The oldest bee fly in the French Paleocene (Diptera: Bombyliidae)

Paleolonzatia menatensis gen. and sp. n., oldest Bombyliidae sensu stricto, is described from the Paleocene of Menat (France). The new genus, based on the wing venation, is attributed to the rather 'derived' subfamily Lomatiinae, strongly supporting a Late Cretaceous age for the diversification of the pollinator bee flies, in relation with the floristic changes and the angiosperm radiation that occurred at the same time. To cite this article: A. Nel, C. R. Palevol 7 (2008). (C) 2008 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.