Genus Cyclotelus

The correct name for this genus is Cerocatus.

Cyclotelus Walker, 1850

Average length 6 to 9 mm.

All 4 species of Cerocatus (Cyclotelus) stiletto flies have long legs, 2 gray stripes (one each side of center) down the thorax, abdomen black with silvery gray on basal segments (1 female has red abdomen). All 4 have clear wings with faint gray crossband stripes or spots.

C. colei (male and female) thorax segment 2 (scutellum) is red. None on Bug Guide.

C. hardyi (male, female not described) have obvious projecting tufts of black hair on scutellum.

C. rufiventris (female) has a red abdomen (except segment 1). Underside also red.

C. pictipennis (female) has an odd-colored blackish blue-gray abdomen with a black tip.

C. rufiventris and C. pictipennis males are almost identical.

C. rufiventris (male) has 1st segment of hind foot yellow, C. pictipennis (male) feet are all dark.

A 5th species, C. bellus has wings gray with 2 white crossband stripes, exactly opposite of the other 4 Cerocatus (Cyclotelus) species. A single female specimen was found in 1911, and described by Cole in 1923. The male is unknown. Possibly a stray from central America. Specimen is in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Drexel University, Pennsylvania. #6279.

Sandy areas of forest edges, meadows, dunes.

generally the larvae of this genus have been found to feed on wireworms – click beetle larvae

Unknown.