This page represents the following TreeOfLife-200M taxonomic path.[1]
Allograpta amphotera is a hoverfly characterized by a distinct yellow face featuring a medial black vitta. The scutum is black and exhibits a continuous lateral yellow vitta that extends from the postpronotum to the scutellum. The scutellum itself is yellow and marked with a median black macula. The abdominal pattern includes two lateral yellow maculae on terga 2 and 5, while terga 3 and 4 are marked with a broad yellow fascia [2]. Observations of museum specimens in the TreeOfLife-200M dataset confirm these general morphological features, including the characteristic abdominal banding and thoracic markings [1].
Allograpta amphotera (Bezzi, 1928) was originally described as Xanthogramma amphoterum [3]. It is present in French Polynesia, specifically within the Marquesas, Society, and Austral Islands [2].
This species is morphologically very similar to Allograpta nigripilosa (Hull, 1944), and they can be differentiated primarily by their wing microtrichia patterns. The potential synonymy of these two taxa has been noted, though further research is required to confirm this relationship. Both species share the same Barcode Index Number (BIN: BOLD:AAZ6685), although they form distinct genetic clusters [2].