Efferia pogonias
| Efferia pogonias | |
|---|---|
| |
| A female Efferia pogonias perched on vegetation in Connecticut, USA | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Asilidae |
| Genus: | Efferia |
| Species: | E. pogonias
|
| Binomial name | |
| Efferia pogonias (Wiedemann, 1821)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Efferia pogonias is a species of robber fly in the subfamily Asilinae.[1][2] Sometimes referred to as the yellow-bearded hammertail,[3][4] it is endemic to the eastern United States, where it occurs from Maine to Georgia in the east, and westward at least to Minnesota and Texas; records from Florida may not be valid.[2][3][5][6] This species prefers open and dry conditions, including sandy locations inland.[7] It is active from May to October, but activity peaks in fall, especially September.[3][5][6] Females lay their eggs in soil.[3]
Measuring 16–30 mm (0.63–1.18 in) in length, the species is a deep, dark brown across its body, with darkened wings and very dark legs; the tibiae may have a dark red tinge.[3][6] The mystax or "beard" of setae on the face is prominent and yellowish in color. The last two abdominal segments (numbers 6 and 7) are bright white in males. On females, the ovipositor is dark and somewhat rounded.[6] Like other robber flies in the genus Efferia, they are ambush predators, lying still on soil or low vegetation before sallying out to capture prey.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Efferia pogonias Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
- ^ a b "Efferia pogonias (Wiedemann, 1821)". GBIF. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Yellow-bearded Hammertail". BugGuide.Net. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Common Names". Robber Flies (in Latin). Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Efferia pogonias". iNaturalist. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Efferia". Robber Flies of the Southeast. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Yellow-bearded Hammertail (Efferia pogonias)". Maryland Biodiversity Project. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Dennis, D S; Lavigne, ~ R J; Bullmgton~, S W (1 January 1986). "(PDF) Ethology of Efferia cressoni with a review of the comparative ethology of the genus (Diptera: Asilidae)". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 88 (1). Entomological Society of Washington: 42–55. Retrieved 13 August 2024.