Ommatius parvulus

Schäffer, 1916

Ommatius parvulus is a of robber fly (Asilidae) described by Schäffer in 1916. As a member of the Ommatius, it belongs to one of the most diverse genera within the Asilidae. Robber flies in this genus are predatory both as and larvae, a characteristic shared across the family. The species is part of a group containing over 7,500 described species of assassin flies worldwide.

Ommatius parvulus by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ommatius parvulus: /ɔˈmætiʊs ˈpɑrvjʊləs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Ecological Role

As a robber fly, Ommatius parvulus functions as a of other insects. Members of the Ommatius contribute to natural pest control within their . The Asilidae represents one of the few dipteran families that are predatory in both larval and stages.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The specific epithet 'parvulus' (Latin for 'very small') suggests this may be diminutive relative to other members of the , though size data has not been located.

Research Context

Members of Ommatius have been subjects of recent phylogenetic and diversification studies, including work on Asiloidea at UC Davis. However, O. parvulus specifically has not been identified as a focus in available literature.