Pollenia pseudorudis

Definition

A species of cluster fly (family Polleniidae) described by Rognes in 1985. Like other Pollenia species, adults are robust, bristly flies that overwinter as adults in sheltered locations and are commonly encountered indoors during autumn and spring. The specific epithet pseudorudis indicates morphological similarity to P. rudis, from which it was distinguished based on subtle characters in male genitalia and chaetotaxy.

Etymology

New Latin: Pollenia (feminine, from Greek pollen 'dust, fine flour,' referring to the ashy-gray thoracic dusting characteristic of the genus) + pseudorudis (pseudo- 'false' + rudis 'rough, raw,' indicating resemblance to P. rudis)

Example

Specimens of Pollenia pseudorudis collected from building attics in northern Europe were initially misidentified as P. rudis until dissection revealed the distinctive surstylus morphology described by Rognes.

Related Terms

• Polleniidae
• Cluster fly
• Pollenia rudis
• calyptrate
• Overwintering
• Rognes 1985

Usage Notes

Distinguished from the widespread and economically significant P. rudis by subtle morphological features; accurate identification requires examination of male terminalia. The species epithet is sometimes misspelled 'pseudorudis' in older literature. As with other Pollenia, adults are non-pestiferous and do not breed in human food or waste; larvae develop as parasitoids of earthworms.