Thoracochaeta zosterae
(Haliday, 1833)
lesser dung fly
Thoracochaeta zosterae is a small dung fly in the Sphaeroceridae. It inhabits coastal marine environments, where larvae develop in seaweed. The was originally described from the Palearctic and has been recorded in the Nearctic region. It is part of a subgenus specialized for supralittoral .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Thoracochaeta zosterae: /θɔːrækoʊˈkiːtə zəʊstˈɜːriː/
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Habitat
Supralittoral marine environments, specifically sea coasts. Larvae inhabit seaweed in these coastal zones.
Distribution
Palearctic region (original description); Nearctic region (subsequently recorded). GBIF records indicate presence in the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, Denmark, and several remote southern Atlantic islands including Gough Island, East Falkland Islands, and Saint Paul Island.
Life Cycle
Larval stage develops in seaweed. stage aerial. No further developmental details available.
More Details
Taxonomic Note
Thoracochaeta zosterae was placed in the subgenus Leptocera (Thoracochaeta Duda) in taxonomic treatments. The subgenus comprises nine Nearctic , with T. zosterae representing the first Nearctic record for this particular species.