Blera robusta

Last updated

Blera robusta
Blera robusta.jpg
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. robusta
Binomial name
Blera robusta
(Curran, 1922) [1]
Synonyms

Blera robusta, the greenish wood fly, is a rare species of syrphid fly first officially described by Curran in 1922. [1] 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. [2] [3]

Contents

Distribution

This is a Nearctic species located in the Northwestern United States and in Southwestern Canada. External map

Description

For terms see Morphology of Diptera.

Size

11 mm (0.43 in).

The front is shining black with black pile. The sides are somewhat narrowed above. The face is mostly glossy brownish black but with an area of yellow immediately below the antennae and at the sides. The gena is black with yellow pile. The face is thinly covered with silvery pollen. The side margins of the face covered sparsely with whitish pile. In profile the sub-keel-shaped face is slightly produced below the middle, indicating a long brown and black pilose tubercle. The pile under the eyes is yellowish. The antennae are black with a reddish brown circular flagellum. The arista is black. The frontal prominence is narrowly reddish apically. The pile, on the lower half of the occiput is brown on the lower half and black on the upper half, with areas of grayish white pollen.

Thorax

The dorsum of the thorax (scutum) is shining blue-black and thickly clothed with long, pale yellow pile. The scutellum is shining black and covered with moderately long pale yellow pile. The pleurae margined with reddish except below. The sides are bare except on the meso and sternopleura that are covered with long yellow pile.

Abdomen

The abdomen is black pilose except the immediate basal corners which bear yellow pile and wholly shining black, with a strong purplish reflection, The first two ventral segments are yellow apically at the sides.

Wing

The wings are moderately brownish, less so outwardly, with conspicuously yellow bases. The stigma is faintly brownish. The calypters and fringe are whitish yellow. The halteres (#9) are yellow. The vein R4+5 is almost straight 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 blackish covered in short black pile, somewhat longer on the femora. The femora are tipped with yellow. The bases and ends of the tibiae are yellow as are the first three joints of the anterior four and second and third of the hind tarsi .

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.

Blera nigra , the golden-haired wood fly, is a fairly common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Williston in 1887 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>Helophilus fasciatus</i> Species of insect

Helophilus fasciatus, the narrow-headed marsh fly, is an abundant species of syrphid fly observed throughout the United States and 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. The larvae of this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and farmyard manure or silage. The adults of this species lays eggs on vegetation overhanging the water. The larvae hatch and drop into the water.

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

Eristalis transversa, the transverse banded drone fly, is a common species of syrphid fly first officially described by Wiedemann in 1830. 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 rat-tailed type but larvae of this specific species has not been reported.

<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>Helophilus lapponicus</i> Species of fly

Helophilus lapponicus, the Yellow-margined Marsh Fly, is a common species of syrphid fly observed across northern North America, northern Europe, Greenland and Siberia. 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. Though common the larvae of this species are not known but the larvae of other species in this genus are associated with wet decaying organic material, particularly accumulations of decaying vegetation in ponds and mud and are a so called rat-tailed type.

<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.

<i>Arctosyrphus willingii</i> Species of fly

Arctosyrphus willingii, the northern longbeak, is a species of rat-tail maggot fly in the family Syrphidae. This species was formerly a member of the genus Lejops.

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.

<i>Sericomyia bifasciata</i> Species of fly


Sericomyia bifasciata, the Long-nosed Pond Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly. They have been observed from the northeastern part of 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. The larvae in the genus Sericomyia are known as the rat-tailed with a long breathing tube taylored for aquatic environments. The larvae for this species are unknown.

<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.

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>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>Brachyopa diversa</i> Species of fly

Brachyopa diversa , the pale-striped sapeater, is a rare species of syrphid fly. It has been observed in the northeastern part of 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.diversa larvae have not been described.

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 3 Curran, Charles Howard (1922). "New species of Canadian Syrphidae (Diptera). Pt. II". The Canadian Entomologist. 54: 14–19. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  2. ↑ Curran, Charles Howard (1953). "Notes and descriptions of some Mydaidae and Syrphidae" (PDF). American Museum Novitates. 1645: 1–15.
  3. ↑ Curran, Charles Howard (1925). ""Contribution to a monograph of the American Syrphidae north of Mexico"". The Kansas University Science Bulletin. 15: 7–216.

Images of Blera robusta


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.