winglessness

The winglessness of the genus is probably attributable to the fact that at sub-freezing temperatures, it is very hard to generate enough energy for maintaining flight muscles.

Many species are endemic to small ranges, perhaps due to the family's tendency to evolve tolerance for cold (isolating populations in mountain valleys) and winglessness (inhibiting dispersal).

Thus, either that the adult flies are more mobile than their winglessness suggests, able to walk for prolonged distances, and consequently more resilient to local extinctions of the Albany Pitcher Plant.

Thus in respect to the winglessness of the Madeira beetles he wrote:- "In some cases we might easily put down to disuse modifications of structure, which are wholly or mainly due to natural selection.