Meghyperus
Loew, 1850
Species Guides
1Meghyperus is a of small flies in the Atelestidae, established by Loew in 1850. These flies belong to the Empidoidea superfamily, a diverse group of predatory or scavenging flies. The genus is poorly studied and appears to contain few described . Records indicate presence in northern Europe.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Meghyperus: /mɛˈɡaɪpərəs/
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Identification
Meghyperus can be distinguished from other Atelestidae by genitalic characters, particularly male terminalia structure. External is generally inconspicuous among small empidoid flies. Definitive identification requires microscopic examination and comparison with .
Images
Distribution
Known from Norway and Sweden based on distribution records. The appears to have a restricted northern European range, though this may reflect limited sampling effort rather than true .
Similar Taxa
- AtelestusAlso in Atelestidae; differs in male genitalia and wing venation details
- NemedinaAnother Atelestidae ; distinguished by thoracic bristle patterns and genitalic structure
More Details
Taxonomic uncertainty
Meghyperus is one of the least known in Empidoidea. The original description by Loew (1850) is brief by modern standards, and the genus has received minimal taxonomic revision. boundaries remain unclear.
Collection rarity
With only 26 observations in iNaturalist and sparse literature records, Meghyperus appears genuinely rare in collections. This may reflect small size, cryptic habits, or genuinely low abundance rather than identification difficulties alone.