Cynorhinella bella

(Williston, 1882)

Western Longnose

Cynorhinella bella, commonly known as the western longnose, is a of hoverfly in the Syrphidae. The species was described by Williston in 1882. It is characterized by a notably elongated facial structure and distinctive coloration. The western longnose occurs in North America, with records from both Canada and the United States.

Myiolepta bella wing by Williston S.W.. Used under a Public domain license.

Cynorhinella bella map by Stephen Fox. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Myiolepta bella female by Williston S.W.. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cynorhinella bella: //ˌsaɪnoʊrɪˈnɛlə ˈbɛlə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The western longnose can be distinguished from similar hoverflies by its elongated, concave facial profile with a prominent rounded —features that give the its . The combination of chestnut brown , shining blue-black and , yellowish-brown pleurae, and distinctly luteous (greenish-tinged) wings with yellowish stigma is diagnostic. The narrow, tapering abdomen and specific pattern of pile coloration (yellowish basally, white on hypopygium, black apically on middle segments) further aid identification.

Images

Appearance

measure approximately 10 mm in length. with chestnut brown, concave below with a prominent rounded about the middle, below which it is slightly produced to the not prominent oral margin; side margins well defined; facial slopes with fine whitish pollen, side margins with sparse whitish pile; cheeks and frontal triangle shining, concolorous with face; vertical triangle brown with brown pile; occiput shining chestnut with whitish pile below and brownish above. shining blue-black, dorsum with yellow pile intermixed with black on middle and black pile on borders; pleurae yellowish brown with yellowish pile, pile black above. Scutellum concolorous with dorsum with slightly longer black pile. narrow, gradually narrowing after second segment, shining blue-black with margins of second and third segments slightly more blackish on two-thirds; hypopygium black. Abdominal pile yellowish on basal angles, becoming white on hypopygium and black on ends of second and third segments. Legs chestnut brown. Wings distinctly luteous with light to medium greenish tinge; stigma yellowish. Squamae and white.

Distribution

Canada; United States. Specific provincial and state records not detailed in available sources.

Similar Taxa

Chilosia spp.Similar facial structure with well-defined side margins; Cynorhinella bella distinguished by its more prominent facial and specific coloration pattern.

More Details

Original Description

The was originally described by S.W. Williston in 1882. The description quoted in available sources is drawn from Williston's original work.