Tabudamima melanophleba
This record describes Tabudamima melanophleba (species). Recorded family: Therevidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Medium-sized flies (6.8-9.3 mm). Tabudamima differs from lncoxoverpa, Tabuda, Dialineura, and Pallicephala in lacking a dark band extending laterally from the antennal socket to the medial margin of the eyes. It differs from lncoxoverpa and is similar to Tabuda in having elongate hairs on the parafacial and the area Iateral to the antennal sockets; male cerci and hypoproct ending posteriorly to the posterior margin of epandrium; and the ventral lobe of the gonocoxite narrow. It is separated from Tabuda in having the wing cell m3 generally closed or narrowly open (Fig. 9), 1 pair of supra-alar bristles; and lacking dorsocentral bristles .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Diptera (Flies)
- Superfamily
- Asiloidea
- Family
- Therevidae (Stiletto Flies)
- Subfamily
- Therevinae
- Genus
- Tabudamima
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Specimens have been collected on sand dunes, at a water trough, and in a Malaise and mechanical trap ".
Geographic Range
"....from Baja California Norte to southern Washington and east to Nevada ".
Seasonal Activity
"In the specimens examined (n = 148), adults were collected between 11 April and 7 August ".
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Tabudamima melanophleba. 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 Tabudamima melanophleba (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Schneider
Frequently Asked Questions About Tabudamima melanophleba
What is Tabudamima melanophleba?
Tabudamima melanophleba is a species in the family Therevidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Tabudamima melanophleba?
Medium-sized flies (6.8-9.3 mm). Tabudamima differs from lncoxoverpa, Tabuda, Dialineura, and Pallicephala in lacking a dark band extending laterally from the antennal socket to the medial margin of the eyes. It differs from lncoxoverpa and is similar to Tabuda in having elongate hairs on the parafacial and the area Iateral to the antennal sockets; male cerci and hypoproct ending posteriorly to the posterior margin of epandrium; and the ventral lobe of the gonocoxite narrow. It is separated from Tabuda in having the wing cell m3 generally closed or narrowly open (Fig. 9), 1 pair of supra-alar bristles; and lacking dorsocentral bristles .
Where is Tabudamima melanophleba found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Specimens have been collected on sand dunes, at a water trough, and in a Malaise and mechanical trap . |
| Range | ....from Baja California Norte to southern Washington and east to Nevada . |
When is Tabudamima melanophleba active?
Tabudamima melanophleba: seasonal activity - In the specimens examined (n = 148), adults were collected between 11 April and 7 August ..