Brachyopa flavescens

Shannon, 1915

Yellow Sapeater

Brachyopa flavescens, commonly known as the Sapeater, is a of () described by Shannon in 1915. The species is fairly common in northeastern North America. are associated with flowers, from which they obtain nectar and pollen. of the Brachyopa are of the rat-tailed , though larvae of B. flavescens specifically have not been described.

Brachyopa flavescens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Brachyopa flavescens: /brəˈkaɪ.oʊ.pə fləˈvɛsɛns/

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Identification

Distinguished from similar Brachyopa by the following combination of characters: in female more concave than in B. ; second and third abdominal without pollinose or longitudinal stripe; with two narrow approximated dark stripes medianly on two-thirds combined with two broad, anteriorly and posteriorly stripes outwardly; anterior cross- located before middle of ; vein R4+5 with section shorter than crossvein r-m. The bright -orange coloration and small size (4–6 mm) help separate it from darker or larger .

Images

Distribution

Northeastern North America. Recorded from Canada and United States.

Diet

feed on nectar and pollen from flowers. Larval diet unknown ( of this have not been described).

Life Cycle

of the Brachyopa are of the rat-tailed (aquatic or semi-aquatic, with a long ). Larvae of B. flavescens specifically have not been described. Complete details unknown.

Behavior

observed around and on flowers. Hovering capability present as in other .

Ecological Role

likely contribute to through flower visitation. Larval ecological role unknown due to lack of description.

Similar Taxa

Brachyopa mediaSimilar size and general appearance, but B. flavescens has a more concave in females and lacks pollinose on abdominal 2–3 that may be present in B. .
Other Brachyopa speciesB. flavescens distinguished by specific characters ( cross- before middle of , R4+5 section shorter than r-m) and abdominal pattern lacking pollinose .

More Details

Taxonomic Note

Catalogue of Life lists this as a synonym, while GBIF and other sources list it as accepted. Taxonomic status may require verification.

Larval Biology

While of Brachyopa flavescens remain undescribed, the Brachyopa is known for rat-tailed larvae typically associated with decaying matter in wet or aquatic environments.