Biology:Calcaretropidia

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Calcaretropidia is a genus of hoverfly (family Syrphidae) in the subtribe Tropidiina.[1]

Classification

Calcaretropidia is one of eleven genera in the subtribe Tropidiina, the other ten being: Tropidia, Orthoprosopa, Paratropidia, Macrozelima, Meropidia, Nepenthosyrphus, Rhinotropidia, Senogaster, Syritta, and Brachypalpoides.[2]

Characteristics

Key characteristics of the genus Calcaretropidia include a swollen hind femur, a carinate face, and large ommatidia.[3]

Distribution

Until 2017, Calcaretropidia was thought to be endemic to the island of Madagascar. The discovery of Calcaretropidia delmohardy on the islands of Sulawesi and New Guinea disproved this,[3][4] confirming Calcaretropidia's presence on both sides of the Lydekker line and challenging earlier assumptions of endemism to Madagascar.[3]

Ecology and behaviour

Seasonality

Unlike many temperate species in the subtribe Tropidiina that exhibit summer seasonality,[2] Calcaretropidia species occur in tropical regions such as Madagascar, New Guinea, and Sulawesi, where activity is likely governed by local climatic conditions (such as humidity) rather than temperature seasonality. Currently, no general flight season has been established.[3]

Feeding

While little is known about Calcaretropidia's specific feeding behaviour, they are thought to pollinate flowers as adults.[3]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q10743824 entry