Asilidae
Leptopteromyia mexicanae Martin, 1971 New Island Record. This small leptogastrine asilid that mimics wasps was originally reported from Maui (Howarth et al. 2012: 166) from a 2011 collection, but efforts to re-collect it from the island after the original record proved fruitless (M.T. Fukada, pers. comm. Jun 2013). recent collecting on O‘ahu, however, show that it has made it to this island. Given its small size, it may have been overlooked in general collecting and may be present on other islands as well. It is a predator on small soft-bodied invertebrates such as plant and leafhoppers and inhabits tall grassy areas where it perches on grass blades awaiting prey to ambush.
The Atherton Family Foundation, the Dana Anne Yee Foundation, and the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Parks and Recreation are thanked for providing funding to support the collecting efforts of WDP and DAY . The following individuals are thanked for providing permission to collect on lands under their auspices: Gary Daneau, Hawaii Polo Club for providing access to Makaleha Stream; Chad Higaki, Superintendent of the Ted Makalena Golf Course for providing access to Ted Makalena Golf Course; Cynthia King and Ryan Peralta, State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural resources, for providing access to State lands on O‘ahu; Michele Nakota and Stan Oka, City and County of Honolulu, Department of Parks and recreation for providing access to Foster Botanical Garden.
