Chalcosyrphus plesia
This record describes Chalcosyrphus plesia (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Shiny black. Face projecting outward at antenna base. Antenna: Base black, last segment large, rounded, brownish. |
| Thorax | Dull brownish-black, flattened at end as in all Chalcosyrphus. Wings: Slightly tinted brownish. Wings extend to abdomen. Main ID: Halteres brown to black. |
| Legs | Front and middle legs orange. Hind joint to body (coxa) black, slightly reddish on underside, difficult to see. Hind thigh (femur) orange, enlarged, narrowing abruptly to a black tip. Shins (tibiae) and feet black. |
| Abdomen | Black, shiny. Female tip pointed. Types: Holotype as Xylota plesia male by Curran, 1925. Type Locality: Bathurst, New Brunswick. In the Canadian National Collections (CNC), Ottawa, Ontario. #1339. |
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Wet deciduous forests.
Geographic Range
East coast (including U.S.) down to southern Ontario.
Seasonal Activity
May to mid-July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Probably tree sap. Adults feed on flower nectar.
Life History
Females lay eggs in cracks and crevices of damp, bark-covered logs, or treeholes. Chalcosyrphus larvae are short-tailed , slightly flattened larvae with two sets of 1-2 black hooks on the thorax. They require moisture, but not totally submerged logs (Rotheray 1993). Older larvae chew deeper into the wood (5 mm), possibly looking for softer, damper material.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chalcosyrphus plesia (Curran 1925)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Chalcosyrphus plesia. 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 Chalcosyrphus plesia (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joel Kits; Additional contributions by v belov , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Chalcosyrphus plesia
What is Chalcosyrphus plesia?
Chalcosyrphus plesia is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Chalcosyrphus plesia?
10 to 11 mm. long - smaller than most other Chalcosyrphus.
How do you identify Chalcosyrphus plesia?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Shiny black. Face projecting outward at antenna base. Antenna: Base black, last segment large, rounded, brownish. |
| Thorax | Dull brownish-black, flattened at end as in all Chalcosyrphus. Wings: Slightly tinted brownish. Wings extend to abdomen. Main ID: Halteres brown to black. |
| Legs | Front and middle legs orange. Hind joint to body (coxa) black, slightly reddish on underside, difficult to see. Hind thigh (femur) orange, enlarged, narrowing abruptly to a black tip. Shins (tibiae) and feet black. |
| Abdomen | Black, shiny. Female tip pointed. |
Where is Chalcosyrphus plesia found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Wet deciduous forests. |
| Range | East coast (including U.S.) down to southern Ontario. |
What does Chalcosyrphus plesia eat?
The diet of the Chalcosyrphus plesia includes Probably tree sap. Adults feed on flower nectar..
When is Chalcosyrphus plesia active?
Chalcosyrphus plesia: seasonal activity - May to mid-July..
What is the life cycle of a Chalcosyrphus plesia?
Females lay eggs in cracks and crevices of damp, bark-covered logs, or treeholes. Chalcosyrphus larvae are short-tailed , slightly flattened larvae with two sets of 1-2 black hooks on the thorax. They require moisture, but not totally submerged logs (Rotheray 1993). Older larvae chew deeper into the wood (5 mm), possibly looking for softer, damper material.