Clitellaria ephippium explained

Clitellaria ephippium is a species of soldier fly (so named for the thorns that armor the body) belonging to the family Stratiomyidae.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution

This species is present in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Hungary, central and southern Russia, Spain and in Switzerland.^[3]

Description

The adults grow up to 10- long. The most of their body is black, with a bright red mesonotum. Antennae are no longer than the head, the third articulation of antennae is composed of five segments, the stylet of two segments. The eyes are dark and quite hairy. Scutellum is hairy and mesonotum shows two strong apico-lateral spines. Scutum has two strong lateral spines, placed between the transverse suture and the insertion of the wings. The abdomen is relatively wide. The wings are dark.^{[4] [5]}

Biology

The predatory larvae of this species develop in ant nests, such as Lasius fuliginosus (synonym Formica fuliginosa) (Formicidae).^[6]

Bibliography

• Rozkošný, R. 1998. Chapter 24. Family Stratiomyidae. Manual Palaearct. Dipt. 2: 387-411.
• Joachim Haupt, Hiroko Haupt: Fliegen und Mücken. Beobachtung, Lebensweise. 1. Auflage. Naturbuch-Verlag, Jena und Stuttgart 1995, .

External links

• Biolib
  • Animal Diversity Web

Notes and References

1. Woodley . N.E. . A World Catalog of the Stratiomyidae (Diptera) . Myia . 2001 . 11 . 1–462. 7 December 2022.
2. Book: Stubbs . Alan E . Drake . Martin . British Soldierflies and their allies (an illustrated guide to their identification and ecology) . 2014 . . Reading . 9781899935079 . 528 pp, 20 plates . 2.
3. https://fauna-eu.org/cdm_dataportal/taxon/aaa07c3c-b174-48b8-8455-6dd0e08ae6cc Fauna europaea
4. Georges baron Cuvier,Edward Griffith,Charles Hamilton Smith,Edward Pidgeon,John Edward Gray,George Robert Gray The Animal Kingdom: Arranged in Conformity with Its Organization
5. Book: Zeegers . T. . Schulten . A. . Families of Flies with Three Pulvilli: Field Guide Northwest Europe . 2022 . Jeugdbondsuitgeverij . Graveland . 9789051070682 . 256pp.
6. W.F.Erichson Bericht über die Wissenschaftlichen Leistungen im Gebiete der Entomologie