Dioctria
Meigen, 1803
Species Guides
6- Dioctria henshawi
- Dioctria hyalipennis(Stripe-legged Robber Fly)
- Dioctria pleuralis
- Dioctria pusio
- Dioctria vera
- Dioctria wilcoxi
Dioctria is a of robber flies ( Asilidae) in the Dasypogoninae, forming the tribe Dioctriini alongside Bohartia, Dicolonus, Echthodopa, Eudioctria, and Metadioctria. The genus contains multiple distributed across the Holarctic region, with documented occurrences in Europe, North America, and Turkey. Species within Dioctria are generally small to medium-sized predatory flies that hunt other insects.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dioctria: /daɪˈɒk.tɹi.ə/
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Identification
Dioctria can be distinguished from related in the tribe Dioctriini by combinations of facial gibbosities, pollinosity patterns, and genitalia structure. Species-level identification typically requires examination of facial gibbosities and assessment of pollinose covering on various body parts. The genus is morphologically similar to Eudioctria but differs in structural details of the and body proportions.
Images
Distribution
Dioctria has a Holarctic distribution. In Europe, records exist from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In North America, the occurs in the United States including Vermont. In Asia, two (D. arcana and D. meyeri) were first recorded from Turkey in 2007, with additional species (D. abdominalis, D. atricapilla, D. flavipennis, D. valida) documented from new localities across Turkey based on collections from 1994-2007.
Similar Taxa
- EudioctriaSimilar small size (6–8 mm) and general body form, but Eudioctria lacks the specific facial gibbosity patterns of Dioctria and shows different perching —Eudioctria prefers flat leaves at the top of small shrubs rather than the perching habits typical of Dioctria.
- CerotainiaSuperficially resembles small Dioctria in body shape and size, but Cerotainia ( Laphriinae) possesses extra-long not found in Dioctria, and typically perches on twig-ends rather than foliage.
More Details
Tribal Affiliation
Dioctria is the type of the tribe Dioctriini within Dasypogoninae. The tribe also includes Bohartia, Dicolonus, Echthodopa, Eudioctria, and Metadioctria.