Lasia purpurata
Bequaert, 1933
purple small-headed fly
Lasia purpurata is a of small-headed fly in the Acroceridae, commonly known as the purple small-headed fly. It was first described by Joseph Charles Bequaert in 1933 from a single specimen collected in Oklahoma. The species has since been documented in Arkansas and Texas. Small-headed flies in this family are characterized by their distinctive humpbacked appearance and reduced size.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lasia purpurata: /ˈlæziə ˌpɜːrpəˈreɪtə/
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Identification
Lasia purpurata can be distinguished from other small-headed flies by its purple coloration, as indicated by its specific epithet. Members of the Lasia are separated from other acrocerid genera by morphological features of the and body structure typical of the Panopinae. Definitive field identification likely requires examination of detailed morphological characters such as wing venation, head capsule structure, and body proportions.
Distribution
Known from Oklahoma (type locality), Arkansas, and Texas in the south-central United States.
Similar Taxa
- Other Lasia speciesOther in the Lasia share the humpbacked body form and reduced characteristic of the Panopinae, but differ in coloration and specific morphological details.
- Other Acroceridae generaSmall-headed flies in other may appear superficially similar but differ in structure, body proportions, and wing venation patterns that define tribal and generic boundaries within the .
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was described from a single specimen in 1933, suggesting it may be naturally rare or undercollected. The expansion of known range from Oklahoma to include Arkansas and Texas indicates either broader distribution than initially recognized or recent survey efforts in the region.
Collection status
As of the available sources, only 18 observations are recorded in iNaturalist, indicating this remains poorly documented and likely infrequently encountered by entomologists and naturalists.