Laxotela Winterton & Irwin

Laxotela Winterton & Irwin, 1999: 300. Type species: Laxotela whitei Winterton & Irwin, 1999: 309.

Could be confused with: Belonalys, Acatopygia, Bonjeania, Taenogerella, undescribed genus 'M'.

Systematic grouping: Agapophytinae.

Diagnosis: Antennae positioned low on frons; flagellum short, conical shaped; occiput convex; multiple, poorly defined rows of postocular setae in both sexes; wing cell m3 open; velutum patches on hind and forefemora; anteroventral apical seta not present on hind femur; ventral lobe of gonocoxite broad, elongate; velutum present as rounded patch at base of ventral lobe; distiphallus narrow or ornately shaped apically; three spermathecae; spermathecal sac simple, outer reticulated lobes present or absent.

Distribution: Southern Australia.

Comments: Laxotela is closely related to Belonalys. These two genera are the only Agapophytinae that have wing cell m3 open. Spot characters to look for when identifying this genus include velutum patches on the fore and hind femora present, wing cell m3 open, multple rows of postocular setae in both sexes.

Included species: L. gaimarii Winterton & Irwin, L. hauseri Winterton & Irwin, L. holstoni Winterton & Irwin, L. metzi Winterton & Irwin, L. whitei Winterton & Irwin.

Relevant literature:
Winterton, S.L. & Irwin, M.E. (1999) Laxotela- a new genus of Therevidae (Diptera) from Australia. Entomologica Scandinavica 30: 299-310.