New Species of Forcepfly Discovered in Brazil
Posted on February 20, 2013
A new species of forcepfly has been discovered in Brazil. The males of the species have large genital forceps. The new species, Austromerope braziliensis, was discovered in a private ranch near a forest fragment surrounded by farms in the Atlantic Forest biome. The research paper was published in Zookeys.
Lead author Dr Renato Machado from the Texas A & M University, said in the announcement, "The discovery of this new relict species is an important signal to reinforce the conservation of Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome. Certainly there are many more mecopterans species yet to be discovered in these forests."
The scientists say little is known about the biology and immature stages of forcepflies. The insects are also known by the common name earwigflies. Here is a closeup image of the forcepfly's genital forceps:
This is a photo of another species of forcepfly, Merope tuber:
