Catochini

Tribe Catochini Edwards

Edwards (1938) realized that Catochini are a tribe distinct from Catotrichini and Lestremiini. Jaschhof and Jaschhof (2009) integrated the genus Forbesomyia Malloch, which Pritchard (1960b) had placed in a tribe of its own, Forbesomyiini. Although poor in species, Catochini display an extraordinary variety of vein patterns, which previous taxonomists used, and sometimes overused, for the purpose of classification. The approach to introduce ever more new genera based on slight variations in venation proved increasingly problematic as more species became known. As part of a comprehensive study, Jaschhof (1998) recognized only four catochine genera, including a broadly conceived Catocha Haliday, the genus of particular concern here. While there is reason to rehabilitate Anocha Pritchard as a genus distinct from Catocha, Strobliella brachycornis Spungis & Jaschhof is newly combined with Catocha based on characters of the recently discovered male. Genera of Catochini recognized here are Anocha (Holarctic), Catarete Edwards (Palearctic), Catocha (Holarctic, Oriental), Forbesomyia (Nearctic), Neocatocha Felt (Holarctic), and Tritozyga Loew (Holarctic).