Forcipomyia pictoni
Macfie, 1938
Forcipomyia pictoni is a of in the , described by Macfie in 1938. Like other members of the Forcipomyia, it is a minute , typically 1–3 mm in body length. The genus includes species with diverse feeding habits: females of some species bite vertebrates or other , while others are non-biting. Several Forcipomyia species are known of cacao (Theobroma cacao), though F. pictoni's specific ecological role remains undocumented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Forcipomyia pictoni: /fɔːrˌsɪpoʊˈmaɪə ˈpɪktəni/
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Identification
Identification to level requires examination of male and other microscopic characters. Distinguished from other by the male and general body form. Separated from similar small (, , ) by the combination of long with visible and , and patterns. Specific identification as F. pictoni relies on taxonomic and original description.
Distribution
Documented from Brazil, with records from the states of Amazonas (BR-AM), Bahia (BR-BA), Pará (BR-PA), and São Paulo (BR-SP).
Similar Taxa
- Culicoides spp.Other that bite humans and livestock; distinguished by different antennal structure and patterns.
- Leptoconops spp. with similar size and habits; separated by morphological details of mouthparts and .
- Dasyhelea spp.Non-biting often found in similar ; females lack functional piercing mouthparts.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
Listed as a synonym in Catalogue of Life but accepted in GBIF. This discrepancy reflects ongoing taxonomic revision in the .
Genus Ecology
The Forcipomyia is highly diverse ecologically. Some are the sole of cacao flowers, while others are , , or scavengers. Larval range from moist soil and decaying vegetation to aquatic environments.