Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ceraturgus Wiedemann 1824
Explanation of Names
From Greek
cerat horn, Latin
turg swollen, plus suffix
-us (1). Refers to long antennae.
Numbers
There are about 13 species in the world and 10 in the eastern United States (Herschel Raney)
Identification
This genus is characterized by the very elongate antennal segments which add to the wasp mimicry. Several have banding on the abdomen as well and some are dark-winged. The other more widespread species from cruciatus has bright yellow legs.
Range
Eastern North America. Ranges are somewhat uncertain due to the rarity of specimens. Summary of ranges based on Herschel Raney's
Ceraturgus page:
C. aurulentus (Fabricius): Massachusetts south to South Carollina, west to Michigan
C. cornutus (Wiedemann): Georgia south to Florida, west to Alabama, Arkansas
C. cruciatus (Say): Midwest--Minnesota, Illinois, south to Oklahoma
C. fasciatus Walker: Northeast--Maine to South Carolina, west to Michigan, Missouri
C. elizabethae Brimley: Southeast--Pennsylvania south to Georgia, west to Indiana, Texas
C. johnsoni Martin: Florida
C. mitchelli Brimley: Pennsylvania, west to Michgan, south to Nebraska, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina
C. nigripes Williston: Georgia, Carolinas, Tennessee
C. oklahomensis (Bromley): Oklahoma, Texas
C. similis Johnson: Vermont south to West Virginia
Habitat
Ceraturgus cruciatus can often be found in open areas and field habitat. C elizabethae seems to prefer small openings in wooded areas. Many of the other preferences are unknown.
Season
Spring to summer. May-July (various species, North Carolina)
Food
Reported to take various small insects, such as beetles and hemiptera (Barnes, 2008).
Life Cycle
Mostly unknown other than the general robber fly info. Reported to oviposit in soil (Barnes, 2008).
Remarks
Virtually any observation of behavior, habitat of food preference in this genera is likely of scientific interest. Locations for species other than cruciatus should be reported.
See Also
Prolepsis tristis, also a strong wasp mimic--the antennae eliminate most other robberfly groups
Print References
Borror, entries for
cerat,
turg (1)
Brimley, p. 336, lists 5 species for North Carolina with dates of May-July
(2).
Barnes, J. (2008). Review of the genus Ceraturgus Wiedemann (Diptera: Asilidae) in North America north of Mexico. Zootaxa 1766: 1–45 (
PDF).
Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists from that state, with number pinned: aurulentus (1), cruciatus (=fasciatus) (3), elizabethae (7), mitchelli (1), nigripes (25)
Norman Lavers, The Robber Flies of Crowley's Ridge, Arkansas--
Stenopogoninae--detailed descriptions of several species
Herschel Raney--
Ceraturgus
