Orthonevra flukei
(Sedman, 1964)
Fluke's Mucksucker
Orthonevra flukei is an uncommon syrphid fly known from the Western United States. Males measure approximately 4.5 mm and females 5.5 mm. The species exhibits distinctive metallic coloration on the and , with complex wing venation patterns that include clouded areas and brown spots. Like other members of its , it possesses rat-tailed larvae, though specific larval preferences for this species remain undocumented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Orthonevra flukei: /ɔrˈθoʊ.nɛv.rə flʊˈkaɪ/
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Identification
Distinguished from other Orthonevra by the combination of: metallic purplish with white hair on upper corners; black with purple and bluish reflections and no normal hair; with four wide purplish longitudinal stripes plus two narrower streaks; wings with clouded area near tip where M1 connects to R2+3 cloud; brown wing markings forming broad band at right angles to ; and specific wing venation including M1 joining R4+5 at right angle, M2 dividing M1 into two equal parts, and CuA1 extending as spur on corner of . The crossvein r-m is located at the basal one-third of the discal cell.
Distribution
Western United States
Life Cycle
Larvae are of the rat-tailed type, characteristic of the Orthonevra. Larvae have been described but specific developmental details are not documented.
Similar Taxa
- Other Orthonevra speciesShare -level characters including rat-tailed larvae and metallic coloration; require examination of specific wing venation patterns, coloration, and thoracic striping for separation
- Orthonevra nitidaOverlaps in distribution; distinguished by specific wing markings and coloration patterns per -level diagnostic characters
More Details
Taxonomic History
Originally described as Chrysogaster (Orthonevra) flukei by Sedman in 1964. Redescribed and illustrated in a 2021 revision of Neotropical Orthonevra (Zootaxa 5484), though the is Nearctic in distribution.