Stonemyia velutina, the velvety stonian horsefly, is a rare species of fly in the family Tabanidae endemic to California. First described in 1892, it was not sighted between 1942 and its rediscovery in 2023, and prematurely declared extinct in 1996.[1] Not much is yet known about its habitat or behavior, but it is thought that it may thrive in fire-disturbed chaparral.[2]

Stonemyia velutina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Tabanidae
Genus: Stonemyia
Species:
S. velutina
Binomial name
Stonemyia velutina
(Bigot, 1892)
Synonyms
  • Stonemyia volutina (erroneous)

References

edit
  1. ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1996). "Stonemyia velutina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T20867A9234097. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T20867A9234097.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ^ Gaimari, Steven (Fall 2023). "California comeback: Stonemyia velutina reappears in the West Sierra foothills" (PDF). Fly Times (71): 18-22. Retrieved 20 June 2024.