Physoconops bulbirostris
This record describes Physoconops bulbirostris (species). Recorded family: Conopidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Frons entirely black; cheeks brown-to-black (at least in posterior portion); face, including facial grooves, whitish; proboscis fairly long (reaching end of 2nd antennal segment). |
| Thorax | Black; two fairly large white, rectangular, pollinose spots at anterior corners of dorsum (i.e. humeral dashes); pollinose pleural stripe occupies lower half of pleura only (terminates at suture between upper and lower halves). |
| Abdomen | Black, with narrow posterior white pollinose bands. In females, theca quite large. Both P. bulbirostris and (the dark variant of) P. excisus are mostly black and have females with very large thecas. However, Camras (1955) emphasizes (on pg. 171) that P. excisus has a very distinct uninterrupted postvertical pollinose stripe connecting the postorbitals (i.e running along the rear edge of the upper half of the head)...whereas in P. bulbirostris , the corresponding stripe is (usually) interrupted in the middle or absent. |
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Indiana to New Jersey, s. to Texas and Florida [extending southward to Paraguay...see catalog entry here ].
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: From Latin: bulbi = thickened, bulbous; rostr- = beak, rostrum In his original description, Loew remarked that the proboscis was noticeably thickened at base. In morphological terminology of Diptera, the word "rostrum" refers to the basal portion of the proboscis.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Physoconops bulbirostris. 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 Physoconops bulbirostris (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Physoconops bulbirostris
What is Physoconops bulbirostris?
Physoconops bulbirostris is a species in the family Conopidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Physoconops bulbirostris?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Head | Frons entirely black; cheeks brown-to-black (at least in posterior portion); face, including facial grooves, whitish; proboscis fairly long (reaching end of 2nd antennal segment). |
| Thorax | Black; two fairly large white, rectangular, pollinose spots at anterior corners of dorsum (i.e. humeral dashes); pollinose pleural stripe occupies lower half of pleura only (terminates at suture between upper and lower halves). |
| Abdomen | Black, with narrow posterior white pollinose bands. In females, theca quite large. |
Where is Physoconops bulbirostris found?
Range: Indiana to New Jersey, s. to Texas and Florida [extending southward to Paraguay...see catalog entry here ].