Explanation of Names
Polacantha Martin 1975
Greek polys (πολυς) 'many' + akantha (ακανθα) 'thorn' --according to Martin, "referring to the patch of strong bristles inside the epandrium"
Numbers
6 spp. in our area, 11 total
(1)Range
so. US & Mexico; in our area,
P. gracilis in se. US, the rest are southwestern (
P. composita to OR)
(1)Remarks
6 species in the U.S.: P. pegma in California, P. grossa and P. sinuosa in Texas, P. arctuata in Arizona, P. gracilis from Maryland to Florida, P. composita from Oregon to Utah and south. There are several species in Mexico as well. This geographic data shouldn't be used to identify these flies as the ranges are likely to be broader.