Blera nigra

Last updated

Blera nigra
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Eristalinae
Tribe: Milesiini
Genus: Blera
Species:
B. nigra
Binomial name
Blera nigra
(Williston, 1887) [1]
Synonyms

Blera nigra , the golden-haired wood fly, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston in 1887 [2] Hoverflies get their name from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

Contents

Distribution

This is a Nearctic species distributed in Northern North America including Alaska, and across Canada External map

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera. External images of Blera nigra

Head

The frontal triangle (male) is shining black, the sides with silvery pollen. The vertical triangle black, scarcely shining, with cinereous (ashy grey) or yellowish pile. Female front broadly dusted across the middle and moderately narrowed above. The face of the female is reddish yellow with a shining black gena. The face of the male has a black-brownish base color that is obscured by silvery pollen covering the face except for a bare shining black median stripe vitta which expands under the antennal base. Sometimes there is a luteous spot on the cheeks immediately beneath the eyes. In profile the face is slightly receding from the antennal base to the oral margin. The sides of the face along the margins of the eyes is covered with short, sparse, white silvery pile. There is similar pile on the cheeks. On the face in the female a yellow triangle occupies the middle portion. The antennae are reddish yellow in the female. In the male the antennae are glossy brownish black. The flagellum is thinly pollinose and with a short oval shape. The eyes of male touching for a short distance Holoptic.

Thorax

The dorsum of thorax (scutum) and the postpronotum are greenish black. The scutum has four duller olivaceous stripes (vittae) . The dull orange pile is short.. In the female the dorsum of thorax is black, shining, with a bronze reflection and the pile is also short and thinner yellow. The scutellum is black. The pleurae are similar to the scutum.

Abdomen

The abdomen wholly shining black, nearly bare and at times with a greenish tinge. The pile on the sides especially in the basal angles are abundant, long and light yellow. The hind margins of the fourth segment obscurely. The apex of the fourth segment and the hypopygium are luteous.

Wings

The wings are ashy gray hyaline grading to yellow basally. The squamae Calypters are bright yellowish, with a yellow fringe. The halteres (#9) are yellow. The vein R4+5 is almost straight, orange at the base, and joins the costa just before the tip of the wing. The first posterior cell r4+5 is acute apically and extends almost to the wing margin before the tip.

Legs

The legs are extensively black. The joints, the tip of tibiae and of tarsal joints are luteous. In the female, joints are a little more extensively yellowish and the pile a little longer and brighter. [3] [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Brachyopa flavescens</i> Species of fly

Brachyopa flavescens, The Yellow Sapeater, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly. It has been observed in northeastern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. B.flavescens larvae have not been described.

<i>Meromacrus acutus</i> Species of fly

Meromacrus acutus, the Carolinian Elegant, is a species of syrphid fly in the family Syrphidae. This uncommon species is distributed in the Eastern United States and South America. Notable for the black and yellow pattern mimicking wasps. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type. They are found in rot holes of trees.

<i>Blera badia</i> Species of fly

Blera badia, the Common Wood Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Walker in 1849. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies, for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Blera umbratilis</i> Species of fly

Blera umbratilis, the Hairy Wood Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston in 1887. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

Blera armillata, the orange-faced wood fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Osten Sacken in 1875. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

Hadromyia aepalius, the Sterling Quicksilver, is a rare species of syrphid fly found in eastern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen.

<i>Palpada agrorum</i> Species of fly

Palpada agrorum, the Double-banded Plushback, is a common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Fabricius in 1787. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter feeders of the rat-tailed type.

<i>Blera pictipes</i> Species of fly

Blera pictipes, the Painted Wood Fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Bigot in 1883. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Brachyopa daeckei</i> Species of fly

Brachyopa daeckei, the black-tailed sapeater, is a rare species of syrphid fly that has been observed in northeastern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. B.daeckei larvae have not been described.

Blera flukei, the Red-cheeked Wood Fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Curran, 1953 as Cynorhina flukei. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Blera confusa</i> Species of fly

'Blera confusa , the confusing Wood Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Johnson, 1913 Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Blera robusta</i> Species of fly

Blera robusta, the Greenish Wood Fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Curran in 1922. Hoverflies get this name from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies, for they are commonly found around and on the flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Blera humeralis</i> Species of fly

Blera humeralis, the yellow-legged wood fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly officially described by Samuel Wendell Williston in 1882. Hoverflies are so-named for the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are known as flower flies, as they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

Blera analis, the orange-tailed wood fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly. It was officially described by Macquart, 1842. Hoverflies get their names from their ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Palpada albifrons</i> Species of fly

Palpada albifrons , the White-faced Plushback , is a rare species of syrphid fly observed in from Mexico north-eastward along the coastal areas of the United States. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies, for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic.

<i>Blera scitula</i> Species of fly

Blera scitula, the western wood fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston in 1882. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies, for they are commonly found around and on the flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae of Blera are of the rat-tailed type, feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

'Blera metcalfi , Metcalf's wood fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Curran in 1925 Hoverflies get their name from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein rich pollen. The larvae are of the rat-tailed type feeding on exuding sap or in the rot holes of trees.

<i>Brachyopa cinereovittata</i> Species of fly

Brachyopa cinereovittata, the Grey-striped Sapeater, is a rare species of syrphid fly. It has been observed in northwestern North America. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found around and on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae for this genus are of the rat-tailed type. B.cinereovittata larvae have not been described.

<i>Eristalis brousii</i> Species of fly

Eristalis brousii is a fly species in the Syrphidae family. Aside from northern Canada, the species has been largely eradicated throughout North America. American paleontologist and taxonomist Samuel Wendell Williston published the first official description of it in 1882. Eristalis brousii are hoverflies known for their behavior of hovering near flowers, where they collect nectar and pollen. The larvae are rat-tailed aquatic filter-feeders.

Microdon ruficrus, the spiny-shield ant fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed in the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. Larvae have been found from the nests of Lasius americanus formerly Lasius alienus. GBIF external link to images

References

  1. 1 2 Williston, S. W. (1887). "Synopsis of the North American Syrphidae". Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 31: xxx + 335. Retrieved 1 July 2015.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ↑ Skevington, Jeffrey H (2019). Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America. ISBN   9780691189406.
  3. ↑ Curran, Charles Howard (1925). ""Contribution to a monograph of the American Syrphidae north of Mexico"". The Kansas University Science Bulletin. 15: 7–216.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. ↑ Williston, Samuel Wendell (1882). "Contribution to a monograph of the North American Syrphidae". Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 20 (112): 299–332. Retrieved 23 July 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.