Atacta
Schiner, 1868
Atacta is a of established by Schiner in 1868. The genus contains four described distributed in the Neotropical region. Like other members of the tribe Goniini, these flies are , though specific associations for Atacta species remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Atacta: /əˈtæk.tə/
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Identification
Atacta can be distinguished from other Goniini by features of the male terminalia, particularly the structure of the and surstyli. The is characterized by a silvery or grayish in some species (as reflected in the species name A. argentifrons). Accurate identification to species level requires examination of male and reference to original species descriptions.
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Distribution
Neotropical region. Documented from Brazil (A. brasiliensis, A. crassiceps), and additional described from unspecified localities in the Neotropics.
Ecological Role
. As members of the tribe Goniini, Atacta are presumed to be parasitoids of other , though specific records have not been published.
Similar Taxa
- Other Goniini generaAtacta shares the general morphological ground plan of the tribe Goniini, including the characteristic male terminalia structure. It is distinguished by specific configurations of the surstyli and , and by the presence of silvery pruinosity on the in some .
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was established by Ignaz Rudolph Schiner in 1868 with Atacta brasiliensis as the . Three additional species were described by Aldrich (1925) and Townsend (1916). The genus has received limited taxonomic attention since its original description.
Species diversity
Four are currently recognized: Atacta argentifrons Aldrich, 1925; Atacta brasiliensis Schiner, 1868; Atacta crassiceps Aldrich, 1925; and Atacta crescentis (Townsend, 1916). No species have been added since 1925.