Elachiptera nigriceps
(Loew, 1863)
frit fly
Elachiptera nigriceps is a small in the , commonly known as . The species was originally described by Loew in 1863 under the name Crassiseta nigriceps and has since been placed in both Elachiptera and Ceratobarys by different taxonomic authorities. It belongs to a family of flies often associated with grasses and cereal .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Elachiptera nigriceps: /ɛlˌakɪˈptɛrə ˈnɪɡrɪˌsɛps/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
The specific epithet "nigriceps" (meaning "black-headed") suggests a dark coloration of the , which may serve as a distinguishing feature. However, reliable diagnostic characteristics separating this from require examination of male and other microscopic features. The Elachiptera is characterized by reduced and a somewhat humpbacked typical of .
More Details
Taxonomic Uncertainty
This has been placed in three different by various authorities: originally described as Crassiseta nigriceps, treated as Elachiptera nigriceps by NCBI, and as Ceratobarys nigriceps by GBIF. This taxonomic instability reflects ongoing revisionary work in the and indicates that the generic placement of this species remains unresolved.