Cheilosia shannoni
(Curran, 1923)
Shannon's Blacklet
Cheilosia shannoni is a of hoverfly (Syrphidae) first described by Curran in 1923. It belongs to the Cheilosia, a diverse group of often dark-colored, non-mimetic hoverflies. The species is known from limited observations, with only 9 records documented on iNaturalist. As a member of the tribe Rhingiini, it is likely associated with woodland or forest , though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cheilosia shannoni: /kaɪˈloʊsiə ˈʃænəni/
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Identification
Specific identification characters are not documented in available literature. Cheilosia are notoriously difficult to identify visually; species-level determination typically requires microscopic examination of male terminalia or detailed morphometric analysis. The species may be distinguished from by subtle structural features of the genitalia, but no published diagnostic key or comparison is cited in available sources.
Habitat
preferences are not documented. Based on -level patterns, Cheilosia are frequently associated with woodland edges, forest clearings, and areas with abundant flowering vegetation.
Distribution
Geographic range is poorly documented. The limited iNaturalist observations (n=9) suggest it occurs in North America, but specific localities are not verified in available sources. The basionym Cartosyrphus shannoni suggests possible historical taxonomic confusion or reclassification.
Seasonality
activity period is not documented.
Life Cycle
Larval is unknown. Cheilosia larvae are typically phytophagous, feeding internally in stems or roots of herbaceous plants, but specific plants for C. shannoni are not documented.
Behavior
is not documented. As a syrphid fly, adults likely visit flowers for nectar and pollen, but specific floral associations are unknown.
Ecological Role
Presumed as ; larval role unknown. No specific functions have been documented for this .
Human Relevance
No documented economic or medical importance. Not known to be a pest or beneficial in agriculture.
Similar Taxa
- Cheilosia speciesCheilosia is a large with many morphologically similar dark-colored . Most require genitalia examination for reliable identification.
- Psathyromyia shannoniDifferent (Psychodidae: sand flies), but shares the specific epithet 'shannoni'. The two are unrelated; this similarity reflects independent honorific naming (likely after different persons named Shannon) rather than biological relationship.
Misconceptions
The epithet 'shannoni' has led to potential confusion with Psathyromyia shannoni, a (Psychodidae) species. These are entirely unrelated insects in different . The hoverfly C. shannoni and the sand fly P. shannoni belong to different orders of Diptera and have no biological connection.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described as Cartosyrphus shannoni Curran, 1923, and later transferred to Cheilosia. The Cartosyrphus is now considered a synonym of Cheilosia.
Data deficiency
This is notably data-deficient, with minimal published biological information beyond the original description and taxonomic placement. The low observation count on iNaturalist (9 records) suggests it is either genuinely rare, undercollected, or difficult to identify.