Odontomyia microstoma
Loew, 1866
Odontomyia microstoma is a of soldier fly in the Stratiomyidae, first described by Loew in 1866. The Odontomyia belongs to the Stratiomyinae, whose larvae are known to be aquatic. in this genus often exhibit strikingly patterned with horizontal banding, a trait associated with the ability to detect horizontally polarized light. The species name "microstoma" refers to the small mouth.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Odontomyia microstoma: /oʊˌdɒn.toʊˈmaɪə maɪˈkrɒstəmə/
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Distribution
United States.
Life Cycle
Larvae of the Stratiomyinae are aquatic.
More Details
Etymology
The specific epithet "microstoma" derives from Greek roots meaning "small mouth".
Eye morphology
Members of the Odontomyia, like many stratiomyine soldier flies, exhibit horizontally banded patterns. This patterning is associated with the ability to detect horizontally polarized light, which may assist in locating aquatic for oviposition.