Hypocharassus

Mik, 1879

Species Guides

2

Hypocharassus is a of long-legged flies (Dolichopodidae) comprising five described distributed across the Nearctic, Oriental, and Palearctic regions. The genus is the sole member of the tribe Hypocharassini within Hydrophorinae. Species are associated with marine and coastal , with flying low over wet sand and larvae inhabiting intertidal zones. The Korean species H. cavitarsus represents the first Palearctic record, expanding the genus's known range.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypocharassus: /ˌhaɪ.poʊˈkær.ə.səs/

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Habitat

Wet seashore sand and sea meadow grass; larvae inhabit spaces between sand grains in marine intertidal environments. -shaped cocoons composed of sand and adhesive material occur on beach sand.

Distribution

Eastern and south-eastern United States (H. gladiator, H. pruinosus); Taiwan (H. farinosus); southern China (H. sinensis); Korea (H. cavitarsus). The spans Nearctic, Oriental, and Palearctic regions.

Diet

Larvae have been reported to feed on small Crustacea or marine plankton, though this is based on previous reports rather than direct observation.

Life Cycle

Larvae develop in marine intertidal , living in spaces between sand grains. occurs in -shaped cocoons constructed from sand and adhesive material, deposited on beach sand.

Behavior

fly close to ground, typically within approximately 1 m of the surface. They are not easily captured by standard net-swinging techniques.

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