Hermetia comstocki

Williston, 1885

agave fly

Hermetia comstocki, commonly known as the agave fly, is a of soldier fly in the Stratiomyidae. It is found in Mexico and the United States. The species is one of several in the Hermetia, which includes the widely studied black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Little specific research has been published on H. comstocki compared to its H. illucens.

Soldierfly (3600815251) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Soldierfly waving antennae (4287239154) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hermetia comstocki: /hɛrˈmiːʃə ˌkɒmˈstɒki/

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Images

Distribution

Mexico, United States

Host Associations

Agave - larval plant "agave fly" suggests association with agave plants, though specific details are not documented in available sources

Similar Taxa

Hermetia illucensBoth are black soldier flies in the same with similar -mimicking appearance; H. illucens is larger, more widespread, and extensively studied for waste conversion and animal feed applications, while H. comstocki is less known and restricted to southwestern North America

More Details

Taxonomic note

Hermetia comstocki was described by Williston in 1885. It belongs to the Hermetiinae, which contains the well-known black soldier flies. The Hermetia is distinguished from other Stratiomyidae by the reduced wing venation and -like appearance of .