Efferia caliente
Wilcox, 1966
Caliente Hammertail
Efferia caliente is a of robber fly in the Asilidae, described by Wilcox in 1966. The "Caliente Hammertail" references the Caliente Range in California, where the species was presumably first collected or is known to occur. Robber flies in the Efferia are predatory insects known for their robust build and predatory habits. As with other Asilidae, are aerial that capture other insects in .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Efferia caliente: //ˈɛ.fɛ.ri.a ka.liˈɛn.te//
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Distribution
Known from the Caliente Range in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, southern California. The specific epithet and both reference this geographic locality.
Similar Taxa
- Efferia sp.Other in the Efferia share similar robust body form and predatory habits, but E. caliente is distinguished by its specific geographic association with the Caliente Range.
- Triorla interruptaAnother large robber fly in the Efferia group with similar overall gestalt, but T. interrupta has distinct abdominal coloration pattern with first two segments partially black followed by two almost wholly black segments, and is widely distributed across eastern North America rather than restricted to California.
More Details
Taxonomic Context
Efferia is a large of robber flies in the Asilinae. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some former now placed in related genera such as Triorla. Efferia caliente remains in the core Efferia group.
Etymology
The specific epithet 'caliente' refers to the Caliente Range in San Luis Obispo County, California, where the occurs. This follows a common pattern in robber fly where species are named for their type localities.