Nephrocerus

Zetterstedt, 1838

Species Guides

2

Nephrocerus is a of big-headed flies (Pipunculidae) 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 crane flies (Tipulidae) rather than the leafhoppers 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 pipunculid flies, with N. scutellatus having a wing length of 8.0–9.5 mm. N. scutellatus specifically shows a yellow scutellum, entirely black , small brown third antennal segment, and hind tibia not broadened at the tip and lacking an fringe of bristly hairs. Male and female genitalia provide diagnostic characters for species-level identification. A key 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 Kingdom 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 (Diptera: Tipulidae: Tipulinae)
  • Metellina merianae - reared fromN. flavicornis reared from this spider (Tetragnathidae, Araneae) in Romania; represents a new association

Life Cycle

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

Ecological Role

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

Similar Taxa

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).

Sources and further reading