Myelaphus
Bigot, 1882
Species Guides
1Myelaphus is a of robber flies in the Asilidae, established by Bigot in 1882. The genus contains approximately six described distributed primarily in Asia. Members of this genus are predatory dipterans that hunt other insects in .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Myelaphus: /ˈmiː.lə.fʊs/
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Identification
Myelaphus can be distinguished from other Asilidae by specific morphological features, though detailed diagnostic characters require examination of and original descriptions. The genus name has been applied to species with varied morphologies, suggesting potential need for taxonomic revision.
Distribution
of Myelaphus have been recorded from eastern Asia, including Japan (M. jozanus), Russia (M. bokhai, M. ussuriensis), and North America (M. lobicornis, M. melas). The disjunct distribution pattern suggests possible taxonomic complexity or historical biogeographic connections.
Similar Taxa
- Other Asilidae generaMyelaphus shares the general robber fly body plan with other Asilidae, but specific distinguishing features from closely related are not well-documented in accessible literature.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
The Myelaphus has a complex taxonomic history. Some originally described in this genus have been moved to other genera, and the concept of Myelaphus has been revised multiple times. The North American species M. lobicornis and M. melas may represent a distinct lineage from the Asian species.
Data Limitations
Despite being described over 140 years ago, Myelaphus remains poorly studied. Original descriptions are in older literature, modern redescriptions are lacking, and the is rarely encountered in collections. The low number of iNaturalist observations (7) reflects this scarcity of data.