Cerotainiops abdominalis
(Brown, 1897)
Cerotainiops abdominalis is a of robber fly in the Asilidae. The species has been documented to exhibit specialized predatory , targeting Pogonomyrmex ants as its preferred prey. Under high temperature conditions, it has been observed to expand its diet to include beetles, specifically Collops limbellus. This dietary flexibility in response to environmental conditions represents a notable behavioral .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cerotainiops abdominalis: /ˌsɛroʊˌtaɪniˈɒps æbˌdɒmɪˈneɪlɪs/
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Diet
Preys primarily upon Pogonomyrmex ants. When temperatures are high, has been observed to prey upon beetles, specifically Collops limbellus.
Behavior
Exhibits temperature-dependent prey switching, shifting from to predation under high thermal conditions.
More Details
Prey Specialization
The documented preference for Pogonomyrmex ants suggests a degree of prey specialization unusual among robber flies, which are generally considered opportunistic .
Temperature-Dependent Foraging
The shift to under high temperatures may reflect behavioral or changes in prey availability/activity patterns.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
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