Ligyra

Newman, 1841

Species Guides

2

Ligyra is a of bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae) in the tribe Exoprosopini, established by Edward Newman in 1841. The genus contains at least 110 described with distribution, though recent cladistic analysis has restricted its scope by erecting a new genus for New World species previously assigned to Ligyra. Species in this genus are hyperparasitoids, attacking ground-nesting Hymenoptera including Sphecidae, Pompilidae, Tiphiidae, and Scoliidae.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ligyra: //ˈlaɪd͡ʒɪrə//

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Identification

Ligyra can be distinguished from related by morphological characters supporting their placement in a monophyletic clade with Euligyra, Hyperalonia, and Nyia. The genus previously had a broader circumscription (Ligyra sensu lato) that included New World species now placed in the separate genus Nyia. Diagnostic features require examination of ; larval and pupal morphology is typical for Anthracinae.

Habitat

Associated with supporting ground-nesting Hymenoptera. Ligyra satyrus has been recorded in sugarcane fields in Queensland, Australia, where its scoliid parasitizes canegrubs.

Distribution

distribution; however, recent taxonomic revision restricts true Ligyra to the Old World, with New World transferred to the new Nyia. Documented from Australia (Queensland) and other regions.

Host Associations

Life Cycle

Larvae are hyperparasitoids found inside cocoons of their hymenopteran . Third- and fourth-instar larvae and pupae have been described for Ligyra satyrus; larval is similar to other ectoparasitic Bombyliidae and typical for Anthracinae.

Behavior

Hyperparasitoid lifestyle: females attack cocoons of predatory and parasitic ground-nesting . Rates of hyperparasitism vary considerably; historically high at some locations but currently very low in surveyed Queensland sugarcane fields.

Ecological Role

Hyperparasitoid that may reduce effectiveness of agents. Impact on natural control of canegrubs by scoliid wasps varies spatially and temporally.

Human Relevance

Ligyra satyrus has been studied in Australian sugarcane agriculture due to its hyperparasitism of scoliid wasps that parasitize canegrubs (Scarabaeidae), potentially affecting biological pest control programs.

Similar Taxa

  • NyiaNew erected from New World previously placed in Ligyra sensu lato; distinguished by cladistic analysis of morphological characters
  • EuligyraClosely related in the same monophyletic clade within Exoprosopini
  • HyperaloniaClosely related in the same monophyletic clade within Exoprosopini

More Details

Taxonomic revision

A 2021 cladistic analysis restricted Ligyra to a monophyletic clade and transferred New World to the new Nyia, including Nyia trifigurata (resurrected from synonymy with Ligyra cerberus).

Hyperparasitism rates

Historical records from Gordonvale, Queensland in the early 1900s showed relatively high hyperparasitism rates, but modern surveys at Ayr and Bundaberg found very low rates, suggesting significant spatial or temporal variation in .

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Sources and further reading