Cerocatus pictipennis
This record describes Cerocatus pictipennis (species). Recorded family: Therevidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Black with silvery-white pile. Antenna: Yellowish-brown. |
| Thorax | Segment 1 (scutum) black with 2 gray pile longitudinal stripes, one each side of center. Segment 2 (scutellum) black with wide white line across base. Thorax sides gray with some white pile. Wings: Clear, with traces of 2 grayish crossbands, one near center of wing, one near tip. Male has only a small spot instead of band. Veins and stigma brownish. Wings can be pale yellow in newly emerged adults. |
| Legs | Brown. White pile on thighs (femora). Mid and hind shin (tibiae) more brownish-yellow. Feet black. |
| Abdomen | Female is oddly colored, blackish covered with grayish-blue pile. Basal segments may have more silvery-white, rest of segments more blackish. Abdomen tip also dark. Male has more silvery-white pile with a reddish-yellow, hairy tip. Types: Holotype as Thereva pictipennis by Wiedemann, 1821. Locality: unknown. Assumed in Westermann Collection of Zoological Museum, Copenhagen. Holotype as Psilocephala erythura male by Loew, 1869. #10664 & #10239. Locality: Savannah, Georgia. In Museum Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
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 in sandy soil, dunes.
Geographic Range
U.S. except west coast; Ontario
Seasonal Activity
June to September in south. June in Ontario.
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 pictipennis. 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 pictipennis (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Keith Bayless; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerocatus pictipennis
What is Cerocatus pictipennis?
Cerocatus pictipennis is a species in the family Therevidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Cerocatus pictipennis?
Female 7 to 9 mm; male 6 to 7 mm long.
How do you identify Cerocatus pictipennis?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Black with silvery-white pile. Antenna: Yellowish-brown. |
| Thorax | Segment 1 (scutum) black with 2 gray pile longitudinal stripes, one each side of center. Segment 2 (scutellum) black with wide white line across base. Thorax sides gray with some white pile. Wings: Clear, with traces of 2 grayish crossbands, one near center of wing, one near tip. Male has only a small spot instead of band. Veins and stigma brownish. Wings can be pale yellow in newly emerged adults. |
| Legs | Brown. White pile on thighs (femora). Mid and hind shin (tibiae) more brownish-yellow. Feet black. |
| Abdomen | Female is oddly colored, blackish covered with grayish-blue pile. Basal segments may have more silvery-white, rest of segments more blackish. Abdomen tip also dark. Male has more silvery-white pile with a reddish-yellow, hairy tip. |
Where is Cerocatus pictipennis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forest edges and meadows in sandy soil, dunes. |
| Range | U.S. except west coast; Ontario |
What does Cerocatus pictipennis eat?
The diet of the Cerocatus pictipennis includes Generally this genus feeds on wireworms – click beetle larvae..
When is Cerocatus pictipennis active?
Cerocatus pictipennis: seasonal activity - June to September in south. June in Ontario..