Hilara nigrohirta Collin 1927

Hilara nigrohirta Collin (Figs 2B–D) Material examined. L5: 21 ♂. Distribution. Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom (Chvála 2005, 2011a). This is the first record of the species from Albania and the Balkan Peninsula. Identification. Hilara nigrohirta belongs to the Hilara cornicula Loew group (Chvála 2005) and is characterised by a dull grey occiput, acrostichal setae arranged in four rows, black halteres, frequently yellowish-tinged legs (especially on the femora and coxae), and vein Sc not reaching vein C. However, the latter character was noted by Chvála (2005) to be variable. Most Albanian specimens have subcosta not or only slightly abbreviated (Fig. 2D). The male genitalia were illustrated by Chvála (2005), and complete agreement was found between these illustrations and the Albanian specimens (several specimens were dissected to confirm the identification). Remarks. Hilara nigrohirta is a local species with a flight period generally confined to early autumn (Collin 1961; Chvála 2005). The latest record mentioned by Chvála (2005) was from 4 October in Central Europe; the flight period may be shifted later in the Balkan Peninsula due to warmer climatic conditions (specimens in the present study captured on 11 October). Due to its predominantly Central European distribution, Chvála (2008) did not even include the species in his monograph on Mediterranean Hilara.