Lonchoptera lutea

The yellow spear-winged fly or Lonchoptera lutea, is the type species of the genus Lonchoptera.

Lonchoptera lutea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Lonchopteridae
Genus:	Lonchoptera
Species:	L. lutea
Binomial name
Lonchoptera lutea Panzer, 1809
Synonyms
L. cinerea de Meijere, 1906 L. flavicauda Meigen, 1824 L. riparia Meigen, 1824 L. palustris Meigen, 1824 L. punctum Meigen, 1824 L. trilineata Zetterstedt, 1848 L. nigrimana Meigen, 1824 L. thoracica Meigen, 1824 L. griseola Meigen in Morge, 1975

Adults vary a great deal in colour, from yellow to dark brown.[1] The anteroventral bristle of the middle tibia is missing from the distal half. Scutellum brown to yellow.[2] first and second antennal segments yellow, the third being dark, with a subapical arista.

Unlike most Lonchoptera, Lonchoptera lutea shows a marked preference for unshaded habitats.[1] It is widespread and often very common throughout most of Europe, extending into parts of Asia.

References

1. Drake, C. Martin (2002). "The Distribution and Habitat preferences of British Lonchopteridae (Diptera)". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine (Print). 138: 121–132.
2. Smith, K.G.V. (1969). "Lonchopteridae". Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects (Print). London: Royal Entomological Society of London. 10 (2ai): 9.