Neoplasta
Coquillett, 1895
Neoplasta is a of dance flies in the Empididae, Empidinae, tribe Hemerodromiini. The genus contains approximately 27 described distributed across the Americas, with records from North and South America. At least one species, N. parahebes, has been studied in detail and exhibits a tied to submerged decaying wood in freshwater streams, with predatory habits in both and larval stages.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Neoplasta: /niː.əˈplæstə/
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Habitat
Freshwater streams with submerged decaying wood; larvae inhabit submerged dead tree branches and woody debris. This description is based on detailed study of N. parahebes and may not apply to all in the .
Distribution
Americas: recorded from Vermont (USA), other US localities, and South America (Brazil, Chile based on epithets). Specific distribution varies by species.
Diet
of at least one (N. parahebes) feed on smaller ; larvae prey on wood-boring chironomid larvae such as Orthocladius lignicola. Diet for other species in the is not documented.
Host Associations
- Orthocladius lignicola - preylarvae prey on this wood-boring in its tunnels; specific to N. parahebes
Life Cycle
Three larval instars; hatch in 10–11 days at room temperature; occurs in decaying wood. Females oviposit under bark of submerged wood. Based on N. parahebes; applicability to other unknown.
Behavior
feed on smaller dipterans; mating occurs in unidirectional position; females oviposit under bark of submerged decaying wood, with most laid within a 24-hour period. Documented for N. parahebes.
Ecological Role
on in stage; predator on wood-boring chironomid larvae in larval stage; contributes to processing of submerged woody debris in stream . Role inferred from N. parahebes study.
Similar Taxa
- Neoplasta hebessympatric with N. parahebes; females distinguished by ovipositor
More Details
Species diversity
The contains at least 27 described , with multiple species described by MacDonald & Turner in 1993 from southern California.
Taxonomic placement
Classified in tribe Hemerodromiini, Empidinae; some sources may place it in subfamily Hemerodromiinae.