Eudioctria albius
(Walker, 1849)
Eudioctria albius is a small robber fly in the Asilidae, measuring approximately 6–8 mm in length. It is one of four Eudioctria species occurring in eastern North America, with the being primarily western in distribution. The species belongs to the Stenopogoninae and is among the tiniest North American robber flies.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Eudioctria albius: /juˈdiː.ɒk.tri.ə ˈæl.bi.əs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Eudioctria albius can be distinguished from other eastern Eudioctria (brevis, propinqua, tibialis) by examination of facial gibbosities and the degree to which body parts are pollinose. It superficially resembles Cerotainia species ( Laphriinae) but lacks the extra-long characteristic of that . Eudioctria can be distinguished behaviorally from Cerotainia by its preference for perching on flat leaves at the top of small shrubs, whereas Cerotainia tends to perch on twig-ends.
Images
Distribution
Eastern United States. The Eudioctria is primarily western in distribution, but E. albius is one of four (along with E. brevis, E. propinqua, and E. tibialis) that occur in eastern states.
Similar Taxa
- CerotainiaSuperficially similar in appearance but distinguished by extra-long and different perching (twig-ends rather than flat leaves on shrub tops).
- Eudioctria brevisAnother eastern Eudioctria ; requires examination of facial gibbosities and pollinosity for separation.
- Eudioctria propinquaAnother eastern Eudioctria ; requires examination of facial gibbosities and pollinosity for separation.
- Eudioctria tibialisAnother eastern Eudioctria ; requires examination of facial gibbosities and pollinosity for separation.