The larva of the Palaearctic Renocera pallida (Fallén, 1820) is confirmed as a predator of small species of bivalve molluscs of the family Sphaeriidae. To date only the larvae of three Nearctic Renocera species (and larvae of two other species of Sciomyzidae in two genera) are known to have the same food preference. The life cycle, biology, larval feeding and behaviour are described for the first time and compared with that of the Nearctic Renocera. The systematic position and biology of Renocera in general are discussed. Descriptions of the egg, second and third larval instars and the puparium of R. pallida are presented, the main features of the egg and larvae are illustrated by scanning electron micrographs.
The male of Tetanoptera leucodactyla Verbèke, a genus and species of Sciomyzidae known until now only from one female specimen from the Congo, is described, and the genus is more fully characterized. The external morphology is illustrated and the male genitalia are described and figured for the first time. The relationships of Tetanoptera to genera of the Sepedon group and certain other genera of Tetanocerini are discussed. Tetanoptera appears to be related to Verbekaria, and intermediate in an evolutionary lineage between the relatively primitive Tetanocera and the advanced Thecomyia., Lloyd V. Knutson, Jean-Claude Vala, and Lit