Systematic study of the genus Compsilura Bouché in Southeast and East Asia with morphological and molecular data (Diptera, Tachinidae)

Abstract

• Three new species of Compsilura are described from Southeast and East Asia. • Compsilura samoaensis is treated as a junior synonym of C . concinnata . • The genetic differences in the COI gene of four Compsilura species are examined . • The piercing female postabdomens are compared to consider the alliances to Compsilura . Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) is one of the most famous, most polyphagous and most widely distributed tachinid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae) in the world. This species is well known as a biocontrol agent of some injurious pests of cultural and wild plants and has been introduced from Europe to the United States to control mainly the gypsy moth. Recently we found three new species very closely resembling C. concinnata from Southeast and East Asia: C . lobata sp. nov. (Japan and Thailand), C . malayana sp. nov. (Malaysia) and C . pauciseta sp. nov. (Japan and Taiwan). Additionally, C . samoaensis Malloch is treated as a junior synonym of C . concinnata based on the examination of the type specimen. The genetic differences in the mitochondrial COI gene data are examined to assess the accuracy of species delimitation of Compsilura . The male postabdominal characters of these species are illustrated. The piercing female postabdomen of C . concinnata is illustrated and compared to those of other members belonging to the Blondelia group including Blondelia Robineau-Desvoidy , Celatoria Coquillett, Eucelatoria Townsend and Vibrissina Rondani.