| Scorpiurus thorpei | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Dolichopodidae |
| Genus: | Scorpiurus |
| Species: | S. thorpei |
| Binomial name | |
| Scorpiurus thorpei Masunaga, 2017 | |
Scorpiurus thorpei is a species of fly belonging to the family Dolichopodidae. [1] First described by Kazuhiro Masunaga in 2017, it is endemic to New Zealand.
The species was identified by Japanese entomologist Kazuhiro Masunaga in 2017, based on a holotype he collected 3 km (1.9 mi) west of Linkwater in the Marlborough District in 2007. [2] Masunaga named the species after entomologist Stephen E. Thorpe, who collected many paratypes of the species and assisted in the collection process. [2]
Males of S. thorpei have a body length ranging between 3.2–4.1 mm (0.13–0.16 in), and a wing length of between 3.9–4.1 mm (0.15–0.16 in), while females' body lengths range between 3.1–4.5 mm (0.12–0.18 in), and have wing lengths of between 3.6–4.5 mm (0.14–0.18 in). [2] The species is morphologically similar to S. aenescens , but differs as S. thorpei has pale brown legs and relatively straight posterior adbominal segments, meaning the species does not have a scorpion-like appearance. [2]
The species is endemic to New Zealand, found on both the North Island and the northern South Island. [3]