Archytas aterrimus
(Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830)
Archytas aterrimus is a of in the . The species was originally described as Jurinia aterrima by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830 before being transferred to the Archytas. Tachinid flies in this genus are generally of other . The species has been documented in field observations on flowers of Ericameria nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush) in the southwestern United States, where it has been noted as a large, black, bristly fly occurring alongside other tachinid species.
Ecological Role
As a member of the , Archytas aterrimus likely functions as a , though specific relationships for this have not been documented in the available sources. in the Archytas are known to parasitize various hosts, contributing to natural of other .
Similar Taxa
- Archytas metallicusBoth are large, black, bristly in the same that have been observed on flowers of Ericameria nauseosa; field observers have noted difficulty distinguishing between them without close examination.
- Juriniopsis adustaSimilar large, black, bristly appearance and shared on rabbitbrush flowers in southwestern U.S. habitats, leading to potential confusion in field identification.