Wilcoxia forbesi

Pollock & Reichert, 2019

Wilcoxia forbesi is a of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae) described in 2019 from New Mexico. It belongs to the martinorum species group, characterized by specific structural features, seasonality patterns, and natural history traits. As a predatory fly, it has been documented capturing prey from at least four insect orders, with a particular emphasis on true bugs, beetles, , and other flies.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Wilcoxia forbesi: //ˌwɪlkˈoʊksiə ˈfɔrbiːsaɪ//

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Identification

can be distinguished using the diagnostic features and key provided in the original description (Pollock & Reichert 2019). The belongs to the martinorum group, which can be separated from the cinerea group based on structural features. Photographs of habitus and selected morphological features are available in the original taxonomic revision.

Distribution

Known from the type locality in New Mexico, Doña Ana County, 1 mi. NW Tortugas Mt. The Wilcoxia is distributed primarily in the southwestern United States.

Diet

. Documented prey includes representatives from Hemiptera (eight ), Coleoptera (one family), Hymenoptera (five families), and Diptera (10 families).

Ecological Role

. Functions as an aerial predator of other insects, contributing to of diverse prey including true bugs, beetles, , and flies.

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Sources and further reading