Atylotus calcar

Teskey, 1983

Atylotus calcar is a of horse fly in the Tabanidae, described by Teskey in 1983. As a member of the Atylotus, it belongs to a group of medium to large-sized biting flies commonly known as horse flies or deer flies. The species is part of the tribe Tabanini within the Tabaninae. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only six documented observations on iNaturalist.

Atylotus calcar by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Atylotus calcar: /ˈætɨloʊtəs ˈkælkɑr/

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Identification

Atylotus calcar can be distinguished from other Atylotus by specific morphological characters established in the original description by Teskey (1983). As with other members of the , identification likely relies on details of wing venation, patterns in life or preservation, and genitalic structures. The specific epithet "calcar" (Latin for "spur") may refer to a distinctive spur-like structure on some body part, though this requires verification from the original description.

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Distribution

The precise distribution of Atylotus calcar is poorly documented. Based on the limited iNaturalist observations, the has been recorded in North America. The type locality and full range require verification from the original description.

Diet

As with other horse flies in the Tabanidae, females of Atylotus calcar likely require blood meals for development, while males probably feed on nectar and other sugar sources. However, specific associations for this have not been documented.

Ecological Role

As a member of the Tabanidae , Atylotus calcar likely functions as a biting fly whose females may serve as a minor when feeding on nectar, while potentially acting as a nuisance pest or to vertebrate . Larval stages are probably or detritivorous in aquatic or semi-aquatic , typical for the family.

Similar Taxa

Other Atylotus speciesMembers of the Atylotus share general body plan, size range, and wing venation patterns, requiring careful examination of specific morphological characters for definitive identification.
Tabanus speciesThe largest of horse flies overlaps in size and general appearance with Atylotus, but differs in details of structure, wing venation, and genitalia.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Atylotus calcar was described by Canadian dipterist Harold J. Teskey in 1983. Teskey was a leading authority on Tabanidae, and his descriptions are noted for their and attention to diagnostic characters.

Data deficiency

This is exceptionally poorly known in the literature. The six iNaturalist observations represent the most accessible occurrence data, suggesting it may be genuinely rare, geographically restricted, or undercollected due to resemblance to more common species.