Leschenaultia bicolor
This record describes Leschenaultia bicolor (species). Recorded family: Tachinidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Males are distinguished from other Leschenaultia by lacking median marginal bristles on tergites 1+2 and 3. Females do have median marginals on tergite 3. Gudin and Carneiro (2020) (doi: 10.4039/tce.2020.46 ) write Leschenaultia bicolor can be distinguished from other species of Leschenaultia by the males having the fore tarsal claw shorter than the second tarsomere, by the absence of both median marginal setae on the abdominal syntergite 1 2 and tergite 3 and discal setae on tergite 3, and by the median portion of the male cercus evenly curved posteriorly in lateral view.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Oestroidea
- Family
- Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies)
- Subfamily
- Exoristinae
- Tribe
- Goniini
- Genus
- Leschenaultia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern Canada to Argentina
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Leschenaultia bicolor. 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 Leschenaultia bicolor (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Leschenaultia bicolor
What is Leschenaultia bicolor?
Leschenaultia bicolor is a species in the family Tachinidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Leschenaultia bicolor?
Males are distinguished from other Leschenaultia by lacking median marginal bristles on tergites 1+2 and 3. Females do have median marginals on tergite 3. Gudin and Carneiro (2020) (doi: 10.4039/tce.2020.46 ) write Leschenaultia bicolor can be distinguished from other species of Leschenaultia by the males having the fore tarsal claw shorter than the second tarsomere, by the absence of both median marginal setae on the abdominal syntergite 1 2 and tergite 3 and discal setae on tergite 3, and by the median portion of the male cercus evenly curved posteriorly in lateral view.
Where is Leschenaultia bicolor found?
Range: Southeastern Canada to Argentina