Species of the thistle-eating flies (Urophora) in the West Europe, North Africa and Near East

What is it about?

Detailed review of all West European "thistle-flowerhead flies" called Urophora based on all available material is resulted in a complete revision of concepts of the species previously included here, because colouration characters used before, were found to be variable and misleading in species identificatioin. These species were found to be more strictly specialized for their host plants, and the only reliable characters are often the shape of the very tip of ovipositor. Based on new data, a key is provided to twenty‐four western Palaearctic species of Urophora Robineau‐Desvoidy. The hosts of twenty‐three species, which attack Asteraceae are listed, including those being used or investigated as possible weed biocontrol agents. One new species and one supspecies are discovered. Urophora pontica is given full specific status and U. hispanica is removed from synonymy.

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Why is it important?

This work provided the very first reliable key to very common and abundant fly species feeding in the flowerheads of numerous weeds. They are shown to be specialized for certain host plant species and can be used for biological control of these plants.

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