Additions to the Robber Fly Fauna of Southern Nevada, USA (Diptera: Asilidae)

Abstract

Abstract We report on Asilidae collected in southern Nevada from 2004–2012 across an elevation gradient from 170 m along the Colorado River to 3350 m in Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA), with particular emphasis in Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) and SMNRA. Collections were made opportunistically during extensive expeditions throughout the region. We detected 42 species in 25 genera among at least 116 specimens, including 18 new state records for Nevada. Our data increase the Nevada asilid species list to at least 151 species in 52 genera. Robber flies were relatively common in specific locations, but varied in abundance and composition among species and across the region. We detected 20 robber fly species among 13 genera in AMNWR, and 23 species in 17 genera in SMNRA. Despite the proximity of AMNWR and SMNRA, only 3 of 42 (7.1%) documented species co-occurred in the two primary study areas. The paucity of robber fly species in Ash Meadows may be attributable to the abundance...