Lonchaea
Fallén, 1820
lance flies
Lonchaea is a of small flies in the Lonchaeidae, commonly called lance flies. The genus contains at least 238 described with a worldwide distribution. Species within Lonchaea exhibit diverse ecological associations with coniferous trees and bark beetles, ranging from predatory to commensal relationships. Some species have been investigated for potential use as agents of forest pests.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Lonchaea: /lɔŋˈkiːə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Associated with coniferous trees; found in Sitka spruce terminal leaders, windthrown Douglas-firs, and other conifer . Specific habitat associations vary by .
Distribution
Worldwide; records include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Vermont (USA). Individual show more restricted ranges: Lonchaea furnissi in western Oregon and Washington, Lonchaea zetterstedti with holarctic distribution.
Human Relevance
Some have been studied for potential of forest pests, particularly bark beetles. Lonchaea corticis has been investigated as a regulatory agent of white pine weevil .
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- THE IDENTITY, DISTRIBUTION, AND BIOLOGY OF LONCHAEA ZETTERSTEDTI WITH NOTES ON RELATED SPECIES (DIPTERA: LONCHAEIDAE)
- PREDATION BY LONCHAEA CORTICIS (DIPTERA: LONCHAEIDAE) ON THE WHITE PINE WEEVIL, PISSODES STROBI (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)
- The Diptera Medetera aldrichii Wheeler (Dolichopodidae) and Lonchaea furnissi McAlpine (Lonchaeidae) Associated with the Douglas-fir Beetle in Western Oregon and Washington