Teuchocnemis bacuntius
This record describes Teuchocnemis bacuntius (species). Recorded family: Syrphidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
May be a Batesian mimic of a paper wasp, e.g. Polistes fuscatus . Compare:
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US (NH-FL-TX)
Seasonal Activity
May-Jun in NJ, NH , Mar-Apr in NC (lower elevations) , Apr in OK
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Teuchocnemis bacuntius ( Walker 1849)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Teuchocnemis bacuntius. 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 Teuchocnemis bacuntius (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Teuchocnemis bacuntius
What is Teuchocnemis bacuntius?
Teuchocnemis bacuntius is a species in the family Syrphidae, within the order Diptera.
How big is Teuchocnemis bacuntius?
13-15 mm
Where is Teuchocnemis bacuntius found?
Range: e. US (NH-FL-TX)
When is Teuchocnemis bacuntius active?
Teuchocnemis bacuntius: seasonal activity - May-Jun in NJ, NH , Mar-Apr in NC (lower elevations) , Apr in OK.