Mochlosoma
Brauer & Bergenstamm, 1889
Species Guides
1Mochlosoma is a of tachinid flies established in 1889 with M. validum as the type . The genus comprises 18 described species, most described by Reinhard in 1958. These flies are commonly encountered in faunistic studies of the southwestern United States and Mexico, though their and relationships remain poorly documented. The genus was originally described from a specimen collected in Pennsylvania.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Mochlosoma: //mɔk.loʊˈsoʊ.mə//
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Identification
Members of Mochlosoma can be distinguished using the generic characters summarized by Aldrich (1925) and Townsend (1938), which are now generally accepted. Reinhard (1958) provided a key to all 18 . The type species M. validum was recharacterized by Aldrich based on the single male specimen from the original type series housed in the Vienna Natural History Museum.
Habitat
Southwestern United States and Mexico. The of M. validum was collected in Pennsylvania, suggesting broader North American distribution.
Distribution
Southwestern United States and Mexico; type locality Pennsylvania. Specific distribution data for most is limited.
Ecological Role
Parasitic flies. As members of Tachinidae, in this likely function as , though specific relationships have not been documented.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Brauer and Bergenstamm established Mochlosoma in 1889 with M. validum as the type and sole original . The type series remained unexamined by American dipterists until Aldrich recharacterized the in 1925, restricting the type series to a single male specimen from Pennsylvania. Townsend redefined the in 1938. Most species (13 of 18) were described by Reinhard in 1958.