Zabrachia
Coquillett, 1901
Species Guides
2Zabrachia is a of soldier flies (Stratiomyidae) established by Coquillett in 1901. are distinguished from other Pachygastrinae by the R4 and R5 wing . The genus includes approximately 20 described distributed across North America, Europe, and Madagascar. Larvae develop under the bark of coniferous trees, while females have been observed ovipositing into pine wood.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Zabrachia: /zaˈbra.kʰi.a/
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Identification
can be distinguished from other Pachygastrinae by the R4 and R5 wing . Further -level identification requires examination of morphological characters described in taxonomic revisions by Kraft & Cook (1961) and James (1965, 1980).
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Habitat
Associated with coniferous forests. Larvae inhabit the space beneath bark of coniferous trees including lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir.
Distribution
Recorded from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in Europe; North America including Mexico; and Madagascar. Distribution records reflect collection and may be incomplete.
Host Associations
- Pinus contorta - larval larvae live under bark of lodgepole pine
- Pinus ponderosa - larval larvae live under bark of ponderosa pine
- Pseudotsuga menziesii - larval larvae live under bark of Douglas fir
Life Cycle
Larvae develop under bark of coniferous trees. Females have been collected during oviposition into pine wood. Complete details are not documented.
Behavior
Females oviposit into pine wood. Larval under bark has not been described in detail.
Ecological Role
Larvae are likely saprophagous or mycophagous in the subcortical environment of coniferous trees, contributing to decomposition processes in dead or dying wood.
Similar Taxa
- Other PachygastrinaeZabrachia are distinguished by R4 and R5 wing ; other in the have these veins separate or differently configured.
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was revised by Kraft & Cook (1961) who described numerous North American , and by James (1965, 1980) who added additional species from North America and described the first Madagascan species.
Collection records
GBIF records indicate presence in Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), though the is more extensively documented from North America. iNaturalist reports 43 observations, suggesting limited but detectable presence in citizen science data.