Acrocera orbiculus explained

Acrocera orbiculus, also known as the top-horned hunchback, is a species of fly belonging to the family Acroceridae. The species has a holarctic distribution, ranging from North America to the Palaearctic.

Etymology

The specific name is the Latin diminutive noun, meaning 'a small disk'.[1] As a noun in apposition, the suffix does not alter to reflect the gender of the genus.

Description

"Antennae placed at the extreme top of the head, ending in a long thin arista. Venation very much reduced. Proboscis absent, or very short and stumpy" [2]

Biology

The larvae are endoparasites of spiders in the families Amaurobiidae, Clubionidae and Lycosidae.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lewis . C. T. . Short . C. . 1879 . A Latin Dictionary. Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary . Revised, enlarged . Clarendon Press . Oxford . orbĭcŭlus . http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0059:entry=orbiculus.
  2. Verrall, G. H., 1909 Stratiomyidae and succeeding families of the Diptera Brachycera of Great Britain British flies Volume 5 London : Gurney and Jackson, 1909.BHL Full text with illustrations