Megathereva Lyneborg

Megathereva Lyneborg, 1992: 66. Type species: Bibio bilineata Fabricius, 1775: 757.

Could be confused with: Irwiniella, Anabarhynchus.

Systematic grouping: Therevinae.

Diagnosis: Large robust flies; antenna broad, often with large setae; cell m3 open; hind femur with one or two anteroventral apical setae; forefemur with appressed scales and dark ventral setae; velutum patches absent on fore and hind femora and gonocoxites; inner gonocoxal process present; distiphallus with broad dorsal apodeme, simple ventral apodeme; female with two spermathecae.

Distribution: New Zealand.

Comments: Megathereva is closely related to Anabarhynchus. Members of this genus are relatively large, robust therevids. Spot characters to look for when identifying this genus include velutum patches on the fore and hind femora absent, wing cell m3 open, two spermathecae, appressed setae and erect spines on femora.

Included species: M. albopilosa Lyneborg, M. atritibia Lyneborg, M. bilineata (Fabricius).

Relevant literature:
Lyneborg, L. (1992) Therevidae (Insecta: Diptera). Fauna of New Zealand/ Ko te Aitanga Pepeke o Aotearoa 24, DSIR Plant Protection/ Te Wahanga Manaaki Tupu, Auckland, 139 pp.

Megathereva albipilosa Lyneborg (female). Image copyright: J.H. Skevington.