Atherix marginata
| Atherix marginata | |
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| Atherix marginata. Male | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Athericidae |
| Subfamily: | Athericinae |
| Genus: | Atherix |
| Species: | A. marginata
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| Binomial name | |
| Atherix marginata | |
| Synonyms | |
Atherix marginata, the black-legged water-snipefly, is a species of ibis flies belonging to the family Athericidae, a small family very similar to the Rhagionidae (snipe flies).[2][3]
Distribution
This species is present in most of Europe (
Description
The body is quite slender, eyes are rounded and well separated, antennae are trisegmented, costae are extended around the whole wings, and the abdomen has several dark and clear stripes. The legs are entirely black (hence the common name).
Biology
Adults can be found from May to Augusty. Adult females gather in large clumps and lay egg masses on tree branches or under bridges over flowing waters. In such a way, the first-stage larvae will fall into the water, where they start their lives. The larvae are aquatic and saprophagous. They show 6-8 abdominal segments.[5]
Habitat
These ibis flies are usually found alongside shallow rivers and streams, especially in hilly areas., where the larvae develop as predators.[6]
References
- ^ a b Fabricius, J.C. (1781). Species insectorum. Vol. 2. Hamburgi et Kilonii [= Hamburg and Kiel]: C. E. Bohnii. p. 494.
- ^ L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz Insects of Britain and Ireland: the families of Diptera
- ISBN 1-899935-04-5.
- ^ Fauna Europaea
- ^ A. Sundermann, S. Lohse, L.A. Beck, P. Haase Key to the larval stages of aquatic true flies (Diptera), based on the operational taxa list for running waters in Germany
- ^ Steven Falk Ibisia marginata
Further reading
- Stubbs, A. and Drake, M - British Soldierflies and Their Allies: A Field Guide to the Larger British Brachycera, pp. 512 - British Entomological and Natural History Society
- A. Minelli – La fauna in Italia – Touring Editore
- Di Paul S. Giller, Björn Malmqvist - The biology of streams and rivers – Oxford University Press
External links
