Hylobittacus
Hylobittacus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Mecoptera
- Family: Bittacidae
- Genus: Hylobittacus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hylobittacus: /ˌhaɪloʊˈbɪtəkəs/
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Summary
Hylobittacus apicalis is a unique hangingfly species characterized by distinct mating behaviors involving nuptial gifts, feeding habits on various non-insect invertebrates, and facing significant predation from spiders. It exhibits interesting sexual dimorphism and complex pre-copulatory and mating behavior, with a simple life cycle involving larval and pupal stages similar in shape to adults.
Physical Characteristics
Medium-sized insect, approximately 1.9 cm in body length; short antennae relative to body size.
Identification Tips
Wings apices darkened, sexual dimorphism obvious in abdominal segment structure.
Habitat
Adults inhabit areas around small herbaceous plants.
Distribution
Widely distributed throughout the lower United States and Mexico; most common in Illinois.
Diet
Mainly feeds on non-insect invertebrates and insects, primarily aphids (Auchenorrhyncha), treehoppers, leafhoppers, and psyllids; captures prey using prehensile hind tarsi.
Life Cycle
Holometabolous; larvae are eruciform with prolegs, and pupae are exarate resembling adults.
Reproduction
Females lay approximately 14 eggs per day after periods of unreceptivity; eggs are spherical, about 0.7 mm by 0.65 mm, tan to orange colored.
Predators
Predators include web-making spiders (most significant), robber flies, damselflies, and cannibalistic behaviors among adults.
Ecosystem Role
As a hangingfly, it plays a role in the food web and preys on abundant non-insect invertebrates.
Collecting Methods
- Netting from vegetation
- Observation of behavioral patterns
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol immersion
- Dry mounting on pins
Misconceptions
Often mistaken for other small flying insects due to its hanging posture and flight style.
Tags
- Hangingflies
- Mecoptera
- Insects