White-faced Micropanther
Cerotainia albipilosa
This record describes Cerotainia albipilosa (species). Recorded family: Asilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Area between eyes (frons) and top of head (vertex) very wide. Upper face and top of head has silvery-white pile. Eyes greenish. Types: Holotype as Cerotainia albipilosa male by Curran, 1930. Type Locality: North Carolina. In American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y. Allotype female also.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Meadows, prefers grasses and weeds and often perches on tips of leaves and grass blades.
Geographic Range
e. US (NY-FL to MI-KY-AR-TX)
Seasonal Activity
Mid-June to mid-September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predators of small, usually flying insects like flies, beetles and wasps.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cerotainia albipilosa Curran 1930 White-faced Micropanther: https://www.robberfliesoftheworld.com/NA_CommonNames.php
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cerotainia albipilosa. 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 White-faced Micropanther (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by v belov , lee_penner , Chris Cohen
Frequently Asked Questions About White-faced Micropanther
What is White-faced Micropanther?
White-faced Micropanther (Cerotainia albipilosa) is a species in the family Asilidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is White-faced Micropanther?
7 to 8 mm long.
How do you identify White-faced Micropanther?
Area between eyes (frons) and top of head (vertex) very wide. Upper face and top of head has silvery-white pile. Eyes greenish.
Where is White-faced Micropanther found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Meadows, prefers grasses and weeds and often perches on tips of leaves and grass blades. |
| Range | e. US (NY-FL to MI-KY-AR-TX) |
What does White-faced Micropanther eat?
The diet of the White-faced Micropanther includes Predators of small, usually flying insects like flies, beetles and wasps..
When is White-faced Micropanther active?
White-faced Micropanther: seasonal activity - Mid-June to mid-September.