FAMILY SCATHOPHAGIDAE.

Area of Science:

• Entomology
• Biodiversity studies
• Insect taxonomy

Background:

• The family Scathophagidae (Diptera, Calyptratae) is globally uncommon.
• No previous scientific records of Scathophagidae existed for Colombia.
• High-altitude ecosystems are often under-surveyed for insect diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the presence of the Scathophagidae family in Colombia for the first time.
• To identify and report the genus Scatogera and the species Scatogera primogenita in Colombia.
• To expand the known geographic distribution of Scatogera primogenita.

Main Methods:

• Field collection of Diptera specimens at altitudes exceeding 3000m in Colombia.
• Morphological identification of collected specimens to the family, genus, and species level.
• Comparison of findings with existing entomological records from Ecuador and other regions.

Main Results:

• The first record of the Scathophagidae family in Colombia is established.
• The genus Scatogera is newly reported from Colombia.
• The species Scatogera primogenita, previously known only from Ecuador, is identified in Colombia.

Conclusions:

• The high-altitude regions of Colombia harbor previously undocumented insect diversity.
• The discovery of Scatogera primogenita in Colombia extends its known geographic range.
• Further research into Colombian high-altitude entomofauna is warranted to understand its biodiversity.