| Atherix ibis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Athericidae |
| Subfamily: | Athericinae |
| Genus: | Atherix |
| Species: | A. ibis |
| Binomial name | |
| Atherix ibis | |
| Synonyms | |
Atherix ibis, the yellow-legged water-snipefly, is a species of ibis flies belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to Rhagionidae (Snipe Flies). [4] [5]
This species is present in most of Europe and in the Palearctic realm up to Japan. [6] [7] These flies inhabit rivers with a clean and gentle to fast-flowing current.
Atherix ibis can reach a length of 9–11 millimetres (0.35–0.43 in). These flies have a broad-built and slightly hairy body. The thorax is black and has two gray, narrow longitudinal stripes and a gray lateral band. In the male the abdomen is orange-brown with black markings, The female has a black abdomen with gray margins. The wings are large and strongly patterned, with dark brown veins. The legs are slim and yellow-brown colored. At the head there are the short, thick proboscis as well as the green compound eyes. Females of this species are very similar to Atherix marginata , but the latter has entirely black legs. [8]
The larvae of these flies are greenish-brown and reach a length of up to 20 millimeters. They have seven pairs of abdominal prolegs on the last segment.
Adults can be found from May to July. Oviposition begins in early June. The females, after mating, aggregate in large clumps and lay egg masses on tree branches overhanging rivers or under bridges over flowing waters. After a female has started laying eggs, the others follow soon. In such a way the first stage larvae will fall into the water, where they will start their life cycle. [8] [9]
After oviposition, the females die, causing lumps of thousands of dead flies and their eggs. The larvae are predators. In fact a few days after oviposition, the larvae hatch and at first feed on the dead parents. Later, they fall into the water and feed on carrion, detritus and small invertebrates such as stoneflies, mayflies and caddisflies. They usually kill their preys with a venomous bite. The larvae occur mainly in clean, moderate to fast-flowing waters with stony or gravelly ground. Whether the adult flies are predators, feed on nectar or whether they are bloodsucking, it is not completely clear. [8] [9]
Tabanus bromius, sometimes called the band-eyed brown horsefly, is a species of biting horseflies.
Athericidae is a small family of flies known as water snipe flies or ibis flies. They used to be placed in the family Rhagionidae, but were removed by Stuckenberg in 1973. They are now known to be more closely related to Tabanidae. Species of Athericidae are found worldwide.
Atherix marginata, the black-legged water-snipefly, is a species of ibis flies belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to the Rhagionidae.
Chrysopilus asiliformis, the 'little snipefly', is a species of 'snipe flies'.
Chloromyia formosa is a species of soldier flies belonging to the family Stratiomyidae. Another name for it is Broad centurion.
Haematopota pluvialis, the common horse fly or notch-horned cleg fly, or simply cleg in Scotland and northern parts of Ireland, is a species belonging to the family Tabanidae subfamily Tabaninae.
Stratiomys singularia, the flecked general, is a Palearcticspecies of soldier fly.
Sargus bipunctatus, the twin-spot centurion, is a European species of soldier fly.
Pachygaster atra, the dark-winged black, is a European species of soldier fly.
Beris chalybata, the murky-legged black legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.
Beris clavipes, the scarce orange legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.
Chrysops caecutiens, common name splayed deer fly, is a species of horse fly belonging to the family Tabanidae. It is also known by the colloquial name Scotch Cleg.
Hybomitra montana, the slender-horned horsefly, is a species of horse flies in the family Tabanidae.
Atherix is a genus of 'ibis flies' belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to the Rhagionidae. Species within this genus are present in most of Europe and also in the Nearctic realm.
Anthrax anthrax is a species of fly in the family Bombyliidae. Unlike, for example, Bombylius major, this species does not mimic a bee. The eggs are flicked by the adult female toward the entrance of the nests of mason bees. After hatching, the larvae find their way into the nests to feed on the bee larva. A. can be found in May to August throughout mainland Europe. In the Netherlands A. anthrax is a common visitor of insect hotels. It was first recorded as breeding in Britain in 2019.
Villa modesta is a species of fly in the family Bombyliidae. The larvae may feed on larvae of Lepidoptera.
Xylophagus ater is a species of awl fly belonging to the family Xylophagidae found in Central Europe and North Europe.
Atylotus fulvus is a species of 'horse flies' belonging to the family Tabanidae.
Dioctria hyalipennis is a Holarctic species of robber fly in the family Asilidae.
Villa cingulata is a Palearctic species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae.
Data related to Atherix ibis at Wikispecies
Media related to Atherix ibis at Wikimedia Commons