Chromolepida
Cole, 1923
stiletto flies
Species Guides
2Chromolepida is a of stiletto flies ( Therevidae) established by Cole in 1923. The genus contains five described distributed in North America, with most species described from Mexico and the southwestern United States. Stiletto flies in this genus share the family characteristics of slender bodies and elongated mouthparts adapted for predatory feeding. The genus name refers to coloration of the or body covering.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Chromolepida: //ˌkroʊ.moʊˈlɛpɪdə//
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Identification
Chromolepida can be distinguished from other Therevidae by combinations of thoracic and abdominal coloration patterns, leg , and wing venation. Chromolepida bella and C. mexicana, both described by Cole in 1923, share pale body coloration. C. nigra is distinguished by darker coloration as indicated by its species name. C. clavitibia has distinctive clubbed tibiae. Specific identification requires examination of male terminalia and detailed morphological study.
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Distribution
The is known from North America, with records from the southwestern United States and Mexico. Chromolepida mexicana and C. bella were described from Mexico. C. pruinosa, originally described as Psilocephala pruinosa by Coquillett in 1904 from New Mexico, represents the northernmost distribution. C. clavitibia and C. nigra were described from Mexico in 1995.
Similar Taxa
- TherevaLarger and more widespread of Therevidae with similar general body plan; Chromolepida typically have more pronounced coloration and different leg proportions
- PsilocephalaHistorically confused with Chromolepida; C. pruinosa was originally described in Psilocephala before transfer to Chromolepida based on morphological characters
More Details
Species diversity
The remained poorly known until Webb and Irwin's 1995 revision, which added two new (C. clavitibia and C. nigra) and clarified the boundaries of the genus.
Taxonomic history
C. pruinosa was originally described as Psilocephala pruinosa Coquillett, 1904, and later transferred to Chromolepida, representing one of the earliest-described in the despite the genus itself not being established until 1923.