California-endemic-element
Guides
Caloparyphus mariposa
Caloparyphus mariposa is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae, first described by James in 1939. The specific epithet "mariposa" (Spanish for butterfly) refers to Mariposa County, California, where the type specimen was collected. It is one of approximately 20 species in the genus Caloparyphus, a group of Nearctic soldier flies characterized by distinctive wing venation and body patterning. As with most Stratiomyidae, the larvae are likely aquatic or semi-aquatic, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.