''Dipalta'' is a
North American
North America is a continent in the Northern and Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the sou ...
genus of bee flies in the family
Bombyliidae
The Bombyliidae are a family of flies, commonly known as bee flies. Some are colloquially known as bomber flies. Adults generally feed on nectar and pollen, some being important pollinators. Larvae are mostly parasitoids of other insects.
Over ...
. There are two described species of ''Dipalta''.
[
] The genus is closely related to ''
Villa
A villa is a type of house that was originally an ancient Roman upper class country house that provided an escape from urban life. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the f ...
''.
[
]
Description
These medium-sized flies have conical faces, and have three marginal wing cells on mottled wings with erratic wing venation. Wing length is 10–13 mm, and body length is 9–10 mm.[
]
Ecology
Adults are found pollinating low growing flowers in desert areas. Larva
A larva (; : larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into their next life stage. Animals with indirect development such as insects, some arachnids, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase ...
e are parasitic on ant lions.[
]
Species
*'' D. banksi'' Johnson, 1921
*'' D. serpentina'' Osten Sacken, 1877
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5279700
Bombyliidae
Diptera of North America
Bombyliidae genera