Conophorus obesulus
This record describes Conophorus obesulus (species). Recorded family: Bombyliidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
adult male all dark: thorax dark brown to blackish, hairy laterally, smoother dorsally; abdomen black with mix of dark and pale hairs, sparse enough to allow ground color to show through; wings dark brown to blackish and translucent, moreso toward hind margin than near costa page creation based on Neal Evenhuis' identification of this image
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Asiloidea
- Family
- Bombyliidae (Bee Flies)
- Subfamily
- Bombyliinae
- Tribe
- Conophorini
- Genus
- Conophorus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
western United States (California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and British Columbia
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Conophorus obesulus. 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 Conophorus obesulus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod
Frequently Asked Questions About Conophorus obesulus
What is Conophorus obesulus?
Conophorus obesulus is a species in the family Bombyliidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Conophorus obesulus?
adult male all dark: thorax dark brown to blackish, hairy laterally, smoother dorsally; abdomen black with mix of dark and pale hairs, sparse enough to allow ground color to show through; wings dark brown to blackish and translucent, moreso toward hind margin than near costa
Where is Conophorus obesulus found?
Range: western United States (California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and British Columbia