Orthonevra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Orthonevra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Orthonevra geniculata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Syrphidae |
| Subfamily: | Eristalinae |
| Tribe: | Brachyopini |
| Genus: | Orthonevra Macquart, 1829 |
| Type species | |
| Chrysogaster elegans | |
| Synonyms | |
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Orthonevra is a genus of flies in the family Syrphidae. They are worldwide in distribution with at least 59 species identified concentrated mainly in eastern North America and Europe. Species of the genus Orthonevra are commonly called mucksuckers after the larvae which have been found in organic rich mud, i.e. muck. This genus belongs to the tribe Brachyopini that includes the prominent genera Melanogaster, Brachyopa, Neoascia and Sphegina.
Species of the genus Orthonevra have black heads with blue to purple reflections. Many species have distinctive eye stripes. The antennae are somewhat elongate. (see image) The frons is wrinkled with silvery spots at sides of antennae. The thorax with small punctures dorsally and in several species the body is covered with scale-like pile. Wing vein M1 curves away from the wing tip.(see images)
