Moegistorhynchus longirostris | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Nemestrinidae |
Genus: | Moegistorhynchus |
Species: | M. longirostris
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Binomial name | |
Moegistorhynchus longirostris (
Wiedemann, 1819)
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Moegistorhynchus longirostris is a keystone species of fly that lives on the west coast of South Africa. [1]
M. longirostris has a very long proboscis that is believed to be the product of an evolutionary arms race between pollinating insects and long-tubed flowers. [1]
The species pollinates, partly or exclusively, at least 20 species of Iridaceae (such as Lapeirousia anceps), [2] Geraniaceae, and Orchidaceae. [1]