Hermetia sexmaculata
Macquart, 1834
Hermetia sexmaculata is a of in the . It is one of several species in the Hermetia, which includes the well-studied black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). The species name "sexmaculata" refers to six spots, likely describing a distinctive marking pattern on the . Like other soldier flies, adults are typically -mimics with dark coloration.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hermetia sexmaculata: /hɛrˈmɛtia sɛksˌmækjʊˈleɪtə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
Recorded from the United States (including Puerto Rico), Brazil, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. This distribution spans the Caribbean and parts of South and North America, suggesting to tropical and subtropical climates.
Similar Taxa
- Hermetia illucensThe black is the most well-known , widely used in waste management and animal feed production. H. sexmaculata can be distinguished by the six-spot pattern implied by its name, whereas H. illucens has two distinctive translucent spots on the first abdominal creating a -waisted appearance.
More Details
Related Research Context
While H. sexmaculata itself has minimal published research, studies on the H. illucens demonstrate the 's potential in . These include antimicrobial production, plastic biodegradation via microbes, and sustainable production for animal feed. Whether H. sexmaculata shares these traits remains uninvestigated.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
- A Buggy New Year! | Bug Squad
- ESA Entomology Games Are Both Educational and Entertaining | Bug Squad
- Insect-Based Chicken Feed Can Benefit Farmers and Environment
- Magic of the recycle bin and an edamame surprise: Soldier flies, Stratiomyidae — Bug of the Week
- Inside a Fly Larva's Gut, Microbes Take a Bite Out of Plastic
- Black Soldier Flies Show Potential as Source of Antimicrobial Compounds