Hybomitra illota
(Osten Sacken, 1876)
horse fly
Hybomitra illota is a in the . Males form in forest clearings, exhibiting a "perch-and-pursue" mating where they chase flying overhead. This species occurs in temperate North America, with documented in Canada and the United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hybomitra illota: //haɪˈbɒmɪtrə ɪˈloʊtə//
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Images
Habitat
Forest clearings; males aggregate in sunny areas within wooded , perching on various substrates. sites occur where ambient temperatures exceed 18°C. During hot afternoons, some males shift to dappled .
Distribution
Canada (Ontario, with records from Rondeau Provincial Park; Vermont), United States.
Seasonality
Activity occurs on sunny days when temperatures exceed 18°C. Males have been observed at sites from spring through summer, with some individuals returning to or remaining at sites for up to 13 days.
Behavior
Males exhibit "perch-and-pursue" : perching on substrates and making frequent to pursue overhead. Pursuit flights function as mating behavior, with successful pursuits of females resulting in copulation. Males regulate thoracic temperature around 37°C through behavioral and physiological mechanisms. Some males show site fidelity, returning to areas for multiple days, though most do not remain at the same location within a site even during a single day.
Similar Taxa
- Hybomitra hineiCongeneric ; males are among the fastest flying recorded (89 mph), whereas H. illota is distinguished by its documented aggregating "perch-and-pursue" mating system in forest clearings.