''Toxonevra muliebris'' is a species of flutter fly in the family

Pallopteridae Pallopteridae is a family of flies. The various species are collectively called flutter-wing flies, trembling-wing, or waving-wing flies, because of the striking vibration of the wings in many species. Over 70 species in about 15 genera are foun ...

. It has been found in Europe and North America. The pattern on the wings of this species is distinctive.

Taxonomy

This species was first described by

Moses Harris Moses Harris (15 April 1730 – 1787) was an English entomologist and engraver. Life and work Harris was encouraged in entomology from a young age by his uncle, a member of the Society of the Aurelians. In 1762 he became secretary of a secon ...

under the name ''Musca muliebris''. Subsequently, this species has been included within the genus ''Palloptera''. It has also been known under the name ''Toxoneura muliebris.'' However this name is regarded as being a misspelling of the genus ''Toxonevra''. It is currently known as ''Toxonevra muliebris''.

Description

Morris described this species as follows: The pattern on the wings of adults is distinctive and is a diagnostic feature when identifying this species.

Distribution

This species is native to Europe, and has been observed in countries such as Spain, Italy, Austria, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Ireland. Recently it has been observed and collected in North America.

Ecology

The larvae of this species has been found under tree bark and it has been hypothesised that they feed on beetle larvae. In North America adults of this species have also been discovered inside residential houses. It has been suggested that this is as a result of larvae of ''T. mulibris'' preferring to prey on the larvae of

carpet beetles Carpet beetle may refer to any of several taxa of beetles: *some genera of the Dermestidae Dermestidae are a family of Coleoptera that are commonly referred to as skin beetles. Other common names include larder beetle, hide or leather beetles, ...

, a common household pest in North America.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q14698364 Pallopteridae Insects described in 1780 Muscomorph flies of Europe