Physocephala texana
(Williston, 1882)
thick-headed fly
Physocephala texana is a of in the . It is an internal of , specifically vosnesenskii. The female intercepts in mid-air and forcibly an between the 's abdominal . The develops inside the living bee, eventually killing it and pupating within the hollow . flies are mimics with elongated and heavily pigmented margins that resemble the folded wings of .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Physocephala texana: /ˌfaɪsoʊˈsɛfələ tɛkˈsænə/
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Images
Host Associations
- Bombus vosnesenskii - Internal ; female between abdominal of in mid-air interception
Behavior
Females actively pursue in , forcing them to the ground and using their -like mouthparts to ram an between the 's abdominal plates. The feeds as an internal for approximately 10-12 days before killing the host. The larva then pupates inside the hollow of the dead , with the emerging the following summer.
Ecological Role
of ; of
Similar Taxa
- Physocephala tibialisSimilar -mimicking appearance and lifestyle, but attacks different groups
- Zodion intermediumAnother that parasitizes solitary , but much smaller (5-7 mm vs. 12-15 mm) and with different preferences
- Physoconops spp.Related with similar -mimic and thick-headed appearance
More Details
Parasitoid biology
The strategy of Physocephala texana represents a derived form of kleptoparasitism where the is eventually killed rather than merely exploited. The mid-air interception requires precise coordination and represents a specialized to attacking fast-flying hosts.