Andrenosoma cruentum

(McAtee, 1919)

Mangrove Chiselmouth

Andrenosoma cruentum is a of robber fly in the Asilidae, Laphriinae. It belongs to a of predatory flies whose larvae feed on wood-boring larvae. The species is found in mangrove , distinguishing it from that inhabit dry, sandy woodlands. Like other Andrenosoma species, are sit-and-wait that perch on exposed surfaces to ambush prey.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrenosoma cruentum: //ændrɛnəˈsoʊmə ˈkruːɛntəm//

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Habitat

Mangrove environments. This distinguishes A. cruentum from such as A. fulvicaudum, which frequents dry, sandy locations with dead pine and exposed wood surfaces.

Distribution

Geographic range not precisely documented in available sources; occurrence in mangrove suggests coastal distribution. The Andrenosoma reaches greatest diversity in the Neotropics, with most North American restricted to Texas, the western U.S., or eastern North America (the latter represented by A. fulvicaudum).

Diet

are predatory. Larvae of the Laphriinae feed on wood-boring larvae ( Buprestidae and Cerambycidae).

Behavior

are sit-and-wait that perch on exposed surfaces to ambush prey.

Ecological Role

of other insects as ; larvae function as predators of wood-boring larvae, potentially regulating of these beetles in dead wood .

Similar Taxa

  • Andrenosoma fulvicaudumSimilar and affiliation, but distinguished by preference (dry, sandy woodlands with dead pine versus mangroves) and geographic distribution (widespread across North America versus coastal mangrove areas). A. fulvicaudum has reddish posteriodorsal abdominal markings.

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