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Genus Forcipomyia

Funky Larva/Pupa - Forcipomyia Biting Midge - Forcipomyia brevipennis - male Tiny midge? with pointed brush antennae - Forcipomyia Unidentified midge - Forcipomyia - male Fungus gnat on loquat - Forcipomyia - male Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) female? - Forcipomyia macswaini - female Forcipomyia female - maybe nr. townesi? - Forcipomyia cinctipes - female Forcipomyia pairing - Forcipomyia - male - female
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Diptera (Flies)
No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))
Infraorder Culicomorpha (Mosquitoes and Midges)
Family Ceratopogonidae (Biting Midges)
Subfamily Forcipomyiinae
Genus Forcipomyia
Explanation of Names
Author: Meigen
Numbers
The most speciose genus of the family, with >60 spp. in 12 subgenera in our area(1) and 1125 spp. in 36 subgenera worldwide(2)
Identification
Adult: Males antennae typically have long hair, while females have short hair. (See John Carr's comments)
Larva: "The dorsal long setae [of the larva] are diagnostic." -- Dr. Art Borkent
Range
Worldwide
Habitat
Eggs are deposited in manure, decaying bark, and similar locations.
Remarks
Members of this genus pollinate a number of plants such as cacao, rubber, avocado, mango, celery, elderberry, etc.
One species has some of the fastest wing beats known, reaching a frequency of 1046-2200 Hz (Sotavalta, 1953).
Print References
Sotavalta, O. 1953. Recordings of high wing-stroke and thoracic vibration frequency in some midges. The Biological Bulletin 104: 439-444.