Apiocera mexicana
Cazier, 1954
Apiocera mexicana is a of flower-loving fly in the Apioceridae, described by Cazier in 1954. Members of this family are commonly known as 'flower-loving flies' due to their association with floral resources. The species is placed in the Apiocera, a group of dipterans characterized by their elongated mouthparts adapted for nectar feeding. Very little specific information has been published regarding the or of this particular species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Apiocera mexicana: /ˌeɪpiˈoʊsɛrə ˌmɛksɪˈkɑːnə/
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Distribution
The specific epithet 'mexicana' suggests a geographic association with Mexico, though precise distribution records are not well documented in available sources. The Apioceridae is primarily distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, with highest diversity in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
Apiocera mexicana was described by entomologist Mont A. Cazier in 1954. Cazier was a in Hymenoptera and also contributed significantly to the of other insect groups including Diptera.
Family Characteristics
The Apioceridae comprises approximately 150 described , all placed in the single Apiocera. These flies are medium-sized with a body length typically ranging from 10-20 mm. They possess a distinctive elongated that can equal or exceed the body length, an for accessing nectar from deep floral tubes. The family is considered closely related to Mydidae (mydas flies) and Asilidae (robber flies), though their precise phylogenetic placement within the superfamily Asiloidea has been subject to revision.