Dixella woodi Chaverri & Borkent, 2007 (Diptera, Dixidae): Description of the female and a new record from Peru

ABSTRACT

This study provides a description of the female and a redescription of the male terminalia of Dixella woodi Chaverri & Borkent, 2007, which is recorded in Peru for the first time. Diagnoses for the other two Peruvian Dixidae species, Dixella andeana (Lane, 1942) and Dixella peruviana (Edwards, 1931), and remarks on their types are presented along with a key to distinguish the three species. Dixella woodi differs significantly from other Neotropical Dixella Dyar & Shannon, 1924 species, such as the presence of elongated setae on the medial portion of the katepisternum and unique characteristics in both male and female terminalia. The findings underscore the importance of systematic collection sampling and taxonomic revision in the Neotropical region to advance our understanding of Dixidae diversity and distribution.

Keywords:
Meniscus midges; Taxonomy; Neotropical region; South America