Media release

From: Queensland Museum

The effort of several Queensland Museum entomologists has led to the description of a new-to-science species of stiletto fly found in southern Queensland.

Known as stiletto flies, due to the resemblance of their abdomen to the shoe heel, the research described a new-to-science species, Notoxestomyza wongaensis (Lambkin), and also a new genus – Notoxestomyza (Winterton & Lambkin).

With distinctive orange crescent bands and massive antennae, Notoxestomyza wongaensis is a beautiful fly that was scientifically named in honour of Wonga Hills Station near Chinchilla where the species was first noted by scientists.

Dr Christine Lambkin, the Queensland Museum Honorary Research Fellow who described the new species, said the research reflects ongoing advancements in the study of insects in Australia and Indo-Pacific.

“This latest research clarifies the complex taxonomy of stiletto flies and highlights the rich diversity of this family in the Australasian region,” Dr Lambkin said.

“The new genera and species described offer exciting new avenues for research and understanding of this unique group of flies.

“The identification of Notoxestomyza wongaensis adds a valuable new dimension to our understanding of stiletto fly diversity.”

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said 31 of the 34 known specimens of the new species were collected at Wonga Hills by Queensland Museum entomologists Dr Geoff Monteith and Susan Wright in 2001.

“The entomology collection at Queensland Museum holds hundreds of thousands of insect species, many of which are still undescribed by science,” Dr Thompson said.

“Scientists and researchers use our collections to conduct vital research in the taxonomy of Australia’s fauna.

“Taxonomy is fundamental to understanding the diversity and complexity of life on earth and building the framework necessary for studying ecosystems, evolutionary relationships and environmental changes.

“Museum collections are a vital part of the national research infrastructure, serving as comprehensive archives of biological specimens that document species history, variation and distributions over time.

“I applaud Dr Lambkin for her valuable contribution the taxonomic record of our state.”

The paper Winterton SL & Lambkin CL (2024). Review of the stiletto flies of the Taenogera genus group (Therevidae: Agapophytinae) was recently published in the Australian Journal of Taxonomy 69: 1–62. doi: https://doi.org/10.54102/ajt.qna79