Pelecinobaccha costata
This record describes Pelecinobaccha costata (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wing with leading edge darkened and with cell dm always clear; face yellow with median black line; abdomen constricted basally, swollen/widened apically with pointed tip, ground color black w/ blue-to-silvery markings, and three equally-spaced white spots along each side Types: Syntype as Baccha costata by Say, 1829. Type Locality: Indiana. Was in the Academy of Natural Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – apparently lost. Lectotype as Baccha costalis male by Wiedemann, 1830. Type Locality: Unknown. In Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Austria.Hence, any Megerle material extant today should be labeled Alte Sammlung. [Old Collection] A number of specimens that Wiedemann described as from unknown localities and from the Wiener Museum are probably Megerle material. Many of these specimens have a curious F label in addition to the Alte Sammlung label (including Baccha costalis ). per Thompson, New York Ent, 1988, Vol. 96: 202 . Lectotype as Baccha tarchetia female by Walker, 1849. Type Locality: Georgia. In the British Museum of Natural History, London, England.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forests, trees with scale insects.
Geographic Range
Extreme southern Ontario & e. US
Seasonal Activity
June to Sept. in the north; all season in the south.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae are predators of scale insects
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The specific epithet likely refers to the darkened costal margin (= leading edge) of the wing. The generic name was originally proposed in Shannon(1927) for a subgenus of Baccha , and it referred to a resemblance to the hymenopteran Pelecinus polyturata (based on another member of the subgenus: Baccha peruviana , now Pelecinobaccha peruviana ).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Pelecinobaccha costata. 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 Pelecinobaccha costata (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , v belov , lee_penner , kbyers
Frequently Asked Questions About Pelecinobaccha costata
What is Pelecinobaccha costata?
Pelecinobaccha costata is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Pelecinobaccha costata?
8.5-11.5 mm
How do you identify Pelecinobaccha costata?
Wing with leading edge darkened and with cell dm always clear; face yellow with median black line; abdomen constricted basally, swollen/widened apically with pointed tip, ground color black w/ blue-to-silvery markings, and three equally-spaced white spots along each side
Where is Pelecinobaccha costata found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forests, trees with scale insects. |
| Range | Extreme southern Ontario & e. US |
What does Pelecinobaccha costata eat?
The diet of the Pelecinobaccha costata includes Larvae are predators of scale insects.
When is Pelecinobaccha costata active?
Pelecinobaccha costata: seasonal activity - June to Sept. in the north; all season in the south..