New Records of bristle flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Morocco: Expanding the Geographic Distribution of the family

Tachinidae is a diverse family of calyptrate Diptera with a high evolutionary rate and a rapid diversification. More than 8500 species worldwide are grouped into 1501 genera, and in the Palaearctic Region, more than 2100 species have been recorded, grouped in 416 genera.

The Mediterranean Region is recognized as a unique biodiversity hotspot for Diptera, offering a wealth of discoveries in various taxonomic groups in this order. In the last decade, several studies have provided valuable insights into the taxonomy, distribution, and ecological roles of some Dipteran families in Morocco, culminating in the publication of a Catalogue of the Diptera of Morocco (Kettani et al. 2022). In this catalogue, 177 species of Tachinidae are recorded, but research on this family in Morocco remains rather limited compared to other families, and many more species are to be expected, especially noting that Spain has 514 recorded species.

Tachinidae are parasitoids of other insects. Their distribution is related to host preferences as well as to the habitats where the hosts occur on a regular basis and, presumably, in good numbers. A species of Tachinidae that has a wide host preference is more likely to be found in a variety of ecosystems.

A significant effort involving field trips at 163 surveyed sites (46 are home to Tachinidae) resulted in the collection of 309 adult specimens, whose identification revealed 67 species. Of these, 51 have already been recorded in Morocco, 16 species are newly discovered in the country and 11 species are new to North Africa. Seven genera (Microsoma Macquart, 1855; Triarthria Stephens, 1829; Macquartia R.-D., 1830; Nemoraea Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830; Trigonospila Pokorny, 1886; Prosopea Rondani, 1861; Elodia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1863) are cited for the first time in Morocco. These newly recorded species in Morocco belong to four subfamilies, 13 tribes, and 14 genera.