Odontomyia hoodiana
Bigot, 1887
Odontomyia hoodiana is a of soldier fly in the Stratiomyidae, described by Bigot in 1887. The Odontomyia belongs to the Stratiomyinae, a group whose larvae are typically aquatic. As with many soldier flies, likely exhibit patterned with horizontal banding, a trait common in this subfamily that has been linked to detection of horizontally polarized light. The species is known from North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Odontomyia hoodiana: /oʊˌdɒntoʊˈmaɪə ˌhuːdiˈænə/
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Distribution
Canada, United States, Mexico
Similar Taxa
- Psellidotus spp.Similar overall appearance to Odontomyia; both belong to Stratiomyinae and share the tribe Stratiomyini. Psellidotus and Odontomyia can be difficult to distinguish in some regions, particularly where faunas overlap.
More Details
Eye patterning and polarized light vision
Stratiomyine , including those in Odontomyia, frequently exhibit horizontal banding patterns on their . These patterns have been associated with the ability to detect horizontally polarized light, a capability demonstrated in related groups such as Tabanidae. This visual trait may function in locating water surfaces for oviposition and mate-finding, as Stratiomyinae larvae are aquatic.