Thyridanthrax selene

(Osten Sacken, 1886)

Thyridanthrax selene is a bee fly in the Bombyliidae. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The Thyridanthrax includes species that are of solitary , with females observed hovering over open wasp nests and depositing into burrows. Limited observational records exist for this species.

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.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Thyridanthrax selene: /ˌθaɪ.rɪˈdæn.θræks ˈsɛ.lɪ.ni/

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Images

Distribution

Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

Host Associations

Ammophila aberti - Female Thyridanthrax sp. observed hovering over open nests and lobbing into tunnels; specific association inferred from -level but not confirmed for T. selene specifically

Behavior

Females of related Thyridanthrax have been observed hovering over open nests of and depositing into burrows, acting as nest .

Ecological Role

As a nest of solitary , this likely functions as a control mechanism for its . Bee flies in this contribute to the complex web associated with burrowing wasp .

Similar Taxa

Thyridanthrax sp.Other in the share similar and general ; specific differentiation requires examination of wing venation and other subtle morphological characters
Other BombyliidaeBee flies share the general robust body, long , and wing patterns; Thyridanthrax distinguished by specific wing markings and abdominal structure

More Details

Taxonomic note

Described by Osten Sacken in 1886. The Thyridanthrax is placed in the tribe Villini within Anthracinae.

Observation scarcity

Only 7 observations recorded in iNaturalist as of source date, indicating this is rarely encountered or underreported.