shining black stripe [Vikhrev, 2012].
Azelia cilipes Haliday, 1838 Col. pl. II: 1
Azelia aequa Stein,1920 syn. nov. Type locality: USA, WA. Material examined:
Holotype A. aequa, $: (USA, WA), Mt. Constitution (48.68N 122.83W), 31.07.1908, J. Aldrich, (ZMHU), with Stein's label Azelia/aequa/sp.n. Armenia, Arzakend (Arzakan 40.45N 44.60E, 1550 m asl), 1.8.1969, V. Rikhter, 1$ (ZIN). Azerbaijan: Lankaran distr., Hirkan NP env., 38.66N 48.78E, 27.10.2008, N. Vikhrev & D. Gavryushin, 2$; Yardymly distr., 38.93N 48.12E, 1700 m asl, 23-25.05.2009, K. Tomkovich, 1$. Belarus, Minsk reg., Barysaw, Berezina R., 54.256N 28.481E, 5.07.2013, D. Gavryushin, 4$. Bulgaria, Sandanski (41.57N 23.28E), deciduous forest, 4.10.1973, K. Gorodkov, 1$ (ZIN). Georgia: Ajara, Kintrishi NP (41.74N 42.05E), 26.05.1971, V. Kovalev, 1$; W Georgia, Borjomi-Kharagauli NP (41.85N 43.25E), 07.1969, V. Kovalev, 1$.
Estonia, Saaremaa Isl. (58.3N 22.5E), 19.09.1975, K. Gorodkov, 1$ (ZIN).
Russia: Amur reg., Zeya (53.7N 127.3E) env., 2.07.1981, A. Shatalkin, 1$; Bashkortastan reg., Be-loretsk env., Nura R., 54.05N 58.27E, 6-13.08.2012, D. Gavryushin, 6$; Ivanovo reg., Ivanovo env., (56.9N 41.1E), 26.07 and 26.09.1965, A. Lobanov, 2$; Kemerovo reg., Novokuznetsk (53.8N 87.1E) env., 29.06.2011, O. Kosterin, 1$; Khabarovsk reg, Vanino, 49.11N 140.31E, 9.06.2014, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Nenets reg., Naryan-Mar (67.66N 53.08E), 8.07.2008, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Krasnodar reg., Sochi distr., Akhun, 600 m asl, 43.55N 39.84E, 25.06.2008,
N. Vikhrev, Moscow reg., Moscow, Strogino, 55.784N 37.403E, N. Vikhrev, 31.05.2011, 1$; Naro-Fominsk env., 55.45N 36.88E, 10.06.2007, D. Gavryushin, 1$; Kostino env., 56.31N 37.75E, 6-8.07.2007, N. Vikhrev, 3$; Novgorod reg., Holm env. (57.15N 31.18E), 30.09.2000, K. Tomkovich, 1$; Primorsky reg., 40 km SE of Ussuriysk (= Kamenushka, Ussuri NR env., 43.62N 132.23E), A. Shatalkin, 19.09.1987, 1$, A. Ozerov, 6.09.1984, 2$, I. Gomyranov, 3-4.08.2013, 1$; St-Petersburg reg.: Yukki (60.11N 30.28E), 5-17.08.1932, A. Stackelberg, 5$ (ZIN). Distribution. Holarctic. E Palaearctic records are scarce, besides the material listed above was previously recorded for China, Laoning prov., Benxi (41.3N 123.8E) [Fan, 2008] and Russia, Altai Republic reg., Shebalinsky dist. [Sorokina, 2012]. Synonymy. A. nebulosa and A. cilipes easily differ from other Azelia and are distinctly related to each other. Five main characters (av on t3; absence of v hair on tar2-3; median p on t2; preapical d on t2; av on tar3-1) given in couplet 7 of identification key, reliably differentiate all examined specimens, singular specimens have only 4 of 5 main characters: 1$ A.cilipes from Bashkortostan has t2 without median p; 1$ A.cilipes from Nenets region has 5 av on t3. Additional characters in couplet 7 of the key below (row(s) of dorsal setae and pv hairs on t3; abdominal pattern) are given in brackets because they are in my opinion strongly variable and hardly distinct. These characters are useful in identification specimens in bad condition or identification by photo.
In East Palaearctic A.cilipes tends to reduce length and density of dorsal setae on t3. In European specimens dorsal plumage consists of 6-12 long setae in addition to numerous fine hairs. In Far Eastern specimens 1$ from Khabarovsk reg. and 1$ from Primorsky reg. have 5-6 long setae on t3; 1$ from Amur reg., 3$ from Primorsky reg. and the holotype of A. aequa (USA, WA) have only 2-4 long dorsal setae on t3 and fine hairs shorter and sparser. I do not regard length and density of d setae on t3 as a good diagnostic character, because it does not correlate with other characters which are typical for A.cilipes and specimens with intermediate dorsal plumage on t3 are present. That is why I propose the synonymy: Azelia cilipes Haliday, 1838 = Azelia aequa Stein,1920, syn. nov.
Azelia fasciata Emden, 1951 Col. pl. II: 4
Material examined:
Kenya: Laikipia Co.: Thomson Falls env., 0.05N 36.38E, 2350 m asl, 23.12.2013, N. Vikhrev, elephant dung, 11$, 21$; Thomson Falls env., 0.05N 36.38E, 2350 m asl, 30.12.2013, N. Vikhrev, cow dung, 1$; Nyeri Co., Bantu Lodge, 0.114S 37.042E,1950m, 25-28.12.2013, N. Vikhrev, horse dung, 17$, 5$. Distribution. Afrotropical: Uganda (type localities:
Ruwenzori, Namwamba Velley, 10100 ft = 3070 m asl and Kimbele = Kasese, 4500 ft = 1300 m asl [Emden, 1951], it is about 0.2N 30.0E) and Kenya. Remarks. According to Emden's [1951] description t1 without p seta, actually t1 normally with a weak p seta, although sometimes broken or inconspicuous.
Azelia fengi Fan,1965 No material examined. Type locality: China, Inner Mongolia prov., Boketu (48.75N 121.92E). Remarks. I suspect that Azelia fengi Fan, 1965 is A. cilipes with partly reduced dorsal plumage on t3 as it often takes place in males of A. cilipes from Far East. Unfortunately the data on these species is insufficient and contradictory. The available key on Chinese Aze-lia in English [Fan, 2008] contains many errors and/ or misprints; even the descriptions in Chinese [Fan, 2008] translated in English are of little use, either because of again errors or absence of necessary information. Under these circumstances I prefer to put off the final decision.
Azelia gibbera Meigen, 1826 Material examined:
Poland, Reinerz Bad. (=Duszniki-Zdroj, 50.40N 16.39E), VII (July), M. Reidel, 1$ (ZMHU). Russia: Altai Republic reg., Shebalinsky dist., Pe-schanaya R., between Ilyinka and Baragash, 51.35N 85.18E, 29.07.2009, O. Kosterin, 2$; Bashkortas-tan reg., Beloretsk env., Nura R., 54.05N 58.27E, 8-13.08.2012, D. Gavryushin, 7$; Khabarovsk reg, Khabarovsk, 48.6N 135.1E, 2-6.06.2014, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Moscow reg., Naro-Fominsk env., 55.45N 36.88E, 22.07.2010, D. Gavryushin, 1$; St-Peters-burg reg., Luga disr., Yaschera (59.15N 29.91E), 12-22.08.1957, A. Stackelberg, 5$ (ZIN); Tver reg., Gouv. Petrograd, Govschitza (River) (56.87N 32.05E), 11.08.1931, A. Stackelberg, 1$ (ZIN). Serbia, Crni Vrh env., 43.407N 22.587E, 800 m asl, 16-22.09.2014, N. Vikhrev, 3$. Ukraine, Zakarpattia reg., Hoverla Mt. env., Kozme-schik (48.21N 24.48E), K. Gorodkov, 3.08.1964, 1$ (ZIN).
Distribution. Holarctic, but the only Asian records were China, Xinjiang reg., Haba R., 48.3N 86.4E [Fan, 2008] and Russia, Altai Republic reg., Shebalinsky dist. [Sorokina, 2012]. In present publication one more Asian record from Khabarovsk region is added.
Azelia monodactyla Loew, 1874 Col. pl. II: 11, 12 Material examined:
Russia: Astrakhan reg., Baskunchak salt-lake, 48.19N 46.82E, 2-4.05.2010, K. Tomkovich, 1$; Crimea reg., Alushta-Rybachie, 44.7-8N 34.4-6E, 18-25.04.2014, N. Vikhrev, 6$; Khabarovsk reg, Khabarovsk, 48.6N 135.1E,
2-6.06.2014, horse dung, N. Vikhrev, 6$; Krasnodar reg.: Sochi distr., Adler env., 19.0425.06.2008-11, N. Vikhrev, 15$, Labinsk env., 10.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 4$, Dakhovskaya env., 44.201N 40.149E, 12.06.2012, K. Tomkovich, 14$, Guzeripl, 44.005N 40.130E, 700 m asl, N. Vikhrev, 28.06.2011 and 11.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 14$; Moscow reg., Strogino, 55.784N 37.403E, 19-22.05.2011, 6$; Sergiev Posad env., 56.331N 38.040E, horse dung, 27.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 10$; Novosibirsk reg., Peteni village, 54.43N 84.81E, 21.06.2012, O. Kosterin, 1$; Primorsky reg, Andreevka env., 42.64N 131.13E, horse dung, 25-30.06.2014, N. Vikhrev, 3$; Lotos Lake, 42.46N 130.64E, 1-3.07.2014, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Stavropol reg., Stavropol env., 44.805N 41.858E, horse dung, 04.05.2013, N. Vikhrev, 1$. Turkey, Antalya prov., Titreyen L., 36.754N 31.457E, 01.06.2008, N. Vikhrev, 1$.
Ukraine, Zakarpattia reg., 11 km NWW Yasinia (48.32N 24.22E), K. Gorodkov, 11.8.1964, 1$ (ZIN). Distribution. Palaearctic. Was recorded from Kazakhstan [Pont, 1986]; China: Mandschurei, Taoer-schan (= Heilongjiang prov.,Taoshan distr., 45.8N 131.0E) [Hennig, 1956] and Laoning prov., Benxi (41.3N 123.8E) [Fan, 2008]; Japan [Gregor et al., 2002]. New records: Russia: Altai Republic reg. (Shebalinsky distr., 51.45N 85.28E, 924 m asl, 17.07.2011, V.Sorkina, 1$ (V. Sorokina, pres. comm.)); Astrakhan, Crimea, Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Primorsky and Stavropol regions. The southernmost record is S Turkey, 36.754N.
Azelia nebulosa Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 Col. pl. II: 2, 13 Material examined:
Azerbaijan: Lankaran distr., Hirkan NP, 38.66N 48.78E, 27.10.2008, N. Vikhrev & D. Gavryushin, 2$. France, Haute-Normandie reg., Seine-Maritime, Foret de Brotonne (49.44N 0.71E), 12.08.2009, G. Pennards, 1$.
Kyrgyzstan, Issyk Kul prov, Grigorievka ravine, 42.783N 77.47E, 2000 m asl, 21.09.2013, N. Vikhrev, 1 $.
Russia: Amur reg., Zeya (53.7N 127.3E) env., 24.06.1982, A. Ozerov, 1$; Bashkortastan reg., Beloretsk env., Nura R., 54.05N 58.27E, 8-13.08.2012, D. Gavryushin, 6$; Crimea reg., Alushta-Rybachie, 44.7-8N 34.4-6E, 18-25.04.2014, N. Vikhrev, 5$; Ivanovo reg., Ivanovo env., (57.1N 41.0E), 8.09.1965, A. Lobanov, 2$; Kaluga reg., Rodinka, 54.77N 36.28E, 5.06.2012, D. Gavryushin, 1$; Krasnodar reg.: Khosta env., 43.52N 39.87E, N. Vikhrev, 3-9.05.2011, 3$, 23-25.06.2011, 7$; Guzeripl env., Lagonaki plateau, 44.009N 39.994E, 1700 m asl, 10.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 3$; Moscow reg,: Naro-Fominsk env., 55.45N 36.88E, 6.06.2010, D. Gavryushin, 1$; Kostino env., 56.31N 37.75E, 7-9.08.2007, N. Vikhrev,
5$; Novosibirsk reg., horse dung, 55.0N 83.2E, 22.07.2012, O. Kosterin, 1 $; St-Petersburg reg., Luga disr., Yaschera (59.15N 29.91E), 9-26.08.1958, A. Stackelberg, 5$ (ZIN).
Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk reg., Yaremche (48.45N 24.55E), 29.08.1972, V. Sychevskaya, 1$. Serbia, Crni Vrh env., 43.407N 22.587E, 800 m asl, 16-22.09.2014, N. Vikhrev, 2$. Vietnam, Lai Chau prov., road to Mt. Fansipan, 2095 m asl, 22.336N 103.784E, 04.04.2011, A. Medvedev, 1$. Distribution. Regarded as European species [Pont, 1986; Gregor et al., 2002], but actually distributed throughout Asia. Common in the Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia, Krasnodar reg.) and S Ural (Bashkortostan); seems to be less common in Asia where was firstly recorded by Sorokina [2012] from Altai Respublic, Turochaksky distr. Listed above for W Siberia, Novosibirsk reg.; Central Asia, Kyrgyz-stan; Russian Far East, Amur reg. and N Vietnam, with only one specimen known from each of the Asian localities.
Remarks. European and Caucasian specimens of A. nebulosa as well as 2 males from W Siberia and Kyr-gyzstan fit all diagnostic characters given in couplet 7 of the key below. Both E Asian specimens have aberrant chaetotaxy of t2: 1$ from Amur region of Russia has t2 with median p seta, though preapical d is present; 1$ from N Vietanm has t2 with median p seta and without preapical d. I incline to regard eastern specimens as manifestation of geographical variation of A. nebulosa.
Azelia neotropica Snyder, 1957 No material examined. Type locality: Argentina, Tucuman prov., (26.7S 65.0W). Remarks. It is the only Azelia distributed in Southern Hemisphere. According to Snyder's description [1957] A. neotropica has the following main characters: body length - 3.5 mm; scutum anteriorly black, posterior part of postsutural area - brownish dusted; calypters brown, haltere black; t1 without p; tar1-4 with 2 d setulae 1.2-2.0x as long as tar1-4 width; outer fore tarsal claw slightly clavate apically, inner claws shorter and sharp pointed; f2 with v seta short and weak; t2 without median p; t3 with 1 short median av and 1 av near apex, setulae on ad surface elongated (0.8x as long as tibia width); abdomen with typical Azelia-pattern. (Snyder wrote that in A. neotropica in particular and in Azelia in general, the fore inner claw is enlarged whereas the outer is small. The actual situation is vice versa, Snyder's statement should be a lapsus calami.) Snyder compared A. neotropica with A. triquetra, from which A. neotropica differs by: tar4-1 with 2 long d setulae; f2 with v seta short and weak, not spine-like; t3 with 1 short median av and with setulae on ad surface elongated. Distribution. Argentina, Tucuman prov.
Azelia plumitibia Feng, Fan & Zeng, 1999 No material examined. Type locality: China, Sichuan prov., Mianyang (31.5N 104.7E), Fule Mountain Park, 600 m asl; paratypes 2$: Sichuan prov., Ya'an, (30.0N 103.0E), 600 m asl.
Remarks. I suspect that A. plumitibia is the East Asian form of A. nebulosa with t2 with p seta as in male of A. nebulosa from N Vietnam discussed above. Unfortunately the data on these species is insufficient, A. nebulosa was never considered, probably as "European, not Chinese species"; the amount of setae and hairs in dorsal plumage on t3 is used as the main diagnostic character. Under these circumstances I prefer to put off the final decision.
Azeliaparva Rondani, 1866 Col. pl. II: 3
Material examined:
Croatia, Satorina Mt., 1600 m asl (44.65N 15.05E), 15.06.1910, Meusel, 1$ (ZMHU). Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda reg., Kazaly env., 45.76N 62.30E, 15-19.05.2011, K. Tomkovich, 1$. Russia: Crimea reg., Kara Dag (44.93N 35.22E), 26.06.1981, L. Zimina, 1$; Kursk reg., Streletska-ya steppe, oak forest, 51.6N 36.2E, 11.08.2008, N. Vikhrev, 1$.
Turkmenistan, Lebap reg., Chardzhou env., (39.1N 63.6E), 25.04.1990, A. Ozerov, 1$. Distribution. Palaearctic. Records are scarce, the only reliable Siberian record is from Irkutsk region, Solzan, 51.5N 104.2E [Sorokina & Pont, 2010]. The species was listed for Mongolia [Pont, 1986] and Turkey Giresun prov., §ebinkarahisar (40.29N 38.42E) [Pont, 1991]. Newly recorded here from Russia: Crimea and Kursk reg., Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda reg. and Turkmenistan, Lebap reg. Uncommon. Seems to inhabit rather dry open lowlands.
Azelia spinosa sp. nov. Col. pl. II: 8, 10 Holotype, $, Russia, Stavropol reg., horse dung, 44.805N 41.858E, 04.05.2013, N.Vikhrev. Paratypes 9$:
Kyrgyzstan, Issyk Kul prov., Pokrovka (= Kyzyl-Suu, 42.34N 78.00E), 2.09.1962, P.Vtorov, 1$. Russia: Crimea reg., Rybachie, 44.8N 34.6E, horse dung, 18-25.04.2014, N. Vikhrev. 1$; Krasnodar reg., Varenikovskaya env., 45.083N 37.586E, 27.04.2014, N. Vikhrev. 2$; Stavropol reg., horse dung, 44.805N 41.858E, 04.05.2013, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Volgograd reg, Breslavka env., 48.5355N 44.131E, horse dung, 30.04.2013, N. Vikhrev. 1$. Serbia, Surcin env., 44.78N 20.25E, 14.09.2014, N. Vikhrev, 3$.
Description. Male. Dark, densely grey dusted species, body length 2.5-3.0 mm. Head with big bare eyes, anterior facets enlarged.
Fronto-orbital plates narrow, light-grey dusted, black interfrontalia narrow, but visible all along the frons length (col. pl. II: 10). A pair of strong inclinate setae present near lunula, 1 pair of proclinate hairs in middle of frons, 1 pair of inclinate hairs in its upper third. Lunula concpicuous, whitish-grey dusted in dorsal view. Parafacials light-grey dusted, gena and occiput dark-grey. Palpi and antennae black, aristal hairs short, about half as long as basal diameter of arista. Thorax with scutum and pleura densely and evenly grey dustes, so the typical for Azelia contrast in posterior view between the dusted posterior part of scutum and the black anterior part is absent. Thoracic setae: dc 2+3, presutural acrostichals in 2 rows, katepister-nal 1+1. Wings hyaline, calypters whitiish, halter pale yellow with yellow knob.
Legs black. f1 with a row of 7-8 long pv setae. t1 with distinct p seta. Fore tarsus typical for Azelia short and thick, tarsal segments compressed laterally, tar1-1 and tar1-2 together almost two times shorter than t1 ; apical segments of fore tarsus without conspicuous modifications: tar1-3 anteriorly with 3 short av spinules; tar1-4 with a pair of short dorsal setu-lae; tar1-5 with short and week spinule above outer claw; claws and pulvilli relatively short for Azelia. f2 with submedian v spine, elongated a setae in basal half and 2 pd preapicals; ad surface covered with normal ground hairs. t2 with rather week submedian p seta. Inner posterior surface of hind coxa with 4 rather strong setulae. f3 with 1 av seta at apex and with strong and straight submedian pv spine (distinctly longer and stronger than preapical av seta). t3 with 1 strong av (col. pl. II: 8).
Abdomen densely grey dusted, with conspicuous black median and lateral spots typical for Azelia. Diagnosis. The most important diagnostic characters of A. spinosa sp. nov. are: f3 with submedian pv at least as strong and long as preapical av; scutum evenly grey dusted; black interfrontalia narrow, but visible between grey fronto-orbital plates all along the frons length; calypters white; t1 with distinctp seta; t2 with rather week p seta; t3 with only one strong av; body length 2.5-3.0 mm; outer claw on tar1-5 only slightly longer than inner one, fore tarsus without remarkable modifications.
Etymology. The name refers to the strong pv spine on f3.
Ecology. Collected on horse dung on pasture under direct sunlight (as A. monodactyla), but A. spinosa sp. nov. prefers (or tolerates) more dry and trampled out pasture, sometimes with saltish soil.
Azelia trigonica Hennig, 1956 Col. pl. II: 6
Material examined:
Holotype $ and paratype 1$ (ZIN): Gouv. Petrograd, Govschitza, 12.08.1931, A. Stackelberg (Rus-
sia, Tver reg., Govshitsa River, a short river between Luchanskoe L. and Volokta R., 56.87N 32.05E) Kazakhstan, E-Kazakhstan reg.: Ust'-Chindagatuy, 49.25N 87.00E, 1750 m asl, 3-5.07.2012, O. Koster-in, 1$; Katon-Karagay NP, meadow, 49.06N 85.66E, 26-27.07.2010, O. Kosterin, 1$. Russia: Altai Republic reg.: Ust-Koksa env., 50.27N 85.61E, 24.09.2011, O. Kosterin, 1$; Krasnodar reg.: Guzeripl, 44.005N 40.130E, 700 m asl, 2730.06.2011, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Guzeripl env., 44.011N 40.033E, 1500 m asl, horse dung, 10-13.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 35$, Guzeripl env., Lagonaki plateau, 44.009N 39.994E, 1700 m asl, 10.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 13$; Sakha (Yakutia) reg., Verkhoyansk (67.55N 133.39E) env., 31.07.1969, V. Sychevskaya, 1$; St-Petersburg reg., Luga disr., Yaschera (59.15N 29.91E), 24-27.08.1957, A. Stackelberg, 2$ (ZIN); Tver reg, Rzhev env, 56.21N 34.35E, horse dung, N. Vikhrev, 22.06.2012, 1$, 18.08.2014, 1$. Serbia, Crni Vrh env., 43.407N 22.587E, 800 m asl, 16-22.09.2014, N. Vikhrev, 1$. Distribution. Regarded as European species [Pont, 1986; Gregor et al., 2003], but actually is present in Asia (E Kazakhstan; Russia: Altai Republic (firstly recorded by [Sorokina, 2012]) and Sakha-Yakutia). Seems to prefer northern regions, the southern findings (Caucasus and Serbia) are from mountainous country where A. trigonoca mostly presents at elevations of 1500 m asl and more.
Azelia triquetra Wiedemann, 1817 Col. pl. II: 5
Azelia nuditibia Emden, 1965: 331 syn. nov. Type locality: N E Burma (Myanmar), Kambaiti. Material examined:
Kazakhstan, E-Kazakhstan reg., Ust'-Chindagatuy, 49.25N 87.00E, 1750 m asl, 3-5.07.2012, O. Kosterin, 1$. Netherlands, Amersfoort, Den Treek (52.1N 5.4E), 2.05.2009, G. Pennards, 1$. Russia: Amur reg., Zeya (53.7N 127.2E) env., 10.08.1981, A. Ozerov, 1$; Khabarovsk reg, Khicha R., 690m, 49.05N 139.43E, 10.06.2014, N. Vikhrev, 12$; Krasnodar reg., Guzeripl, 44.005N 40.130E, 700 m asl, 27-30.06.2011, N. Vikhrev, 1$; Sochi dis-tr., Akhun, 600 m asl, 43.55N 39.84E, 20.06.2008, N. Vikhrev & D. Gavryushin, 2$; Moscow reg., Moscow, Strogino, 55.784N 37.403E, N. Vikhrev, 1831.05.2011, 3$, 5-18.07.2011, 2$; Naro-Fominsk env., 55.45N 36.88E, D. Gavryushin, 16.08.2008, 2$, 11.10.2008, 1$; St-Petersburg reg.: Yukki (60.11N 30.28E), 19.07-5.08.1932, A. Stackelberg, 4$ (ZIN); Tver reg, Rzhev env, 56.21N 34.35E, horse dung, N. Vikhrev, 22.06.2012, 1$, 18.08.2014, 1$; Vladimir reg., 56.06N 40.46E, 5.06.2011, N. Vikhrev, 1$. Serbia, Crni Vrh env., 43.407N 22.587E, 800 m asl, 16-22.09.2014, N. Vikhrev, 1$. Vietnam, Lai Chau prov., Sapa env., 22.35N 103.77E,
1900 m asl: 18.04.2012, A. Ozerov, 1$; 16.04.2012, D. Gavryushin, 2$.
Distribution. Holarctic and N Oriental (N Myanmar, N Vietnam). From E Palaearctic was known from Mongolia [Pont, 1986]. New E Palaearctic records: Kazakhstan, E Kazakhstan and Russia: Altai (Altai Republic reg.,Shebalinsky distr., 51.52N 85.57E, 516 m asl, 16.7.2011, V. Sorkina, 1$ (V. Sorokina, pres. comm.)) and Far East (Amur and Khabarovsk regions). Synonymy. All ZMUM specimens from N Vietnam entirely fit Emden's description of A. nuditibia. On the other hand, Vietnamese specimens belong to A. triquetra by all significant diagnostic characters: fine structure of tar1-5 and tar1-4; f2 with ad surface covered with dense erect fine hairs; t2 without p seta; tar2-3 ventrally with 1-2 fine waved hairs. According to Emden [1965]: "In keys to the European species A. nuditibia will be traced to A. triquetra, but in this species the hind tibiae are furnished with apv and ad row of fine half erect hairs, which are not present in the Burma species." I agree that ground setulae on posterior tibiae in specimens from North of the Oriental region usually are somewhat shorter than in most Pa-laearctic specimens of A. triquetra, but I believe that such differences are far from being reliable and not enough to regard A. nuditibia as a valid species. So, Azelia triquetra Wiedemann, 1817 = Azelia nuditibia Emden, 1965, syn. nov.
Azelia unguigera sp. nov.
Col. pl. II: 7, 9 Holotype, $, Vietnam, Lai Chau prov., Hoang Lien NP, 22.35N 103.77E, 1900 m asl, 18.04.2012, A. Oz-erov.
Paratypes 2$:
Vietnam, Lai Chau., Sapa env., 22.35N 103.77E, 1900m asl, D.Gavryushin, 19.04.2012, 1$ and 22.05.2014, 1$.
Description. Male. Dark species, body length 3.6-3.7 mm.
Head with big bare eyes, anterior facets enlarged. Fronto-orbital plates narrow, touching in posterior 2/3 of frons, black interfrontalia visible at anterior 1/3 of frons only. A pair of strong inclinate setae present near lunula, 1 pair of proclinate hairs before middle of frons. Parafacials, gena and occiput dark-grey. Palpi and antennae black, aristal hairs about as long as basal diameter of arista.
Thorax with scutum in posterior view with the typical for Azelia contrast between the dusted posterior part of scutum and the black anterior part. Thoracic setae: dc 2+3, presutural acrostichals in 2 rows, kat-episternal 1+1. Wings brownish, calypters brownish, halter yellow-brown.
Legs black. f1 with a row of 8-9 long pv setae. t1 withoutp seta. Fore tarsus typical for Azelia short and thick, tarsal segments compressed laterally, tar1-1
and tar1-2 together almost two times shorter than t1; tar1-3 with a row of 5 short av spinules; tar1-4 with a remarkable set of 3 dorsal setulae: the inner one the longer (2.5x as long as tarsus width) and claw-like curved, the median one short and flattened (median setula may be hardly visible on the background of inner one), the outer one almost straight (1.5-2x as long as tarsus width); tar1-5 without spinule(s); outer claw elongate and remarkably widened in basal part, without pointed apex (col. pl. II: 9). f2 with subme-dian v spine, elongated setulae on pd surface and 2 pd preapicals; ad surface covered with normal ground hairs (col. pl. II: 7). t2 with submedian p seta. tar2-3 without v hair. Inner posterior surface of hind coxa with 3 setulae. f3 with 1(2) av seta at apex. t3 with 1 short (as long as tibia width) av, setulae on ad surface elongate.
Abdomen densely grey dusted, with conspicuous black median and lateral spots typical for Azelia. Diagnosis. The most important diagnostic character of A. unguigera sp. nov. is the fine structure of fore tarsus: tar1-3 with a row of 5 short av spinules; tar1-4 with a remarkable set of 3 dorsal setulae, the inner one the longer (2-2.5x as long as tarsus width) and curved, the medial one short (as long as tarsus width), the outer one straight (2-2.5x as long as tarsus width); tar1-5 without spinule; outer claw elongate and widened, with non-pointed apex.
Etymology. The species name (a Latin adjective in the feminine gender) refers to the most important diagnostic characters of A. unguigera sp. nov.: dilated outer claw of fore tarsus and long and strong clawlike curved d seta on tar1-4.
Azelia zetterstedtii Rondani, 1866. Material examined:
Azerbaijan, Lankaran reg., Hirkan NP env., 38.66N 48.78E, 27.10.2008, N. Vikhrev, 1$. Finland: Naantali (60.47N 22.03E), L. Tiensuu, 1$; Vasa (63.1N 21.6E), K. Frey, 1$ (both Zoological Museum, Finnish Museum of Natural History, Helsinki Finland).
Kazakhstan, Almaty reg., Almaty, 43.218N 76.934, 11.06.2008, D. Gavryushin, 1$. Kyrgyzstan, Issyk Kul prov., Choktal env, 42.58N 76.75E,1600 m asl, 22.09.2013, N. Vikhrev, 18$. Russia: Altai Republic reg.: Ust-Koksa env., 50.27N 85.61E, 24.09.2011, O. Kosterin, 1$; Onguday-sky dist., Kurota env., 50.85N 85.98E, 930 m asl, 23-28.07.2008, O. Kosterin, 1$. Bashkortostan reg.: Abzakovo env., 53.8N 58.6E, 2-8.08.2008, K.Tomkovich, 1$, Beloretsk env., Nura R., 54.05N 58.27E, 6-13.08.2012, D. Gavryushin, 1$; Komi reg. Ust-Tsilma (65.43N 52.18E), 10.08.1978, K. Gorod-kov, 1$ (ZIN); Krasnodar reg.: Guzeripl, 44.005N 40.130E, 700 m asl, N. Vikhrev, 27-30.06.2011, 20$, 11-14.06.2012, 5$; Guzeripl env., Lagonaki
plateau, 44.009N 39.994E, 1700 m asl, 10.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 8$; Moscow reg., Strogino, 55.784N 37.403E, 22.05.2012, N. Vikhrev, 7$; Sergiev Posad env., 56.331N 38.040E, horse dung, 27.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 10$; Novosibirsk reg., Novosibirsk, horse path, 54.842N 82.956E 20.07.2014, O. Kosterin, 1$; St-Petersburg reg.: Yukki (60.11N 30.28E), 5-22.08.1932, A. Stackelberg, 5$ (ZIN); Tver reg., Rzhev env., 56.21N 34.36E, horse dung, 22.06.2012, N. Vikhrev, 8$, 56.21N 34.35E, horse dung, 18.08.2014, N. Vikhrev, 7$; Primorsky reg., Razdol-noe env., 43.54N 131.84E, 25.06.2014, horse dung, N. Vikhrev, 6$; Andreevka env., 42.64N 131.13E, horse dung, 25-30.06.2014, N. Vikhrev, 3$. Tajikistan, Dushanbe reg., Kondara, Varzob, (38.77N 68.82E), 16-21.09.1945, V.Gussakovsky, 3$. Distribution. Holarctic, but only few records from E Palaearctic were known: Tajikistan, Kondara [Hennig, 1956]; China: NE Sichuan, E Qinghai and N Xinjiang regions [Fan, 2008]; Russia, Altai Republic [Sorokina, 2012]. Here records for Caucasus, Central Asia, W Siberia and Far East are added.
Identification key for Azelia SS
1. Fore tarsus thin and long, tar1-1 and tar1-2 together almost as long as t1; fore tarsal segments not compressed laterally; tar1-3 to tar1-5 without remarkable setae or spines; claws and pulvilli unusually small for Azelia (col. pl. II: 4); posterior tarsi also thin and long, but less distinctly. Afro-tropical, known from Uganda (type locality) and Kenya. (Small species, body length 2.5-3 mm; ca-lypteres and haltere black; t1 normally with week p seta, though sometimes broken or inconspicuous; t2 with 1 longp; f3 withoutpv; t3 with 2(1) av) ... ......................................................fasciata Emden.
- Fore tarsus shorter and thicker, tar1-1 and tar1-2 together almost two times shorter than t1; tarsal segments compressed laterally; tar1-3 to tar1-5 usually with elongated setae or spines; claws and pulvilli elongated (col. pl. II: 5); posterior tarsi also thicker and shorter. Eurasia..........................2
2. Presutural ac all hair-like, in 4 regular rows. t3 with 1 ad (and 1 av). Legs (femora, tibiae and tarsi) yellowish. Upper facets of eyes remarkably enlarged. Tropical parts (lowlands) of Oriental region. (t1 without p; tar1-5 with outer claw elongate and dilated, with pointed apex (resembling that of A. monodactyla); tar2-3 without ventral hair(s); t2 with 1 p; f3 without pv; calypteres and haltere light-brownish.).............................beuki Vikhrev.
- Presutural ac strong, in 2 rows. t3 without ad or with a row of ad setae and hairs (A. nebulosa and A. cilipes). Legs dark, at most tibiae yellowish. Upper facets of eyes less enlarged. Palaearctic or northern, mountainous border of the Oriental re-
gion ......................................................................3
3. t1 with distinct p seta. Calypters white or transparent with brownish tint (in A. monodactyla). Small species, body length 2.5-3.3 mm. (t2 with p, halter yellow) ................................................................ 4
- t1 without p seta. Calypters from transparent with brownish tint to black. Larger species, body length 3 mm and more....................................................6
4. f3 without pv and with 2-3 preapical av. t3 with a complete rows of strong av and fine pv setae. tar3-1 in basal half with 2-4 elongated ventral setae (2.5-3x as long as tar3-1 width, col. pl. II: 3). tar1-4 with 2 short (as long as tar3-1 width), but strong d spines with blunted apex..............parva Rondani.
- f3 at middle with strong pv seta and with only 1av
near apex. t3 with 1-2 av only. tar3-1 without elongated ventral setae. tar1-4 different.....................5
5. tar1-5 with remarkably elongate and dilated outer claw. tar1-4 with a pair of straight, strong, 2x as long as tar1-4 width d spines with blunted apex. tar2-3 ventrally with a set of 6-9 waved hairs (col. pl. II: 12). Only posterior part of scutum brownish-grey dusted, anterior part of scutum velvety black (posterior view). f3 with submedian pv weaker and shorter than preapical av. Black fronto-orbital plates touch (col. pl. II: 11). Calypters transparent with brownish tint. t3 usually with 2 weaker av. Body length 2.8-3.3 mm........monodactyla Loew.
- Outer claw on tar1-5 without remarkable modifications, only slightly longer than inner one. tar1-4 with only short (shorter than tar1-4 width) setu-lae. tar2-3 ventrally without hairs. Scutum evenly grey dusted. f3 with submedianpv at least as strong and long as preapical av (col. pl. II: 8). Black in-terfrontalia narrow, but visible between grey fronto-orbital plates all along the frons length (col. pl. II: 10). Calypters white. t3 usually with only one
stronger av. Body length 2.5-3.0 mm ..................
.....................................................spinosa sp. nov.
6. t3 with a row of long dorsal setae. Large species, body length normally 4.0-5.5 mm. Tibiae translucent yellowish. ad surface of t3 covered with thick standaway hairs. (tar1-4 with a pair of straight spines slightly longer than tar1-4 width; tar1-5 with 1 short curved spine above outer claw; f2 on ad surface covered with dense erect fine hairs (best visible in dorsal view against whitish background) .............................................................................. 7
- t3 without dorsal setae. Smaller species, body length normally 3.0-4.0 mm. Tibiae black. ad surface of t3 with common ground hairs. tar1-4 and tar1-5 different ............................................................... 8
7. t3 with 5-10 av (col. pl. II: 2). tar2-3 with fine long waved ventral hair and several shorter hairs (col. pl. II: 13). t2 (except from specimens from E Asia) withoutp seta and with preapical d longer than tib-
ia width. tar3-1 with av setulae longer than width of tarsal segment (col. pl. II: 2). (Abdomen with black spots larger, at least on tergite 3 lateral spots are fused with median one. t3 with a complete row of fine pv hairs. Dorsal setae on t3 usually are longer and denser, with complete ad-d row and usually with 1-3 long pd setae near apex.).................
.............................. nebulosa Robineau-Desvoidy.
- t3 with 1-4 av (col. pl. II: 1). tar2-3 without fine waved ventral hair. t2 with submedian p seta and without preapical d, if present, than weak, less than half as long as tibia width. tar3-1 with av setulae shorter than width of tarsal segment (col. pl. II: 1). (Abdomen with black spots smaller, lateral spots are not fused with median ones. Dorsal setae on t3 are shorter and sparser, placed in single ad-d row.) .......................................................cilipes Haliday.
8. t2 without p seta. tar1-5 at apex with a set of 5-6 short spinules placed in a line; outer claw almost 2 times longer and wider than inner one. (f2 on ad surface covered with dense erect fine hairs, as in (col. pl. II: 6); tar2-3 ventrally with 1-2 fine waved hairs (as in A. nebulosa, col. pl. II: 12)..............9
- t2 with p seta. tar1-5 at apex without set of spinules as above; outer claw less distinctly bigger than inner one............................................................10
9. t3 only with 1-2 short (hardly longer than tibia
width) av setae near apex ...... triquetra Wiede-
mann.
- t3 with: 3-5 long (2.5-3x longer than tibia width) av setae in apical half, a complete row of 8-10 fine pv (2x as long as tibia width), 2-4 fine p in apical 1/3 .. ..............................................zetterstedtii Rondani.
10. t3 with a single short (about as long as tibia width) av seta. Azelia-patterns on abdomen distinct. Knob of halter from yellow to brown, calypters brown ... ............................................................................11
- t3 with at least 2-3 av-a and 2-3 pv-v setae, all distinctly (about 2x) longer than tibia width. Azelia-patterns on abdomen indistinct (A. gibbera) or absent (A. aterrima). Knob of halter and calypters always black......................................................12
11. tar1-3 with 2 short av spinules; tar1-4 with short (shorter than tarsus width) and week setulae; tar1-5 with 2 short spinules directed over outer claw; outer claw slightly longer than inner one. t2 with p seta weak and shorter than tibia width. f2 on ad surface covered with dense erect fine hairs (col. pl. II: 6). tar2-3 ventrally with 1-2 fine waved hairs
(as in A. nebulosa, col. pl. II: 12)...........................
...................................................trigonica Hennig.
- tar1-3 with a row of 5 short av spinules; tar1-4 with a remarkable set of 3 dorsal setulae, the inner one the longest (2-2.5x as long as tarsus width) and curved, the medial one short (as long as tarsus width), the outer one straight (2-2.5x as long as
tarsus width); tar1-5 without spinule; outer claw elongate and widened in basal part (col. pl. II: 9). t2 with p seta strong and at least 1.5x longer than tibia width. f2 on ad surface covered with normal ground hairs (col. pl. II: 7). tar2-3 ventrally without fine waved hairs.................unguigera sp. nov.
12. t3 with 2(3) a-av and with 2(3) v setae (sometimes look like pvv, but never as true pv). tar1-4 without remarkable setulae. Azelia-patterns on abdomen absent. f2 with 1 ventral spine .... aterrima Meigen. - t3 with a complete rows of 9-10 strong av, 8-10 fine pv and 7-8 fine shorter v setae. tar1-4 with 2 long (2-2.5x as long as tar1-4 width) pointed d setulae. Azelia-patterns on abdomen indistinct. Azelia-pat-terns on abdomen absent. f2 with normally with 2 ventral spines..............................gibbera Meigen.
Ecology. Most Azelia are associated with dung of large herbivorous animals, but some of them are less selective and may be found on carnivorous and omnivorous dung (in the first place human feces) namely: A. cilipes, A. nebulosa and A. triquetra. All these non-selective species are rather common. Other species require herbivorous dung and in this case several criteria are important. The bigger an animal, the bigger a dung heap; the bigger a dung heap the longer its period of desiccation. Among the large herbivorous animals the cow dung is less valuable in terms of nutrient content, because Artiodactyla mammals extract nutrients from plant mass more completely. The horse or elephant dung are more valuable, because Peris-sodactyla or Proboscidea mammals extract nutrients from plant mass less completely. Locality is also very important: a more wet area is better than a drier one; undisturbed sites like meadows, forest edges, river banks are always more promising than antropogenic ones; the longer and more often the site is used as pasture, the better. Hundreds years ago, when tar-pans (Equus ferus) and aurochs (Bos primigenius) grazed across the Palaearctic or thousands years ago when mammoths were not yet extinct the situation for the complex of insects associated with herbivorous dung was different and much better. Presently grazing horses give the best approximation to former wild pastures and horse dung heaps are the best place to collect A. monodactyla, A, parva, A. trigonica, A. zetterstedtii, and A. spinosa sp. nov. Three more Palaearctic Azelia spp.: A. aterrima, A. gibbera and A. unguigera sp. nov. seem not to be associated with any substrate and may be found on low vegetation along small woodland rivers or streams, but more field observations are desirable. In tropical Asia domesticated elephants are still locally available (either in elephant riding sites or elephant sanctuaries). Once such site with at least some remnants of natural environment around is found, A. beuki will be collected.
Since Carthage was destroyed, only wild elephants remained in Africa and a search for fresh wild elephant dung is a task which requires both patience and money. As soon as it was found (in Kenya) A. fasciata was collected. Nevertheless a few days later I discovered that dung of horses which grazed around Banty Lodge near Mt. Kenya was less rich but more predictable source of A. fasciata. So, I would like to seize an opportunity to express my opinion that grazing of horses or elephants near the natural reserves may be very important for the protection of otherwise rare insect species.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I thank Joachim Ziegler (Berlin) and Olga Ovchin-nikova (St.-Petersburg) for the important material from ZMHU and ZIN respectively. I am grateful to Oleg Kosterin (Novosibirsk) for critical reading the text and valuable discussion. I thank Oksana Yere-menko (Moscow) for valuable technical assistance and Vera Sorokina (Novosibirsk) for reviewing. I thank Dr. Li Shi (Hohhot, China) for her help in translating some Chinese data into English.
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