Hydrophorus alboflorens
(Walker, 1849)
Hydrophorus alboflorens is a of long-legged fly in the Dolichopodidae, first described by Walker in 1849. Members of the Hydrophorus are known for their distinctive habit of skating across water surfaces, behaving similarly to water striders. Like other dolichopodids, they are predatory on small insects. The species is rarely observed, with only two documented observations on iNaturalist.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hydrophorus alboflorens: /hɪˈdrɒfərəs ælboʊˈflɔːrɛnz/
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Identification
-level identification of Hydrophorus alboflorens requires examination of male genitalia, as is typical for the Dolichopodidae. The Hydrophorus can be distinguished from other dolichopodids by its association with water surfaces and skating . Males of related Dolichopus species have modified front with -like ornaments used in courtship, but whether this trait applies to Hydrophorus alboflorens specifically is unconfirmed.
Habitat
Members of the Hydrophorus inhabit aquatic and semi-aquatic environments, including puddles, intermittent streams, and lake or shorelines. They are found on the water surface film.
Behavior
Hydrophorus skate across water surfaces, behaving much like water striders. They are adept of mosquito larvae, capturing them when larvae ascend for air. are active and rarely stop moving, making them difficult to photograph.
Ecological Role
of small insects, including mosquito larvae. The ecological role of Hydrophorus alboflorens specifically has not been documented.
Similar Taxa
- Hydrophorus (other species)Other in the share the water-skating and aquatic ; species-level identification requires genitalia examination
- Dolichopus speciesAlso in Dolichopodidae and found on water surfaces, but Dolichopus have shorter legs and males have distinctive modified front with -like ornaments
- Gerridae (water striders)Similar surface-skating on water, but water striders are true bugs (Hemiptera) with different body plan and longer, more slender legs relative to body size
More Details
Taxonomic note
Hydrophorus alboflorens was described by Francis Walker in 1849. The Hydrophorus belongs to the Hydrophorinae within Dolichopodidae.
Data scarcity
This is poorly documented in public databases, with only two observations recorded on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff. Most details are inferred from -level characteristics and should be treated as provisional.