Genus Rachicerus

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Season · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Xylophagid flies mating - Rachicerus obscuripennis - male - female

Xylophagidae: Rachicerus obscuripennis - Rachicerus obscuripennis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

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

Infraorder Xylophagomorpha

Family Xylophagidae

Genus Rachicerus

Explanation of Names

Author of genus is Walker 1854. From rachis, a shaft, or axial structure (scientific Latin, originally from Greek), plus cerus, cera, Latin wax? (Based on Internet searches.)

Numbers

Nearctica.com lists 5 species in genus.

Size

Circa 10-12 mm

Identification

Slender, dark, hairless--see family description. Antennae of this genus appear multi-segmented, as compared to other genera in family, which have 3rd segment elongated (1).

Season

Noted in June in Piedmont region of North Carolina--guide photos and Brimley (2).

Print References

Borror and White (1st ed.), p. 272 (1)

Brimley, p. 329, notes Rachicerus fulvicollis from Raleigh, North Carolina in June (2).

Internet References

North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists Rachicerus fulvicollis Walker for that state, with just one specimen in the collection.

Works Cited

1.	A Field Guide to Insects By Richard E. White, Donald J. Borror, Roger Tory Peterson

2.	Insects of North Carolina By C.S. Brimley

Contributed by Cotinis on 23 June, 2006 - 9:54am
Last updated 26 June, 2006 - 10:12am

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