Ospriocerus vallensis
Martin, 1968
Ospriocerus vallensis is a of robber fly in the Asilidae, first described by Martin in 1968. It is one of three Ospriocerus species recorded in Canada, where it occurs in the Intermontane grasslands of southern British Columbia. The species was previously misidentified in collections and literature as O. abdominalis or O. aeacus. The Ospriocerus has a documented relationship with the family Meloidae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ospriocerus vallensis: /ˌɑspriəˈsɛrəs væˈlɛnsɪs/
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Identification
Ospriocerus vallensis can be distinguished from the other two Canadian in the —O. abdominalis and O. latipennis—through morphological characters detailed in diagnostic keys. O. abdominalis and O. latipennis inhabit Great Plains grasslands, whereas O. vallensis occurs in Intermontane grasslands. The species has been frequently confused with O. abdominalis or misidentified under the synonym O. aeacus in collections.
Habitat
Intermontane grasslands of southern British Columbia.
Distribution
Southern British Columbia, Canada.
Host Associations
- Meloidae - documented relationship with the Behavioral or ecological association noted for the
Behavior
Similar Taxa
- Ospriocerus abdominalisFrequently confused with O. vallensis in collections; O. abdominalis inhabits Great Plains grasslands rather than Intermontane grasslands
- Ospriocerus latipennisOther Canadian congeneric , distinguished by and (Great Plains grasslands)
- Ospriocerus aeacusUnnecessary replacement name for O. abdominalis; O. vallensis was previously misidentified as O. aeacus in literature