Yellow-faced Micropanther
Cerotainia macrocera
This record describes Cerotainia macrocera (species). Recorded family: Asilidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Area between eyes (frons) and top of head (vertex) very wide and covered with brown-yellow hairs. Eyes brown.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open fields and forest edges. Usually found at tips of twigs and grass. May come to lights at night.
Geographic Range
e. US (NJ-FL to MI-IL-CO-KS-MS) Rare in Canada. One recorded in Lambton County, Ontario in 1999.
Seasonal Activity
Mid-June to mid-August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predators of small, usually flying insects like bees, beetles and wasps.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cerotainia macrocera (Say 1823) Yellow-faced Micropanther: https://www.robberfliesoftheworld.com/NA_CommonNames.php
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Cerotainia macrocera. 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 Yellow-faced Micropanther (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Martin Hauser; Additional contributions by v belov , lee_penner , Chris Cohen
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow-faced Micropanther
What is Yellow-faced Micropanther?
Yellow-faced Micropanther (Cerotainia macrocera) is a species in the family Asilidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Yellow-faced Micropanther?
5 to 9 mm long.
How do you identify Yellow-faced Micropanther?
Area between eyes (frons) and top of head (vertex) very wide and covered with brown-yellow hairs. Eyes brown.
Where is Yellow-faced Micropanther found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open fields and forest edges. Usually found at tips of twigs and grass. May come to lights at night. |
| Range | e. US (NJ-FL to MI-IL-CO-KS-MS) Rare in Canada. One recorded in Lambton County, Ontario in 1999. |
What does Yellow-faced Micropanther eat?
The diet of the Yellow-faced Micropanther includes Predators of small, usually flying insects like bees, beetles and wasps..
When is Yellow-faced Micropanther active?
Yellow-faced Micropanther: seasonal activity - Mid-June to mid-August..