Description and immature stages of Hirtodrosophila batracida sp. n. (Diptera: Drosophilidae), a predator of frog embryos

The unique biology of a drosophilid whose larvae are predators of the Central American glass frog, Centrolenella fleischmanni (Boettger), was presented in detail by Villa. Here, the correct assignment of the species is made to the genus Hirtodrosophila Duda (previously identified as a species of Zygothrica Wiedemann), the species is described, and fine morphological features of the larvae are described. The species is described from specimens from Nicaragua, although there are other unconfirmed records from throughout Central America. Relationships of H. batracida, n.sp. with several other species in the genus are briefly discussed. Hirtodrosophila are only known to be mycophagous; the only conceivable host shift was from fungi to frog's eggs.