Pangoniinae

Long-tongue Horse Flies

Tribe Guides

Goniopsini
Pangoniini(horse flies)

Pangoniinae is a of horse-flies ( Tabanidae, order Diptera) comprising seven tribes and over 40 . Members are distinguished from other Tabanidae by the presence of ocelli and an antennal typically bearing eight rings. The subfamily includes some of the most primitive known Tabanidae, with most being low-flying and non-bloodfeeding. Australian Pangoniinae show east coastal distribution with a secondary center in Western Australia.

Apatolestes by (c) Zack Abbey, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Zack Abbey. Used under a CC-BY license.

Apatolestes actites by (c) Keir Morse, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Keir Morse. Used under a CC-BY license.

Stonemyia velutina by (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pangoniinae: //pænˈɡoʊ.ni.aɪni//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Tabanidae by: (1) presence of ocelli (simple ), and (2) antennal usually with eight rings. Australian Pangoniini exhibit progressive reduction in female , divisions of the third antennal segment, and hind tibial spurs.

Images

Distribution

Widespread across multiple biogeographic regions: Palaearctic (including Lebanon), Nearctic, Neotropical, Ethiopian, Oriental, and Australasian (Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand). In Australia, principal distribution is east coastal from Torres Strait to southern New South Wales, with a secondary center in Western Australia; absent from Tasmania.

Diet

Most in Australian Pangoniini do not suck blood; bloodfeeding habits of other tribes not documented in available sources.

Behavior

Most Australian Pangoniini are low-flying insects.

Similar Taxa

Other Tabanidae subfamiliesLack ocelli and have different antennal structure (typically not eight-ringed)

More Details

Tribal classification

Seven tribes recognized: Braunsiomyiini, Goniopsini, Mycteromyiini, Pangoniini, Philolichini, Scionini, and Scepsidini. Tribes Goniopsini and Mycteromyiini were established by Lessard (2014) through revision of Scionini.

Primitive characteristics

Australian Pangoniini include the most primitive known Tabanidae, representing early-diverging lineages within the .