Species numbers of cecidomyiidae (Diptera) by zoogeographical Region

2007·0.42 MB·

by  Raymond J Gagné

PROC. ENTOMOL. SOC. WASH.
109(2), 2007, pp. 499
Note
Species Numbers of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) by Zoogeographical Region
Since A Catalog of the Cecidomyiidae poorly known. I once wondered how
of the World (Gagne 2004) appeared I that great unknown could be grasped
have been asked several times to provide more quickly, but I see now that nothing
the number of species that occur in each can replace careful and contextual study.
ofthe larger zoogeographic regions. This In fact, a great part of the fauna that is
information should have been given in already named was insufficiently de-
the catalog, so it is belatedly provided in scribed and requires revision before any
the following table, additionally divided meaning can be drawn from it. We
by subfamily. should learn from past work that there
Fossil species were not counted for the are no shortcuts.
table and some species occur in more
Literature Cited
than one region, with the result that the
totals in the bottom line here add up to Gagne, R. J. 2004. A catalog ofthe Cecidomyiidae
more than the 5,451 species listed in the (Diptera) of the world. Memoirs of the
Entomological Society of Washington No.
catalog. For example, the Nearctic and
25, 408 pp.
Palearctic Regions share 53 Lestremii-
nae, 12 Porricondylinae, and 46 Cecido- Raymond J. Gagne, Systematic Ento-
myiinae. mology Laboratory, PSI, Agricultural Re-
The comparative disparity in numbers search Service, U. S. Department ofAgri-
of species among the regions reflects culture, do National Museum of Natural
NHB
taxonomic opportunity, effort, and in- History, SmithsonianInstitution, 168,
DC
terest, rather than the actual numbers P.O. Box 37012, Washington, 20013-
that must occur. Gall midges all over the 7012, U.S.A. (e-mail: raymond.gagne@
world, least so in Europe, are generally ars.usda.gov)