''Xylophagus ater'' is a species of awl fly belonging to the family

Xylophagidae The Brachyceran infraorder Xylophagomorpha is a small group that consists solely of the family Xylophagidae, which presently contains subfamilies that were sometimes considered to be two small related families (Coenomyiidae and Rachiceridae). ...

found in

Central Europe Central Europe is an area of Europe between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, based on a common historical, social and cultural identity. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) between Catholicism and Protestantism significantly shaped the area' ...

and

North Europe The northern region of Europe has several definitions. A restrictive definition may describe Northern Europe as being roughly north of the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, which is about 54°N, or may be based on other geographical factors ...

Description

The basal segment of the antenna is long, the length at least three times the width. In males the mesonotum is finely sculptured, shining, with two inconspicuous stripes of golden hairs. Females have three pollinose stripes on the mesonotum. The body length is 8 to 15 millimeters.

Biology

Larvae of ''Xylophagus ater'' are predatory. They feed on beetle larvae of the families Cerambycidae and

Pyrochroidae Fire-coloured beetles is the common name for members of the tenebrionoid family Pyrochroidae. The family is found worldwide, and is most diverse at temperate latitudes. Adults measure 2-20 mm; larvae reach 35 mm. Larvae of Pyrochroinae are foun ...

which develop in dead branches of a wide variety of broadleaved trees.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2598549 Xylophagidae Insects described in 1804 Diptera of Europe Taxa named by Johann Wilhelm Meigen