Cyrtopogon albifacies
Johnson, 1942
Cyrtopogon albifacies is a of robber fly in the Asilidae, described by Johnson in 1942. The specific epithet "albifacies" refers to the white , a distinctive morphological feature. As a member of the Cyrtopogon, it shares the general robber fly habit of being an aerial of other insects. The species has been documented in Colorado, including during bioblitz surveys at Blodgett Peak Open Space.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cyrtopogon albifacies: //sɪrˈtɒpəɡɒn ˌælbaɪˈfeɪʃiːz//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
The white (referenced in the name) is the primary distinguishing feature from other Cyrtopogon species. Males may be distinguished from females by more contrasting or brighter coloration patterns, based on observations of congeneric species. Accurate identification to species level requires examination of genitalic characters and comparison with , as is standard for Asilidae .
Habitat
Documented from foothills and mountain in Colorado, including mixed conifer forest and scrub oak zones. The Blodgett Peak bioblitz records suggest occurrence in montane transitioning from grassland to forest.
Distribution
Known from Colorado, USA. The was documented during the Blodgett Peak Open Space bioblitz in the northwestern foothills of Colorado Springs. Additional distribution records are sparse in the available literature.
Seasonality
activity in June has been documented in Colorado. The Blodgett Peak bioblitz occurred June 16-17, with specimens recorded during this period.
Behavior
As with other Asilidae, individuals are presumed to be aerial that perch on vegetation or ground substrates to ambush flying insect prey. Mating involving physical contact between male and female has been observed in congeneric Cyrtopogon .
Ecological Role
Aerial in montane , contributing to regulation of flying insect . As a mid-sized robber fly, it likely preys on a range of smaller insects including dipterans, hymenopterans, and lepidopterans.
Human Relevance
Documented during citizen science bioblitz events, contributing to regional inventories. No known economic or medical significance.
Similar Taxa
- Cyrtopogon willistoniAnother Cyrtopogon documented in the same region (Colorado Springs area); distinguished by facial coloration and specific markings
- Other Cyrtopogon species-level similarity in body form and ; requires detailed examination of facial markings and male genitalia for definitive separation
More Details
Taxonomic note
The was described by Johnson in 1942. The specific epithet "albifacies" directly references the white , a character state useful for field recognition.
Bioblitz documentation
The was recorded during the 2017 Blodgett Peak Open Space bioblitz, a 24-hour citizen science event that documented 279 including multiple robber fly species.