Physoconops excisus
This record describes Physoconops excisus (species). Recorded family: Conopidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
A 1892 description of Conops excisus (= Physoconops excisus) by Williston appears here . Camras (1955) comments that, along with P. townsendi (as well as other species outside our area), C. excisus is characterized by a very distinct uninterrupted postvertical pollinose stripe connecting the postorbitals (i.e. along the upper edge of the occiput). P. bulbirostris has a similar postvertical pollinose stripe, but it is usually (though not always!) interrupted in the middle in that species. Females of P. excisus (like P. bulbirostris ) have a very large theca.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
New York to Florida, west to Colorado and Oklahoma.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Physoconops excisus. 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 excisus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff