Pelecorhynchus contains many beautiful robust flies. They closely resemble some of the more colourful and hairy Tabanidae (e.g. Scionini). They can be distinguished by wing anal cell being open and vein 1A generally sinuate whereas in Tabanidae the anal cell is closed and vein 1A straight (Pelecorhynchus wing venation). Other characters include entirely brownish eyes, the eyes entirely bare, three ocelli well developed, and antennae thin and tapering (flagellum 8-annulated). The head viewed from the side has a distinctly rounded projecting face and antennae set above mid level of eyes.
The distribution of Pelecorhynchus in Australia generally reflect the cool temperate areas of the highlands of Tasmania, Victoria and NSW, the adults typically encountered at elevations above 1000 metres. A few species are tolerant of warmer conditions, their distribution extending to the coast and northward into Southeast Queensland. Only P. mackerrasi Daniels is known for WA, being originally collected in the far south of the state.
Pelecorhynchus larvae, which resemble whitish worms, inhabit moist soils where they are thought to feed on earthworms and possibly other similar soft-bodied prey. Adults are flower feeders where Leptospermum dominates the diet, though flowers of other plants can also be visited.
Australia has 31 described Pelecorhynchus species. Eight are known for Tasmanian: fusconiger (Walker), nigripennis Ricardo, igniculus Hardy, olivei Hardy, eristaliodes (Walker), albolineatus Hardy, occidens Hardy, and montanus Hardy. Only the first two species are shared with the mainland.
Key to Tasmanian Pelecorhynchus species:
References
Daniels, G. 1977. Two new species of Pelecorhynchus Macquart (Diptera: Pelecorhynchidae), with the first record of the family from Western Australia. Australian Entomological Magazine 4: 73-75.
Hardy, G. H. 1916. Notes on Tasmanian Diptera and descriptions of new species, etc. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1916: 267-272.
Hardy, G. H. 1920. Notes on flies of the genus Pelecorhynchus (Tabanidae). Records of the Australian Museum 13: 33-39.
Mackerras, I. M. & Fuller, M. E. 1942. The genus Pelecorhynchus (Diptera, Tabanoidea). Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 67: 9-76.
Ricardo, G. 1910. A revision of the genus Pelecorhynchus of the family Tabanidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 8 5: 402-409.