Bittacus

Bittacus
Bittacus strigosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mecoptera
Family: Bittacidae
Genus: Bittacus
Latreille, 1805
Species
See text

Bittacus is a genus of hanging flies in the order Mecoptera. Members of the genus have a cosmopolitan distribution.

Characteristics

Members of this genus have long legs, the front pair of which are modified for grasping and are used to hang from vegetation. The other two pairs have tarsal claws and are modified for catching prey. There are two pairs of equal sized, membranous wings with dark mottling. The mouthparts are modified for chewing. The insects superficially resemble crane flies.[1][2]

Species

The following species are listed in the World Checklist of Extant Mecoptera Species:[1]

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Bittacus
  1. 1 2 Norman D. Penny (October 31, 1997). "World Checklist of Extant Mecoptera Species". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  2. Meenakshi Venkataraman. "Bittacus". Indian insects. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
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