Lasiopogon wilcoxi

McKnight, 2020

Lasiopogon wilcoxi is a of robber fly ( Asilidae) described by McKnight in 2020. It belongs to the bivittatus section of the Lasiopogon, a group of Nearctic predatory flies. The species was established as part of a comprehensive taxonomic revision and molecular phylogenetic study of western Nearctic Lasiopogon species. No specific ecological or behavioral data for this species has been published in the available literature.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lasiopogon wilcoxi: /ˌlæsiˈɒpəɡɒn ˈwɪlkɒksi/

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

Identification

Lasiopogon wilcoxi can be distinguished from other Lasiopogon by characters detailed in the original description (McKnight 2020). As a member of the bivittatus section, it likely shares the general typical of this group: medium-sized robber flies with characteristic thoracic and abdominal patterning. Precise diagnostic features require examination of the original description in Zootaxa 4835.

Distribution

Western Nearctic region, as part of the bivittatus section distribution. Specific locality data for and known occurrences would be detailed in the original description (McKnight 2020, Zootaxa 4835).

Ecological Role

As a member of the Asilidae (robber flies), L. wilcoxi is presumed to be an aerial of other insects, though specific prey records are not available.

Similar Taxa

Lasiopogon bivittatusType of the bivittatus section; L. wilcoxi was described as part of the revision of this species group
Other bivittatus section speciesL. wilcoxi is distinguished from 12 other newly described and 13 redescribed species in the same section

More Details

Taxonomic Context

Lasiopogon wilcoxi was described in a major revision of Nearctic Lasiopogon (Zootaxa 4835, 2020) that included 13 new , elevation of one to species, and redescriptions of 13 previously described . The revision was supported by molecular phylogenetic analysis using COI, AATS, PEPCK, and Wg loci.

Etymology

The specific epithet 'wilcoxi' likely honors J. Wilcox, who co-authored the 1938 revision of Lasiopogon with F.R. Cole.