Arthropeas
Loew, 1850
Species Guides
1Arthropeas is a of flies in the Xylophagidae, first described by Loew in 1850. The genus contains six recognized distributed across North America and Asia. Species within Xylophagidae are commonly known as awl-flies due to their elongated body form. Arthropeas species are rarely encountered and poorly studied, with limited biological information available.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Arthropeas: //ˌɑrˈθroʊ.piːəs//
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Identification
Arthropeas can be distinguished from other Xylophagidae by characters of the wing venation and antennal structure, though specific diagnostic features require examination of . The genus is characterized by a somewhat robust body compared to the more slender Coenomyia. Definitive identification to level typically requires reference to original descriptions by Loew, Malloch, Johnson, and Matsumura.
Distribution
North America (United States, including Vermont) and Asia (Russia, including Siberia and Sakhalin; Japan).
Similar Taxa
- CoenomyiaBoth are within Xylophagidae; Coenomyia tend to be more slender with different antennal proportions
- XylophagusThe other principal of Xylophagidae; Xylophagus generally have different wing venation patterns
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was established by Loew in 1850 with Arthropeas sibirica as the type . Several species were later added by Malloch (1932), Johnson (1913), and Matsumura (1916). The North American species A. americana was described by Loew in 1861.
Research status
Arthropeas remains one of the least studied of Xylophagidae. The 56 iNaturalist observations suggest it is infrequently encountered by naturalists, and most are known from very few specimens. No comprehensive modern revision of the genus exists.