Stylogaster beresfordi

Described from material presumably collected in the Neotropical region, based on the geographic distribution pattern of the genus Stylogaster. The genus is most diverse in the Neotropics, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.

• crickets - obligate parasitelarvae develop internally in host
• cockroaches - obligate parasitelarvae develop internally in host
• calyptrate flies - obligate parasitelarvae develop internally in host

Eggs feature a rigid barbed tip, suggesting forcible jab oviposition into hosts. Larvae hatch and develop as internal parasites within their hosts. Specific life cycle details for S. beresfordi are not documented.

Adult females aggressively intercept hosts in flight for oviposition. Adult feeding involves use of an exceptionally long proboscis, which exceeds body length when fully extended, to access nectar from flowers.

Internal parasitoid of orthopterans, blattodeans, and other dipterans. Potential role in host population regulation, though specific ecological impacts are unstudied.

• Stylogaster neglectaThe only other Stylogaster species recorded from North America; distinguished by antennal proportions (S. neglecta has short 2nd antennomere and highly elongate 3rd antennomere)
• Stylogaster biannulataNeotropical species distinguished from S. neglecta by nearly equal length of 2nd and 3rd antennomeres; S. beresfordi may be distinguished by characters described in original description

• parasitoid
• internal parasite
• flower visitor
• conopid
• thick-headed fly

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Diptera | Beetles In The Bush | Page 8
• BitB Best of 2009 | Beetles In The Bush