Xylophagus ater explained

Xylophagus ater is a species of awl fly belonging to the family Xylophagidae found in Central Europe and North Europe.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Description

The basal segment of the antenna is long, the length at least three times the width. In males the mesonotum is finely sculptured, shining, with two inconspicuous stripes of golden hairs. Females have three pollinose stripes on the mesonotum. The body length is 8 to 15 millimeters.

Biology

Larvae of Xylophagus ater are predatory. They feed on beetle larvae of the families Cerambycidae and Pyrochroidae which develop in dead branches of a wide variety of broadleaved trees.

Notes and References

1. Alexander . K. N. A. . 1993 . The Status and Distribution of Xylophagus ater Meigen (Diptera: Xylophagidae) in Ireland . The Irish Naturalists' Journal . 24 . 8 . 316–318 . 0021-1311.
2. Book: Stubbs, Alan E. . Drake, Martin . British Soldierflies and their allies

   A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera

   . Print . 2001 . . London . 1-899935-04-5 . 528 pages .
3. Woodley . N.E. . A World Catalog of the Xylophagidae (Insecta: Diptera) . Myia . 2011 . 12 . 455-500.