New information about the pre-imaginal morphology of genus Graptomyza (Diptera, Syrphidae, Volucellini): description of third-instar larva and re-description of puparium of G. signata (Walker, 1860)

Abstract

<jats:p>Pre-imaginal morphology of the flower fly species <jats:italic>Graptomyzasignata</jats:italic> (Walker) is described and figured in detail based on specimens collected on a decomposed <jats:italic>Aloe</jats:italic>-like plant in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Third-instar larva is described for the first time and the puparium morphology is re-described using both light (optical) and electron microscopy. The present work represents the second larval description for a species of the genus <jats:italic>Graptomyza</jats:italic>, after the description of the larva of <jats:italic>G.alabeta</jats:italic> Séguy. The immatures of these two <jats:italic>Graptomyza</jats:italic> species were examined and compared to the pre-imaginal stages of the other members of the tribe Volucellini, pointing out the possible diagnostic characters of the genus <jats:italic>Graptomyza</jats:italic>. Moreover, new DNA barcodes are provided for <jats:italic>G.signata</jats:italic> and deposited in the NCBI GenBank.</jats:p>