Lasiopogon opaculus

Loew, 1874

Lasiopogon opaculus is a of robber fly in the Asilidae, described by Loew in 1874. It belongs to the opaculus section of the Lasiopogon, a group of predatory flies found in western North America. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group that has undergone recent revision based on molecular phylogenetic data.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasiopogon opaculus: //ˌlæsi.oʊˈpoʊɡɒn oʊˈpækjʊləs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

of Lasiopogon opaculus can be distinguished from other western Nearctic Lasiopogon using the updated identification key provided in the 2021 revision of the bivittatus section. The species belongs to the opaculus section, which is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from the bivittatus section.

Distribution

Western North America (Nearctic region). Specific locality data are not provided in available sources.

Similar Taxa

Lasiopogon bivittatusBelongs to a different section (bivittatus section) within the same ; distinguished by morphological features and phylogenetic placement
Lasiopogon karliNewly described assigned to the cinereus group of the opaculus section; closely related within the same section but distinct species
Lasiopogon martinensisTransferred to the tetragrammus group of the opaculus section; previously considered related to bivittatus section but now placed within opaculus section

More Details

Taxonomic placement

L. opaculus is the type of the opaculus section, which is one of several species groups within Lasiopogon. The 2021 molecular phylogenetic study by Fisher et al. used COI, AATS, PEPCK, and Wg loci to resolve relationships among 67 Lasiopogon species, confirming the distinctiveness of the opaculus section from the bivittatus section.

Research context

While the 2021 revision focused primarily on the bivittatus section, it clarified the boundaries of the opaculus section and transferred L. martinensis into this section, improving understanding of group relationships.