Explanation of Names
Author of genus is Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. Origin of name obscure. Speculation: Rivelli were old (medieval?) Italian census records--the term means "declarations". Perhaps the reference is to the wing-markings, which resemble writing. (Based on Internet searches.)
Numbers
Nearctica.com, Arnett,
(1) and
Manual of Nearctic Diptera list 34 species, according to comments on an image.
(2) Identification
Small flies with strongly patterned wings. Found on foliage, feces. Wave wings.
These are often difficult to identify from photographs. To increase the chance of ID, we need a clear, crisp view of the dorsal thorax (to see whether certain setae are present or absent), clear view of the wing, and clear view of the legs (to see the color pattern).
Range
Includes Eastern North America.
R. quadrifasciata is common, found in eastern, central North America.
(1)Season
Summer. Listed June-September in Minnesota, North Carolina (the latter for R. quadrifasciata).
Food
Adults seen feeding on feces in Durham, North Carolina. (pers. obs., P. Coin)
Life Cycle
According to
this page referring to
Rivellia quadrifasciata: "This species lays its eggs on leguminous plants, and the larvae bore into nitrogen-fixing nodules on the plant roots."
Print References
Arnett, p. 891--brief description
(1)
Borror and White, p. 289--illustration of wing
(3)
Brimley, p. 381, lists nine species for North Carolina.
(4)Internet References
Insects of Cedar Creek pinned adult images of undetermined
Rivellia species from Minnesota
Cleveland Museum of Natural History pinned adult image of
R. quadrifasciata from North Carolina
Contributed by
Cotinis on 25 May, 2005 - 12:23pm
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeod,
BbarndLast updated 16 December, 2011 - 3:22am
