Platypalpus melleus
This record describes Platypalpus melleus (species). Recorded family: Hybotidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | One of a few almost entirely yellow species. Original description: Platypalpus melleus , nov. sp. - Female. Length 2 mm. Yellow, the ocellar spot, outer half of the third antennal joint with the arista, the eyes, flexor setulae of middle legs, apex of tibial spur and last tarsal joint alone blackish. Back of occiput shining, front and face moderately broad, white, the face three-fourths as long as the front, epistome shining; third joint of the antennae pyriform, one-half longer than broad and about one-third as long as the arista. |
| Thorax | Thorax shining above, setulae very sparse and small, pleurae white-pruinose except the moderate sternopleural spot abdomen shining except the last two segments. |
| Legs | Legs rather slender, the middle; femora moderately inflated, front femora scarcely ciliate, middle femora with a posterior row of eight silky yellow setae, middle tibiae two-thirds as long as their femora. In tersus the front femora are somewhat swollen and ciliate, and the middle tibiae are three-fourths as long as their femora. |
| Wings | Wings narrow, the second, third and fourth sections of the costa proportioned 4.5:3.5:1, third vein recurved but ending just before the tip of the wing, posterior crossvein slightly oblique, located its own length beyond the anterior and at three-sevenths the length of the wing, anal crossvein perpendicular. sections of the fifth vein proportioned 0.4:0.6:1, base of the anal vein wanting, marginal cilia as long as the anterior crossvein. One specimen, Gowanda, New-York, received from M. C. Van Duzee. |
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Described from New York
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: From the word for honey.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Platypalpus melleus. 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 Platypalpus melleus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Platypalpus melleus
What is Platypalpus melleus?
Platypalpus melleus is a species in the family Hybotidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Platypalpus melleus?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | One of a few almost entirely yellow species. Original description: Platypalpus melleus , nov. sp. - Female. Length 2 mm. Yellow, the ocellar spot, outer half of the third antennal joint with the arista, the eyes, flexor setulae of middle legs, apex of tibial spur and last tarsal joint alone blackish. Back of occiput shining, front and face moderately broad, white, the face three-fourths as long as the front, epistome shining; third joint of the antennae pyriform, one-half longer than broad and about one-third as long as the arista. |
| Thorax | Thorax shining above, setulae very sparse and small, pleurae white-pruinose except the moderate sternopleural spot abdomen shining except the last two segments. |
| Legs | Legs rather slender, the middle; femora moderately inflated, front femora scarcely ciliate, middle femora with a posterior row of eight silky yellow setae, middle tibiae two-thirds as long as their femora. In tersus the front femora are somewhat swollen and ciliate, and the middle tibiae are three-fourths as long as their femora. |
| Wings | Wings narrow, the second, third and fourth sections of the costa proportioned 4.5:3.5:1, third vein recurved but ending just before the tip of the wing, posterior crossvein slightly oblique, located its own length beyond the anterior and at three-sevenths the length of the wing, anal crossvein perpendicular. sections of the fifth vein proportioned 0.4:0.6:1, base of the anal vein wanting, marginal cilia as long as the anterior crossvein. One specimen, Gowanda, New-York, received from M. C. Van Duzee. |
Where is Platypalpus melleus found?
Range: Described from New York