Genus Microphthalma

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Range · Remarks · Internet References · Works Cited

Tachinid Fly? - Microphthalma disjuncta - male

Sarcophagidae Family Flesh Fly - Microphthalma disjuncta - male

Female, Tachinidae - Microphthalma disjuncta - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon (Calyptratae)

Superfamily Oestroidea

Family Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)

Subfamily Tachininae

Tribe Megaprosopini

Genus Microphthalma

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

reviewed in(1)

Explanation of Names

Microphthalma Macquart 1844

Greek, 'small-eyed'

Numbers

Three widespread species plus one southwestern

Identification

from(1):

M. disjuncta, the most common species, has mostly red antennae and contrasting silver bands on the abdomen

M. michiganensis is nearly the same as disjuncta except for the plain abdomen

M. obsoleta (sw. US to Guatemala) has the third antennal joint almost entirely black

M. ruficeps has more red on the head than other species, and the type series has only two katepisternal bristles

Range

Worldwide(2); widespread in North America

Remarks

Larvae are parasitoids of Phyllophaga and related Scarabaeidae.

Internet References

Genus page(3)

Works Cited

1.	American two-winged flies of the genus Microphthalma Macquart, with notes on related forms Aldrich J.M. 1927. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 69: 1-8 (1926).

2.	O’Hara J.E., Henderson S.J. (2020) World genera of the Tachinidae (Diptera) and their regional occurrence. Version 11.0

3.	Taxonomic and host catalogue of the Tachinidae of America North of Mexico

Contributed by v belov on 13 April, 2009 - 1:43pm
Additional contributions by Vox Sciurorum
Last updated 15 May, 2020 - 7:12am

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