Cerocatus hardyi
This record describes Cerocatus hardyi (species). Recorded family: Therevidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | Head: Black with silvery-white pile. Antenna: Yellowish; last segment slightly more brownish. |
| Thorax | Segment 1 (scutum) dull grayish-black thinly covered with yellowish-white hair and with 2 gray pile longitudinal stripes, one each side of center. Segment 2 (scutellum) has obvious clumps of projecting black hair at each side and some in the middle. Thorax sides gray pile. Wings: Clear with one very faint transverse grayish band on outer half of wings. Costal edge, veins and stigma yellowish. |
| Legs | Legs yellowish-orange (per journal description). Front feet black, mid and hind feet have segment 1 light, rest dark (per photo). |
| Abdomen | Male densely covered with short black hairs; segments silvery, more so on the first 2 segments. Abdomen tip orange-yellow with dense covering of hairs. Male has pair of extended lobes, the top (dorsal) one longer and hooked downward. |
| Female | Female not described. Types: Holotype as Epomyia flavipes male by Hardy, 1943. Locality: Brownville, Texas, collected by R. I. Sailer, June 29, 1938. In Snow Entomological Collection, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. Paratypes: 3 males same locality and date collected by R. H. Beamer and R. I. Sailer included. Female unknown. |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Asiloidea
- Family
- Therevidae (Stiletto Flies)
- Subfamily
- Therevinae
- Genus
- Cerocatus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forest edges and meadows with sandy soil, dunes.
Geographic Range
Southern U.S. and Mexico.
Seasonal Activity
April to June.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Generally this genus feeds on wireworms – click beetle larvae.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cerocatus hardyi. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cerocatus hardyi (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robert Lord Zimlich; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerocatus hardyi
What is Cerocatus hardyi?
Cerocatus hardyi is a species in the family Therevidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Cerocatus hardyi?
Male 7 to 7.5 mm long.
How do you identify Cerocatus hardyi?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | Head: Black with silvery-white pile. Antenna: Yellowish; last segment slightly more brownish. |
| Thorax | Segment 1 (scutum) dull grayish-black thinly covered with yellowish-white hair and with 2 gray pile longitudinal stripes, one each side of center. Segment 2 (scutellum) has obvious clumps of projecting black hair at each side and some in the middle. Thorax sides gray pile. Wings: Clear with one very faint transverse grayish band on outer half of wings. Costal edge, veins and stigma yellowish. |
| Legs | Legs yellowish-orange (per journal description). Front feet black, mid and hind feet have segment 1 light, rest dark (per photo). |
| Abdomen | Male densely covered with short black hairs; segments silvery, more so on the first 2 segments. Abdomen tip orange-yellow with dense covering of hairs. Male has pair of extended lobes, the top (dorsal) one longer and hooked downward. |
| Female | Female not described. |
Where is Cerocatus hardyi found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and meadows with sandy soil, dunes. |
| Range | Southern U.S. and Mexico. |
What does Cerocatus hardyi eat?
The diet of the Cerocatus hardyi includes Generally this genus feeds on wireworms – click beetle larvae..
When is Cerocatus hardyi active?
Cerocatus hardyi: seasonal activity - April to June..