Thyridanthrax

Osten Sacken, 1886

bee flies

Species Guides

Thyridanthrax is a of bee flies ( Bombyliidae) comprising approximately 12-50 described distributed across Eurasia, Africa, North America, and South America. Species within this genus are with documented associations with various including crabronid and calliphorid flies. The genus exhibits diverse strategies, with some species capable of facultative switching between idiobiont and koinobiont modes.

Thyridanthrax atratus by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Thyridanthrax selene by (c) Peter Chen 2.0, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Peter Chen 2.0. Used under a CC-BY license.

Thyridanthrax atratus by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Thyridanthrax: //ˌθɪrɪˈdænθræks//

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

Images

Habitat

vary by : Thyridanthrax fenestratus occurs in old Lipara-induced galls on common reed (Phragmites australis); Thyridanthrax abruptus has been found in stream-bed sand of dry-season breeding sites of .

Distribution

Eurasia, Africa, North America, and South America. Specific records include: Northern Nigeria (Zaria and Bauchi Provinces), East Africa, and Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden).

Host Associations

Pemphredon fabricii (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) - Thyridanthrax fenestratus parasitizes this crabronid ; larvae feed on after winter
Rhyncomyia pictifacies (Calliphoridae) - puparial Thyridanthrax abruptus emerges from of this calliphorid fly in Nigeria
Glossina morsitans - puparial Thyridanthrax abruptus is a widespread puparial in East Africa

Life Cycle

Thyridanthrax fenestratus: larvae overwinter as young larvae and begin feeding on fully developed, defecated of Pemphredon fabricii only after cold-induced winter ends; larval development takes several times longer than , causing parasitized prepupae to remain paralyzed until feeding is complete. Thyridanthrax abruptus: emerge from host .

Behavior

Female Thyridanthrax sp. have been observed hovering over open nests of and depositing into tunnels. Thyridanthrax fenestratus exhibits facultative switching between idiobiont (killing immediately) and koinobiont (killing host at later developmental stage) strategies; uniquely able to block host in defecated stage and prevent following cold-induced .

Ecological Role

of solitary and flies; contributes to of including Pemphredon fabricii and various calliphorid flies.

More Details

Parasitism Strategy Diversity

The modes in Bombyliidae and Thyridanthrax spp. are not uniform. Thyridanthrax fenestratus demonstrates facultative parasitism strategy switching, a trait also reported in several Anthrax spp. The ability to block in the defecated stage and prevent following cold-induced is reported for the first time in this .

Taxonomic Note

count estimates vary: Wikipedia reports about 12 described species, while other sources suggest approximately 50 described species. This discrepancy may reflect ongoing taxonomic revision or differences in species concept application.