Taxonomic survey reveals the presence of Cephalispa acerca in Korea with female description and predatory behavior, indicating expanded geographic range and ecological niche.
The genus Cephalispa Malloch, 1935 (Diptera, Muscidae, Coenosiinae) includes 32 species worldwide and is mainly distributed in the Oriental and Afrotropical Regions, with few records from the Palaearctic Region. The genus remains poorly known and has not previously been recorded from Korea. Cephalispa acerca (Xue, Wang & Ni., 1990) is recorded from Korea for the first time, representing the first national record of the genus and the easternmost record of the species. The male is re-described and the female is described for the first time. An identification key to the males of East Asian species is provided. Predatory behaviour was repeatedly observed under natural conditions, with individuals capturing small insects using an ambush strategy on herbaceous leaves. This represents the first ecological information for the genus. These findings improve the understanding of the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of Cephalispa in East Asia.
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