Toxonevra muliebris

Toxonevra muliebris is a species of flutter fly in the family Pallopteridae.[3][4] It has been found in Europe and North America. The pattern on the wings of this species is distinctive.

Toxonevra muliebris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Pallopteridae
Genus: Toxonevra
Species:
T. muliebris
Binomial name
Toxonevra muliebris
(Harris, 1780)[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Musca muliebris Harris, 1780
  • Toxoneura muliebris (Harris, 1780)
  • Scatophaga lobata Fabricius, 1805
  • Toxonevra fasciata Macquart, 1835

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Moses Harris under the name Musca muliebris.[5] Subsequently, this species has been included within the genus Palloptera.[5] It has also been known under the name Toxoneura muliebris.[3] However this name is regarded as being a misspelling of the genus Toxonevra.[4][6] It is currently known as Toxonevra muliebris.[3][7][2]

Description
An exposition of English insects Plate XXI Fig 9 is Toxonevra muliebris

Morris described this species as follows:

Measures two lines. The head, thorax, abdomen and legs, are of a pleasant pale brown. The wings are clear, having two broadish brown stripes from the apex to the shoulder, one of which lies along the sector edge, the other through the middle. This pretty fly is very scarce: it shakes its wings as it walks, like the Vibrans, and is not soon frightened away.[5]

The pattern on the wings of adults is distinctive and is a diagnostic feature when identifying this species.[6]

Distribution

This species is native to Europe,[3] and has been observed in countries such as Spain, Italy, Austria, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Ireland.[8] Recently it has been observed and collected in North America.[6]

Ecology

The larvae of this species have been found under tree bark and it has been hypothesised that they feed on beetle larvae. In North America adults of this species have also been discovered inside residential houses. It has been suggested that this is as a result of larvae of T. mulibris preferring to prey on the larvae of carpet beetles, a common household pest in North America.[6]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toxonevra muliebris.
  1. Harris, M. (1780). An exposition of English insects. Vol. Decads III, IV. London: Robson Co. pp. 73–99, 100–138, pls. 21-30, 31–40. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  2. "Toxonevra muliebris". www.catalogueoflife.org. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  3. Evenhuis, Neal L.; Pape, Thomas (2 April 2021). "Toxonevra muliebris". Systema Dipterorum. Bishop Museum. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  4. Marshall, Stephen A. (2012). Flies: The Natural History & Diversity of Diptera. Firefly Books. ISBN 9781770851009. OCLC 1126641864.
  5. Moses Harris (1782), An exposition of English insects : including the several classes of Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, & Diptera, or bees, flies, & Libellulae : exhibiting on 51 copper plates near 500 figures, accurately drawn & highly finished in colours, from nature, Illustrator: Moses Harris, London, p. 75, doi:10.5962/BHL.TITLE.168994, Wikidata Q107401818
  6. Cannings, Robert A.; Gibson, Joel F. (December 2019). "Toxonevra muliebris (Harris) (Diptera: Pallopteridae): a European fly new to North America". Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia. 116: 64–68. ISSN 0071-0733. Wikidata Q107400802.
  7. "Toxonevra muliebris (Harris, 1780)". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  8. Wallace, P. F; O'Connor, J. P. (31 July 1997). "Palloptera muliebris (Harris) (Dipt., Pallopteridae) discovered in Dublin City". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 133: 114.
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