Two new species of Muscidae (diptera) from Kenya, associated with flowers of Acacia species (Fabacae Mimosoideae) and Balanites species (Balanitaceae)

Abstract

Two new species of Muscidae (Diptera) are described from Kenya: Pyrellia acaciae sp.n. and Hydrotaea cilitibia sp.n. P. acaciae appears to be not uncommon and was found almost exclusively on flowers of species of Acacia (Fabaceae) (A. brevispica, A. etbaica, A. gerrardii, A. nilotica and A. tortilis), and its activities may contribute towards the pollination of these species. H. cilitibia was much more rarely encountered and, with one exception, was found only on flowers of Balanites species (Balanitaceae).

Keywords: Pyrellia, Hydrotaea, new species, Kenya, Acacia

East African Journal of Natural History Vol. 96 (1) 2007: pp. 83-93