Nephrocerus

Zetterstedt, 1838

Nephrocerus is a of () comprising approximately 20 described distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Members are distinguished from other pipunculids by their larger body size and specific associations. The genus is notable within its for parasitising () rather than the that most pipunculids target. Several species have been described since 2005 based on revisions of Nearctic fauna.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nephrocerus: //nɛ.froʊˈsɛr.əs//

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Identification

Nephrocerus are larger than most , with N. scutellatus having a length of 8.0–9.5 mm. N. scutellatus specifically shows a , entirely black , small third antennal , and hind not broadened at the tip and lacking an fringe of bristly hairs. Male and female provide diagnostic characters for species-level identification. A to Nearctic species is available in Skevington (2005).

Habitat

N. scutellatus has been recorded from woodland (Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK).

Distribution

Europe, Asia, and North America. The Nearctic fauna includes six (N. daeckei, N. slossonae, N. acanthostylus, N. atrapilus, N. corpulentus, N. woodi), with the now also recorded from the Neotropical Region. N. scutellatus is primarily a European species of central and southern Europe and Scandinavia, first recorded in the United in 1980. GBIF records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Host Associations

Tipula (Lunatipula) helvola - Based on larval record for N. scutellatus; in prep. work by Koenig & Young 2005 cited for N. atrapilus association with Tipula (: : Tipulinae)
Metellina merianae - reared fromN. flavicornis reared from this (Tetragnathidae, ) in Romania; represents a new association

Life Cycle

Developing feed upon the bodies of their . Females possess heavily sclerotised that allow penetration of hosts' .

Ecological Role

of (). Larger in the Nephrocerus parasitise craneflies rather than , distinguishing their ecological role from most other .

Similar Taxa

Other Pipunculidae generaNephrocerus are larger in body size and parasitise () rather than (), which is the typical group for most pipunculids.

More Details

Taxonomic revision

The Nearctic were revised in 2005 (Skevington, Zootaxa 977), recognizing two described species and describing four new species. This revision also provided the first record of the from the Neotropical Region.

Genomic resources

A assembly for N. scutellatus is available (613.4 Mb, 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules plus mitochondrial genome, 97.6% BUSCO completeness).