Microcerella muehni (Blanchard, 1939)

(Fig. 5)

Scopaediscus muehni Blanchard, 1939: 802 (as mühni).

Distribution: Neotropical – Argentina (Buenos Aires, Chaco).

Material studied: Buenos Aires: 1 ɗ La Plata, La Plata, II.1988, Schnack leg. (ANLIS); 1 ɗ Tandil, Tandil, V.1998 Ojanguren leg. (ANLIS); 2 ɗ El Carretero, Magdalena, V–IX.1999 (FAUBA); 15 ɗ, 5 Ψ Campana, Basural Tapado, XI.1998 Mariluis leg. (ANLIS); 24 ɗ, 11 Ψ Campana, Campana, III–IV.2003, Mariluis leg. (ANLIS); 1 ɗ, 1 Ψ Ciud. Aut. Buenos Aires, II.1997 on rotten meat, Oliva leg. (MACN); 1 Ψ Ciud. Aut. Buenos Aires, IV.1997, Oliva leg. (MACN); 12 ɗ, 1 Ψ Santa Clara del Mar, Mar Chiquita, XI.2007 Mulieri leg. (ANLIS).

Remarks: Good illustrations of male and female terminalia were provided by Blanchard (1939) and Lopes (1982).

Biology: Originally, the specimens of the type series of M. muehni were obtained from Oiketicus kirbyi (Guilding) ( Lepidoptera, Psychidae) (Blanchard 1939). Additional material was obtained from Alabama argillacea (Hübner) ( Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) (Blanchard & De Santis 1975). Nevertheless, the species was later considered as non-specific saprophagous (Oliva 1997). In Buenos Aires, M. muehni exhibited higher abundance during the winter, and was captured both with rotten cow liver and dog faeces (Mulieri et al. 2008).