Bittacus

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Bittacus
Temporal range: Cenomanian–Present
File:Bittacus strigosus -- Hangingfly.JPG
Bittacus strigosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mecoptera
Family: Bittacidae
Genus: Bittacus
Latreille, 1805
Species

See text

Bittacus is a genus of hangingflies in the order Mecoptera. Members of the genus have a cosmopolitan distribution. The genus has existed since at least the earliest Late Cretaceous.[1] Bittacus is considered "grossly paraphyletic" and serves as a catch-all for many distantly related species of hangingflies.[2]

Characteristics

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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.[3][4]

Species

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The following species are listed in the World Checklist of Extant Mecoptera Species:[3]

Extinct species

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References

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File:Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Bittacus at Wikispecies

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