Gymnocheta
Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830
Species Guides
1Gymnocheta is a of tachinid flies comprising approximately 12 described distributed across the Palaearctic region. The genus is distinguished by metallic green coloration in some species, a trait shared with only one other European tachinid genus. Members are of Lepidoptera, with larvae developing inside caterpillars. The of G. viridis was sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Gymnocheta: //dʒɪmˈnɒkɪtə//
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Identification
with metallic green coloration can be distinguished from the similar Chrysosomopsis aurata by black palps (versus yellow in C. aurata) and three postsutural dorsocentral bristles (versus four in C. aurata).
Habitat
Woodland, forest margins, meadows, and gardens.
Distribution
Widely distributed across the Palaearctic region, including Britain, Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland), Russia (including the Russian Far East), and Japan.
Seasonality
Spring to early summer activity, with flying from March to June and occasionally into July.
Diet
feed on flowers, specifically recorded from cow parsnip (Anthriscus sylvestris) and other umbellifers (Apiaceae).
Host Associations
- Mesapamea secalis - Lepidoptera stem borer
- Photedes minima - Lepidoptera stem borer
- Denticucullus pygmina - Lepidoptera stem borer
- Amphipoea ussuriensis - Lepidoptera stem borer
Life Cycle
Larvae are of Lepidoptera stem borers that inhabit grasses or sedges. period occurs in spring and early summer.
Behavior
Males frequently bask on tree trunks. Females fly low among grasses while searching for .
Ecological Role
of Lepidoptera stem borers in grasses and sedges, contributing to of these herbivores.
Human Relevance
G. viridis sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life Project, yielding a 600.30 Mb assembly with 12,716 protein-coding genes.
Similar Taxa
- Chrysosomopsis aurataAlso metallic green; distinguished by yellow palps and four postsutural dorsocentrals versus black palps and three postsutural dorsocentrals in Gymnocheta.