Zophomyia temula is a species of fly in the family Tachinidae.[5][6][7]
| Zophomyia temula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Zophomyia temula | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Tachinidae |
| Subfamily: | Tachininae |
| Tribe: | Ernestiini |
| Genus: | Zophomyia |
| Species: | Z. temula |
| Binomial name | |
| Zophomyia temula | |
| Synonyms | |
Distribution
editThis rather common species has a European distribution,[8] and includes Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan and South Siberia.[9]
Habitat
editThese flies preferably inhabit meadows, woodland, hedge rows and moist environments, and can often be found in the grass and on low-hanging leaves.[10]
Description
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Zophomyia temula can reach a body length of approximately 8–10.5 millimetres (0.31–0.41 in),[11][10] with a wingspan of 15–17 mm.[11]
These flies are shiny and black, present on most of the body. This includes the thorax, abdomen, and setulae. This feature is unique in the family Tachinidae. The eyes are moderately sized and dark red in color.[9] The body is quite slim and slightly elongated, as well as sparsely haired. The legs, like the body, are slender and long, covered in thick, dense hair.[10] The wings are hyaline, with a warm yellow-orange base.
This species is rather similar to Mesembrina meridiana, belonging to the Muscidae family, characterized by a larger size and by the typical round shape of the true fly.
Biology
editAdults can be found from April to August, feeding on nectar and pollen of flowers, especially of Heracleum sphondylium.[11] Larvae are parasitoids, living inside the host before emerging, feeding on the deceased body post-eclosion.
References
edit- 1 2 Scopoli, I.A. (1763). Entomologia carniolica exhibens insecta carnioliae indigena et distributa in ordines, genera, species, varietates. Methodo Linnæana. Vindobonae [= Vienna]: Trattner. pp. [30] + 420 pp. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ↑ Linnaeus, C. (1767). Systema naturae ... Ed. 12 (revised.) Vol. 1 (2). Holmiae [= Stockholm]: L.Salvii. pp. 533-1327 + [37] pp.
- ↑ Harris, M. (1780). An exposition of English insects. Vol. Decads III, IV. London: Robson Co. pp. 73–99, 100–138, pls. 21-30, 31–40. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ↑ Walker, F. (1849). List of the specimens of dipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part IV. London: British Museum. pp. [3] + 689–1172 + [2]. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- ↑ Chandler, Peter J. (1998). Checklists of Insects of the British Isles (New Series) Part 1: Diptera. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. 12. London: Royal Entomological Society of London. pp. 1–234. ISBN 0-901546-82-8.
- ↑ Belshaw, Robert (1993). "Tachinid Flies Diptera Tachinidae". Royal Entomological Society Handbooks. 10 (4ai). Royal Entomological Society of London: 170.
- ↑ van Emden, F.I. (1954). "Ditera Cyclorrhapha Calyptrata (I) Section (a) Tachinidae & Calliphoridae". Royal Entomological Society Handbooks. 10 (4a). Royal Entomological Society of London: 133.
- ↑ Fauna Europaea
- 1 2 Farnaz Seyyedi SAHEBARI, Samad KHAGHANINIA and Joachim ZIEGLER A contribution to the knowledge of the tachinid flies of the subfamily Tachininae (Diptera, Tachinidae) in northwestern Iran
- 1 2 3 Danmarks Fugle og Natur (in Danish)
- 1 2 3 James K. Lindsey The Ecology of Commanster
External links
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- Tachinid Recording Scheme Archived 2018-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
- Natura Mediterraneo