Genus Holcocephala

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Print References · Works Cited

Robber Fly, Holcocephala sp. - Holcocephala calva

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Orthorrhapha" (Brachycera excluding Aschiza and Schizophora))

Superfamily Asiloidea

Family Asilidae (Robber Flies)

Subfamily Trigonomiminae

Genus Holcocephala

Explanation of Names

Author of genus is Say, 1823.

From Greek holco a furrow, trail (1) plus Greek cephala head.

Numbers

Three species in the US. fusca, calva and abdominalis.

Size

These are small robbers, all less than 10mm.

Identification

The very widely spaced eyes almost eliminates all other genera in the US.

Range

All three species are eastern and this includes most of the eastern states.

Habitat

Grassy open areas near woods.

Season

Mid to late summer.

Food

Gnats and small flying prey.

Print References

Borror, entry for holc (1)

Works Cited

1.	Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms By Donald J. Borror

Contributed by Ethan Friedman on 25 July, 2005 - 7:01am
Additional contributions by cotinis, hraney, Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 11 June, 2008 - 6:45am

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