Leucophora marylandica
(Malloch, 1920)
Leucophora marylandica is a of root-maggot fly in the Anthomyiidae, described by Malloch in 1920. The species was originally described under the Hammomyia before being transferred to Leucophora. It is one of approximately 20 recognized species in the genus Leucophora, a group of small to medium-sized flies associated with various organic substrates. The species remains poorly known, with only two documented observations in iNaturalist as of the source date.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Leucophora marylandica: /luˈkɔfɔra ˌmɛrɪˈlændɪkə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Members of Leucophora can be distinguished from related anthomyiid by a combination of chaetotaxy and genitalic characters, though specific diagnostic features for L. marylandica require examination of . The genus is generally characterized by a grayish, somewhat body and reduced or modified bristle patterns on the compared to more bristly anthomyiids such as Delia or Pegomya.
Distribution
The specific epithet 'marylandica' suggests a type locality in Maryland, USA. The is presumably Nearctic in distribution, though precise range boundaries are undocumented.
Similar Taxa
- Leucophora obtusaAnother Nearctic Leucophora ; separation requires examination of male terminalia and subtle differences in wing venation and body chaetotaxy
- Delia spp.Common anthomyiid root-maggot flies with which Leucophora may be confused; Delia typically possess more prominent and numerous dorsocentral and acrostichal bristles on the
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described as Hammomyia marylandica Malloch, 1920, this was later transferred to the Leucophora. The genus Hammomyia is now considered a junior synonym of Leucophora.
Data deficiency
With only two iNaturalist observations and minimal published literature beyond the original description, this exemplifies the many underestudied Diptera for which basic remains unknown.