Request for information on the Delhi sands flower-loving fly

[Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.]

A staff member of the Office of Endangered species reqiested that I
forward the following message to TAXACOM.

Joseph H. Kirkbride, Jr.
USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory
Room 304, Building 011A, BARC-West
Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350 USA
Voice telephone: 301-504-9447
FAX: 301-504-5810
Internet: jkirkbri at asrr.arsusda.gov
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     The Department of Justice is defending a suit challenging the
     protection of the Delhi sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas
     terminatus abdominalis) under the Endangered Species Act.  The
     challenge is based on the commerce clause of the U.S. constitution.
     I.e. the Federal government cannot become involved with the species
     unless it moves in interstate commerce.  They have discovered at least
     one catalog offering specimens for sale, but would also like evidence
     of its presence in museum collections outside California (where it is
     native).  I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone connected
     with an entomological collection containing specimens of this
     subspecies.  Incidentally, the nominate (and only other) subspecies is
     believed to be extinct.

     John Fay
     Division of Endangered Species
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
     452 ARLSQ
     Washington, D.C. 20240
     John_Fay at mail.fws.gov
++++End of File