Eulonchus marialiciae

Distinguished from other Eulonchus species by its restricted distribution in the Great Smoky Mountains; all other North American congeners occur in western North America from Mexico to Canada. The combination of metallic coloration, rounded hairy body, elongated mouthparts, and hairy eyes separates it from other tarantula flies (Acroceridae).

Adults possess large rounded bodies covered with dense hairs and metallic green to blue or purple coloration, creating a jewel-like appearance. The eyes are covered with soft hairs. Mouthparts are greatly elongated, an adaptation for nectar feeding.

Mountainous areas in the Great Smoky Mountains

Great Smoky Mountains, eastern North America; known from only a few specimens within a small contiguous area

Adults feed on nectar from flowers of more than 25 plant families and 80 species. Larvae are parasitoids that develop inside tarantula hosts.

• Tarantulas - parasitoidLarvae seek out tarantula hosts, insert themselves into the spider, and consume internal tissues until mature

Larvae parasitize tarantulas, feeding internally until mature, then emerge from the host abdomen, killing the spider. After emergence, larvae pupate to develop into adults.

Adults are important pollinators. Larvae actively seek tarantula hosts for parasitism.

Adults function as pollinators of diverse flowering plants. Larvae act as parasitoids regulating tarantula populations.

Contributes to pollination services in montane ecosystems. The species is of scientific interest due to its restricted distribution and rarity compared to congeners.

• Eulonchus sapphirusShares metallic coloration and western North American distribution, but occurs in Sierra Nevada and other western ranges rather than Great Smoky Mountains
• Other Eulonchus speciesFive additional North American species all occur in western North America from Mexico to Canada, separated by geography

• endemic
• rare
• parasitoid
• pollinator
• montane

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• insect diversity | Blog - Part 3