Meledonus
Aldrich, 1926
Species Guides
2Meledonus is a of tachinid flies ( Tachinidae) established by Aldrich in 1926. The genus contains five described distributed in North America, including M. californicus, M. latipennis, and M. albiceps. As members of the tribe Voriini within Dexiinae, these flies are , though specific associations for most species remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Meledonus: //mɛlɛˈdoʊnəs//
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Identification
Meledonus can be distinguished from related voriine by genitalic characters, particularly male terminalia structure. The genus is characterized by features of the and wing venation typical of Dexiinae, though specific diagnostic external characters require examination of . M. latipennis is distinguished by its broad wings as indicated by its specific epithet.
Distribution
Documented from western and southwestern North America. M. californicus occurs in California; M. lindensis is known from Lind, Washington; M. lucinus from New Mexico. The appears restricted to the Nearctic region with no confirmed records from other continents.
Ecological Role
As tachinid flies, in this function as , likely attacking other insects as . The specific hosts and ecological impact remain undocumented for most species.
Similar Taxa
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Taxonomic history
The was erected by Aldrich in 1926 with M. latipennis as type . Reinhard added three species in the 1950s (M. lindensis, M. albiceps, M. lucinus). The genus has received limited modern taxonomic revision.