The latent species of the fly is found in North America.

Kinds of animals that do not differ from their close relatives by external characteristics are called hidden, or cryptic species, as well as twin species. Usually they last for a long time under the same name, until a thorough investigation proves that there are actually two species. A recent publication in the scientific journal Mammalogy describes the discovery of a hidden species of flying squirrel, common in the forests of the Pacific coast of the United States.