Ostenia is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. It contains only one species, Ostenia robusta, which is endemic to New Zealand. The species was first described by Frederick Hutton in 1901, and the genus was named after Carl Robert Osten-Sacken.[1]

Ostenia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Dolichopodidae
Subfamily: Diaphorinae
Genus: Ostenia
Hutton, 1901[1]
Species:
O. robusta
Binomial name
Ostenia robusta
Hutton, 1901[1]

Not much is known about the biology or ecology of the species. In 2012 and 2013, O. robusta larvae were found feeding on pupae of Costelytra zealandica (grass grub), suggesting that O. robusta are predators of C. zealandia pupae.[2] However, later observations in 2014 and 2015 contradicted these findings.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hutton, F. W. (1901). "Synopsis of the Diptera Brachyera of New Zealand". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 33: 1–95. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  2. ^ Chynoweth, R.J.; Marris, J.W.M.; Armstrong, K.F.; Chomic, A.; Linton, J.; Chapman, R.B. (2013). "Predation by Ostenia robusta on Costelytra zealandica pupae". New Zealand Plant Protection. 66: 157–161. doi:10.30843/nzpp.2013.66.5582.
  3. ^ Mansfield, S.; Watkins, L.M.; Townsend, R.J.; Chynoweth, R.J. (2015). "Biology of Ostenia robusta observations on life history and behaviour". New Zealand Plant Protection. 68: 360–366. doi:10.30843/nzpp.2015.68.5813.