Coremacera halensis Loew 1847

Coremacera halensis Loew, 1847 Fig. 10 Material: France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Greolieres [43.795 ° N, 6.943 ° E], 24.08.1979, Heitmans, 1♂ (ZMUM). Discussion. Both Rozkosny (1987: 45–47) and Vala (1989: 147–154) characterized C. halensis as species similar to C. fabricii. According to the authors these species differ as follows: — Anterior wing margin mainly dark brown, at most with 3–5 small pale spots. Mesonotum densely grey dusted; with large and distinct dark spots around bases of setulae (as in C. marginata) and with some larger brown spots in addition. Postpedicel of equilateral triangle shape, shorter. Femora bicolour, with dark bases........... halensis Loew. — Anterior wing margin mainly pale, with more numerous pale spots. Mesonotum thinly dusted, brownish; with small dark spots around bases of setulae and with larger brown spots absent or indistinct. Postpedicel of trapezoid shape, elongated. Femora unicolour..... fabricii Rozkosny. I have a single male from France which entirely fits C. halensis criteria (Fig. 10). All 20 specimens from Central European Russia listed here entirely fit C. fabricii criteria. This is an argument for the validity of C. halensis. However, there are serious arguments against it as well. (1) Genitalia of the male identified as C. halensis was examined and found the same as in C. fabricii. (2) To fill the lack of Western European material I examined images of C. fabricii at https://diptera.info/ photogallery.php site. I found interesting images from Germany, Wernigerode [51.8 ° N, 10.8 ° E], 8.05.2009 (Figs 11, 12). Both specimens were photographed at the same place and time, they look as typical C. fabricii except for the wing pattern. A female has the wings of C. halensis, while male has those of C. fabricii. Thus, the wing pattern can’t be used as reliable diagnostic character. Comparing this case with C. m. pontica, I believe that most probably there are two subspecies: C. halensis halensis in the very west of Europe and C. halensis fabricii in the rest of the territory, with a contact zone in Germany. More European material is required for final conclusion.