Cactus-fly
Guides
Odontoloxozus longicornis
longhorn cactus fly
Odontoloxozus longicornis, commonly known as the longhorn cactus fly, is a species of true fly in the family Neriidae. This species exhibits complex reproductive behavior including male territoriality at oviposition sites and postcopulatory guarding. Males adopt condition-dependent mating strategies, with larger individuals defending territories on giant saguaro cacti while smaller males search for females. The species has been documented in desert environments of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Volucellini
Volucellini is a tribe of hoverflies (Syrphidae) within the subfamily Eristalinae. The tribe includes four genera: Copestylum, Graptomyza, Ornidia, and Volucella. Members are known for their robust, often bee-mimicking appearance and association with rotting plant material, particularly cacti, for larval development. The tribe has a broad distribution with notable diversity in the Neotropical and Afrotropical regions.