Eristalis cryptarum

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Eristalis cryptarum
Eristalis cryptarum 75095963.jpg
Scientific classification
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E. cryptarum
Binomial name
Eristalis cryptarum
(Fabricius, 1794)
Synonyms
  • Eristalis nubilipennis Curtis, 1832
  • Syrphus cryptarum Fabricius, 1794
  • Eristalis compactus [1]

Eristalis cryptarum is a holarctic species of hoverfly. [1] [2] [3] Known as the bog hoverfly or bog-dwelling drone fly, it is a bog specialist but may occur in other wetlands. [1] Its larvae are assumed to live in peat that is saturated with water, such as that found in these boggy areas. [4] [5] The female has been observed depositing eggs on and close to very fresh cow dung along oligotrophic seepages in moorland.

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.

E. cryptarum has a wide distribution across central and Northern Europe and East to Siberia and Mongolia. [6] [7] In England, it was once found in all southwestern counties as far east as the New Forest, but since the middle of the 20th century its range has contracted, for unknown reasons, and it is only now found at a few sites on Dartmoor, Devon. In Denmark it is considered critically endangered, possibly extinct. [5]

Description

Britishentomologyvolume8Plate432.jpg

For terms see Morphology of Diptera.

Length

9–13 mm (0.4–0.5 in)

Head

The front or frons in female is yellow pilose below, on the sides lightly pollinose above, clothed with black pile. The pile yellowish on front and vertex and black about the ocelli, sometimes black on the front likewise. The face has a black ground color that is lightly covered with whitish pollen and pile on the sides. The black facial stripe is wide on a pronounced tubercle. The cheeks (gena) are shining black. The face is rather produced below. The third joint of the antennae (flagellum) is unusually large and bright reddish-orange. The arista is bare. The eyes are wholly lightly pilose. The occiput is black above and white below.

Thorax

The scutum is dark shining brown with reddish pile on the sides. The scutellum is reddish with black pile, along the border the pile is reddish. The pleurae are mostly black pilose.

Abdomen

Second segment of the abdomen on the sides with roughly triangular reddish-orange, or brownish red that extending across between, a shining fascia, not interrupted in the middle, the black elsewhere deep opaque. The hind border is yellow. The pile on spots of second segment is bright golden red. The third segment and also the fourth are wholly shining black except for their yellow hind border. The posterior part of the third segment, however, is less distinctly so, more subopaque. The hypopygium, or fifth segment is wholly shining black with long white pile.

Wings

Wings hyaline with black veins. The anterior part as far as the cross-vein, and reaching a little into the base of the second basal cell is tinted brown. The wings also have a brownish band on the anterior basal portion. Diagnostic veination: Spurious vein (sv) present, R4+5 looping into cell r4+5, r2+3. closed cell anterior cross- vein (r-m) near the middle of discal cell (dm) is oblique.

Legs

The legs are reddish with black pile.
The basal part of femora black and the last three joints of tarsi are black. The hind femora are black and not thickened. The tibia are orange with yellow basally. [8] [9] [10] [11] The male genitalia are figured by Hippa et al. (2001) [12] The larva is undescribed.



Related Research Articles

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

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<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 anthophorina</i> Species of fly

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

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

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<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

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<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 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.

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>Eristalis hirta</i> Species of fly

Eristalis hirta, the black-footed drone fly, is a common Western North American species of syrphid fly, first officially described by Loew in 1866. Hoverflies get their names from the ability to remain nearly motionless while in flight. The adults are also known as flower flies as they are commonly found on and around flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed type.

'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.

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

Eristalis brousii, also called the hourglass drone fly or flower fly, is a species of syrphid fly largely eliminated in most of its former range except in northern Canada. It was first officially described by Williston in 1882. The cognomen "flower fly" derives from the fact that the flies are commonly found on and surrounding flowers from which they source energy-restoring nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are aquatic filter-feeders of the rat-tailed sort.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Skevington, Jeffrey H.; Locke, Michelle M.; Young, Andrew D.; Moran, Kevin; Crins, William J.; Marshall, Stephen A. (2019). Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN   9780691189406.
  2. Van Veen, M.P. (2004). Hoverflies of Northwest Europe, Identification Keys to the Syrphidae (Hardback). Utrecht: KNNV Publishing. p. 254. ISBN   90-5011-199-8.
  3. Stubbs, Alan E.; Falk, Steven J. (1983). British Hoverflies: An Illustrated Identification Guide. British Entomological & Natural History Society. p. 253, xvpp.
  4. Speight, M.C.D. (2011). "Species accounts of European Syrphidae (Diptera)" (PDF). Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae. 65: 285pp.
  5. 1 2 "Action plan for Eristalis cryptarum". UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Archived from the original on 2009-07-13. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  6. Fauna Europaea
  7. Peck, L.V. (1988) Syrphidae. In: Soos, A. & Papp, L. (eds.) Catalogue of Palaearctic Diptera, 8: 11-230. Akad.Kiado, Budapest.
  8. Van Veen, M. (2004) Hoverflies of Northwest Europe: identification keys to the Syrphidae. 256pp. KNNV Publishing, Utrecht.addendum
  9. Van der Goot,V.S. (1981) De zweefvliegen van Noordwest - Europa en Europees Rusland, in het bijzonder van de Benelux. KNNV, Uitgave no.32: 275pp. Amsterdam.
  10. Bei-Bienko, G.Y. & Steyskal, G.C. (1988) Keys to the Insects of the European Part of the USSR, Volume V: Diptera and Siphonaptera, Part I. Amerind Publishing Co., New Delhi. ISBN   81-205-0080-6.
  11. Coe, R.L. (1953) Diptera: Syrphidae. Handbks.ident.Br.insects, 10(1): 1-98. R.ent.Soc.London. pdf
  12. Hippa, H., Nielsen, T.R. & van Steenis, J. (2001) The west Palaearctic species of the genus EristalisLatreille (Diptera, Surphidae). Norw.J.Entomol., 48: 289-327.