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Apiocera Varia
The Apioceridae, or flower-loving flies, are a small (about 150 species) family of fly, flies, all in the single genus ''Apiocera''. They occur mostly in dry, sandy habitats in the deserts of North America, South America, and Australia. Other genera formerly placed in Apioceridae are now in Mydidae. Diversity and biogeography The roughly 150 species of ''Apiocera'' are divided into four subgenera, each restricted to a different continent. ''Apiocera (subgenus), Apiocera'' is found in Australia, ''Ripidosyrma'' in southern Africa, ''Pyrocera'' in North America, and ''Anypenus'' in South America. Biology ''Apiocera'' species are found in sandy, arid and semiarid habitats. Despite the common name, most ''Apiocera'' species never visit flowers, but rather are found running on the ground near sparse vegetation, or feeding on Honeydew (secretion), honeydew beneath aphid-infested plants. They are often seen drinking from damp sand with their sponge-like insect mouthparts, mouthparts. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Obadiah Westwood
John Obadiah Westwood (22 December 1805 – 2 January 1893) was an English entomologist and archaeologist also noted for his artistic talents. He published several illustrated works on insects and antiquities. He was among the first entomologists with an academic position at Oxford University. He was a natural theologian, staunchly anti-Darwinian, and sometimes adopted a quinarian viewpoint. Although he never travelled widely, he described species from around the world on the basis of specimens, especially of the larger, curious, and colourful species, obtained by naturalists and collectors in England. Life and work Westwood was born in a Quaker family in Sheffield, the son of medal and die maker, John Westwood (1774–1850) and Mary, daughter of Edward Betts. He went to school at the Friends' School, Sheffield and later at Lichfield when the family moved there. He apprenticed briefly to become a solicitor and worked briefly as a partner in a firm but gave up a career in law f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
