Neossos

Malloch, 1927

Species Guides

Neossos tombstonensis

Neossos is a of acalyptrate flies in the Heleomyzidae. The genus is rarely collected and contains at least six described distributed across the Nearctic region and western Europe. Most specimens have been collected from or reared in association with bird nests, where larvae develop as saprophages in nest material. The genus represents a specialized ecological association with avian nesting .

Neossos by (c)
Anna M. Solecki & Terry A. Wheeler, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Neossos tombstonensis holotype by Anna M. Solecki & Terry A. Wheeler. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neossos: /neˈɔs.sɔs/

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Images

Habitat

Primarily associated with bird nests, including those of cavity-nesting passerines, raptors, and cliff-nesting seabirds. have been collected in subarctic tundra (sphagnum mosses, sedges, ericaceous shrubs over permafrost) and mesic meadows (herbaceous vegetation on sand substrates in forest clearings).

Distribution

Nearctic region (North America) and western Europe. Nearctic records include Yukon Territory (Canada), Maryland, California, and Alaska. European records include the Netherlands.

Diet

Larvae are saprophagous in bird nest material. feeding habits are unknown.

Host Associations

birds - Nest associates; specific groups include cavity-nesting passerines, raptors, and cliff-nesting seabirds for various

Behavior

Specimens are rarely encountered in general collecting; approximately 130 specimens studied in one systematic review, with all but one collected or reared from bird nests or birds themselves. Intensive sampling at known localities has often failed to produce additional specimens.

Ecological Role

Contributes to decomposition processes in bird nest microhabitats through larval saprophagy.