Scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) of the remote Atlantic islands of the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract

The list of species of Phoridae (Diptera) recorded from St Helena is increased from three to six, with identity of one of the previously recorded species being revised. A key to the species is provided. With the possible exception of one species, all are tramps that were probably introduced by man. The three cool-climate species probably came from the Palaearctic Region, but one probably originated in the Oriental region. The three warm-climate species all occur on the Cape Verde Islands. Two of the warm-climate species are also the only two species recorded from Ascension Island. One of these, Megaselia curtineura (Brues), seems to have its origin in the Afrotropical Region. On St Helena and on Ascension it is dominant in arid habitats that have been little altered by human activity, and it may be native to both islands. The single cool-climate tramp species recorded from Gough Island is probably introduced from the Holarctic Region, and is recorded from the non-tropical islands of the North Atlantic but not from St Helena or Ascension Island.