A new genus and new species of Sycoracinae (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Neotropical region with keys to the extant genera of the subfamily and males of Neotropical species of Sycorax.

Abstract

Sycoracinae is a small subfamily of Psychodidae with only 51 known species. Three genera are currently accepted for the subfamily: Aposycorax, with one species restricted to the Andean region; Parasycorax, with four Neotropical and one Philippines species; and Sycorax, with wide global distribution. A new genus is proposed for five northern Andean species previously described for Sycorax; a diagnosis and new interpretations of male terminalia characters are provided. Three new species of Sycorax from northeastern Brazil are described. The description of Sycorax bahiensis Bravois complemented with specimens collected in the locality where it was found. New records of S. bahiensis, identification keys to the extant genera of Sycoracinae and the males of Neotropical species of Sycorax, as well as an updated list of both extant and fossil Sycoracinae are presented. Comments concerning the restricted biogeographical distribution of the genera in the subfamily are provided.