Acquiring Data: Targets, Problems and Solutions

A priority for improving knowledge of the Cyclorrhapha is discovering poorly known and unknown larvae and extracting from them basic data. Basic data include those obtained from diagnosing morphology, finding taxonomic affinities and distinctions, specifying development sites and feeding modes, providing instructions for finding larvae in the field, i.e. fieldcraft, and giving collection locations of preserved larvae and reared adults. These data provide a foundation informing other subjects and more detailed assessments. Difficulties involved in developing fieldcraft, rearing and preserving larvae, extracting character data and making feeding tests to determine feeding mode are discussed. The information value of combining analyses of morphology with those of movement via observations and digital filming and correlating the results to development site variables as a means of investigating larval ecomorphology is considered. The complications of inherent and convergent similarity are also evaluated.