Milan Chvála Livres

The Hilarini tribe of the Empididae family is found worldwide, but the genus Hilara Meigen primarily inhabits the Holarctic region. Known for its uniform appearance, Hilara is one of the most challenging genera within Empididae, as it lacks distinctive morphological features. The genus exhibits remarkable epigamic behavior, with both males and females swarming and mating in aerial aggregations. Males present prey, often wrapped in silk from their foreleg glands, as a "wedding present." Mating typically occurs near water bodies, where species-specific behaviors foster ethological and genetic isolation, leading to speciation among morphologically similar populations. Approximately 250 Hilara species have been described in the Palaeartic region, with around 200 found in Europe, the most studied area. However, many European species remain unidentified. The northern European fauna was thoroughly examined in 2005, revealing 90 recognized species. This monograph focuses on the Mediterranean region, from the Canary Islands to the eastern Mediterranean shore, documenting 82 Hilara species, which differ significantly from those in colder regions. Notably, 31 species are newly described, categorized into 13 natural groups typical of the western Palaearctic fauna.

Father Gabriel Strobl (1846-1925), a renowned dipterist, dedicated much of his life as a priest and professor of natural science at the Benedictine monastery in Admont, Austria. Between 1880 and 1910, he published around 50 papers primarily focused on Alpine and southern European (especially Spanish) Diptera. Strobl established a notable Natural History Museum in the monastery, amassing a significant collection of over 50,000 Diptera specimens. He described 902 new species-group names, which are thoroughly revised and discussed in this monograph. The publication details the type specimens in the Strobl Diptera Collection, including their type-status, designations, and identifications. It also provides information on the whereabouts of type specimens not found in Admont. Adhering to EU and ICZN guidelines, it emphasizes the importance of documenting the locations of all animal types. This work follows earlier revisions of Diptera type material by other scholars. Additionally, the introduction highlights the historical significance of the Benedictine monastery in natural history studies from the Middle Ages to today, alongside a brief biography of Strobl and his contributions to dipterology and science.