Myopa clausa

Loew, 1866

Thick-headed Fly

Myopa clausa is a of in the Conopidae, a group of parasitic flies known for their stout build and broad . Like other conopids, this species is an internal of bees and . The Myopa is seldom recorded, partly due to identification difficulties.

Myopa clausa by no rights reserved, uploaded by Bruce Cook. Used under a CC0 license.

Myopa clausa (Williston Conopidae) by Samuel Wendell Williston (1851, 1918). Used under a Public domain license.

Annual report of the State Entomologist of Minnesota to the Governor for the year .. (1905) (19180067480) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Myopa clausa: /ˈmaɪ.oʊ.pə ˈklɔː.zə/

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Identification

Members of the Myopa can be recognized by their stout body, broad , and characteristic posture where the partially curves under. Specific identification of M. clausa requires examination of detailed morphological characters; the genus is taxonomically challenging and seldom recorded.

Images

Distribution

Recorded from Canada and the United States, with specific distribution records from Vermont and other US localities.

Host Associations

Hymenoptera - internal Like all Conopidae, Myopa clausa is an internal of bees and . The specific for M. clausa has not been confirmed.

Ecological Role

As a of bees and , contributes to of Hymenoptera.

Similar Taxa

Myopa tessellatipennisBoth are members of the Myopa with similar parasitic and general ; M. tessellatipennis is a spring-active with possible association with Andrena barbilabris.
Sicus ferrugineusBoth are Conopidae and internal of Hymenoptera, but Sicus has a more elongated body form and different associations.
Conops quadrifasciatusBoth are Conopidae with similar parasitic , but Conops is more commonly encountered and has distinctive banded coloration.

More Details

Taxonomic note

The Myopa is taxonomically difficult and are seldom recorded, which may reflect both genuine rarity and under-recording due to identification challenges.