Duistere villa
Villa longicornis
Duistere villa (Villa longicornis) is a distinctive bee fly species characterized by its elongated antennae and dark, robust body with subtle iridescent markings. These agile aerial predators play a crucial ecological role as both pollinators of wildflowers and as parasitoids of ground-nesting solitary bees and wasps during their larval stage.
10
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Gábor Keresztes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Gábor Keresztes
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Diptera
Family
Bombyliidae
Genus
Villa
Duistere villa belongs to the family Bombyliidae, order Diptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Duistere villa (Villa longicornis) is a distinctive bee fly species characterized by its elongated antennae and dark, robust body with subtle iridescent markings. These agile aerial predators play a crucial ecological role as both pollinators of wildflowers and as parasitoids of ground-nesting solitary bees and wasps during their larval stage.
Villa longicornis faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural expansion and urbanization across its range. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns and temperature regimes in the arid and semi-arid environments this species depends on, while pesticide use in agricultural areas reduces prey availability and may cause direct mortality.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This bee fly species inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, including desert scrublands, dry grasslands, and open sandy areas with sparse vegetation. It is typically found in areas with exposed soil and low-growing shrubs where it can hunt for prey and find suitable sites for reproduction.
Threats
Habitat loss from agricultural expansion
Urban development and infrastructure
Climate change impacts on arid ecosystems
Habitat fragmentation
Pesticide use reducing prey populations
Found in 10 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Duistere villa (Villa longicornis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/duistere-villa