Proctacanthus hinei
Bromley, 1928
Western Red-tailed Marauder
Proctacanthus hinei is a of robber fly ( Asilidae) known as the Western Red-tailed Marauder. It belongs to a of large, predatory flies characterized by prominent beards and aggressive hunting . The species is distinguished from by reddish and occurrence in the central United States. Like other Proctacanthus species, it preys primarily on other insects and has a involving soil-dwelling larvae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Proctacanthus hinei: /prɔkˈtækænθəs ˈhaɪnaɪ/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Proctacanthus by reddish . Proctacanthus milbertii, which occurs across much of the U.S., has different leg coloration. Proctacanthus hinei occurs in the central U.S., separating it from eastern and western . Members of the Proctacanthus are recognized by their large size and prominent beard (mystax) on the .
Distribution
Central United States
Life Cycle
are laid in crevices in soil. Larvae burrow into soil and feed on soil insects, roots, and decaying plant matter before pupating within the soil in an unlined . This pattern is based on observations of congeneric Proctacanthus milbertii and -level traits; specific details for P. hinei have not been independently documented.
Behavior
are predatory and hunt from perches. Related Proctacanthus are known to capture large prey including grasshoppers and butterflies.
Ecological Role
of other insects as ; larvae contribute to soil as scavengers and predators of soil-dwelling insects.
Similar Taxa
- Proctacanthus milbertiiSimilar large robber fly with prominent beard, but differs in leg coloration and geographic distribution; P. milbertii occurs across much of the U.S. while P. hinei is restricted to the central U.S.
- Promachus hineiFormerly confused or synonymized; distinguished by abdominal patterning and leg coloration—Promachus exhibit yellow and black tiger striping on the and have different femoral coloration.