Oedoparena nigrifrons
Encyclopedia
Oedoparena nigrifrons is a coastal fly
from the family
Dryomyzidae. it is the only known dipterous
predator of barnacle
s.
to Alaska
.
where Egg
s are deposited on the operculum
of barnacle and fly larva
e consume several barnacles during their development. Pupation then tacks place in a now empty barnacle shell. The adult flies emerge during the morning low tide. Adults of Oedoparena glauca, and Oedoparena nigrifrons are found together in the same habit. It is possible that other members of the genus Oedoparena may have a similar lifestyle.
Fly
True flies are insects of the order Diptera . They possess a pair of wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax...
from the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Dryomyzidae. it is the only known dipterous
Fly
True flies are insects of the order Diptera . They possess a pair of wings on the mesothorax and a pair of halteres, derived from the hind wings, on the metathorax...
predator of barnacle
Barnacle
A barnacle is a type of arthropod belonging to infraclass Cirripedia in the subphylum Crustacea, and is hence related to crabs and lobsters. Barnacles are exclusively marine, and tend to live in shallow and tidal waters, typically in erosive settings. They are sessile suspension feeders, and have...
s.
Distribution
This is a Nearctic fly occurring from Central CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
Ecology
The ecology of this species is unknown, but it is suspected that it is the same as or similar to Oedoparena glaucaOedoparena glauca
Oedoparena glauca is a common coastal fly from the family Dryomyzidae. It is the only known dipterous predator of barnacles.-Distribution:This is a Nearctic fly occurring from Central California to Alaska.-Ecology:...
where Egg
Egg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
s are deposited on the operculum
Operculum (gastropod)
The operculum, meaning little lid, is a corneous or calcareous anatomical structure which exists in many groups of sea snails and freshwater snails, and also in a few groups of land snails...
of barnacle and fly larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e consume several barnacles during their development. Pupation then tacks place in a now empty barnacle shell. The adult flies emerge during the morning low tide. Adults of Oedoparena glauca, and Oedoparena nigrifrons are found together in the same habit. It is possible that other members of the genus Oedoparena may have a similar lifestyle.