Gauromydas heros
Gauromydas heros is a species of giant fly belonging to the family Mydidae. It is the largest species of the entire order of Diptera or true flies.
| Gauromydas heros | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gauromydas heros | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Mydidae |
| Genus: | Gauromydas |
| Species: | G. heros |
| Binomial name | |
| Gauromydas heros (Perty, 1833) | |
| Synonyms | |
Distribution
This species has a Neotropical distribution (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay).[1][2]
Mounted specimen
Description
Gauromydas heros can reach a length of 7 centimetres (2.8 in) and a wingspan of about 10 centimetres (3.9 in). It is the largest fly known. The wing membrane is whitish, brown or orange, with a hyaline apex and a posterior margin.[2]
Biology
Adult males are flower visitors, while females do not feed at all. Larvae live in the nest of ants (Atta species), feeding on immature insects. Mature larva dig a pupation chamber in the soil. Then the imago emerges.[2]
See also
References
- Asiloid Flies
- Calhau Julia, Lamas Carlos José Einicker, Nihei Silvio Shigueo Review of the Gauromydas giant flies (Insecta, Diptera, Mydidae), with descriptions of two new species from Central and South America Magnolia Press, New Zealand ISSN 1175-5326 doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4048.3.3
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