Microlia

Casey, 1910

Microlia is a small of (: Aleocharinae: Hoplandriini) comprising approximately twelve . The genus has a disjunct distribution across Australasian and New World regions, with recent records from Brazil representing the first South occurrences. Members of this genus are obligate pollen-feeders, with multiple species documented in association with flowers of Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Microlia: /ˌmɪkroʊˈlaɪə/

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Habitat

Flowers of various , particularly Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae, and Monimiaceae. Specific details beyond floral associations are not documented.

Distribution

Australasian and New World regions. Includes Brazil (Paraná State, Rio Grande do Sul State) as first South records.

Diet

Pollen. Multiple sources document obligatory pollen-feeding habits based on morphological and data.

Host Associations

Cayaponia - flower associationCucurbitaceae; specific for M. cayaponia
Cucurbitaceae - flower association-level association for multiple
Solanaceae - flower association-level association
Asteraceae - flower association-level association
Monimiaceae - flower association-level association

Behavior

Obligatory pollen-feeding. Foraging activity documented in flowers, with potential for competition with in pollinator activity.

Ecological Role

Flower visitor; potential impact on and through competition for pollen resources.

More Details

Taxonomic history

The was established by Casey in 1910. Recent descriptions of M. amici and M. machadoi from Brazil (Zootaxa 4078, 2016) and M. cayaponia (Zootaxa 5264, 2023) have expanded the known distribution and morphological diversity of the genus.