Anthomyia procellaris

Anthomyia procellaris is a species of fly in the family Anthomyiidae.[1]

Anthomyia procellaris
Anthomyia procellaris. Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Anthomyiidae
Genus: Anthomyia
Species:
A. procellaris
Binomial name
Anthomyia procellaris
Rondani, 1866

Distribution

This species is present in Europe, the East Palearctic realm (China and Japan), the Near East, and the Nearctic realm (Michigan south to North Carolina).[2][3]

Description
Male of Anthomyia procellaris, dorsal view

Anthomyia procellaris can reach a length of 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in). These small flies show velvety black on greyish markings, with three black spots on the center of the thorax. The eyes are bare and the proboscis is robust. The abdomen is mainly greyish.[4][5]

This species is very similar to Anthomyia imbrida and Anthomyia pluvialis and it is a quite difficult species to identify correctly. However in Anthomyia procellaris the black marking just at the base of the wings is not divided into two separate areas and ends in a straight rear boundary. Moreover in males the anterodorsal hairs on the hind tibia are less than 9.[4][6]

Habitat and biology

These flies prefer wooded habitats and hedge rows. They fly from Spring to autumn and love sun bathing. They feed on nectar, pollen and excrements. Larvae are associated with bird’s nests and feed on bird droppings.[4][7]

References
  1. Catalogue of life
  2. Fauna europaea
  3. Systema dipterorum
  4. Nature Spot
  5. U.S. Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication
  6. Garden safari
  7. One With Nature
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