Pegomya tabida

The Pegomya tabida species group

Males. Abdomen slender, depressed except for notably thickened caudal segments. Externally characterized by the large sternite V in which each posterior lobe consists of an obtuse outer expansion and a projecting inner lamella separated distally by a membranous incision. The slender cerci and surstyli and the slender and elongated postgonite and phallus are highly diagnostic, but require dissection.

Females. Mid and hind tarsi without the dense ventral clothing of sensilla seen in females of the Pegomya fulgens and P. f u r v a species groups. Interfrontal pair of setae often weakly developed or even absent. Oviscapt of same length as preabdomen or decidedly longer, always very slender distal to segment VII. Membranous parts smooth on segments VI and VII, but covered in fine scales on anterior half of segment VIII; hind marginal setae shortened on segment VII and reduced to tiny setulae on segment VIII, making them almost indiscernible from the sensilla generally present at hind margin of the paired sternite VIII. Tergite VIII roof-shaped and more or less angularly pointed at hind margin. Epiproct triangular, more or less acutely pointed, depending on shape of the cerci. Hypoproct more or less reduced, without usual cuticular pile and with only 2‒4 fine setae confined to apical margin. Cerci small, apically slightly projecting, obtuse to moderately pointed, and in a few species (P. notabilis, P. vittigera, P. incisiva) forming a cutting edge.