Hylobittacus apicalis
(Hagen, 1861)
Black-tipped Hangingfly
Hylobittacus apicalis is a holometabolous insect and the sole in its . are medium-sized, reaching approximately 1.9 cm in body length, with proportionally short . The species is widely distributed across the lower United States, with an isolated in Mexico, and is the most common hangingfly in Illinois. It exhibits complex mating involving and has been extensively studied due to its activity and accessibility in herbaceous .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hylobittacus apicalis: //ˌhaɪloʊˈbɪtəkəs ˌæpɪˈkeɪlɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
reach approximately 1.9 cm in body length. are short relative to body size. is evident in abdominal segment structure, allowing males and females to be distinguished. When at rest, adults hang from vegetation by their forelegs with wings extended, a characteristic posture of the Bittacidae. The specialized are adapted for hanging and do not support .
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Habitat
inhabit areas around small herbaceous plants. can reach large sizes of several thousand individuals and can coexist with other Mecoptera in the same area.
Distribution
Widely distributed throughout the lower United States. Most common hangingfly in Illinois. Isolated present in Mexico.
Seasonality
active diurnally. Present from late April through early August.
Diet
are predatory, feeding primarily on non-insect and insects, with prey selection generally non-selective and related to environmental abundance. Most common prey are Auchenorrhyncha, particularly aphids, with treehoppers, leafhoppers, and psyllids also frequently taken. Males select larger, more palatable prey when capturing food for mating purposes. Larvae are saprophagous, feeding on dead insects.
Life Cycle
Holometabolous development. Larvae are eruciform with sclerotized , soft segmented body, abdominal , and composed of 7 . Fourth instar larvae prepare burrows for . Pupae are exarate and morphologically similar to with wings folded tightly against the body.
Behavior
hang from foliage by their forelegs when not in , giving the its of hangingflies. Flight is slow and consists of short flights, usually less than 4 feet. Prey is captured using three methods: flying out to grab prey with prehensile hind ; hanging and catching passing prey with hind tarsi; or moving mid and hind legs while flying or along plants to contact prey. The first two methods are most commonly observed. Once prey is captured, adults hang by forelegs and manipulate prey with mid and hind legs while feeding.
Ecological Role
of small , particularly sap-feeding insects in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha. Subject to significant pressure from web-making spiders, which account for the majority of mortality.
Human Relevance
None documented.
Similar Taxa
- Other BittacidaeShare hanging and general body plan, but distinguished by -level characteristics and distribution; H. apicalis is the only in Hylobittacus
- Other MecopteraShare order-level traits but differ in -specific hanging and tarsal specialization; Bittacidae uniquely cannot walk due to tarsal for hanging