Orangeback
Pterallastes thoracicus Loew, 1863
Orangeback: https://marylandbiodiversity.com/species/9891
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22 Records

Status

Uncommon. Flies mostly May to October. Has been found in hardwood forests and has been noted "hilltopping." Larvae are unknown.

Description

Large, measuring 10.7-13.2 mm. One of several flower fly (family Syrphidae) bumble bee mimics. The only member of its genus in the Western Hemisphere. "Similar to Brachypalpus but may be recognized by differences in wing venation, the blacker abdomen, and more densely pollinose thorax." (Skevington, 2019)

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Source: Wikipedia

Pterallastes thoracicus
from Canton, GA, USA
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Syrphidae
Subfamily: Eristalinae
Tribe: Milesiini
Subtribe: Temnostomina
Genus: Pterallastes
Species:
P. thoracicus
Binomial name
Pterallastes thoracicus
Loew, 1863[1]

Pterallastes thoracicus (Loew 1863), the Goldenback Fly, is an uncommon species of syrphid fly observed across central and eastern areas of the United States. Hoverflies can remain nearly motionless in flight while many are mimics of bees. The adults are also known as flower flies for they are commonly found on flowers, from which they get both energy-giving nectar and protein-rich pollen. The larvae are unknown.[2]

Pterallastes thoracicus male
Pterallastes thoracicus hind leg

Distribution

[edit]

United States.

References

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  1. ^ Loew, Hermann (1863). "Diptera Americae septentrionalis indigena". Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift. 7: 275–326. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  2. ^ Skevington, Jeffrey H (2019). Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America. ISBN 9780691189406.