Physocephala pusilla

Physocephala pusilla
Thecophora pusilla. Female, dorsal view
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Conopidae
Genus:	Physocephala
Species:	P. pusilla
Binomial name
Physocephala pusilla (Meigen, 1804/1824)
Synonyms
Conops pusilla Meigen 1804 Myopa pusilla Meigen, 1824 Thecophora pusilla (Meigen, 1824)

Physocephala pusilla is a species of fly belonging to the family Conopidae, subfamily Myopinae.

Taxonomy

Some authors consider Thecophora pusilla a synonym of Thecophora cinerascens Meigen, 1804.

Distribution

This species is mainly present in most of Europe (Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands).

Description

Side view of a female on Papaver rhoeas

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Thecophora pusilla can reach a length of 3–5 mm (0.12–0.20 in). This species appears to be highly variable. Thorax and abdomen of this very small conopid is mainly greyish-black, with a broad and relatively high theca in the females. On mesonotum submedial dorsal stripes are absent or very weakly developed. The head is quite large, with large reddish eyes. The lower part of frons is pale, while the upper part and the ocellar triangle are uniformly black. The snout is elongated with narrow white cheeks, Femurs 1 and 2 are black, while femur 3 is pale on its basal half. Tibiae are pale only near the base. The wings are blackish, but the base is yellowed.

Biology

The adults of this fly can be encountered feeding on nectar of flowers of various plants (Crepis biennis, Papaver rhoeas, etc). Their larvae are endoparasites of small solitary bees.

References

• Smith, K.G.V. (1969) - Diptera: Conopidae - Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects