title: Palaearctic species of the Hercostomus plagiatus group (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) with description of a new species from the Middle East.
abstract: The Hercostomus plagiatus species group is defined and distinguished from other Hercostomus groups by the following combination of features including: bulging clypeus in both sexes, anterodorsal comb-like row of setae on fore tibia, usually straight and weakly convergent veins R4+5 and M1+2, hypopygium without basiventral epandrial lobes, mostly free hypandrium, relatively poorly developed postgonite, and female terminalia with tergite 8 and sternite 8 fused anterolaterally forming a narrow process. A new species, Hercostomus golanensis sp. nov., is described from the Middle East (Golan Heights), differing from the other species of this group in the long-pubescent arista-like stylus, triangular rather than oval male cercus and epandrial lobe bearing a very long seta at the base of the stem. A key to species of the H. plagiatus group is provided.
authors.affiliation: All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, Podbelskogo 3, 196608 St. Petersburg, Pushkin, Russia.; Email: grichanov@mail.ru.
authors.forename: Igor Ya
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Grichanov
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D004175:Diptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East; D009929:Organ Size