A new giant dung midge from Miocene Ethiopian amber (Diptera: Scatopsidae)

Zootaxa. 2022 Feb 16;5099(5):549-562. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.5099.5.3.

Abstract

Fossil new genus and species Afroscatopse haennii gen. et sp. nov. from Miocene Ethiopian amber are described and illustrated and placed in the tribe Colobostematini. The gigantic adults of this scavenger fly, largest within the family, with dull body, long antennae and broad wings evidently were adapted to live on bark of trees. It is suggested that it was a myrmecophilous species with larvae living in the nests of tree ants.

MeSH terms

  • Amber
  • Animals
  • Chironomidae*
  • Diptera*
  • Ethiopia
  • Fossils
  • Nematocera
  • Trees

Substances

  • Amber