Monograph of the genus Hilara Meigen (Diptera: Empididae) of the Mediterranean region

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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.