Toxorhina

Loew, 1850

Species Guides

1

Toxorhina is a of crane flies in the Limoniidae comprising over 150 extant across three subgenera: Ceratocheilus, Eutoxorhina, and Toxorhina. The genus is distinguished by an elongate rostrum and reduced wing venation compared to other crane flies. Members have been recorded from tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with fossil evidence extending the stratigraphic range to the Eocene. The genus shows its highest diversity in tropical zones, particularly in the Oriental and Afrotropical regions.

Toxorhina magna by (c) Rich Sommer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rich Sommer. Used under a CC-BY license.Toxorhina by (c) Shannon Foreman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shannon Foreman. Used under a CC-BY license.Toxorhina by (c) Cole Shoemaker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cole Shoemaker. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Toxorhina: /tɔksɔˈriːna/

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Identification

Distinguished from other crane flies by reduced number of in the wings. Possesses a particularly elongate rostrum. Male specimens can be identified to by features of the hypopygium, including gonocoxite structure.

Images

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical climates; recorded from tropical rainforest nature reserves at elevations of 661–2123 m in Yunnan, China. Fossil associated with warm, subtropical paleoclimates (Eocene Baltic amber deposits).

Distribution

Recent: Afrotropical (28 ), Oriental (36 species), Oceanian (31 species), Panamanian (34 species), Australian (8 species), Madagascan (10 species), Nearctic (2 species: Florida and Maryland, USA), Neotropical (6 species). Fossil: Eocene Baltic amber (T. eridanus, T. christelius), Middle Miocene Stavropol, Russia (T. caucasiensis), Early Miocene Mexican amber, Chiapas, Mexico (T. mexicana), Holocene Madagascar copal (T. madagascariensis).

Diet

Has been observed feeding on flowers.

Behavior

are attracted to light and can be collected via light trapping.

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Sources and further reading