Pachygaster atra explained
Pachygaster atra, the dark-winged black, is a European species of soldier fly.[1] [2] [3]
Description
A minute (body length 2–3 mm.) lustrous black fly with a round abdomen Body length 2–3 mm. Brilliant black. Eyes black and green. Proboscis brown. Antennae brown (male), red (apical half slightly yellow in female). Halteres brown.[4] [5] [6] [7]
Biology
The habitat is deciduous woodland, on tree leaves, and bark (Linden, pine, alder, poplar), on hedge foliage. Larvae have been found in decomposed elm wood, garden compost heaps, decaying vegetation and leaf litter. The flight period is from June to August.
Distribution
Central and South European Russia, Caucasus. West Europe. Common.
External links
Notes and References
- 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.
- Woodley . N.E. . A World Catalog of the Stratiomyidae (Diptera) . Myia . 2001 . 11 . 1–462. 7 December 2022.
- Book: Zeegers . T. . Schulten . A. . Families of Flies with Three Pulvilli: Field Guide Northwest Europe . 2022 . Jeugdbondsuitgeverij . Graveland . 9789051070682 . 256pp.
- Seguy. E. Faune de France Faune n° 13 1926. Diptères Brachycères. 308 p., 685 fig.
- [George Henry Verrall]
- E. P. Narchuk in Bei-Bienko, G. Ya, 1988 Keys to the insects of the European Part of the USSR Volume 5 (Diptera) Part 2 English edition. Keys to Palaearctic species but now needs revision.
- [William Lundbeck]
